The article’s title, “Giving Tuesday Ideas + Tips to Shatter Your Goals,” beside hands holding a heart-shaped piece of felt.

35 Giving Tuesday Ideas + Tips to Shatter Your Goals

Your nonprofit’s donors lead busy lives—managing their careers, maintaining social relationships, and pursuing their personal goals. Because of this, it can be challenging to keep them continually involved in all that you’re doing to fulfill your mission. That’s why Giving Tuesday is such an important time for any nonprofit, no matter your size or cause.

Established as a global generosity movement, Giving Tuesday is a day that’s all about making a difference. In this guide, we’ll discuss everything your nonprofit needs to know to make the most of this powerful opportunity, including:

With enough preparation, your nonprofit can turn these 24 hours into a springboard for increased donations, stronger donor relationships, and greater awareness for your cause.

Click through to tap into one of the best fundraising ideas for Giving Tuesday and start a free crowdfunding campaign on Fundly.

Giving Tuesday: FAQs

Ready to become a Giving Tuesday expert? Start by exploring these frequently asked questions to set your team up for success:

What is Giving Tuesday?

Giving Tuesday is a global day of generosity that takes place every Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the U.S. It’s a chance for nonprofits, businesses, and individual people to come together and contribute however they can toward making the world a better place.

Since its inception, Giving Tuesday has raised more than $13 billion for nonprofits. Last year, in the U.S. alone, 34 million people participated in Giving Tuesday, contributing a total of $3.1 billion to charitable causes. Now, nearly 100 countries have launched national movements on this day.

Who can participate in Giving Tuesday?

Anyone can participate in Giving Tuesday. For example:

Giving Tuesday ideas for individual, nonprofit, corporate, and grantmaking participants, as described in more detail below.

  • Individuals can donate, make in-kind gifts, participate in community service projects, and spread the word about causes they care about.
  • Nonprofits can raise funds, acquire new donors, build community partnerships, and spread awareness of their missions.
  • Companies can give to nonprofits, plan team volunteering activities, organize donation drives, and match the donations their employees make.
  • Grantmakers can issue challenge grants, sponsor nonprofit events, and host capacity-building workshops.

Your nonprofit can even take this opportunity to collaborate with other nonprofits that have missions and values that align with your own. In doing so, you can broaden your reach and amplify your impact together.

How does Giving Tuesday benefit nonprofits?

Giving Tuesday taps into a global pool of donors, volunteers, advocates, and sponsors for more than just a single day. Donor acquisition growth rates are 4.4 times higher on Giving Tuesday than at any other time of the year, and about 40% of these donors give again the following year.

Plus, since Giving Tuesday only lasts 24 hours, the urgency can inspire some donors who may have been on the fence to take action.

How to Prepare for a Giving Tuesday Campaign

Since Giving Tuesday is such a fast-paced day for nonprofits, you need to build a strong plan to ensure that everything runs smoothly and successfully. Use these basic steps to prepare for your next campaign:

  1. Assess your past performance. If you’ve participated in Giving Tuesday before, take a look at what you did well and what you can improve on. Consider metrics such as the total funds you raised and the number of new donors you acquired. Ideally, you should be able to refine your strategies to boost your results year after year.
  2. Set a goal and budget. Decide on a goal that’s specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound (SMART). This framework can help you set reasonable and actionable expectations for your campaign. Then, evaluate the resources you have available to outline a budget for your team to work with.
  3. Create your Giving Tuesday content. Design eye-catching images, collect testimonials, prepare your donation page, and nail down your campaign messaging. Aim to present a cohesive image of your nonprofit across all of your content.

Be sure to promote your Giving Tuesday campaign at least a month before the actual day to put it on your community’s radar and build excitement.

Top Giving Tuesday Ideas to Raise More

There are countless possibilities for raising funds on Giving Tuesday. If you’re not sure how to best engage your donors this time around, explore our list of the top fundraising ideas for Giving Tuesday:

1. Crowdfunding 9. T-Shirt Fundraising 17. Family Fun Day
2. Matching Gifts 10. Branded Merchandise Sales 18. Karaoke Night
3. Fundraising eCards 11. Text-to-Give 19. Viral Video Challenge
4. Peer-to-Peer Fundraising 12. Facebook Fundraiser 20. Ink Your Supporters
5. Walk-a-thon 13. In-Kind Donations 21. Themed Party
6. Pledge Campaign 14. Volunteer Grants 22. Virtual Tour
7. Recurring Giving 15. Balloon Raffle 23. Charity Concert
8. Silent Auction 16. Restaurant Partnership 24. Trivia Night

1. Crowdfunding

A crowdfunding campaign is perfect for harnessing Giving Tuesday’s wide reach to bring in a lot of donations from around the world. To get started, all you need to do is follow these easy steps:

  1. Set up a crowdfunding page. Start by choosing a crowdfunding platform with low processing fees and a “Keep it All” model that ensures you can receive all the funds you earn regardless of whether you reach your fundraising goal before the deadline. Then, create your page by uploading images, adding giving levels, and telling your story.
  2. Promote your campaign. Share your crowdfunding page in your email newsletter, social media posts, website, and blog articles to maximize awareness both leading up to and on Giving Tuesday. Follow up with updates on your fundraising progress throughout the day to keep the momentum going and inspire more people to help you reach your goal.
  3. Thank all of your donors. Whenever someone makes a gift, promptly thank them for their support. The more valued they feel, the more likely they’ll be to share your campaign with their friends and family, spreading their passion and dedication to your mission.

Throughout your campaign, keep an eye on the number of donors, average gift amount, and page traffic source to get an idea of how well you’re doing. For example, suppose you notice that many donors reach your crowdfunding page through Instagram. In that case, you might decide to post more interactive updates on that particular platform since it’s bringing you the most traffic.

Fundly: The Top Crowdfunding Platform for Giving Tuesday

There are several crowdfunding platforms that can support your Giving Tuesday fundraising, from Fundly to GoFundMe. To make your campaign especially engaging, look for one with a comprehensive set of tools and features that allow you to go beyond creating a simple crowdfunding page.

Fundly, in particular, is the top crowdfunding platform for Giving Tuesday due to the following benefits:

  • Instant fundraising. It only takes minutes to start collecting donations with Fundly, making it a quick and easy fundraising idea for Giving Tuesday.
  • Risk-free. When you create a free crowdfunding campaign, you won’t pay anything until you receive your first donation.
  • Low fees. Fundly has a 0% platform fee and only charges the traditional credit card processing fee that all crowdfunding websites charge.
  • Deep social integration. Fundly’s social media integrations make it easy for supporters to share your campaign with their networks. Plus, any updates you make on your page will automatically be posted to your connected social media accounts.
  • Personalization. Unlike other crowdfunding websites, Fundly fundraising pages can be completely customized. Change the color scheme, add your logo, and make your page unique to your cause.

Setting up a crowdfunding campaign on Fundly is easy for both tech-savvy and new fundraisers alike. However, if you run into any questions, Fundly has a full support team that’s always available to help.

Example of a Successful Giving Tuesday Crowdfunding Campaign

The Family Violence Appellate Project (FVAP) is a nonprofit dedicated to appealing court decisions on behalf of domestic violence survivors. The organization created a crowdfunding campaign on Giving Tuesday so that they could continue to provide their services for free. A generous donor even agreed to match all donations made to the page.

A screenshot of FVAP’s crowdfunding campaign on Fundly, illustrating how the nonprofit succeeded with this Giving Tuesday fundraising idea.

By including powerful images, a detailed description, and various giving levels, the campaign managed to raise over $10,000 more than its fundraising goal.

Click through to learn more about one of the top Giving Tuesday ideas for nonprofits: starting a crowdfunding campaign on Fundly.

2. Matching Gifts

Matching gifts on Giving Tuesday is a win-win-win situation for everyone involved. As corporate social responsibility (CSR) becomes a higher priority among companies around the world, there are more and more opportunities to make your donors’ dollars go further. Many companies will match the donations their employees make to nonprofits at a 1:1 ratio or higher, though 78% of donors are unaware if their employer has a matching gift program.

Start by spreading awareness and encouraging donors to check their eligibility on Giving Tuesday. On your campaign page and in your other marketing materials, share a brief description of matching gifts and how they work.

A screenshot of a campaign page discussing matching gifts, showing how nonprofits can promote the opportunity while raising funds on Giving Tuesday.

You can even arrange for a one-time matching gift partnership with a company that is drawn to your nonprofit’s cause and shares your values. They can agree to match all the donations you receive on Giving Tuesday while you boost their brand awareness by including their name and logo on your various Giving Tuesday marketing materials.

3. Fundraising eCards

Giving Tuesday is all about connecting as many people to your cause as possible within a short timeframe. By creating fundraising eCards, you can both collect donations to support your mission and encourage donors to help you spread the word by sending them to other people in their network.

Set up special Giving Tuesday eCards by:

  • Choosing a user-friendly eCard platform.
  • Creating eye-catching designs with your nonprofit’s colors and logo.
  • Uploading the eCards to your website or online store.

Even after Giving Tuesday is over, you can continue raising funds by coming up with new designs for birthday wishes, holiday greetings, event invitations, and more.

4. Peer-to-Peer Fundraising

Loyal supporters are a great asset to your fundraising efforts! That’s why you should plan a peer-to-peer campaign to coincide with Giving Tuesday. By leveraging your supporters’ networks, you can reach even more donors. Plus, adding a competitive component to your campaign will motivate your fundraisers to reach their goals.

Just because supporters are asking for contributions doesn’t mean you don’t have a role to play. Ensure that your fundraisers are equipped with all the resources they need and don’t forget to welcome new donors to your organization’s family.

5. Walk-a-thon

Giving Tuesday falls after Thanksgiving, which means many of your supporters might love a chance to get active and work off that turkey—for a good cause, of course! Plan a walk-a-thon event in your local community to take place on the morning of Giving Tuesday.

Advertise your event as family-friendly so that supporters of all ages can attend. You can even give your walk a fun theme that relates to the season or your cause. Walkathons allow for plenty of creativity, so don’t be afraid to think outside the box.

6. Pledge Campaign

Giving Tuesday can provide a sense of urgency that inspires many people to take action and donate to your nonprofit. To maximize engagement with your campaign, consider accepting pledges. Those who can’t give now can simply pledge to donate a certain amount at a later time.

Following Giving Tuesday, be sure to send timely reminders to fulfill pledges. Reach out through each donor’s preferred communication method to ensure that they don’t miss your messages. Provide an update on the impact of all the funds you’ve managed to raise so far and highlight what you can continue to accomplish with pledged funds.

7. Recurring Giving

Your nonprofit should plan to keep its donors engaged long after Giving Tuesday is over. By launching and promoting a recurring giving program, you can make it easy for them to contribute regularly to your mission.

Your Giving Tuesday donation page should make it easy to opt into recurring gifts. Be sure to specify what certain gift amounts—such as monthly donations of $10, $25, and $50—will help you achieve, so donors can better visualize their impact. Once they’ve joined, your recurring donors should be able to change their giving frequency, update their payment method, and opt out at any time.

8. Silent Auction

The excitement of Giving Tuesday pairs well with a silent auction. Not only will donors be motivated to support your cause, but they’ll also jump at the chance to receive an awesome gift.

Silent auctions require a lot of planning, including procuring unique or rare items and experiences as well as recruiting volunteers to assist donors with checking in and placing bids. If you’re interested in organizing one, you’ll need to prepare well in advance.

9. T-Shirt Fundraising

T-shirts are universal, so they’re the perfect fundraising product for your Giving Tuesday efforts. Find an online retailer that lets you design professional-quality t-shirts in a variety of styles. Don’t forget to include your nonprofit’s logo or name on your shirts!

If you sell your shirts ahead of Giving Tuesday, encourage supporters to snap a picture of them wearing their beautiful new tees and post it using the hashtag #GivingTuesday. Their online promotion will get the word out about your organization and might even inspire their followers to buy a shirt too.

10. Branded Merchandise Sales

There’s no better motivator than receiving a cool, useful product from your favorite nonprofit. To boost your Giving Tuesday, you can sell branded merchandise. This is a great way to promote your cause after the giving day because every time your donors wear your products, they’ll be marketing your organization to everyone who sees them.

To sell branded merchandise, you’ll need to find a wholesale provider where you can design and purchase your items in bulk. You can sell your merchandise at your Giving Tuesday event or on your nonprofit’s website.

11. Text-to-Give

Many organizations already use text-to-give as a means to accept donations for Giving Tuesday—and for good reason! Text giving is a convenient way for donors to give because they can do it anytime they have their phones handy.

Look for a text-to-give provider that is secure and makes donating easy for your supporters.

12. Facebook Fundraiser

Facebook is the world’s most popular social media platform, with over three billion active users around the world. Because of this, it can be a highly effective tool for both building excitement for Giving Tuesday and raising funds on the day itself.

By signing up for Facebook’s fundraising tools, your nonprofit can launch fundraisers directly on the platform itself, accept tax-deductible donations, and track metrics such as the number of donations you’ve earned over a certain period of time. Plus, anyone on Facebook can create their own fundraiser on behalf of your nonprofit. You can use Messenger to share tips and templates with these dedicated supporters to boost their success on Giving Tuesday.

13. In-Kind Donations

Some people may not have the means to make a substantial monetary gift to your nonprofit on Giving Tuesday. However, there are many other ways they can contribute to your mission, such as through in-kind donations.

Leading up to Giving Tuesday, make a list of any items or services that might be useful to your nonprofit. Then, share it on your website and other communication platforms. For example, an animal rescue might ask for donations of pet beds, treats, toys, and cleaning supplies. Or, it might benefit from a graphic designer’s pro bono services to create compelling marketing materials for Giving Tuesday and the year-end fundraising season.

14. Volunteer Grants

Volunteers already commit their time, skills, and energy to your organizations, but there’s a way to deepen their impact even further. Many companies, in addition to matching gifts, have a volunteer grant program through which they donate to the nonprofits their employees regularly volunteer with.

80% of these companies give between $8-$15 per hour volunteered. However, it’s important to note that some programs have a minimum number of hours that an employee has to volunteer before they qualify for a volunteer grant. While it might not be feasible to ask your supporters to fulfill all of these hours on Giving Tuesday, use this opportunity to remind long-time volunteers to check their eligibility and recruit new volunteers who want to make more of an impact.

15. Balloon Raffle

All you need for a balloon raffle are balloons, raffle tickets, and a prize for the winner. Supporters can pay $1 to pop a balloon and receive a ticket. Near the end of your event, you can announce the winner.

Generally, balloon raffles are effective when combined with other fundraising events like a family fun day, ice cream social, or fundraising picnic when you have a lot of supporters in one location. If you plan on hosting an event on Giving Tuesday, consider organizing a balloon raffle to raise even more funds.

16. Restaurant Partnership

Who doesn’t love good food? And supporting a good cause while having a good meal makes everyone happy! That’s why partnering with a local restaurant is a great way to supercharge your fundraising on Giving Tuesday.

Here’s how it works: ask a local restaurant, coffee shop, or bar to donate a percentage of the night’s funds to your cause. In return, you’ll promote the business and encourage donors to come dine there. Not only will donors enjoy a great meal, but they’ll also leave happy, knowing that they supported a good cause.

17. Family Fun Day

Giving Tuesday is a great opportunity to bring your supporters together to raise money and awareness for your cause with a family-friendly event. A family fun day is an event that involves games and activities that the whole family can enjoy!

Charge an admission fee to enter the festivities and sell concessions to raise money. Remember to schedule some time during the event to let donors know why you’re raising funds.

18. Karaoke Night

Who can resist a night filled with fun and singing? Karaoke is an event that lets everyone—no matter what age—join in on the fun. For your event, you’ll need karaoke equipment, but before you go out and buy your own, see if you can rent what you need.

Host your karaoke event at night on Giving Tuesday to help you finish the day off strong. And remember, during the event, let people know why you’re raising funds and thank them for their support.

19. Viral Video Challenge

Over 17 million people uploaded a video for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, making it a prime example of how you can raise money with a fun interactive video. Before Giving Tuesday, you can create your own video challenge and ask supporters to donate and upload a video of themselves completing your challenge.

People will be curious to see where the video originated from and you’ll raise a ton of money for your cause on Giving Tuesday.

20. Ink Your Supporters

A fun way to raise awareness for your cause? Give your donors temporary tattoos with your organization’s logo! When a supporter contributes, they can take a photo with the tattoo and post it to their social media accounts with #GivingTuesday.

When other people see the posts, they’ll be curious to learn more about your crowdfunding campaign and donate to your cause.

21. Themed Party

Giving Tuesday primarily lives online, but you can bring the fun to the real world by hosting a themed fundraising event. Make your theme relevant to your nonprofit’s cause. For example, if you’re an animal rights organization, encourage guests to bring their furry friends. If you’re a food bank, cater your event with health-conscious (and yummy!) dishes prepared by your staff.

No matter what theme you go with, make sure to include a photo booth at your event so that guests can commemorate their Giving Tuesday fun and share their experience with friends online.

22. Virtual Tour

Your nonprofit’s supporters may be located all over the country or even the world, but that doesn’t mean you can’t provide them with a behind-the-scenes glimpse into your everyday impact. Consider live-streaming a virtual tour of your facilities on Giving Tuesday, complete with interviews with your staff members and beneficiaries.

During the tour, keep participants engaged by sharing polls, providing a live chat option, and answering any questions they may have. In addition to charging a registration fee for the tour, you can encourage more support by providing a donation link that’s easy to access at all times. Once the tour is over, you can upload it onto your website for those who weren’t able to attend during that specific time.

23. Charity Concert

At the end of the day, remember that Giving Tuesday is a celebration. Bring your nonprofit’s community together for a night of musical entertainment by hosting a charity concert. Plan ahead by choosing a suitable venue and reaching out to local artists who may be willing to perform for free or for a reduced price. You can even seek out corporate sponsors who could cover some of your event’s costs.

Encourage people to purchase tickets to your Giving Tuesday concert by setting up an easy registration page and offering early bird discounts. Consider providing a virtual, live-streamed option for people who won’t be able to attend in person.

24. Trivia Night

Hosting a trivia night is a Giving Tuesday fundraising idea that’s bound to attract supporters who love a little friendly competition. You can either poll potential attendees to decide on a theme or come up with questions related to your cause. For example, a nonprofit that’s dedicated to marine conservation might plan a “Sea Life” trivia night for Giving Tuesday.

Ask participants to pay an entry fee to sign up as an individual or a team. Consider conducting it all online so more people can get involved and come up with some prize ideas—such as gift cards or branded t-shirts—to encourage competitors to do their best.

Click through to tap into one of the best fundraising ideas for Giving Tuesday and start a free crowdfunding campaign on Fundly.

Giving Tuesday Tips to Boost Engagement

Now that you have an assortment of compelling Giving Tuesday ideas at your fingertips, keep the following tips in mind to maximize your results:

1. Use compelling visuals.

To stand out on Giving Tuesday, you need to make your fundraising page and marketing materials pop. Incorporate eye-catching visuals that will attract donors’ attention and help them develop emotional ties to your cause. For example, consider sharing:

  • Before-and-after images that illustrate your nonprofit’s impact.
  • Infographics with statistics related to your cause.
  • Behind-the-scenes videos of your daily work.
  • Snapshots of your staff, beneficiaries, or volunteers.

Before sharing any names or pictures of people, be sure to obtain their permission first. By respecting their comfort levels and preferences, you can deepen your nonprofit’s relationships with them over time.

2. Tell engaging stories.

A concise, captivating, and error-free message can do more than just tell donors about your cause. Telling a story gives you the chance to share the impact that your donors’ support will have. For instance, consider sharing:

  • A day in the life of a staff member.
  • An individual beneficiary’s success story.
  • A key volunteer’s contributions and why they got involved.

When people have a better understanding of your cause and why it’s important, they’ll be more likely to contribute to your Giving Tuesday campaign.

3. Include attention-grabbing calls to action.

In all of your Giving Tuesday communications, make it clear exactly how people can support your nonprofit. Include a clear, attention-grabbing call to action (CTA) on your social media posts, email newsletters, and website pages. Encourage more people to click through by:

  • Keeping them short and straightforward.
  • Making them stand out visually.
  • Adding words like “Make a Difference Today” or “Get Involved Now” to add urgency.

While you might want people to learn more about your mission, make a donation, and volunteer on Giving Tuesday, avoid including multiple CTAs in the same message so supporters always know exactly what next step you’d like them to take.

4. Share frequent Giving Tuesday updates.

Throughout the day, keep donors informed about your fundraising progress. Let them know when you hit milestones, highlight key contributors, and emphasize what you’re trying to accomplish with the donations you earn. In doing so, you can keep them involved and encourage them to spread the word to their friends and family.

In each of your updates, use donor-centric language to make supporters feel like true partners in your nonprofit’s impact. For example, you might say something like: “Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, we’re halfway to reaching our fundraising goal for Giving Tuesday! This is another huge win for our community, and we look forward to all the new vegetable beds we’ll be able to add to our community garden.”

5. Optimize your donation page.

To provide your donors with a streamlined giving experience on Giving Tuesday, take the time to optimize your donation page. Be sure to:

Ways to improve your nonprofit’s donation page for Giving Tuesday, as mentioned in the text below.

  • Incorporate your nonprofit’s logo and colors across the page.
  • Make the page mobile-responsive.
  • Add alternative text to images to improve accessibility.
  • Share suggested giving amounts.
  • Include a fundraising thermometer to build excitement.

You can even conduct A/B tests by testing two versions of your donation page, varying a single element such as images or suggested giving amounts, to make additional improvements to your giving process.

6. Provide various payment options.

Your nonprofit can secure even more gifts during Giving Tuesday by accepting a variety of payment options on your donation page. Donors have differing preferences when it comes to how they make purchases and transactions, so consider allowing payment methods such as:

  • Checks
  • Credit and debit cards
  • Venmo
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Donor-advised funds

According to The Giving Block, over $2 billion in cryptocurrency is estimated to have been donated as of January 2024. Staying on top of these trends and learning how to better appeal to your donors can position your nonprofit as a forward-thinking organization in its community.

7. Communicate through multiple channels.

When asking for donations on Giving Tuesday, don’t limit your appeals to just one or two platforms. Depending on their interests and habits, people have different preferences when it comes to how they would like to hear news about your nonprofit. Be sure to promote your Giving Tuesday campaign through:

  • Your website
  • Social media
  • Email
  • Direct Mail

You can even segment your donor database according to communication preference to enhance the effectiveness of the messages you send.

8. Encourage user-generated content.

Producing high-quality, consistent, and engaging marketing materials for Giving Tuesday takes a lot of effort. Fortunately, you don’t have to leave it all up to your nonprofit’s team. Boost your reach and engagement during Giving Tuesday by encouraging user-generated content from your supporters.

Consider creating a campaign-related hashtag specific to your nonprofit and asking your supporters to use it when posting content related to your mission. Then, host photo contests or invite people to share stories about their personal connections with your cause. Don’t forget to express your appreciation for these users by shouting them out on social media or even entering them into a raffle to win branded merchandise from your nonprofit.

9. Promote your advocacy activities.

With so much buzz and excitement surrounding Giving Tuesday, take the opportunity to call attention to your nonprofit’s advocacy efforts. Inform your supporters about policy issues related to your cause and encourage them to get involved by:

  • Signing a petition.
  • Attending a virtual rally.
  • Messaging legislators on social media.

Use metrics such as the number of petition signatures you collect to assess how many people are engaging in your advocacy activities throughout the day.

10. Seek influencer partnerships.

Influencers can shine a much larger spotlight on your nonprofit during Giving Tuesday. Of all the nonprofits surveyed by M+R, about half of them are working with influencers to expand their reach and visibility. To tap into more potential donors for your fundraising campaign through influencer partnerships, keep the following tips in mind:

  • Find influencers in spaces relevant to your nonprofit’s mission or cause.
  • Provide influencers with all the background information they need to know about your organization and your Giving Tuesday campaign.
  • Share compelling images and messaging templates for influencers to use.

To build partnerships that last beyond Giving Tuesday, remember to follow up and thank each influencer for lending their voice to your mission, both publicly and privately.

11. Express your appreciation.

Since Giving Tuesday takes place every year, this means your nonprofit has the chance to improve its fundraising and engagement results over time. To build on each year’s support, develop a thorough appreciation plan for everyone who contributes to your campaign. While 55% of U.S. donors prefer to be thanked for their gifts via email, this doesn’t mean you can’t vary your strategies. Consider:

  • Sending thank-you eCards.
  • Producing an appreciation video.
  • Spotlighting key donors on social media.
  • Hosting a dedicated appreciation event.
  • Creating a digital donor wall.

Additionally, you can send out surveys to your donors and volunteers to collect feedback on their Giving Tuesday experience with your nonprofit. Based on their input, you can adjust your approach for even better results next year.

Wrapping Up: Making the Most of Your Giving Tuesday Ideas

Giving Tuesday is one day that can make a lasting impact on your nonprofit and those you serve. After each campaign, regroup with your team and assess your performance. Note your total amount raised, average donation size, donor retention rate, and other relevant metrics to serve as a benchmark for your future fundraising efforts.

With a mindset for improvement and the right fundraising tools at your side, you’ll be well on your way to planning a Giving Tuesday campaign that your supporters can’t wait to get involved in.

For more tips and best practices to hone your fundraising strategy year-round, check out these additional resources:

Click through to start a free crowdfunding campaign on Fundly and get started with one of the top fundraising ideas for Giving Tuesday.

The article’s title, “Easy and Fresh Fundraising Ideas for Any Cause,” beside someone putting a coin into a piggy bank.

200+ Easy and Fresh Fundraising Ideas for Any Cause [2024]

There are thousands of reasons to fundraise—from helping individuals cover their medical bills to nonprofits funding their mission-based programming. No matter the cause, all fundraisers know that the right fundraising idea is the key to success.

With such a wide range of possible fundraising campaigns, how can you decide which is right for your needs and supporter base? To help guide your decision, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of our favorite, easy fundraising ideas. Here’s what we’ll cover:

Start a free Fundly campaign to benefit from crowdfunding, one of the best fundraising ideas on the list.

Choosing a Fundraising Idea: FAQs

What Are the Easiest Fundraising Ideas?

Simple fundraising ideas mean spending less time fundraising and more time doing what you love. Choose an easy fundraiser, run your campaign, and then spend your time pursuing a philanthropic cause, playing or coaching a favorite sport, or supporting your community.

With the development of new and efficient fundraising tools, fundraisers can take part in easier fundraising ideas than ever before. While there are many quick and easy fundraisers to choose from, our favorites include crowdfunding and online donation tools that can maximize donations.

What Are the Best Fundraising Ideas?

While “best” is a subjective term, you can determine the most fitting fundraising ideas by taking a look at your need (what you’re fundraising for) and your network of support (who will give to your campaign).

For example, if you’re raising money for an ongoing project, you might choose an online fundraiser with blog-like features to keep your donors updated. If you’re fundraising for a short-term, urgent need, you’d likely find success with a quick fundraising idea to get the money in your pocket as soon as possible.

What Are the Most Profitable Fundraising Ideas?

The most profitable fundraising ideas require little to no upfront investment and minimal fees while bringing in a significant ROI. When you keep your expenses low and maximize your revenue, the vast majority of funds raised will go towards your mission.

For example, an online platform with minimal fees can result in high-profit margins for your fundraiser. More involved fundraisers, like galas and charity auctions, can be more costly to plan and host but turn in a sizable profit. When choosing your fundraising ideas, be sure to consider campaigns that match your team’s fundraising budget.

Which Fundraising Ideas Are Best for My Audience?

You can maximize your fundraising revenue by choosing a fundraising idea based on your audience. After all, even if you have a wide network of supporters before your campaign, they’re unlikely to donate if they aren’t interested in participating in your fundraiser.

For example, if your donor base tends to skew towards an older demographic, you might appeal to them with a direct mail or fundraising letter campaign. By contrast, Millennials and Generation Z overwhelmingly prefer to communicate and give online, making a crowdfunding campaign or other digital fundraising choice ideal.

The Best Fundraising Ideas

Our #1 Fundraising Idea: Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is a fundraising method that combines the power of social media with the support of your friends and family.

You can tell your story, upload photos and videos, and explain the need behind your fundraiser. Then, share your dedicated campaign page with your social networks via Facebook, Twitter, email, and more.

This way, you can create a unique fundraiser that will raise money and awareness for your cause, project, event, or need.

Crowdfunding is a fun and easy fundraising idea for individuals and nonprofits.

Why Crowdfunding Works

Fundraising is not a solo endeavor. You need the help of your friends, family, and community to successfully reach your goal.

Crowdfunding is the best way to reach out to everyone in your network and ask them for their support.

A successful crowdfunding campaign (like these great examples) can explain your reasons for fundraising and demonstrate the critical need that a supporter’s gift will fund.

How to Get Started

With Fundly’s low fees, great support, and variety of customization options, you can begin collecting funds today.

Help donors connect even more to your cause by telling your story and posting photos and videos that highlight your mission, project, or need.

Share your campaign with your network! The more you promote your campaign, the more money you can raise.

Matching Gifts

Matching gifts are one of our favorite fundraising ideas.

Matching gifts, a form of corporate philanthropy that involves companies matching their employees’ donations to nonprofits, can help your organization reach its fundraising goals in no time.

Companies will match their employees’ donations at a 1:1, 2:1, or even 3:1 ratio, effectively maximizing the impact of a single eligible donation. 

Using software like Double the Donation’s matching gift database, donors can discover their eligibility status and take the next steps toward matching gifts with ease. If you are a large nonprofit, consider adopting 360MatchPro to automate your matching gift search.

See The Top Matching Gift Companies!

Google Ad Grants

Leverage Google Ad Grants to boost your fundraising revenue.

Google empowers nonprofits to amplify their causes through its Ad Grants program. Organizations can receive up to $10,000 in ad credits every month. Then, they can use these credits to place important pages at the top of search results for valuable keywords related to their work.

Researching which keywords will put you in front of qualified prospects and actively managing your account can be time-consuming. That’s why many organizations turn to Google Grant agencies. They’ll handle everything from the initial application and keyword research to ongoing account management. That way, you can make the most of your grant money.

No matter your cause, Google Ad Grants can help you increase online conversions and inspire new donors so long as you manage your ad credits responsibly.

Learn More About Leveraging Google Ad Grants!

Text-to-Give

Text to give is one of our favorite fundraising ideas.

Thanks to developing technology and the popularity of the smartphone, text-to-give is one of the easiest, most convenient ways to give!

To make a text donation, a donor simply texts a predetermined keyword to your mobile giving number. They then receive an automated response with a link to a simple online donation page, fill out basic contact and payment information, and submit their gift.

By partnering with a mobile giving service provider like Snowball, you’ll receive a unique text giving number and be able to choose unlimited keywords! Then, start promoting your text-to-give campaign far and wide so that your supporters know how to get involved.

Learn More About Text-to-Give Programs!

Direct Mail Fundraising

Direct mail is one of our favorite fundraising ideas.

Direct mail is a low-cost, high-ROI fundraising strategy for reaching donors and garnering support for your cause. With direct mail fundraising, you can send beautifully crafted letters to prospective supporters and encourage them to give.

You’ll also want to include a pre-paid, pre-addressed return envelope with each supporter’s information. Case studies show that this strategy helps increase your response rate by 14%, average gift size by 19%, and overall revenue by 31.5%!

Learn More About Crafting Effective Fundraising Letters!

eCard Fundraisers

This is a photo of an eCard fundraising idea

People love receiving personalized notes! With new digital tools like online greeting eCards, your organization can offer one in exchange for donations. Create ones for every occasion including holidays, birthday fundraisers, giving days, or appreciation outreach.

Simply, choose a digital platform that integrates with your fundraising platform, so you can keep track of your fundraising efforts. Then, customize your eCards with organization-specific designs such as your logo, and a customized note, and press send.

Platforms like eCardWidget come ready for you to upload eCard to your site or Shopify store for your supporters to send each other notes easily. They would then pay via email, social media, or text message.

Explore eCard Fundraising Tools!

Live Auctions

An auction is one of our favorite fundraising ideas.

Charity auctions can be a fast-paced and energetic way to raise money and interact with donors face-to-face.

Procure charity auction items from local businesses with the goal of getting as many items donated for as close to nothing as possible. This way, you can put your budget into creating a great atmosphere for your attendees to enjoy.

Hire an auctioneer (or do it yourself), send out invites, and provide catering. People will walk away with some unique items and experiences while raising money for your cause!

Read More About Hosting a Charity Auction!

Nonprofit Training Courses

Online training is one of our favorite fundraising ideas.

Sometimes to raise more funds in the long run, you need to invest in your own team.

When you invest in nonprofit training for your staff, you can amplify your fundraising and learn to use funds more efficiently. 

Look for a training course provider whose expertise lies in the nonprofit sector, like the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance. Their Leaderosity Learning Library offers new courses each month to keep content fresh and to continue expanding your team’s knowledge about fundraising, effective management, and so much more!

Subscribe to the Leaderosity Learning Library Courses!

T-Shirt Fundraising

A t-shirt sale is one of our favorite fundraising ideas.

T-shirt sales are a classic fundraising method that works well for all sorts of causes. After all, who doesn’t love a comfortable, stylish, and unique t-shirt?

When you partner with an online t-shirt fundraising service like Bonfire, you can customize your apparel and design an online fundraising page that promotes your cause. Then, supporters who wear your organization’s custom t-shirts in public will essentially function as walking billboards for your mission.

With a platform like Bonfire, you can even accept additional donations on top of your t-shirt sales for only a small processing fee!

Learn About T-Shirt Fundraising!

Advocacy Campaigns

An advocacy campaign is one of our favorite fundraising ideas.

While not technically a fundraising idea, advocacy and fundraising go hand in hand for many organizations and causes.

Whether you’re fighting for human rights, environmental concerns, policy changes, or any other issue, critical support can take many different forms.

Without advocacy campaigns and rallies, your community would likely remain uninformed. Advocacy options provide your supporters with ways to contribute to your cause in a non-monetary way and raise awareness for your mission.

Check Out This Advocacy Guide for Nonprofits!

Peer-to-Peer Fundraising

Peer to peer fundraising is one of our favorite fundraising ideas.

Peer-to-peer fundraising is similar to crowdfunding, but instead of your staff soliciting donations for your cause, your supporters do it on your behalf!

Peer-to-peer fundraisers require a dedicated peer-to-peer fundraising software solution that allows you to create page templates and track your participants’ progress. To get started, fundraisers create a personalized campaign page, set a goal, and ask their networks to contribute.

With peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns, your organization can raise money and gain new supporters through social proof in the process.

Get Started with Peer-to-Peer Fundraising!

Shoe Drive Fundraisers

A shoe drive is one of our favorite fundraising ideas.

Each year, the average person throws away 7.5 pairs of shoes. What if there was a way to turn trash into cash?

Hosting a shoe drive fundraiser is one of the most innovative fundraising solutions out there. Help eliminate millions of pounds of waste all while raising money for your cause by partnering with a company that will turn your shoes into donations!

Shoe drive fundraising companies like Funds2Orgs make it simple to host a fundraiser. Most organizations end up raising a few thousand dollars through this free fundraising idea!

Discover How Shoe Drive Fundraisers Can Help!

Volunteer Grants

Volunteer grants are a fantastic fundraising idea for organizations that rely on volunteers.

Chances are, your organization relies on volunteers to power your work. But did you know that their hard work can also bring in extra revenue?

Through volunteer grants, employers promise to donate to nonprofit organizations where their employees regularly volunteer. All your volunteers have to do is submit a form to their employer with details regarding their work for your nonprofit.

No matter how prominent of a role they play, this is a valuable fundraising opportunity for your nonprofit — especially considering that 80% of companies with volunteer grant programs give between $8-$15 per hour volunteered.

Learn More About Volunteer Grants!

Tap into volunteer grants, one of the best fundraising ideas, by exploring this list of companies that engage in corporate philanthropy.

Engaging Event Fundraiser Ideas

Battle of the Bands

Host a Battle of the Bands event to raise money

A Battle of the Bands event can be an opportunity to raise money for your creative project and a chance for local talent to get their music out into the community.

Create a physical and online sign up sheet for local bands who want to register. Spread the word about your event on social media, via email, and with flyers.

Charge an entrance fee at the door or sell tickets online beforehand. You can also set up a concession stand to bring in some extra money.

Serve-a-Thon

Host a serve-a-thon event to raise money for your club or organization

A serve-a-thon fundraiser helps your club or organization raise money while cleaning up your community at the same time.

Ask for donations per item of trash that you pick up on a given day. For example, someone might donate a dollar for every aluminum can you pick up.

Collect sponsorships and donations from people in your community. Then, get out and clean up your town!

Silent Auctions

Silent auctions are a great event fundraising idea.

Silent auctions are a fun way to get a little more face time with your donors while they bid on unique and appealing items. Plus, desirable auction items can boost your fundraising potential!

Ask local businesses and individuals to donate items to your silent auction. Common items include gift cards to restaurants, signed memorabilia, lessons from local professionals, gift baskets, vacations and getaways, and more!

You can enlist the help of a mobile bidding tool to create a tech-enhanced bidding experience for your attendees. Mobile bidding software also makes checking in, checking out, and item monitoring easier on your auction volunteers and staff.

Carnival

A carnival is a creative and engaging event fundraising idea.

Holding a spring or fall carnival can bring your community together for some fun and games while you raise money for your cause.

All you have to do is organize some simple (but still really fun!) games and activities, get the word out about your event, and charge an admission price.

You can even sell concessions if you want to make a little extra money throughout the afternoon or evening.

Themed Fundraising Party

Fundraising ideas can be as simple as hosting a themed party.

Themed parties are more common for nonprofits, but anyone can use them to raise money for their cause.

Charge a few dollars at the door. People that show up in a themed costume can pay a small fee while those in “normal” clothes can pay a little bit more. 

Don’t forget to promote your themed fundraising party on social media. You want supporters to invite as many people as they can to help you raise more money!

Obstacle Course Event

Create an obstacle course event to raise money for your club or organization

Obstacle courses can be fun challenges for kids, teenagers, and adults alike. Your club or organization can set one up to raise some extra money!

Create different games and obstacles that make up the courses. Then, set up an online registration form.

Give people the option to participate as individuals or in teams. And don’t forget to offer a small prize for whoever gets through the course the fastest!

Classic Car Show

Have a classic car show to raise money for your club or organization

If members of your club, organization, association, or community like to build, refurbish, and drive classic cars, this is the fundraising event for you!

Get as many classic cars together as you can and line them up in a common space like a parking lot or field.

Then, charge admission for people to come through and view the vehicles. You can even have side events like a raffle or auction to raise even more.

Angel Festival

Host an angel festival to raise money for your church or religious organization.

An angel festival is a Christmas-themed fundraiser that gives you a chance to raise money for your cause.

First, you’ll need to recruit volunteers to design and craft life-size angels out of whatever materials they want. Then, display the angels at a festival and sell hot cocoa and cider.

People vote on their favorite angel by placing money in containers underneath each one. It’s that easy!

Art Show

Host an art show as a fundraising idea.

If you have a passion for the arts, you can use your interests to raise money for your project or cause!

Search your community for talented artists or use your own works to host an event that displays your creativity or puts local artists in the spotlight.

On the day of the event, charge a few dollars for admission and set up a donation table or booth for general contributions. And don’t forget to price the artwork for sale!

Decorating Contest

Host a dorm decorating contest to raise money for your Greek organization

Many students and coworkers love bringing their own unique touches to their dorm rooms and office spaces. You can put that creativity to use and fundraise with a dorm or office decorating contest!

Spread the word a month or two in advance so that contestants have time to prepare. Then, lead attendees through the halls, letting them vote on their favorite space with their dollars.

Whoever has the most by the end of the night can win a small prize or a portion of the money raised.

Field Day

Many kids take part in a field day event in elementary school, but that doesn’t mean older children don’t enjoy them, too!

Get your older kids involved in an active event by hosting a field day. You can plan for traditional games like tug o’ war, three-legged race, water balloon toss, and more! But don’t hesitate to add your own unique field day games to the mix.

Charge a small admission fee or charge per game at the event. You can even sell concessions and merchandise like water bottles, t-shirts, and baseball caps.

Fundraising Walk

Host a walkathon to raise money for your cause.

Many walkathons are organized to raise money for a medical cause. Larger research institutions usually set up and promote these fundraisers. However, if you want to set up a smaller-scale community fundraising walk for your particular cause, you definitely can!

Get in touch with friends and family members who have supported you in the past and ask if they would be willing to participate. You can also market the event to the larger community.

Charge an admission fee and sell merchandise such as t-shirts, water bottles, and hats along the walkathon route. And don’t forget to set up water stations for your participants!

Bingo Night

A bingo night can be another popular event fundraising idea.

Bingo is a fun and easy game that even the youngest children can play. Use a weekend night to host a family bingo night to raise money!

A bingo night can be a great way to educate people about your cause as well.

Throughout the night, remind attendees what you’re raising money for and encourage them to make contributions during the event. The majority of your proceeds will come from selling admission tickets, concessions, and merchandise.

Pet Party

A dog with a party hat, representing the idea of a pet fundraising party.

A pet party can be as elegant or laid-back as you want. It could be a fancy gala-type event where pets and humans alike get all dressed up, or it could be an informal gathering at a local park on a Saturday.

Either way, you should set up a donation table so that pet owners can donate to your organization or cause.

Make sure that you have plenty of bowls of food and water set up for the dogs and other pets. You can even buy or make pet-themed snacks for the pet owners to munch on while their pets play.

Parents’ Party

Host a parents' party to raise money for your school.

If your community has a lot of families, you can host a parents’ party while you watch the kids. Hosting a parents’ party is an excellent way to give mom and dad a night out with their friends while you raise money!

All you’ll need to do is find a venue. Then you can charge a small amount and set up a fun night of food, drinks, and socializing for parents. You can also set up a donation box for other contributions.

You can even get volunteers to look after the children so that parents don’t have to pay extra money for a babysitter. Take care of their evening from start to finish!

Family Fun Day

Host a family fun day to raise money for your church.

A Family Fun Day can be an easy way to raise money for your organization or cause. Plus, it brings your supporters and their families together for an afternoon.

Set up games, food and drink stations, and a donation table. Then, send out invitations to your supporters. You can also hang up flyers around town to get the whole community involved!

You can host your Family Fun Day during the weekend. Have signs that direct people to the outdoor area you organized for fun, games, food, and fundraising!

Backyard Barbecue

Host a backyard barbecue as a fundraising idea.

Everyone loves a good old-fashioned barbecue. Whether you’re making ribs, chicken, or veggie burgers, a barbecue is a great way to bring your community together for a common cause.

You can use your summer barbecue as a way to raise money for any organization, project, or cause. All you have to do is advertise!

You can either charge a fee for your barbecue or simply set up a donation table with a jar for change. Make sure you explain the cause you’re raising money to drive donations.

Barter and Trade Fair

A barter and trade fair can be an engaging event fundraising idea.

A barter and trade fair is similar to a garage sale, but instead of purchasing items or services with money, people trade items.

You can raise funds for your cause by charging each person an entry fee or a fee for every item/service attendees bring to barter. Plus, you can sell snacks and drinks to raise even more!

Use your monthly newsletter (if you have one) or post flyers around the neighborhood to let your community know about the event.

Car Wash

Start a car wash as a way to raise funds.

A car wash is a great fundraising idea for nonprofit organizations and individuals that gets everyone outside. Plus, it’s an incredibly simple fundraiser to pull off.

All you need are the suds, water, some sponges, and signs for advertising. Simply charge around $5-10 per car, and accept donations from those who would like to give above and beyond!

Rally a group of eager volunteers to stand a safe distance from the road and draw attention to your car wash with signs.

Dance Off

A person dancing, representing the idea of a dance-off fundraising idea.

A dance-off fundraiser can be a great way to bring your community together and raise money for your organization or cause!

All you have to do is set up a registration process and charge participants a small fee.

You can raise more money by charging admission for attendees and selling concessions and branded sports merchandise during the event.

House Party

Two people smiling at a party, representing the idea of throwing a house party fundraiser.

You’ve probably hosted a few get-togethers for your friends and family members (or even a few for your organization). Use these opportunities to raise money for your cause!

You don’t have to make the night all about raising money, but be sure to mention your crowdfunding campaign and encourage people to make donations.

When you pull off a successful house party fundraiser, you’ll raise money for your cause while also providing your supporters with a fun night to remember. You can also provide or sell refreshments to guests to bring in some added revenue.

Seasonal Fundraiser

Throw seasonal fundraising events to raise money for your nonprofit or charity

Seasonal fundraisers can take many forms, but their unifying feature is that they are related to the current season or holiday.

For instance, you can sell wrapping paper during Christmas, set up a pumpkin patch in October, or sell tulips around Mother’s day. The options are endless!

Seasonal fundraisers are great because you will always have a way to raise money, regardless of the temperature, time of year, or occasion. Additionally, you can make your seasonal fundraiser as involved or hands-off as you want. The fundraising decisions are up to you!

Face Painting Event

Host a kids' face painting event to raise money for your walk, run, or ride

If there’s another fundraising event going on in your local community, ask if you can set up a face-painting booth to raise additional funds.

To get started, make sure that you have lots of different designs and patterns as well as paint that is safe for sensitive skin.

You’ll also need to locate a volunteer or two with artistic abilities who are willing to paint faces at the event. Then, charge a small fee for each person and put out a general donation jar to raise even more money for your cause.

Multicultural Fair

A great fundraising idea is to host a multicultural fair.

A multicultural fair is a great way for schools and other organizations to raise funds and showcase their diverse heritages.

Student groups can perform cultural demonstrations or sell products and food. Offer an incentive to the group who raises the most money!

Though this event will take a good deal of planning, you have the opportunity to raise money while celebrating different cultures at the same time.

School Picnic

Organize a picnic as a fundraising idea.

A school picnic is a chance to get the entire student body outside for some fresh air, food, and fun.

Sell picnic tickets to students and families so that they can enjoy spending a unique lunch period in the sunshine. Alternatively, you can host your picnic on the weekend when parents are more likely to be available.

All your school needs to do is choose a nice spring or fall day, set up picnic tables or blankets, and provide food and drinks to your attendees.

Haunted House

Fundraising ideas like haunted houses can be fun for kids of all ages.

Boo! Don’t be scared; it’s just your next creative fundraising idea! A haunted house is a fun way to raise money for your cause.

Enlist the help of a few spooky volunteers to dress up as ghouls, goblins, witches, and zombies.

Then, charge an admission fee for members of the community who think they can make it through your haunted house without getting scared. Sell cider, hot cocoa, and autumnal treats as concessions to earn extra money.

Memorial Dinner

Host a memorial dinner to raise money for any cause.

An easy way to raise money and bring friends and family together after the passing of a loved one is to host a memorial dinner.

You can ask people to donate food and drinks. Set out a general donation jar for individuals to contribute to throughout the evening.

As people eat and mingle, they can reminisce about the life of their loved one. A memorial dinner is a great way to help cover the cost of a funeral or memorial service while remembering the life of the person you care about.

Cultural Cuisine Night

Host a cultural cuisine night to raise money for your trip or adventure.

A cultural cuisine night is perfect for adventurous and food-loving travelers looking to raise money for a trip, organizations educating supporters on diversity, and so many other causes. All you’ll need are some supporters who like to cook and eat!

Invite people to submit their unique and exotic dishes with a small donation attached. You can keep the meal specific to a country or region or let your cooks choose their own dishes.

People can then vote on their favorite dishes with their dollars. Whoever has the most “votes” at the end of the night can walk away with the pride of being the best exotic chef.

Geography Bowl

Host a location-setting event to raise money for your trip or adventure.

If you have a few geography buffs in your friend group or family, you can host a game of geography bowl to put their knowledge to the test and raise money for your cause!

A geography bowl is essentially a trivia night, but with only geography questions! You can host the event in your home or reach out to a local restaurant or bar.

Charge a small admission fee and encourage people to make donations throughout the night. Everyone will have fun guessing the answers to tricky geography questions, and you’ll raise some money for your cause!

Rock-a-Thon

Host a rockathon to raise money for your walk, run, or ride.

If you need to raise money for an upcoming event or cause, try hosting a rock-a-thon fundraiser with your friends and family members! All you’ll need are a few rocking chairs and some willing participants.

In the weeks leading up to your event, request sponsorships for your rock-a-thon. People can donate a certain amount for a particular time period spent “rocking out” (i.e, $5 for every hour spent in a rocking chair).

Then, set out your rocking chairs in a well-trafficked area and advertise!

Karaoke Night

Four people singing with microphones at a karaoke night fundraiser.

A karaoke night provides your supporters with an evening of entertainment, all in the name of a worthy cause.

To host a karaoke night fundraiser, reach out to local bars and restaurants that regularly hold karaoke events or rent a karaoke machine to set up in another location. Then, raise funds by charging for entry tickets or having singers pay a small fee for each song they sing on stage.

To inspire more participation, consider adding a contest element to your karaoke night. Create categories such as “Best Performer,” “Silliest Performance,” and “Best Dance Moves,” and then allow people to cast votes for a fee.

Talent Show

A microphone on a stage, representing talent shows as a fundraising idea.

According to a Gallup survey, 61% of U.S. adults consider their hobbies and recreational activities as highly important to them. By hosting a talent show fundraiser, you can give your supporters the chance to show off their skills and interests—whatever they may be!

Recruit judges, find a large venue, and promote your upcoming talent show on multiple platforms to attract interested participants. Then charge entrance and admission fees for those who want to compete and those who just want to watch.

To raise more for your cause, consider charging for audience votes, selling concessions during performances, and offering professional recordings that participants can purchase after the event.

Comedy Night

A family laughing, representing comedy nights as a fundraising idea.

Did you know that laughter comes with many health benefits? According to Mayo Clinic, laughing can reduce stress, soothe muscle tension, and even improve your immune system over time. Help your supporters appreciate the power of laughter and generosity by organizing a comedy night fundraiser.

Depending on your budget, you can either open participation to aspiring comedians or hire professionals to perform.

If you’re hosting an open mic comedy night, consider asking comedians to pay a small fee to participate. If you’re going the professional route, you can ask the talent if they’re willing to perform at a discounted rate or pro bono and charge admission fees for supporters who want to watch the show.

Sandcastle Contest

A sandcastle on a beach, representing a sandcastle contest fundraiser.

If there’s a beach in your local area, consider hosting a sandcastle contest fundraiser in the warmer months. These events are a wonderful opportunity to get your supporters out in the sun and allow them to show off their creativity.

Choose a theme for your sandcastle contest, such as mythical creatures or futuristic worlds—bonus points if you can make it related to your specific cause. Then, charge individual and group entry fees to compete.

You can either enlist local community leaders to serve as judges or charge small voting fees to spectators. Be sure to have decorating tools and lots of refreshments available to participants throughout the contest.

Costume Contest

Kids wearing costumes, illustrating how you can host a costume contest as a fundraising idea.

Many people put time and thought into their Halloween costumes. In fact, the U.S. spends an estimated $10 billion on Halloween celebrations every year. If Halloween is coming around the corner and you’re looking for a new fundraising idea, consider hosting a costume contest.

Find a location, such as a local park, that will accommodate your spooky decorations. Then, raise funds by charging for admission and costume voting. You can establish categories such as “Most Original,” “Best Group Costume,” and “Best Movie Character.”

To encourage more people to participate, consider offering prizes to the winner of each category. You can even reach out to local businesses to see if they’d be willing to donate gift cards or certificates that you can present at the end of your contest.

Pumpkin Carving Contest

Someone carving a pumpkin as part of a pumpkin carving contest.

Pumpkins are an icon of the fall season. As the weather shifts, host a pumpkin carving contest to celebrate and raise funds for your cause.

Ideally, you should choose an outdoor location for your pumpkin carving contest, such as a local park or pumpkin patch. Provide tables and tools such as carving knives and paintbrushes for participants. Make sure kids are accompanied by a responsible adult to help them carve their pumpkins.

You can sell the pumpkins that participants will carve and charge voting fees once all the carving is complete. To make your contest even more engaging, consider creating different themes and selling apple cider during your event.

Ugly Sweater Party

Five people wearing ugly holiday sweaters as part of an ugly sweater party.

During the holiday season, bright decorations pop up everywhere—not just on houses and public buildings, but on people, too! Tap into a festive tradition by hosting an ugly sweater party to rally your community around your cause.

Select a venue, such as a community center or local restaurant, and charge attendance fees for people who want to celebrate the holidays together in their coziest, ugliest sweaters.

At the party, you can organize holiday-themed activities such as painting ornaments or Christmas karaoke. You can even hold an ugly sweater contest and charge a small fee for each vote.

Gingerbread House Decorating Contest

Someone participating in a gingerbread house decorating contest fundraiser.

A gingerbread house decorating contest is a wonderful way to engage your community during the holidays. Plus, these fundraisers are easy to participate in and set up.

Set up tables and chairs in a large venue, then assemble gingerbread house kits for participants. Then, charge small fees to compete and vote at the end of the contest.

Don’t limit yourself to only gingerbread houses at your event. Consider selling other holiday items such as ornaments and wreaths that attendees can take home.

Tree Decorating Contest

A family decorating a Christmas tree, representing tree decorating contests as a fundraiser idea.

According to the National Christmas Tree Association, there are around 25-30 million real Christmas trees sold in the U.S. alone every year. By hosting a tree decorating contest, you can lean into the holiday spirit while raising funds for your cause.

Promote your contest to potential registrants, charge a small entry fee, and consider offering tree delivery services to their homes for an additional cost. Then, either appoint a panel of judges to decide on winners or let your community members pay to vote on their favorite trees.

You can even engage supporters outside your local area by making it a virtual contest and having contestants submit photos of their decorated trees for judging.

Snowman-Building Contest

Three snowmen, illustrating a snowman-building contest.

Does your area experience a lot of snow? If so, take advantage of the weather by organizing a snowman-building contest.

Encourage people to pay an entry fee to participate and build snow sculptures in their yards. Then, have them submit photos of their finished creations for judging.

Make your contest more engaging by allowing community members to vote for a small fee, creating categories, and reaching out to local businesses to donate prizes for the contest winners. The benefit of this fundraising contest is that there’s very little cleanup involved—the sun will take care of that!

Eating Contest

Two children eating watermelon, representing an eating contest.

An eating contest is a popular fundraiser idea that can spark a little friendly competition among your supporters. Plus, you can choose almost any type of food—from donuts to hot dogs to gyoza.

Consider surveying potential participants in advance to find out what food items they’d be most interested in eating at your contest. Then, charge fees for both contestants and spectators.

To ensure safety throughout your event, ask contestants to sign a waiver before participating and have medical personnel present during the contest.

Pub Crawl

Four people celebrating and participating in a pub crawl.

A pub crawl is an excellent fundraising idea that allows your supporters to get to know one another while supporting your cause.

Reach out to local restaurants and breweries to see if they’d be interested in participating in your fundraiser. Then, either sell event tickets to attend your pub crawl, ask businesses to donate a portion of their sales, or both.

You can raise even more funds by asking the restaurant or brewery to create a special drink or dish for the pub crawl that attendees can purchase. Then, sell t-shirts and other merchandise to give attendees a memento they can look back on after the event ends.

Wine Tasting

Someone tasting a glass of wine, representing a wine-tasting fundraiser.

Around 75% of adults drink wine, with nearly 44% drinking at least a couple of glasses every week. By hosting a wine-tasting fundraiser, you can allow supporters to dress up and sample different, quality wines.

To create a rewarding experience for your attendees, consider hiring or finding a volunteer sommelier to guide your event. Then, reach out to local wineries and breweries to see if they’d be interested in sponsoring your tasting in exchange for brand promotion in your marketing materials.

Beyond selling event tickets, you can host raffles and even hold an auction at your wine tasting to raise funds.

Board Game Tournament

People playing chess, representing the idea of hosting a board game tournament as a fundraiser.

Board games can be a nice way to relax, but if you have particularly competitive supporters, you can host a board game tournament. This type of fundraiser can appeal to people of all ages and provide a whole day’s worth of entertainment.

Have people pay an entry fee to participate and arrange your competitors into brackets. The winners of each match will play each other until the tournament concludes with an ultimate champion.

Depending on your supporters, you can include games such as Jenga and Connect Four. It’s best to choose options with a relatively short playtime and a shallow learning curve.

Nonprofit Fundraising Ideas

Golf Tournament

A golf tournament can be a compelling fundraising idea for nonprofits.

Golf tournaments are a tried and true fundraising event for nonprofit organizations as well as political campaigns and school fundraisers.

A leisurely golf tournament is a great way to get to know some of the movers and shakers in your community and ask for their support for your charity or cause.

Charge an entrance fee for individuals or teams. Once the tournament is over, make sure to tie your campaign to your event by giving a speech to ask for support from your participants and emphasize the impact of their donations.

Trivia Night

Hold a trivia night to raise money for your cause.

You can organize a trivia night by pairing up with a local bar or restaurant.

Advertise your event well in advance and charge an admission fee for trivia teams who want to put their knowledge to the test.

Make sure that you have a good system for asking questions and getting teams’ answers. You don’t want to have a disorganized trivia fundraiser!

Marathon

A marathon can be an excellent way to raise money for your nonprofit.

Marathons are a tried and true fundraiser for nonprofits that seek to raise awareness and get their entire communities involved for a common cause.

While they can take months to plan, marathons can be excellent opportunities to generate more revenue for your nonprofit or charity to continue advancing your mission.

Get the word out about your event early and make sure that participants are aware of the cause that they’re running for. You can set up an online registration portal so that supporters can pay their entrance fees, buy t-shirts or other merchandise, and share the event on social media.

Olympic Games

Host your own Olympic games to raise money for your nonprofit.

Everyone gets excited about the Olympics, and your organization can replicate the Olympic games to raise money for any cause or project.

While it will take some planning, hosting a mock Olympic games can be great fun for the families in your local community. You can organize events like track and field races, swimming competitions, and more!

You can charge a small admission fee for attendees and sell (healthy) concessions as well. And don’t forget the medal ceremony!

Virtual Events

Virtual events are some of our favorite fundraising ideas.

If your in-person fundraiser needs to be modified or you’re having trouble gathering your supporters in a physical location, virtual events are a popular alternative.

Virtual events enable your organization to foster the same level of community and engagement as an in-person event without the need for a physical space. Common examples of these include virtual auctions, galas, walk-a-thons, and more.

If your organization is interested in planning a virtual event or transitioning an existing event to the virtual space, be sure to research more about best practices and technology you’ll need for success.

Chili Cook-Off

A bowl of chili, representing a chili cook-off fundraising idea for nonprofits.

A chili cook-off is the perfect fundraising event idea for clubs and organizations looking to inspire their communities to come together and enjoy a great meal.

All you have to do is recruit your best chili chefs, set a time and date, and sell tickets to your supporters and community members to taste each one!

Set up donation boxes in front of each pot so supporters can vote with their dollars on which chili they like the best.

Dog Wash

You can wash dogs as a way to raise funds.

Just like your typical car wash fundraiser, many people would be willing to pay to have their dog cleaned as well. After all, groomers can be pricey and so many dog owners don’t have the time to wash their furry friends as often as they should.

Plan for a warm and sunny day and advertise your event by hanging up flyers and posting on social media. You can even set up two stations: one for cars and one for dogs. Then, allow supporters to get their cars and their dogs washed simultaneously!

Make sure that you explain where the funds are going during the event to encourage more donations. People will drive off with fresh-smelling, happy pups, and you’ll raise money for your cause!

Pledge Fundraising

Three people walking, representing a pledge fundraising event idea.

A pledge campaign is a unique fundraising opportunity that gathers promises to donate to be collected at a later date, rather than asking for on-the-spot gifts.

Walk-a-thons are a popular choice for pledge campaigns, although a similar structure can be applied to new and exciting ideas as well (like a dance-a-thon!).

Gather supporters who are willing to participate in your event. Provide each participant with an individual fundraising page, empowering them to solicit pledges from friends and family. Plus, be sure to encourage the use of social media and other digital sharing tools to get the word out far and wide.

Art Auction

Host an art auction to raise money for your nonprofit.

If you’re an artist or know artists willing to donate their work to your cause, why not try to make some money by hosting an art auction?

Producing enough art for a full scale art auction requires hours of work from multiple artists, so it’s a good idea to partner with other creatives. You can also check in with local auctions to see if they are willing to sell your art for a small fee.

Not only will you raise some extra money for your creative project, but you’ll be promoting local artists in the process.

Rubber Duck Race

A rubber duck race in progress, which is a highly engaging fundraising idea.

A rubber duck race is a silly, family-friendly fundraising event that can be a fun way to get to know more of your local supporters and inform them about your cause.

To get started, simply buy yellow ducks in bulk and write numbers on the bottom of them. Then, sell tickets with the same numbers to your local supporters.

When you release the ducks into a local river or stream, the first one to cross the finish line entitles its “owner” to a small prize. Just make sure you have a way to capture all of the ducks once the event is over!

Benefit Concert

Hold a concert to raise money for your nonprofit.

Hosting a benefit concert can be an excellent way to bring your community together to support an organization or cause.

You can enlist the help of local artists and bands to determine the line-up. Alternatively, you could make your concert have more of a karaoke vibe. Either way, your community is sure to have a fun and music filled evening!

Set a date and time, sell tickets at the door, and offer concessions for a small price. Don’t forget to set up a general donation table to accept other contributions throughout the night.

Paw-a-Thon

A dog running across a field, representing the idea of a paw-a-thon fundraiser.

Walkathons are a popular nonprofit fundraising event that raises money by getting people up and moving. A dog walkathon (or paw-a-thon) is the same thing but with adorable pooches!

Of course, people still participate, but they can bring their (leashed) dogs along to keep them company while they walk.

You can charge an admission fee and sell shirts, baseball caps, water bottles, and leashes to raise more. Try it next summer to raise money. Just make sure to have water stations set up for humans and pups alike!

Game Night

Host a game night as a fundraising event.

Host a game night where your friends, family, community members, and coworkers can enjoy a few board games!

Make sure that you have a variety of board games to entertain guests throughout the night. Play classic board games like Monopoly, LIFE, chess, dominoes, or experiment with new card and board games to find a new favorite!

To make your game night a reality, you’ll need a space where you can host your event as well as volunteers to help set up and handle admissions.

Used Book Sale

A used book sale can be an appealing fundraising idea for your nonprofit's community.

If you’re someone who loves books (or a recently graduated college student), you likely have stacks of books that you won’t read or have read too many times to count!

If you need to raise money for a project or cause, you can try to sell some of your gently used books for some extra cash.

Pick a date and set up a book sale event! All you need is a table located in a high-trafficked area and price tags on the books, and you’re set!

Community Potluck

A community potluck or picnic can be an engaging way to raise money for your cause.

A community potluck can be an excellent opportunity to get to know your supporters better, educate them about your cause, and raise money for your nonprofit.

Send out invitations a few weeks in advance and promote your potluck event on social media and via email. Then, ask people to bring their favorite covered dishes!

Charge a small admission fee for the event and set up a general donation table or booth. Have a staff member stationed at the table to answer any questions that attendees might have and give them more information about how to get involved and support your nonprofit.

Petting Zoo

A child petting farm animals, representing petting zoos as a fundraiser idea.

If your cause is animal-related or you have many animal lovers in your community, consider hosting a petting zoo fundraiser.

Reach out to a local farm or zoo to see if you can rent a location and farm animals for your event. Then, schedule a warm, sunny day for people to come and meet the animals.

To raise funds, you can sell event tickets, food to feed the animals, and concessions. You can even organize additional activities, such as pony rides and face painting, for which you can charge extra fees.

Community Cleanup

A group of people cleaning up a park, representing a community cleanup fundraiser.

Encourage your supporters to take care of their community by participating in a cleanup fundraiser. You can tidy up a local park, riverbanks, beaches, or schoolyards.

Assemble volunteers, then have them collect donation pledges from their friends and family based on how much trash they manage to pick up.

Be sure to provide cleanup participants with supplies such as gloves, trash bags, and water to help them put their best efforts forward. You can even sell branded t-shirts, water bottles, and other merchandise for volunteers to take home after the event.

Polar Plunge

A group of people participating in a polar plunge for fundraising.

Do you have supporters who love a good challenge? Consider planning a polar plunge fundraiser, in which volunteers can help raise funds for your cause by jumping into a cold body of water and collecting donations from their friends and family.

If you have a nearby pond that freezes over during the winter, you can cut out a section of the ice for participants to enter. Otherwise, you can fill inflatable pools with ice water.

Be prepared with towels, hand warmers, and snacks at your event. To keep everyone safe, have people sign a waiver before participating and have lifeguards and medical personnel at the scene in case any emergencies arise.

GivingTuesday

Someone holding an envelope and a heart with #GivingTuesday written above them.

Every year after Thanksgiving, GivingTuesday takes place as a worldwide celebration of generosity. With nearly 100 countries having official national GivingTuesday movements, this day is an amazing opportunity for nonprofits looking to raise funds and spread awareness of their cause.

To participate in GivingTuesday, you can start a 24-hour fundraising campaign and promote your donation page on social media using #GivingTuesday. Highlight the urgency of your fundraiser and encourage donors to give by including a fundraising thermometer that illustrates your progress toward your goal.

Then, make your donors’ gifts go twice as far by promoting matching gifts. You might even be able to set up a matching challenge with a major donor or local business, in which they’ll match all of the funds you raise on GivingTuesday if you meet your fundraising goal.

10,000 Steps

A person’s shoes while they walk down a road, representing 10,000 steps challenges as a fundraiser idea.

For every 2,000 steps a person walks each day, their risk of heart disease, cancer, and premature death decreases by 10%. Encourage your supporters to look after their health by having them pledge to walk 10,000 steps a day for a week or a month, collecting donations from friends and family who want to support their efforts.

Participants can track their daily steps using a smartwatch or phone app. You can help them set up their individual fundraising pages and raise more by providing images they can use and messaging templates explaining your cause.

Another way you can support participants and build a closer community around your cause is by creating dedicated social media groups for them to interact in. In these groups, they can share their progress and encourage one another throughout the challenge.

Food Truck Fundraiser

Someone receiving food from a food truck, representing the concept of a food truck fundraiser.

These days, there are plenty of food truck options for people to enjoy, from tacos to ice cream to smoothies. A food truck fundraiser doubles as a social gathering for your community.

Partner with one or more food trucks that are willing to contribute a percentage of sales to your cause. Then, decide on a location with enough parking spaces and room for people to eat.

At the event, consider setting up a donation box, selling the food truck’s merchandise for a share of the profit, and hosting raffles to raise more.

Bowl-a-Thon

A bowling ball hitting a set of bowling pins, representing the idea of a bowl-a-thon.

Bowling is a popular activity for family outings, birthday parties, and general recreational gatherings. For a family-friendly fundraiser, host a bowl-a-thon at your nearest bowling alley.

Charge registration fees to participants, which cover bowling shoes and games. Then, have these participants set up individual fundraising pages, where they’ll collect donation pledges from friends and family based on the number of points they score.

On the day of the bowl-a-thon, you can sell food and drinks to both participants and spectators, such as pizza and lemonade. Additionally, you can allow attendees to purchase branded t-shirts and hats to commemorate their experience.

Bike-a-Thon

Two people biking as part of a bike-a-thon fundraiser.

A bike-a-thon is a tried-and-true fundraising idea that inspires people to get active for a good cause. Participants will sign up to bike along a course and collect pledges from friends and family based on how many miles they cover or how many laps they complete.

Map out a course, either around a local park or along designated roads. Then, enlist participants to set up fundraising pages and bike through your course.

Plus, you can make your bike-a-thon virtual to maximize engagement among your supporters. Rather than setting a specific course, your participants can instead log the miles they bike in their area or on a stationary bike.

Swim-a-Thon

People diving into a pool, representing the idea of a swim-a-thon fundraiser.

Similar to a bike-a-thon, a swim-a-thon is another stellar way to promote exercise, engage your supporters in friendly competition, and raise funds for your cause.

Partner with a neighborhood pool or school to host your swim-a-thon. Then, register participants who will seek pledges from their personal networks based on how many laps they finish.

Stir up excitement by creating a fundraising leaderboard that features the top individuals who’ve collected the most donations so far. Be sure to recruit a few volunteer lifeguards to help your event run smoothly and safely.

Dodgeball Tournament

Teenagers playing in a dodgeball tournament, illustrating a popular fundraising idea.

Dodgeball is a game that can appeal to people of all ages. Plus, it’s both entertaining to play and watch. Consider hosting a dodgeball tournament to bring your community together and meet your latest fundraising goal.

Choose a spacious venue, such as a park, a tennis court, or a field, and enlist volunteers to serve as referees and scorekeepers. Then charge registration fees and spectator tickets for the dodgeball games.

You can earn even more revenue from your dodgeball tournament by selling concessions to audience members and holding raffles.

Craft Fair

A booth full of crafts for sale, representing a craft fair fundraiser.

Many people are drawn to the one-of-a-kind quality of handmade items. Bring together the artists and creatives in your community by fundraising with a craft fair.

You can set up a craft fair almost anywhere, from a local park to a school parking lot. Then, you’ll have vendors pay a fee to register and set up a table, while attendees purchase tickets from you to come and browse items for sale.

For an even more engaging experience, consider organizing a few crafting classes that attendees can pay to participate in. This way, they can bring home a few creations of their own!

Paint and Sip

A paint and sip participant painting while enjoying a beverage beside them, illustrating how this fundraising idea works.

Paint and sip fundraisers combine two popular activities into a single event—painting and enjoying delicious beverages. Plus, you can adapt it to fit your nonprofit’s resources and supporters’ interests.

Assemble a variety of art supplies and refreshments, including stools, canvases, paintbrushes, wine, lemonades, and sodas. Then, recruit a local artist or school art teacher to lead the event.

You can have participants pay a flat fee to register and access basic art supplies and drinks. Then, you can charge extra for those who want additional supplies or drinks.

Convenient Virtual Fundraising Ideas

Custom Website

Create a website to raise money for your cause.

Give your supporters a central location for keeping up with your cause, making online gifts, registering for events, learning about your adventures, and more by creating a dynamic website for your cause!

Organizations can work with a qualified, nonprofit-specific web design firm to design and develop an optimal site for their fundraising and marketing efforts.

The best nonprofit sites are informative, beautiful, and functional, making it easy for supporters to learn everything they need to know about your mission and get involved on the spot.

Mobile Giving Campaign

A person holding a phone, representing the idea of a mobile giving campaign for fundraising.

Mobile giving is quickly becoming a popular fundraising option for religious organizations and other nonprofits. And there’s a good reason for that: it really works!

To get started, invest in mobile giving software and explain to your donors how to give using their mobile phones. You can even provide videos and images to show supporters how it works.

Not only is mobile fundraising incredibly easy for you to implement, but it also makes sense in our digital age. Many people forget to carry cash, but everyone has their phone on them!

Social Fundraising

Peer-to-peer is a great fundraising ideas for churches and other religious organizations.

Social fundraising not only enables your organization to raise more money quickly, it also helps you expand your existing donor base!

In a nutshell, social fundraising enlists the fundraising help of your current supporters and empowers them to ask for donations on your behalf.

Each supporter builds his or her own donation page from a template tied to your main fundraising page. Then, your supporters reach out and ask for donations toward your mission.

Virtual Bake Sale

A laptop sitting on a desk.

Take your traditional fundraising bake sale online! You can make your fundraiser more productive and last longer by placing it in a virtual setting.

Post pictures of your tasty treats online next to your pricing structure for your community to see. Once an item is sold, the baker will be notified and pack up and ship your baked goods. This way, you’re not counting on everyone to have a sweet tooth on the same day. Instead, you can promote your bake sale for a longer period of time and maybe even offer special discounts to incentivize supporters.

Virtual Auction

Try a virtual charity auction as a fundraising idea.

Charity auctions can be a fast-paced and energetic way for your nonprofit, educational institution, or faith-based organization to raise more money and interact with your donors face-to-face. You also have the opportunity to form some solid business connections!

Ask for charity auction items from local businesses; try to get as many items donated. That way, you can put your budget into creating a great atmosphere for your attendees.

Hire an auctioneer, send out invites, and cater refreshments. People will walk away with some unique items and experiences, and you can raise more money!

Donation Match Challenge

A phone that represents the idea of organizing a donation match challenge for fundraising.

Similar to corporate matching gifts, you can launch a day-long matching donation campaign on social media. To host a donation match drive, you need to partner with a local business who is willing to match all donations made on a particular day.

The great thing about this type of matching donation fundraiser is that donors don’t have to be an employee of the company to have their gift matched.

Share your fundraiser a few days before your event, promoting the business that will be matching gifts. Post reminders everyday leading up the event.

Viral Video Fundraiser

Host a viral video fundraiser to raise money for your cause.

You’re probably familiar with the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, where supporters dumped ice-cold water on their heads to raise awareness for ALS. Over 17 million people uploaded videos and the organization raised $15 million.

You can create a similar online fundraiser for your cause! All you need to do is pick a challenge or task that can be easily accomplished, is related to your cause, and will be enjoyable to watch.

Have a few of your staff members record themselves completing your challenge, share the videos online with a link to your online donation form, and then encourage others to do the same!

Virtual Giving Days

Conduct a giving day as a way to raise funds.

You’re probably familiar with Giving Tuesday, a national day of charitable giving that started a few years ago. In fact, you might already participate in Giving Tuesday, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create your own giving day.

Giving days work so well because they install a sense of urgency and community in your donors. Your supporters will rally together to raise as much money as possible in the 24-hour period. 

Your online giving day will require a lot of online promotion to reach as many supporters as possible. Share the details about your day via social media, in your emails, on your website, and through text messages.

Online Product Sales

You can sell products online to raise money.

Whether you’ve designed branded t-shirts or started a cookie dough fundraiser, you should consider selling your products online. By setting up shop online, you can connect with interested supporters outside your community. Supporters from all over the country (or the world!) can contribute to your fundraiser and receive an awesome item in return.

To start selling online, you’ll need to find a wholesale provider to supply your product and create an online marketplace on either your nonprofit’s website or through another platform.

Let supporters know about your products by sharing a link to your online store on social media and in emails.

Facebook Fundraiser

Facebook fundraisers are some of our favorite fundraising ideas.

Facebook fundraisers are a popular choice among supporters who are looking to raise money using peer-to-peer fundraising practices on behalf of the causes they care about. Then, new donors are able to contribute to missions shared through their own networks.

Facebook fundraising campaigns can be started for all sorts of causes, including both nonprofit and personal fundraising needs.

To get started, a volunteer fundraiser can choose to launch a campaign and share it with their social media networks. Then, their friends and followers are invited to contribute. As individuals begin to give, the online campaign can pick up traction and get shared with more and more potential supporters.

Email Appeals

Email appeals are some of our favorite fundraising ideas.

An email campaign can be a fantastic way to engage with new and existing supporters, share updates about your progress, and solicit donations online. With email, you can send a direct appeal to individual donors on a large scale quickly and easily.

To get started, craft a single email template which can be adjusted to each recipient. You’ll want to personalize your message to address each individual by name and acknowledge their history with your cause.

Plus, you’ll need to pay attention to your subject line. Eye-catching subject lines are what gets your email opened and read in the first place!

Virtual Trivia

Virtual trivia is one of our favorite virtual fundraising ideas.

A virtual trivia night can generate a lot of revenue for your cause while providing participants with a fun night to remember.

To raise money, charge a small fee for participation, either per person or per group. Then, remember to provide a fun prize for the winning team or individual!

If you’re looking to put a twist on a typical trivia game, consider adding a theme related to your cause. For example, if you’re collecting donations for an environmental charity, you might offer categories like animals, plants, oceans, sustainability, and more.

Online Skills Class

Online skills classes are one of our favorite fundraising ideas.

Online skills classes are an exciting way to engage participants while raising money for your mission. Plus, it provides attendees with the exclusive benefit of developing a skill of their choice.

Popular options for classes include arts and crafts, cooking and baking, and fitness. Get creative because your classes can be anything that interests you and your supporters!

To get started, connect with experts in your community who have skills you’d like to create classes for. Then, ask if they’d be willing to donate their time for your cause. Set up a live-stream and sell tickets (or collect donations) from supporters who tune in.

Remote Fun Run

A person running on a beach, representing the idea of hosting a remote fun run.

In a typical fun run fundraiser, participants gather in a central location to follow a predetermined path for their run. However, this limits your fundraiser’s reach to supporters within a certain geographic area and who can attend during your time constraints.

By adding a remote element, you ensure that supporters from all over the world can get involved. When you go remote, everyone completes the run from their own neighborhood.

Just make sure that participants have access to a time and distance tracker, like a smartwatch or phone, to monitor and report their results.

Recurring Gift Drive

Recurring gift drives are one of our favorite fundraising ideas.

Recurring gifts are the lifeblood of fundraising organizations because they provide a stable income even throughout unpredictable times—even if the gifts are in smaller increments.

It’s a good idea to promote your recurring donation option with every gift made. Consider hosting a dedicated recurring gift drive where recruiting recurring donors is the main objective.

Set a time period and plan a specific fundraising campaign around getting donors to sign up as recurring givers. To do so, you can even offer exclusive perks to recurring supporters, such as limited-time merchandise, behind-the-scenes access to your organization, and more.

Virtual Gala

Virtual galas are one of our favorite fundraising ideas.

Fundraising galas are a long-held tradition for nonprofits and other fundraising organizations looking to collect a large amount of donations in a single night.

Now, more and more groups are turning to virtual or hybrid events to increase their outreach, promote health and safety, and reduce venue and catering costs. To host a virtual gala, you’ll need to find online-friendly entertainment (such as presenters and musicians), set a date and time, and encourage supporters to tune in via a real-time broadcast.

If you want to simulate the experience of a traditional in-person gala, invite your attendees to participate in their nicest evening wear from the comfort of their own living room.

Live-Streamed Q&A

A person attending a virtual meeting on their laptop, representing the idea of a live-streamed Q&A fundraiser.

A live-streamed question and answer session provides supporters with an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into your organization and your team.

Gather a group of panelists who are willing to partake in a live discussion about your work, including a combination of staff, board members, and volunteers. Be sure to accept questions from the audience submitted in real-time, and prepare a few beforehand to keep the conversation going.

Once your donors have learned more about your operations and what you’re doing to pursue your mission, they’ll be more likely to give to support your efforts.

Virtual Cooking Class

A plate of spaghetti, representing the concept of hosting a virtual cooking class as a virtual fundraising idea.

If you have a culinary knack or boarder members with exquisite cooking skills, consider hosting an online cooking class. You can raise money by charging a fee for others to join and create a full menu of food options. Send out your recipes ahead of time, so everyone can plan accordingly.

Then, choose a reliable streamlining platform to show your chef skills off. Be sure to take time to talk about your cause briefly and thank everyone for signing up before diving in!

Birthday Fundraiser

A person holding a birthday cake, representing the idea of birthday fundraisers.

Every day, nearly 17.7 million people around the world celebrate their birthday. While birthdays are a time for people to celebrate with their loved ones, they can also provide an opportunity to make a lasting impact. That’s where birthday fundraisers come in.

Anyone can host a birthday fundraiser by asking their friends and family to make donations to your cause instead of (or in addition to) birthday presents. They can either set up an individual fundraiser on social media or simply direct people to your donation page to contribute.

Share this opportunity with your supporters as a way for them to dedicate their special day to causes that are close to their hearts.

Virtual Tour

A virtual tour participant sitting with a laptop in a park.

Whether you’re a nonprofit zoo, museum, or performing arts theater, an easy way for your organization to raise funds is by offering supporters a glimpse into what happens behind the scenes.

Host a virtual tour by selling event tickets and livestreaming to attendees. Give your supporters the chance to see the impact of their donations firsthand and stop to interview staff and volunteers about their day-to-day experiences.

Additionally, you can raise more by setting up virtual raffles and directing viewers to an online store to purchase branded merchandise like t-shirts and tote bags.

Virtual Movie Night

A mother and son attending a virtual movie night fundraiser on their couch.

Many people love sitting down for a good movie with family and friends. However, some might prefer lounging in the comfort of their own home when doing so. By planning a virtual movie night fundraiser, you can provide more convenience to supporters who want to contribute to your cause.

Set up a watch party using a virtual streaming tool such as Teleparty. Then, send out a survey to your community and have them vote on which movies they’re most interested in watching.

To raise funds, all you have to do is charge a registration fee. To make your virtual movie night even more memorable, consider organizing catering to deliver snacks and drinks to your attendees.

Start a free Fundly campaign to benefit from crowdfunding, one of the best fundraising ideas on the list.

Unique and Creative Fundraising Ideas

Teachers in Jail Fundraiser

Have a teachers in jail fundraiser to raise money for your school.

A teachers in jail fundraiser is a quick and easy way to raise money. Plus, students get a little break from classes, and teachers can catch up on grading and planning.

The premise is simple: classes pay a certain amount to have their teacher thrown in “jail” for that class period. The students get to hang out in the gym, on the playground, or in another communal area.

The teacher simply stays in the classroom and works on planning, grading, or other tasks while helping your school raise money!

Buy-a-Brick Fundraiser

A brick wall, representing buy-a-brick fundraisers as a fundraising idea.

A buy-a-brick fundraiser is perfect for organizations and causes raising money to build or renovate a community building, sidewalk, or other structure (but it can work for any project!).

Before building commences, community members can buy a brick and have a message engraved on one side. This strategy invites supporters to share in the excitement of the project.

These types of fundraisers are perfect for commemorative walkways, staircases, and archways. They help pay for the structure while allowing people to leave their mark.

One-of-a-Kind Art Sale

Create one-of-a-kind pieces to sell to raise money

If you’re an artist or an inventor, you can use your creativity to fashion one-of-a-kind pieces that you can sell to raise funds for your cause.

Get started by setting up a physical store or booth or selling your pieces in an online storefront.

Consider taking commissions from individuals who have a specific vision, but don’t hesitate to come up with your own unique pieces that you think will appeal to others’ tastes. Then promote your sales through social media, word-of-mouth, and flyers. Put a price tag on each item and start selling!

Pie-Throwing Contest

Have a pie-throwing contest to raise money as a fundraising idea.

A pie-throwing contest can be a great mid-afternoon fundraising event that’s sure to draw a huge crowd, lots of laughs, and some extra fundraising dollars!

Create simple whipped cream pies in tin foil plates and charge a few dollars per pie. You, your staff (if you’re an organization), and a few volunteers can line up as the targets.

Supporters will get a kick out of the event, while raising money for your cause.

Holiday Decorating Services

Start a Christmas decoration service as one of your fundraising ideas for churches.

This fundraising idea can go a couple of different ways. You can either charge a fee to put up Christmas decorations or to take them down after the holidays are over.

Either way, you will need to advertise your services to the community. You can hang up flyers and spread the word with social media and emails.

You’ll be able to spread some holiday cheer and raise money all at the same time!

“Yappy” Hour

A "yappy" hour is a social fundraising event for pets.

Everyone’s heard of Happy Hour, but what about Yappy Hour? This fundraiser can help individuals and animal organizations raise money for man’s best friend.

To start a Yappy Hour fundraiser, you’ll first need to partner with a local restaurant or bar. You can charge an admission price and ask people to make donations throughout the night.

If the restaurant or bar is willing to donate a percentage of the night’s profits, then you’ll raise even more!

Kids’ Camp

Host a kids camp to raise money for your sports club

Do you remember the first time you held a tennis racket? What about when you and your friends ran your very first relay race?

You were probably pretty young when you started playing sports. Why not host a kids’ camp to raise money and educate children about sports and exercise?

You can charge a fee for a summer skills camp and bring all the kids in your community out for a few afternoons of practice, scrimmages, and fun. Maybe some of them will end up on your team some day!

Naming Rights

Holding a naming rights fundraiser can be effective for many causes.

If you’re raising money to build or expand your nonprofit or school’s facilities, a naming rights fundraiser can be a big hit.

This unique fundraiser allows supporters to purchase naming rights for a new building, sidewalk, bench, or statue in exchange for a donation to your organization.

You can either charge a set price for each structure or put each one up for auction, with the highest bidder winning the naming rights. Then, host a ceremony and hang a plaque once the building is complete!

Stop the Clock

Stop the clock is a unique and engaging fundraising idea.

All you need for this simple competition is a wind-up clock, volunteers, and a prize. Wind your clock to its full extent and have supporters or members of your community purchase minutes.

Assign each volunteer a certain number of minutes (1-60), so they can sell to supporters or purchase minutes themselves. The winner is the person who buys the minute the clock lands on when it stops. 

You can also award prizes to those who purchased the exact minute an hour before and an hour after the clock stopped.

Hospital Breakfast

Host a hospital breakfast to raise money as a fundraising idea.

You might have a loved one who has had to stay in the hospital for a few weeks or even a few months. Their hospital bills might have already started coming in!

If this is the case, you can host a hospital breakfast and invite members of the community to come out and support your loved one.

Ask the hospital if they’d be willing to donate some or all of the food for your fundraiser. You can charge a small admission fee and set up a donation table where people can give their own contributions.

Read-a-Thon

A read-a-thon is a school fundraising idea for students of all ages.

Who doesn’t love a great book? With this fundraiser, you can promote reading and raise money for any cause.

A read-a-thon is the perfect educational fundraiser! Students and other supporters can gather pledges from their friends and family members for the number of pages of books that they can read in a month.

Then, they log their reading times. Once the month ends, the supporters fulfill their end of the bargain and donate however much money they pledged. You can even offer a prize to the person who reads the most.

Skills Clinic

Host a skills clinic to raise money

A skills clinic is a great way to raise money while educating other children (or even adults!) about a particular hobby or skill that you or your kids have.

All you’ll need to do is get the word out about your skills clinic on social media and via email and set up a registration process. You can charge a certain amount for kids and a slightly higher fee for adults.

You can also set up a general donation table or booth at the clinic and explain what you’re raising money for.

Balloon Raffle

A balloon raffle is an excellent and easy fundraising idea.

Balloon raffles aren’t usually a stand-alone event; they are often paired with other fundraisers like carnivals, field days, and family fun days.

But they’re so easy that you’ll be able to raise money in no time!

The only cost to you is a bag of balloons and some raffle tickets. Place the tickets inside the balloons and sell them to children and adults for a dollar each. Whoever has the winning ticket gets a small prize at the end of the raffle.

Reverse Raffle

Try a reverse raffle to raise money for your nonprofit or charity

Everyone knows how a regular raffle works, but what about a reverse raffle? This fundraiser can be a good way to raise money and have some fun!

Sell raffle tickets to your supporters at an event like an auction or gala. Then, draw the corresponding numbers out of a bowl or other container throughout the night.

The person with the last ticket in the bowl is the winner! The prize for a reverse raffle is usually something unique and desirable that encourages people to purchase more raffle tickets.

Fish Tank Funds

Have a fish tank fundraiser to raise money.

A fish tank fundraiser is so easy and low-cost; you’ll wonder why you never planned one before.

All you have to do is acquire a large fish tank. You don’t even have to buy one; try to get it donated if you can! Then, set it out in a prominent place in the community. Ask a local business if they’d be willing to keep your fish tank in their restaurant or store.

Supporters then drop in their spare coins and bills to see how quickly they can fill the fish tank. This fundraiser can take place all year long as well, earning money over time.

Beard Challenge

A beard, representing the concept of hosting a beard challenge as a fundraising idea.

If the men in your community are willing to participate, you can host a “Beard Challenge” to raise money for your cause. This fundraiser works well for military or veteran-related causes.

People can donate $5 to challenge someone in the community to grow a beard for a week. $10 would be two weeks; $15 would be three weeks, and so on.

With enough participants, you’ll end up raising money and see more beards around town. Don’t forget to let people know why you’re raising money!

Prom Dress Drive

Sell old prom dresses as a way to raise money for your school.

A prom dress drive is the perfect high school fundraising idea to raise money for your school and your students.

Members of your community and alumni can donate their old, gently used prom dresses. After all, most people only wear their prom dresses once!

Then, your school can sell the dresses to your students at a discounted price. Just set up a date and time to host the sale. Make sure you have the proper equipment to store the dresses. Your students get a great deal on prom dresses, and your school raises money. It’s a win-win!

Straw Draw Fundraiser

Host a straw draw to raise money for your school

A straw draw is an easy fundraiser that you can pull off for a school or individual fundraiser.

Buy a pack of bendy straws and attach different prizes to each straw. Common prizes include extra recess time (for school fundraisers), free services from businesses in the community, or a special basket full of goodies.

Your supporters then pay a dollar to pick a straw out of a basket or container. It’s so easy, you’ll be wondering why you didn’t host this fundraiser earlier!

Fitness Class Fundraiser

Teach fitness classes to raise money for your cause.

If you’re considered a fitness guru in your community (or even if you’re not!), you can put your knowledge to good use and teach exercise classes to raise money for your cause, project, or event.

Set up a date and location for your classes and advertise on social media, via email, and with traditional promotions like flyers and posters.

You can even turn your class into a regular event. Charge a small entrance fee and offer a discount for people who sign up for multiple courses.

Scavenger Hunt

Host a scavenger hunt to raise money

A scavenger hunt is a fun way for kids and adults of all ages to discover your local area and work together toward a common goal, while raising money for your cause!

Have teams of kids or adults sign up and pay a registration fee. You can set up an online registration form or place a paper sign-up list, with permission, in a centrally-located spot in your community.

Then, create a course and hide items around your community. The winners can even receive a small prize!

Artistic Commissions

Several paint cans, representing the concept of taking artistic commissions as a fundraising idea.

If you have an eye for art, you can take artistic commissions to help raise funds for your project, cause, or event.

Advertise your artistic services on social media and let people know what your rates are for different works of art.

Just make sure that you stay on top of all of your requests. It might help to create a checklist of items to create along with the corresponding contact information for the individuals who placed the order. Don’t overbook yourself and get stressed because you have too many projects to complete!

Patriotic Merchandise Sale

Selling patriotic merchandise is one of the most creative fundraising ideas.

T-shirts, hoodies, and sunglasses are all items that you can customize and sell as a way to raise funds for military-related causes.

Whether you know someone in the Marine Corps, the Air Force, or another branch, you can use personalized merchandise to boost your fundraising efforts.

You can use a wholesaler or work with a local manufacturer. Just make sure you advertise your merchandise and the cause you’re raising money for.

Pizza Bingo

A pizza bingo fundraising night is the perfect fundraising idea for schools.

Pizza bingo is a night of food and fun! You can host a community (or school!) pizza night where attendees pay a fee to eat unlimited pizza and play bingo.

You’ll need to provide prizes to your winners (and, at the end of the night, you can even offer small prizes to the students who didn’t win).

You can find bingo providers online. You’ll also need an emcee to announce numbers and rile up the crowd.

Cookbook Sale

A cookbook, representing the concept of selling cookbooks for fundraising.

Do you love to cook? Do you have a lot of delicious family recipes you want to share? Why not create a cookbook?

You can raise money in a few different ways with this fundraiser. You can create a book with your own recipes, or you can charge your friends, family, and peers a small fee to include their recipes in the book.

Once you have your cookbook, you can sell it online or in your community to raise more funds for your cause.

Envelope Fundraiser

An envelope fundraiser is a creative fundraising idea to consider.

An envelope fundraiser is another easy and inexpensive way for individuals to raise money. The only cost for you is a few envelopes and a little time for set up.

Buy a pack of 100 envelopes and number each one. Then, hang them on a corkboard in a central location. People who want to donate choose an envelope and give that amount.

With just 100 envelopes and the generosity of your friends and family members, you can raise over $5,000 with this fundraiser!

Custom Water Bottle Sale

Water bottles, representing the concept of selling custom water bottles as a fundraising idea.

One of the most crucial components of getting in shape is drinking more water to stay hydrated during a workout.

If you need to raise money for a walk, run, or another event, you can create and sell custom water bottles to people in your community to quench their thirst!

Find a wholesale water bottle company that allows you to customize your containers, and then start selling.

Penny Wars

Classrooms can compete in a penny wars school fundraising idea.

Waging a penny war is one of the best ways to raise a little extra money at your school or office. You can host it all year long, and it fuels a little friendly competition.

At the beginning of the year, set out plastic bins or containers in front of each classroom or office department. Each morning, individuals can drop their pennies into the bins or they can sabotage another team by dropping a $1 into their bin, which cancels out 100 of their pennies.

The team with the most pennies at the end wins!

Flag Subscription Service

Create a flag subscription service to raise money as a fundraising idea.

A flag subscription fundraiser is a longer-term way to raise money, but it can also help your community show their spirit.

All you have to do is encourage supporters to sign up for the service, charge a small monthly or yearly fee, and hang seasonally-appropriate flags on their front porches.

For instance, you could hang the American flag during November for Veterans’ Day, but you could change it to a holiday-themed flag during December.

Haircut Party

One of our most creative fundraising ideas is hosting a haircut party.

Often, people facing cancer treatment lose their hair. Because of that, many folks undergoing treatment decide to preemptively cut their own hair.

If that’s the situation you or a loved one is in, you can get a group together to get their hair cut and find a hair salon willing to participate, and donate the proceeds to a relevant cause, such as cancer research.

Recruit as many people as possible; the more cuts, the more money you raise.

Pink-Themed Party

Take a cue from one of our most successful fundraising ideas and host a pink-themed party.

This option from our list of creative fundraising ideas is a bit specific. It’s customized for those raising money for breast cancer research, treatment, and/or awareness.

Host a classic fundraising luncheon, but with a twist. Deck the whole thing out in pink. From food to wardrobe to decorations.

Of course, this model will work for a range of causes, as long as the cause has a signature color associated with it, like pink and breast cancer.

Ghost Tour

A foggy cemetery, representing the concept of ghost tours as a fundraiser idea.

A ghost tour is an entertaining fundraising idea that many of your supporters likely won’t see coming. While these events are perfect around Halloween, you can still plan them at any time of year.

Dig into spooky tales and haunting histories in your local area, then hire volunteer tour guides to tell these stories during your tour.

In addition to charging for registration, you can sell branded merchandise such as flashlights and hats. Consider making the tour even more fun and immersive by inviting participants to arrive in costumes.

Yoga with Pets

A person doing yoga with a chihuahua, representing the yoga with pets fundraising idea.

Over the past few years, Gallup has found that worry, stress, and sadness have remained near record highs in adults around the world. As wellness rises as a priority among your supporters, a fundraising idea like yoga with pets becomes more appealing than ever.

Partner with a local animal shelter, butterfly sanctuary, or farm to host a yoga session. Then, enlist a yoga teacher to lead your event.

Some popular animals to feature in your yoga session include puppies, kittens, goats, and butterflies. Since yoga is a physical activity, be sure to have participants sign waivers in advance and have a first aid kit available in case of any injuries.

Bird-a-Thon

Two birds sitting on a branch, representing the idea of a bird-a-thon fundraiser.

Are more traditional peer-to-peer fundraising ideas getting old for your supporters? Consider hosting a bird-a-thon to raise more and give your community the chance to spend some time out in nature.

Recruit birding participants and point them to free bird identification apps that they can use during the event. Then, help them set up individual fundraising pages, where they can gather donations from friends and family based on the number of species they spot.

To provide a more educational experience, consider reaching out to bird experts who may be willing to help out during the bird-a-thon.

Skydiving

Two people skydiving, illustrating the idea of a skydiving fundraiser.

A skydiving fundraiser can be an unforgettable opportunity that your most thrill-seeking supporters won’t be able to pass up. Participants will set up personal fundraising pages and collect gifts from friends and family on behalf of your cause.

Partner with a local skydiving group to facilitate the event. This way, even supporters who’ve never been skydiving before can take part by tandem jumping.

Be sure to have participants sign a waiver ahead of the fundraiser and set up a livestream so their friends and family can cheer them on at home.

Dish Smashing

Broken plates, representing a dish smashing fundraiser.

By organizing a dish smashing fundraiser, you can give supporters the chance to blow off steam and create a little chaos—all for a good cause. You can either set up everything on your own or partner with a rage room to host the event.

To gather the dishes you’ll provide participants to smash, you can ask for donations from community members and local restaurants. Then, equip your supporters with safety gear such as gloves and goggles so they can smash dishes without having to worry about injury.

Depending on your resources, you can create packages that add other items that participants can destroy, such as old TVs and printers, which will cost extra.

Murder Mystery Dinner

A detective looking through a magnifying glass, representing the concept of a murder mystery dinner.

50% of Americans enjoy true crime content, with one in three consuming this type of content at least once a week. Encourage your supporters to put their detective hats on and get immersed in a murder mystery dinner fundraiser.

Either download a virtual murder mystery party game or recruit a team of volunteers to act as other dinner participants and the hidden culprit.

Sell event tickets to new and existing supporters who want to dive deep into solving a mystery, along with branded merchandise that they can take home as mementos.

Escape Room

Four people looking at a map in an escape room.

An escape room fundraiser provides your supporters with a challenge similar to a murder mystery, except this time, they need to solve puzzles to find their way out of a room.

You can partner with an escape room company or create your own set of clues by decorating rooms in your facility. Either way, come up with a story or theme related to your cause to make it more engaging for participants.

If you’re organizing an escape room without a professional company, you’ll need to recruit volunteers to act as game masters and oversee the event.

Museum Night

Two children looking at a museum exhibit.

Whether you’re a museum, zoo, or aquarium—or you have one in your area willing to partner with you—host a special after-hour event to allow supporters to mingle and appreciate the exhibits in a more exclusive setting.

Sell tickets to your museum night and plan a variety of activities to entertain attendees, from live band performances to an auction. Depending on your goals and resources, you can provide meals or simply sell snacks and drinks at the event.

You can even reach out to local businesses to sponsor your event, offsetting some of the planning and decoration costs in exchange for featuring their brands in your marketing and event materials.

Lip Sync Contest

An illustrated pair of lips in front of a microphone, representing the idea of a lip sync contest for fundraising.

For centuries, humans have used music to bond, tell stories, and build a sense of community. For your next fundraising idea, you can do the same by hosting a lip sync contest.

To prepare for a lip sync contest, you’ll need to secure a stage and sound equipment. Then, register performers in exchange for a participation fee and sell tickets to assemble an audience.

Consider creating various categories for performers to enter into, such as solo acts and groups. Sell concessions between songs and have people pay to vote for their favorite performances.

Fashion Show

Models walking down a catwalk, participating in a fashion show.

 

A fashion show fundraiser can be a glamorous, show-stopping event for your community to attend. Better yet, you can adapt your planning to any cause or time of year by choosing specific themes such as “Winter Wonderland” or “Summer Sportswear.”

Partner with local clothing stores and designers who are willing to donate or rent clothing for your models to wear. Then, recruit volunteers to set up the event and even walk the catwalk.

If many of your supporters have pets that they adore, consider organizing a pet fashion show instead! You can sell treats, toys, and accessories that attendees can take home after the event.

Pool Party

Four people lounging by the pool, representing pool parties as a fundraising idea.

Does your community need an excuse to cool off from the summer heat? Plan a pool party fundraiser to raise funds while encouraging fun in the sun.

Reach out to neighborhood pools and YMCAs to see if they’d be willing to host your party there. Then, once you’ve assembled volunteer lifeguards and pool floats, you’re ready to start selling event tickets.

Set up a concession stand with snacks and cool drinks to generate a little extra revenue. Consider adding additional activities, such as raffles and ice cream tasting, to make your pool party even more engaging.

Video Game Tournament

A person participating in a video game tournament.

Video games are more popular than ever, played by over three billion people around the world. When choosing your next fundraiser idea, consider tapping into this popularity and stoking up some competition with a video game tournament.

Select a game such as FIFA, Mario Kart, or Super Smash Bros. Then, enlist participants to pay an entry fee and battle it out virtually.

You can livestream the tournament and engage viewers by adding interactive elements such as live chats and polls. Reach out to local businesses to secure prizes for the tournament winners, such as gift cards and gaming equipment.

Quick and Easy Fundraising Ideas

Bake Sale

Sell baked goods to raise money

A bake sale is a tried and true fundraiser that brings tasty treats to your community while you raise money and awareness for your cause or project. Who can resist a good cause and a delicious cookie?

Make sure that you advertise your bake sale well in advance, and set up your table or booth in a well-trafficked area to attract more customers.

You can sell your tasty treats and place a tip or donation jar on the table for customers who feel extra generous. A bake sale is even a great way to end a mid-campaign slump!

Get as creative as you want with the confections you create. The better they look (and taste), the more people will want to buy them!

Coin Drive

Host a penny drive to raise money for your cause.

A penny drive is a low-cost and easy way to raise money. All you have to do is set up containers in a well-trafficked area and let people know what you’re raising money for.

You may not raise a ton of money with a penny drive, but it’s a great way to educate people about the cause or project you’re fundraising for and gain momentum for your campaign.

Besides, people don’t just have to give pennies. They can give dimes, quarters, and even dollar bills during a penny drive. If you’re working with a team, you can even turn a penny drive into a competition to see who can raise the most!

Custom Apparel Sale

Sell t-shirts to raise money as a fundraising idea.

T-shirts are the perfect product to pair with your crowdfunding campaign. Everyone can wear them, and you can customize the shirt to highlight your cause or project to ensure people will always remember it!

When you set up your crowdfunding campaign, you can set up giving levels. Each level can correspond to a different combination of items.

For instance, a $25 donation might get a donor a t-shirt, but a $50 donation might result in a t-shirt plus a hat. The options for apparel are limitless. You can sell sweatshirts, hats, scarves, mittens, and more!

Guessing Games

Guessing games are a great fundraising idea for your cause.

Guessing games are classic ways to raise funds for many different causes. All you need is a jar filled with the candy of your choice (think something small, like jelly beans!).

People can guess the amount of candy that they think is in the jar, paying $1 per guess. Be sure to put your jar in a public and high-trafficked location for the most guesses and donations.

The winner takes home the entire jar, and your team keeps the donations from guesses!

Candle Sale

Sell candles as a fundraising idea for churches.

Hosting a candle sale is one of the best ways to raise money for your church or religious organization, but it can be used for any cause. It’s easy, effective, and fun for everyone involved!

There are many wholesale candle companies that you can purchase from. They might even offer discounts for organizations.

Choose seasonal scents that will make people’s homes smell delicious!

Community Service Drive

A person painting a wall, representing the concept of a community service drive fundraising idea.

If you’re skilled in a particular service like painting, auto repairs, or other services, offer your skills to raise funds.

You can charge a flat fee or work by the day or hour until the job is complete. Just make sure that you and community officials are in agreement over the terms!

Offering your services also puts your handiwork out into the community where others can appreciate and enjoy it.

Restaurant Partnership

Partner with a local restaurant chain to raise money for your cause.

There are tons of restaurant chains and local establishments that are willing to partner with individuals and organizations to help them raise money.

Most of the time, a restaurant chain or local eatery will have designated fundraising nights where a portion of the sales from that night are donated to a charity.

You simply have to advertise the night and get the word out about the event. Many restaurant chains will have pre-made flyers or stickers that your staff and volunteers can hand out to promote the fundraiser.

Pajama Day

Host a pajama day to raise money for your school

Pajama days are an easy and fun nonprofit fundraising idea for schools, and there’s a good reason for that: they work!

Advertise your pajama day well in advance and let students know that they have to pay a couple of dollars to wear their comfy pajamas to school for one whole day.

When the day arrives, go around to classrooms to collect the money and give students a special sticker to wear. This helps you know who has paid to wear their pajamas throughout the halls!

Coupon Book Sale

Sell coupon books to raise money.

No one likes paying full price for everything. To help people save a little money (and make some cash for your project or cause!), you can sell coupon books to individuals in your community.

Get in touch with a company that prints coupon booklets and order some in bulk.

Then, reach out to your friends and family members and start selling your coupon books! You can even advertise the booklets on social media and via email.

Appreciation Grams

Use appreciation grams as your next fundraising idea.

Appreciation grams can help you raise funds and build camaraderie in your community. Plus, it’s a fundraising idea that’s relatively inexpensive to host and will work great all year round.

You can charge people at work, school, or even in the neighborhood a small fee ($0.50 or $1) to send out a customized note that acknowledges someone in the community.

You can get as creative with the notes as you like. For example, you could charge extra for different designs or include a piece of candy with each note.

Wreath and Ornament Sale

Sell holiday decorations as a fundraising idea.

Selling wreaths and ornaments can help raise funds during the holidays. For this fundraising idea, you’ll need a few volunteers to make and sell the items and craft supplies.

You can have your volunteers design one wreath or ornament to sell every year or have supporters create their own unique designs.

Additionally, you can sell other items like ribbons and wreath hooks.

Coffee Sale

Sell coffee as one of your fundraising ideas.

Coffee is a popular beverage. Why not use that popularity to raise funds for your cause or project?

You can either sell coffee beans (try fair trade coffee!), or you can sell cups of coffee during the day. Local coffee shops may be able to provide gourmet coffee at a discounted rate.

Either way, rally your friends and family to make the sales. They can reach out to their friends and peers with a personalized sales pitch!

Student Tutoring

Try tutoring other students to fundraise for your cause.

You might be a gifted mathematician. Or perhaps you have a knack for outlining essays and writing thesis statements.

Whatever your strong points are, you can use them to help out students and raise money for your cause, project, or organization!

Set up a tutoring service and charge a small hourly fee. Just make sure that you have the time!

Community Yard Sale

Start your next fundraiser with a yard sale.

They say that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. You can put this saying to the test and host a yard or garage sale to raise funds for your cause.

You don’t just have to sell your stuff, though! Make it a community event and invite your friends and family to join.

Don’t forget to promote the event on social media, via email, and with flyers. The more people know about your event, the more likely they’ll be to show up and support you!

Cookie Dough Sale

A plate of cookies, representing the concept of selling cookie dough as a fundraising idea.

Everyone loves a good cookie! Why not capitalize on that craving by selling cookie dough? It’s a fundraising idea that you can host year-round.

You can either sell cookie dough to your community or have your supporters sell to their friends, coworkers, and family. You can also sell treats on your website to reach even more people.

First, you’ll need to find a wholesale cookie dough provider with various cookie options. Then you can start selling your items!

Popcorn Sale

Sell popcorn as a way to raise funds for your cause.

Popcorn is a versatile snack that can appeal to all kinds of donors.

You can have students (if you’re a school) or other volunteers sell popcorn to community members and supporters. Popcorn sells especially well near the holidays or at sporting events.

Your organization will need to find a gourmet popcorn vendor. Some may offer profit margins as high as 58%.

Pennies from Heaven Fundraiser

A "Pennies from Heaven" fundraiser is a great fundraising idea!

Pennies From Heaven is a cute twist on a penny drive. Instead of simply dropping change into a container, individuals try to toss their change into an umbrella hanging upside down from the ceiling!

This fundraiser can even be made into a competition to see whose umbrella ends up with the most money.

While this fundraiser won’t bring in tens of thousands of dollars, it’s a low-cost and easy way to raise a little extra money.

Balloon or Lantern Release

Hold a balloon or lantern release to raise money.

Balloon or lantern releases can be a way to raise money for your cause (or a memorial ceremony that you can host to remember your loved one).

Invite friends and family and let them know why you’re raising money. You don’t necessarily have to charge per balloon or lantern.

However, you can have a general donation fund that people can make contributions to during the ceremony. A lantern or balloon release can also be held in conjunction with another fundraising event, like a dinner or a walkathon.

Box Tops

Cereal in a box and a bowl, representing box tops fundraising.

Box Tops for Education has been helping schools raise money to improve student experiences for over two decades.

To make the most of this fundraising opportunity, all you need to do is register your school and encourage your community to carry out their grocery shopping as usual.

Every box top is worth 10 cents. When your supporters make eligible purchases, all they need to do is scan their receipts with the Box Tops app and watch their earnings add up for your school.

Dunk Tank

A child throwing a ball at a dunk tank, illustrating how this fundraising idea works.

A dunk tank can be a standalone fundraiser or easily incorporated into another fundraising event, such as a carnival, to boost your funds. All you need is one or more volunteers (such as a school principal) who are willing to fall into your water tank in the name of a good cause.

Research nearby vendors to rent a dunk tank booth from. Then, set it up in a public area and collect donations in exchange for chances to dunk your volunteers.

For example, you can charge $1 to throw one ball at the dunk tank target, $5 for three throws, and $10 to walk up and hit the target for a guaranteed dunk.

Photo Booth

A model of a photo booth.

Similar to a dunk tank, a photo booth is a simple and easy way to fundraise that you can add to almost any event.

You can either rent a photo booth or set up a photo area and use a Polaroid camera to produce the pictures. Consider setting up a background that’s relevant to your cause or organization, such as a beach scene if you’re raising funds for ocean conservation efforts.

You can sell a variety of branded clothing, from hats to t-shirts, that supporters can wear in their pictures. Additionally, you can charge for face painting related to your cause, such as fish scales or mermaid designs.

Concession Stand

A person standing in front of a concession stand.

Concession stands are a fundraising idea that can fit into almost any event, whether it’s a sports game or a concert. Plus, you can adjust the food and drinks you offer according to the season, the type of event, and supporters’ preferences.

Assemble a team of volunteers to run your concession stand and set up a table or booth, decorated for your cause or organization. Then, sell popular concession offerings such as hot dogs, popcorn, and nachos.

To appeal to more dietary needs and preferences, consider providing healthier options as well. For example, you could sell fruit cups, cheese sticks, and trail mix.

Book Club

A stack of books, representing the concept of book clubs as a fundraising idea.

Book clubs are wonderful opportunities to meet new people, learn diverse perspectives, discuss common interests, and bond over compelling stories. Why not turn them into a fundraiser?

To raise funds with a book club, consider charging an annual membership fee. Then, meet monthly to read and discuss books related to your cause or ones that your members vote on. At each meeting, you can sell additional snacks, drinks, and merchandise.

If you want to attract more members, consider making your book club virtual. Then, you can meet up on Zoom to share your thoughts and create live polls to engage participants.

Plant Sale

A shelf of flowers with a “For Sale” sign on it.

A bright bromeliad or stunning succulent can enhance almost any living space. Chances are, many of your supporters would be glad to take advantage of a plant sale, especially if the proceeds will benefit a good cause.

You can either grow the plants you plan to sell in advance, ask for donations from a plant nursery, or partner with a product fundraising service that provides plants at an affordable price.

At your plant sale, encourage attendees to stick around by selling snacks and drinks and organizing activities like leaf rubbing and flower arranging.

Holiday Candy Grams

Bowls of assorted candy, representing holiday candy gram fundraisers.

Whether Christmas is just around the corner or Valentine’s Day is coming up, give your supporters a chance to send something sweet to their loved ones with holiday candy grams.

Setting up candy grams is simple. Gather materials such as candy, cardstock, and rolls of ribbon. Then, sell candy grams for people to send on the upcoming holiday, complete with a personalized message.

Delivering your holiday candy grams is much easier if the recipients are all located in the same building (like a school) or neighborhood. If you’re transporting candy grams to off-site locations, be sure to recruit volunteers willing to distribute them to where they need to go.

Carol Singing

People participating in carol singing.

Playing and singing holiday songs is an excellent way to spread cheer at the end of the year while soliciting donations for your cause.

Enlist a team of volunteer carolers to either go door to door or stand in a busy public area to collect donations from families and passersby. Be sure to explain exactly what you’re raising funds to encourage more people to support your efforts and contribute to your impact.

Beyond accepting cash donations, provide multiple options to maximize giving. For example, you can offer text-to-give or have QR codes that supporters can scan to access your donation page.

Pancake Breakfast

A plate with pancakes and fruit toppings, illustrating the concept of hosting a pancake breakfast for fundraising.

It’s estimated that people in the U.S. consume over 75 billion pancakes every year. They’re not only simple to make, but simple to turn into a fundraising idea, too.

Host a pancake breakfast fundraiser by clearing out a space in your facility or renting out a local restaurant. Then, assemble volunteers to make and serve pancakes to your guests.

For an additional price, you could serve special pancakes that are decorated to fit your cause or other breakfast items such as donuts or coffee.

Paper Airplane Contest

A hand throwing a paper airplane, representing the idea of a paper airplane contest.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to gather your community together and raise funds for your cause, but you’re low on time and resources, consider holding a paper airplane contest.

You can easily draw crowds with an engaging paper airplane contest, especially if many of your supporters have young children. Plus, all you need to secure beforehand is a spacious location, paper, and prizes.

Beyond charging entry fees, consider selling colorful or decorative sheets of paper at a higher price and holding a raffle to ramp up the excitement.

Pet Treat and Toy Sale

Two people looking at pet treats for sale.

Many pet owners are always on the lookout for new ways to pamper and entertain their furry friends. In fact, Americans spent an estimated total of $147 billion on their pets in just 2023. Give them new opportunities to show their pets how much they love them—while supporting your cause—by planning a pet treat and toy sale.

Recruit volunteers to produce handmade treats and toys that you can sell. Or, you can partner with your local pet store or an online pet treat fundraising service to secure your products for an affordable price.

You don’t have to limit your sale to just dog and cat owners, either. Do a little research into treats and toys for pets such as rabbits, birds, hamsters, and lizards to expand your fundraising reach.

Spelling Bee

An illustrated bee holding up a “Spelling Bee” sign.

While spelling bees are typically associated with younger participants, such as students, a spelling bee fundraiser can engage people of all ages.

To raise funds, you can create age categories for people to compete in. Then, sell entrance fees and spectator tickets for your spelling bee. Incentivize participation by establishing prizes such as certificates, branded merchandise, or trophies.

If you want to boost engagement, consider having your competitors spell words relevant to your cause. For example, a wildlife rescue nonprofit might choose words such as “biodiversity,” “anthropogenic,” or “deciduous.”

Start a free Fundly campaign to make the most of crowdfunding, the best and easiest fundraising idea.

Free or Cheap Fundraising Ideas

Free Donation Tools

A person holding a phone, which represents the concept of using free donation tools for fundraising.

Fundraising is essential for every nonprofit. If your nonprofit is raising money online, you should explore a fee-free online donation tool.

Here’s how it works: you get a best-in-class online donation tool that’s completely free with no subscription fees or processing fees charged by the platform. Those platforms rely on donors who will help fund all of the platform expenses. If you’re a nonprofit looking for a year-round donation tool for your website we’d recommend DonateKindly!

Gift-Wrapping Services

Wrap gifts during the holidays to raise money for your school.

Once the holidays roll around, it feels like everyone is in a mad dash to buy and wrap presents for everyone on their list.

You can help these frenzied people out and earn a little extra money by offering gift-wrapping services.

You can partner with a local department or retail store or offer gift-wrapping services in a well-trafficked (but spacious) area. Offer extras like bows, ribbons, and tags to earn a little extra money.

This is a great idea to get the whole family involved: kids can help with tying bows if they’re too young to wrap properly!

Baby Photo Contest

Host a baby photo contest to raise money for your cause.

Baby photos can be adorable, silly, and even embarrassing for some people. Why not get your neighborhood together for a baby photo contest?

All you have to do is ask people to submit copies of their favorite baby photos. Then, pin the photos on a bulletin board with corresponding numbers.

People then vote on their favorite photograph by placing change in numbered containers underneath the board. Whoever has the most money in their container at the end of the month wins a small prize and the bragging rights that come with knowing that they were the cutest baby in your community!

50/50 Raffle

Try a reverse raffle to raise money for your nonprofit or charity

A 50/50 raffle is an easy fundraiser for any individual looking to raise money for a specific cause, project, or event. They are usually paired with other types of fundraising events.

During a 50/50 raffle, individuals will buy a certain number of raffle tickets. For a normal raffle, the person with the winning number will receive a prize of some sort.

But with a 50/50 raffle, the prize is half of the money raised from the raffle ticket sales. The more tickets people buy, the more they might win!

Pet Picture Day

A kitten, representing the concept of a pet picture day as a fundraising idea.

For a pet picture day, you can ask a local photographer to donate their time and set up a “studio” at your shelter or organization. Then, invite pet owners to come and have their pets’ pictures taken!

You can have props for the photoshoot and a snack station for animals and pet owners alike.

To raise money, you can charge a fee for the pictures and also sell packages of other merchandise with the pet pictures on them. Who wouldn’t love a t-shirt or a mug with their pet on the front?

Coach Challenge Fundraiser

A baseball coach, representing the concept of a coach challenge fundraiser.

How many of your teammates would pay to see your coach duct taped to a wall, have their hair dyed a ridiculous color, or be forced to sit in a tree?

You can create a coach “punishment” fundraiser and raise some money for your team while having a little fun!

As long as your coach is in on the event, you can start fundraising for various types of “punishments.” People vote for their favorite ones with their dollars. Your coach has to do whichever one has the most money!

“Give-It-Up” Challenge

Try a Give it Up fundraiser to raise money for your cause.

A “Give-It-Up” fundraiser is a free fundraiser that can be between you and a close friend or expanded to include your family members and other acquaintances. Participants agree to give up an indulgence for a certain amount of time and put the money toward your cause or project.

You can choose to give up something as simple as a daily latte, a weekly trip to the movies, or a fast food visit.

Instead of spending money on these expenses, put the funds in a jar or a savings account. Over the course of several months or a year, you can save a lot of money!

Swap Shop

Set up a swap shop as a fundraising idea.

A swap shop is a great way to raise money while helping you and your supporters clean out your garages, basements, and closets.

To get started, designate an area to be your “store.” Then, have people donate their gently used clothing, books, home goods, and knick-knacks.

Resell the items to other members of your community, providing buyers with low-cost secondhand items while raising money for your cause. Whatever you don’t sell can be donated to a thrift store or homeless shelter to be put to good use.

Flower Bulb Sales

Sell flower bulbs as one of your fundraising ideas.

Flower bulb sales are a favorite during the spring and especially around Mother’s Day. All you have to do is buy flower bulbs in bulk and sell them around the community!

You can choose a wide variety of flowers or stick with classics, like roses or tulips. There are several companies that offer many options at competitive prices, all with the convenience of online ordering.

You can sell the bulbs to your family members, friends, neighbors, and other members of the community. You can even turn the fundraiser into a competition to see who can raise the most money.

Easter Egg Hunt

Organize an Easter egg hunt as a family-friendly fundraising idea.

While hosting an Easter egg hunt can only be a once-a-year event, it’s a great opportunity to involve families and the surrounding community. Plus, an Easter egg hunt is incredibly simple to plan.

All you need is a large space to host your hunt, a couple hundred plastic eggs (or however many you think is enough), and treats to fill the eggs.

You can raise money by charging an entrance fee and selling Easter egg baskets so that the children can carry the eggs that they find.

“Non-Event” Event

A person lounging on a couch, representing the concept of a "non-event" event fundraising idea.

Sometimes, you just want to stay at home, snack on unhealthy food, and watch a movie. If you need a low-cost fundraiser, host a non-event!

Basically, you send out “invitations” to an event that isn’t going to take place. Tell people that “nothing will happen on Tuesday at 7:00” and let them know that they can stay in their homes and not worry about socializing.

Then, ask for donations for your cause or project. People will be grateful for a night of no social obligations, and you’ll raise some extra money.

Friendly Competition

A tug-of-war game, representing the concept of a friendly competition for fundraising.

If you and your friend, sibling, or other family member have a competitive streak, you can try hosting a friendly competition to raise money. This fundraiser can also work great for weddings, with competitions between the bride and groom, and can take place for one day or over the course of several months.

Plan out a few competitions and have your friends and family place wagers on who they think will win each one.

The competitions can be as daring and unique as you want. Just make sure that the events are all in good fun!

Wheelbarrow Challenge

Host a wheelbarrow challenge to fundraise for your cause.

A wheelbarrow challenge is the perfect low-cost fundraiser. The only cost is a wheelbarrow, and you can likely have that donated by a supporter!

Place your wheelbarrow in a prominent and well-trafficked area in the neighborhood (with permission of course!). Encourage your community members to place their loose change in the wheelbarrow.

See how long it takes to fill the wheelbarrow. You’ll be amazed at how much money you can raise by collecting spare change.

Custom Calendar Sale

Create and sell custom calendars as a fundraising idea for your cause.

Wall or desk calendars are the perfect fundraising product. They can promote your nonprofit’s cause and are easy to create and sell.

Start creating your calendars in the middle of summer. That way, you’ll have plenty of time to advertise and sell them to members of your community before the new year starts.

You can add images of your constituents, as well as quotes, statistics, and other facts that educate supporters about your nonprofit’s mission. Sell the calendars in your nonprofit’s offices and in your online storefront so that anyone can purchase one and support your cause.

Memorial Merchandise

Sell merchandise to raise money as a fundraising idea.

In addition to your crowdfunding campaign, your family can sell merchandise, like t-shirts and hats, to raise money after a loved one has passed.

These shirts, hats, or other pieces of merchandise can be worn during another fundraising event, like a run or walk, or at a memorial service.

The shirts can be customized with a phrase or picture to make them truly unique. Selling t-shirts or other merchandise can be a great way to remember your loved one and raise some extra money.

Healthy Eating Class

Vegetables and fruits, representing the concept of hosting a healthy eating class as a fundraising idea.

We could all stand to eat a little healthier. Whether you need to cut carbs or stop drinking soda, our bodies deserve healthy food! You can start teaching healthy cooking classes to raise money for your event, project, or cause.

Use the opportunity to teach healthy eating practices to members of your community. All you have to do is charge an entrance fee and spread the word via social media, email, and physical advertisements like flyers.

While teaching cooking classes will take up some time, it can be a great way to get your entire community eating healthier.

Coffee Shop Partnership

A kitten with a coffee mug, representing the concept of a coffee shop partnership for fundraising.

Many coffee shops have an outside sitting area where customers will sit and sip coffee while their dog sits nearby. These types of cafes are perfect for fundraising partnerships! All you have to do is ask!

If you know that a coffee shop owner is a dog-lover, ask them if they would be willing to host fundraising events.

You can host human-exclusive fundraising events, but it’s much more fun to get the pooches involved too! You can have pet fashion shows, competitions, and other events at the coffee shop.

Community Grants

Apply for community grants to raise money for your nonprofit or charity

Local or community grants are often distributed by foundations, companies, or governments to qualifying nonprofits that submit an application.

The grant-writing process can take lots of time and energy, but even if you receive only one grant a year, it can be a major benefit to your organization.

Do some research and look for grants in your area that you might qualify for. Oftentimes, foundations and companies will distribute grants to nonprofits that share similar values and missions, so start with grant-making entities that have similar visions to yours.

“Best Seat In The House” Fundraiser

Hold a "Best Seat In The House" fundraiser to raise money for your club or organization

If you currently attend high school or college, you can set up a “Best Seat In The House” fundraiser to raise money for your club!

All you have to do is hold a traditional raffle! The only difference is that the prize is two of the best seats at a sporting event.

Sweeten the pot a little by offering free concessions to the winners in addition to their prime seats.

Fundraising Letters

Writing letters is an effective fundraising idea for any cause.

Writing letters is a great way to raise money for your cause, project, or event.

Your letters should be genuine and personal. Always start with your donor’s preferred name and reference any past relationship or donations.

You can use letters to direct people to your online giving pages or crowdfunding campaign, but you should also include a self-addressed envelope within your letter to encourage people to send in checks (make sure you tell donors not to send cash!).

Speed Dating

A couple, representing the concept of speed dating as a popular fundraising idea.

Everyone understands the struggle of dating while juggling the rest of their life. If you want to help people find true love and raise a little money in the process, host a speed dating event!

Have participants rotate through your other event attendees, getting to know each other in a condensed time frame. They’ll already have something in common to talk about: your cause.

Make sure that the event is all in good fun and that everyone understands why your organization is raising money. You never know, you might even be invited to a wedding in the future!

Tree Planting Event

Hold a tree-planting ceremony to raise money

If you have a green thumb or know many people in the community who do, you can raise funds by hosting a tree-planting event. This event will work well for environmental organizations, but it can work for any type of project or cause.

Sell saplings to attendees and speak about the cause you’re raising funds for.

This is a fun way to involve the entire community and support the environment at the same time!

“Rent-a-Volunteer” Event

A "rent-a-volunteer" event is one of our favorite fundraising ideas.

A “Rent-a-Volunteer” fundraiser involves individuals hiring your team members to complete a specific task.

Common jobs include mowing lawns, cleaning gutters, babysitting, and dog walking, but feel free to get creative!

You can charge per task or by the hour. Make sure that community members know why you’re trying to raise money for your cause.

Phone-a-Thon

A phone-a-thon is one of our favorite fundraising ideas.

A phone-a-thon fundraiser is a tried-and-true fundraising strategy that focuses on soliciting gifts over the phone during a set period of time.

At a nonprofit, these phone calls are typically made by board members, donors, volunteers, and staff who have inside knowledge about your mission and operations.

You can even provide callers with a script to standardize the entire process!

Conclusion & Additional Resources

Fundraisers come in all shapes and sizes, spanning quick and simple ideas to more complex, long-term campaigns. Once you’ve narrowed down your list of favorite fundraising ideas, consider which ones will appeal best to your audience and bring in the most revenue for your cause. Then, you’ll just need to get started and collect your funds in no time.

Good luck, and happy fundraising!

To continue your search for effective fundraising ideas and best practices, be sure to check out these additional resources:

Click through to start a free fundraiser with Fundly and generate more revenue for your cause.

The article’s title, “Accept Donations Online: Tools + Steps to Raise More,” beside a donor sitting with a laptop and holding a credit card.

Accept Donations Online: 13 Tools + Steps to Raise More

Your nonprofit may have a loyal giving pool in your immediate area, but did you know that by using modern technology, you can grow your following tenfold? If you’re looking to fundraise and accept donations online, this means you can reach a wider audience than ever before.

According to the CAF World Giving Index, 4.2 billion people (72% of the world’s adult population) gave money, time, or helped someone they didn’t know in 2022. By collecting online donations, you can tap into the passion and generosity of a global community and raise more for your cause.

In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to accept donations online. Here’s what we’ll cover:

With the right tools and steps to follow, you’ll be well on your way to fundraising success.

Click through to start a free Fundly fundraiser and start accepting donations online for your cause.

The Benefits of Accepting Donations Online

When it comes to online fundraising, the possibilities are nearly endless. Whether you’re a nonprofit, an individual, an educational institution, or another organization looking to secure financial support, collecting online donations is one of the easiest and most effective ways to do so.

Accepting donations online brings a host of benefits to everyone involved, including:

The benefits of accepting donations online, as discussed in more detail below.

  • Increased donor convenience. The average internet user spends nearly seven hours online every day. Through online fundraising, you can meet donors where they already are—all they have to do is access your donation page on whatever device they prefer and submit their payment information to contribute.
  • Broader fundraising reach. When you accept donations online, you can allow people to give no matter where they live. Donors won’t have to worry about mailing in their contributions or attending in-person fundraising events to support your cause. Plus, if you add social media sharing buttons to your donation or confirmation page, you can encourage donors to spread the word about your fundraiser to their friends and family.
  • Reduced expenses. Online giving methods eliminate the need to budget for printing donation forms and mailing appeals to potential donors. Additionally, since everything takes place online, your staff have less manual data entry and record-keeping to handle.
  • Higher donor retention. Double the Donation reveals that 38% of online donors who make a gift one year contribute to that nonprofit again the following year. By adding a recurring giving option to your donation page, you can keep donors effortlessly invested in your cause year after year. With automated thank-you features, you can ensure that every donor receives a timely follow-up that expresses your appreciation.

Online fundraising often comes with enhanced tracking and reporting capabilities, so you can measure your performance in real time and improve your future results.

4 Essential Tools to Collect Online Donations

While accepting donations online is much simpler than offline fundraising, it’s important to equip yourself with the tools you need to collect and process online gifts. When researching potential platforms, follow these steps to pinpoint the right option for your fundraising needs:

  • Use your specific fundraising goals to guide you. Are you looking to start a crowdfunding campaign? Would you like to have peer-to-peer fundraising tools? Make a list of the must-have features you’re looking for and prioritize solutions that will keep your data and donor payment information secure.
  • Read online reviews. Explore online reviews written by individuals or organizations with causes similar to yours. Look for their insights into the platform’s user-friendliness, level of support, and whether there are any common issues faced by users.
  • Ask for recommendations. Consider reaching out to peers who are satisfied with the tools they use to accept online donations. They may be able to provide recommendations based on their personal experiences with fundraising platforms.

If you’re not sure where to start looking, we’ve got you covered. Jumpstart your search by exploring these top tools for accepting donations online:

Fundly: Crowdfunding Platform

Fundly provides a comprehensive set of crowdfunding tools for individuals and nonprofits of all types and causes. Whether you’re fundraising for a church, sports team, school, fraternity, or personal medical expenses, Fundly’s platform has everything you need to rally people around your goal.

A screenshot of Fundly’s home page, where you can start a free fundraiser and accept donations online.

Some of Fundly’s main features include:

  • Website and social media integration. Add a donation form directly to your website or your Facebook page to collect online donations wherever donors prefer to engage with your cause.
  • Giving levels and incentives. Encourage donors to give more by setting suggested giving levels and adding incentives for each level. For example, an art school might decide that $150 donations will receive a digital student art piece, while $300 donations will have a printed art piece shipped to the donor’s doorstep.
  • Peer-to-peer fundraising. Allow community members to fundraise on your behalf by creating individual donation pages that they can share with their networks. You can even organize fundraising teams and maintain momentum by viewing real-time updates of their progress.
  • Event management. If you’re hosting an in-person or virtual event alongside accepting donations online, Fundly has a built-in event module for creating sign-up forms, ticketing, managing sponsors, and more.
  • Donor heat maps. Embed a heat map onto your donation page to find out where the majority of your donors are located. Based on this information, you can adjust your fundraising messages to target donors in specific areas.

While some crowdfunding websites have an “All or Nothing” (AoN) approach, meaning you’ll only receive the funds you raise if you meet your fundraising goal, Fundly is a “Keep it All” (KiA) platform with 0% platform fees. This means that you’re guaranteed to take home the online donations you earn, regardless of how well your online fundraising performs.

Click through to learn how to start a Fundly fundraiser and accept donations online through crowdfunding.

NonProfitEasy: Donor Database

To secure long-term support for your cause, you need to focus on strengthening the connections you build with donors. By using a donor management system like NonProfitEasy, you can collect key donor details, target your communications, and increase your online donation revenue over time.

A screenshot of NonProfitEasy’s home page, which lists donor management features that will help you collect online donations.

NonProfitEasy comes with features that facilitate:

  • Online event ticketing
  • Email management and tracking
  • Pledge tracking
  • Grant management
  • Donor segmentation
  • Volunteer management

NonProfitEasy understands that all of your donors are unique. With smart tag and custom field options, you can customize the information you collect and sort through donor profiles according to communication preferences, average gift size, and other relevant characteristics.

360MatchPro: Matching Gift Software

360MatchPro by Double the Donation is built to help nonprofits make donors’ gifts go twice as far. Many companies, as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, run matching gift programs in which they’ll match the donations their employees make to charitable causes. However, 78% of donors are unaware that their company offers a matching gift program.

A screenshot of the 360MatchPro website, which describes how the software can help you earn more from online donations with matching gifts.

360MatchPro allows you to secure more matching gifts through:

  • An embeddable search field for donors to check their matching gift eligibility.
  • Automated matching gift email streams that encourage donors to submit a request.
  • An auto-submission feature that automatically completes matching gift requests on donors’ behalf.

Plus, if you have a donor management system like NonProfitEasy that integrates with Double the Donation, you can automatically store donors’ matching gift eligibility details in your database. This way, you can send follow-ups to eligible donors to ensure they’re aware of the opportunity.

Snowball Fundraising: Text-to-Give Tools

Worldwide, people send around 23 billion texts every day. With text-to-give software like Snowball Fundraising, you can take advantage of the popularity of texting and make it easy for donors to make online donations directly on their mobile devices.

A screenshot of the Snowball Text-to-Give page, which explains how the software helps with accepting donations online through mobile devices.

Snowball Fundraising’s features include:

  • Three types of text-to-give number choices (local, toll-free, or short-code)
  • Unlimited inbound text messages
  • Recurring donations
  • Affordable outbound text messaging

To participate in your text-to-give fundraiser, donors will text a specific keyword to the phone number assigned by your provider. Then, they can receive a link to your online donation page to make a gift.

9 Steps to Accept Donations Online

Once you’ve built out your toolkit, it’s time to start accepting donations online and promoting your fundraising efforts to potential donors. Follow these key steps to maximize your reach and inspire people to take action for your cause:

1. Create an online donation page.

A donation page is your number-one resource when requesting donations online. It should contain all the information donors need to know about your reason for fundraising, what funds will go toward, and how much you’re hoping to raise by a certain date.

To encourage giving, consider these donation page best practices:

  • Add suggested giving amounts. Help donors decide how much they’d like to contribute by adding suggested amounts that they can select with a single click.
  • Include a fundraising thermometer. Create a sense of urgency and progress by adding a fundraising thermometer or bar to your donation page, allowing donors to see how close you are to reaching your goal—especially for urgent fundraising campaigns like Giving Tuesday.
  • Ensure that the page is mobile-responsive. Access your donation page on a mobile device. Check that images are clear, text is readable, and your form is easy to fill out.
  • Enable recurring donations. For donors who would like to provide long-term support, allow them to opt into recurring gifts so they can effortlessly make donations to your cause on a regular, automated basis.
  • Incorporate social proof. People are interested in and influenced by the actions of others, especially their friends and family. Feature a combination of donor testimonials, comments, and names to motivate others to get involved.

The Eta Xi Alumni Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides scholarships and mentorship opportunities to support Black students through their higher education journeys, provides a stellar example of a strong crowdfunding donation page. Using Fundly, they exceeded their fundraising campaign goal of $113,000 well before their deadline:

Example of the Eta Xi Alumni Foundation’s crowdfunding page on Fundly, which the nonprofit used to collect online donations for its campaign.

As you can see from the example, the Eta Xi Alumni Foundation’s page includes a fundraising progress bar, a tab that displays supporters who’ve contributed to the campaign, a recurring gift option, and social sharing buttons to promote engagement.

2. Highlight the impact of donations.

Online fundraising provides opportunities for people to connect with like-minded individuals and join a community dedicated to a worthy cause. Inspire people to get involved by helping them visualize how their donations will make a difference.

For example, a high school sports team collecting online donations for its upcoming season might share the impact of specific gift amounts, such as:

  • “A $25 donation will provide an athlete’s game-day meals for a whole season.”
  • “A $100 donation will cover the team’s transportation costs to one away game.”
  • “A $300 donation will allow us to purchase new uniforms for the entire team.”

By getting more specific, you can boost transparency and build more trust in potential donors. They’ll feel much more comfortable giving when they know exactly how you’ll put their funds to good use.

3. Include multiple payment options.

With so many online purchases and transactions taking place worldwide, many payment options have emerged to provide convenience to users. By enabling these options when accepting donations online, you increase the chances that donors will find a method that appeals to them.

Some common payment options to provide include:

  • Credit and debit cards
  • Venmo
  • Apple Pay
  • Bank transfer

The more flexibility you provide potential donors, the more likely they are to give to push forward your cause.

4. Enable recurring gifts.

Pave the way for long-term support and increased funds by enabling recurring gifts on your donation page. Many platforms simply allow you to add a check box that donors can select to opt into the program.

While the default frequency is monthly, consider adding quarterly or annual options to appeal to different preferences. Additionally, make it easy for donors to adjust their frequency, update payment details, and opt out whenever they choose. This way, they won’t feel as though they’re blindly committing to something they might want to change later.

Since monthly online giving makes up 28% of all online fundraising revenue, recurring gifts can be a significant source of sustainable funding for your cause. Just be sure to follow up with recurring donors to maintain these relationships and express your gratitude for their continued support.

5. Encourage peer-to-peer fundraising.

Peer-to-peer (P2P) fundraising is an excellent way to collect more online donations by leveraging the power of your community. The process usually follows these general steps:

  • Recruit P2P volunteers to fundraise on your behalf.
  • Help P2P fundraisers set up their individual donation pages.
  • Support P2P fundraisers by providing messaging templates and relevant images.
  • Encourage P2P fundraisers as they promote their donation pages to friends and family.

P2P fundraising allows you to widen your fundraising reach even further by tapping into the personal networks of your supporters. Consider creating a dedicated social media group and organizing celebratory get-togethers to make your P2P fundraisers feel like a close-knit community.

6. Increase awareness of matching gifts.

Despite how matching gifts can double or even triple the impact of many donations, an estimated $4 – $7 billion in matching gift funds go unclaimed every year. To avoid missing out on this valuable revenue source, start by including a brief description on your donation page to make more donors aware.

Example of including matching gift information on your donation page.

Additionally, you can maximize awareness by promoting matching gifts in social media posts, text messages, and email newsletters. Briefly explain the process of determining eligibility and submitting a matching donation request so donors know what to expect.

Click through to start a free Fundly fundraiser and start accepting donations online for your cause.

7. Leverage text-to-give.

Through text-to-give, donors can support your fundraising efforts whenever they’d like, on whatever device they prefer. To start accepting donations online with text-to-give, follow these steps:

  • Find a text-to-give provider that is PCI-compliant and provides comprehensive support.
  • Choose a short and memorable keyword, such as “DONATE4DOGS.”
  • Build a text contact list by promoting your text-to-give fundraiser on social media and other channels.

To retain your text donors, you can set up automated thank-you messages that go out right after they complete a gift. In these messages, you can encourage further engagement by inviting donors to sign up for your email newsletter, follow you on social media, or become a peer-to-peer fundraising volunteer.

8. Promote your online donation page.

After you’ve prepared your donation page with all the features and elements to inspire giving, get as many eyes on it as possible by promoting it on various online and offline platforms. For example, you can include links and QR codes in:

Whether you’re adding QR codes or colorful donate buttons, make sure they stand out in your marketing materials. Maintain a consistent voice and branding across all of your content so donors understand that gifts will directly benefit your cause.

9. Prepare tax receipts and thank-you messages.

Your relationships with donors don’t end after you accept their gifts. Expressing your appreciation is not only polite but essential for retaining their support for your fundraising efforts down the road. Plus, according to the IRS, donors must have a record or written communication including your organization’s name, the date, and the amount to be able to claim a federal income tax deduction.

In addition to ensuring that donors can claim tax deductions, make them feel especially valued by going above and beyond a simple donation receipt. Consider:

  • Sending eCards.
  • Creating social media shoutouts.
  • Producing a thank-you video.
  • Making personal phone calls.

Whatever method you choose, reference as many details about each donor as possible. For example, mention their preferred name, specific gift amount, and past contributions to demonstrate that you value them as an individual.

Maximizing the Impact of Accepting Donations Online

With the right tools at your disposal, you’ll be well on your way to reaching supporters all over the world and raising significant funds for your cause. Be sure to choose a platform, like Fundly, that equips you with the features you need to collect donations, spread the word, and engage donors again and again. You’ll meet your fundraising goals in no time!

To learn more about soliciting and accepting donations online, check out these additional resources:

Click through to launch a Fundly fundraiser with no startup or hidden fees and collect online donations for your cause.

On the left side, the title of this post. On the right side, an image of happy campers completing a ropes course.

Marketing Your Summer Camp: 5 Successful Strategies

Someone writing a sponsorship letter.

12 Types of Sponsorship Letters and How to Write Them

Well-positioned sponsorships can transform any nonprofit event into a must-attend, memorable occasion. They can also help you fund a specific need or explore meaningful partnership opportunities that can expand your mission.

However, many nonprofits struggle to find the right partners to support their goals. The first step in successfully recruiting more sponsors is to write a compelling sponsorship letter that explains your cause and why the recipient is the perfect fit to support you. 

In this guide, we’ll show you how to write inspirational letters with the help of effective templates you can use to get started! Here’s what we’ll cover:

Sponsorship Letter FAQs

What Are Sponsorship Letters?

A sponsorship letter is a fundraising request that offers the recipient an incentive in exchange for a cash donation, auction items or other gifts, an in-kind donation, or volunteer time. Sponsorship letters are typically sent to local businesses or corporations requesting that they contribute a corporate donation or in-kind gift to support your cause.

These direct requests are great options to extend your reach and start a long-term relationship with a sponsor.

Why Are Sponsorship Letters Important?

Sponsorship proposals are important because the donations they secure help fund events like charity walks, runs, rides, galas, and more, all while strengthening ties between nonprofits and businesses.

They also sow the seeds of a long-term relationship (not just short-term support, though that is a bonus). And, along with the obligatory tax receipt, donors will receive benefits from supporting your organization, such as promotional spots or a guest speaking opportunity.

In the end, a sponsorship letter has the potential to kick off or sustain a mutually beneficial relationship between you and your sponsor that results in shared publicity and mutual success.

What Should You Give Sponsors in Return for Their Support?

Donors have lots to gain from sponsoring charitable organizations. Business sponsors, in particular, can access the following benefits:

Positive Brand Image

Social responsibility can substantially impact a company’s reputation. In fact, CSR research shows that 54% of consumers consider a company’s CSR practices when making purchasing decisions. By demonstrating a commitment to goodwill, companies can show consumers that their purchases will have a positive impact.

Employee Engagement

Today’s employees want to work for companies that make an impact. Double the Donation’s employee engagement tools article explains that establishing CSR initiatives indicates that a business “cares about the same causes as its employees and wants to make the world a better place. As a result, employees will feel more empowered to continue working at a company that does more than just provide a product or service.”

In your letter, emphasize that employees will be excited to know their company supports worthwhile causes if they decide to sponsor you!

Advertising Opportunities

Your nonprofit can offer various marketing opportunities to corporate sponsors, providing them with visibility and brand exposure while supporting your mission. You can explicitly offer these marketing opportunities in exchange for sponsorships:

  • Their logo displayed prominently at events and on promotional materials
  • Sponsor-specific pages or sections on your nonprofit’s website
  • A booth at an event
  • Social media shout-outs
  • Their logo and promotional messages in your email newsletter

By offering these advertising opportunities, you can demonstrate the value of partnering with your nonprofit, helping corporate sponsors envision how they can enhance brand visibility while supporting a meaningful cause.

Click through to learn how to secure more support beyond your sponsorship letters with Fundly.

How Can You Identify Potential Sponsors?

Sponsorship letters should be highly personalized. Therefore, you need to know exactly who you’re addressing and why they’d make a great sponsor ahead of time. Here are key signs that a business would make an awesome sponsor:

  • They’ve previously supported you or given to causes similar to yours. Prioritize sending proposals to companies that have volunteered with you, attended previous events, or shown interest in your cause. Likewise, if they support similar causes, this is a great opportunity to show them how they can lend a helping hand.
  • They work in a similar or complementary sector. Companies that work in a similar sector or environment as you will have a clearer understanding of your cause and needs. For instance, a healthcare organization will understand how they can help provide aid to an at-risk homeless population.
  • They’re local. Local or hometown businesses can benefit from the promotional opportunities of sponsoring you. Not to mention, businesses like to support causes that better their surrounding communities.
  • They have a well-known CSR program. A business with a robust CSR program is already familiar with nonprofit organizations as a part of their employee engagement initiatives. Take advantage of this by prioritizing outreach to corporations like these.
  • They can supply a direct need. Alongside monetary donations, looking for sponsors who can contribute in-kind donations can also help you work toward your goals. For example, a bakery might provide in-kind donations of snacks or pastries while a hotel could provide a venue space.

Before you send out letters to every available business, narrow your prospects to see if they meet the above criteria. Then, send your letters out well ahead of your event or campaign start date to give each prospect plenty of time to respond with any questions.

How Should You Send Sponsorship Letters?

Investing in a dedicated direct mail platform will provide the easiest, most effective channel to send out your sponsorship letters to as many supporters as possible. With a direct mail platform, you can send out your letters quickly, saving you time and money.

And of course, after you secure a donation or sponsorship you should strongly consider sending a thank-you letter. One of the best and most impactful ways to show immediate gratitude would be with an eCard platform your organization could use across its fundraising and thank-yous.

Sponsorship Letter Best Practices

Of course, each sponsorship letter will vary based on your recipient and your request. However, there are a few best practices you can use to make all of your proposals compelling and to the point:

  • Personalize letters by addressing the recipient by name. Choose the right person to address the letter to by researching or calling to ask who manages corporate donations at the organization.
  • Talk to their point of view by highlighting how their organization’s values or previous charitable experience speaks to their company’s character. For example, you might say “As a small business that gives back to XYZ community initiatives, you know the importance of supporting those in need.
  • Highlight benefits that they would find important. Are they interested in getting their brand name out there? Do they want to team up with more like-minded organizations? Let them know how your organization can help them do that.
  • Have a leader at your organization write the letter, such as your president or an executive. This adds credibility to your ask and can be even more impactful if they know the small business contact personally.’
  • Give sponsors a choice to support you in a way that works best for them. Let them know you’d be grateful for a monetary sponsorship or an in-kind donation.
  • Prepare for a follow-up by including your organization’s contact information at the bottom of your letter and suggesting the contact reach out with any additional questions.

To write better sponsorship proposals, you can use templates and examples (like the ones provided below) to help structure your request and bring your organization’s fundraising narrative to life.

Click through to learn how to secure more corporate fundraising revenue with a free Fundly campaign.

12 Sponsorship Templates

To write better sponsorship proposals, you can use templates and examples (like the ones provided below) to help structure your request and bring your organization’s fundraising narrative to life.

1. For Events 7. For Auction Items
2. For Corporate Requests 8. For Requesting Monetary Donations
3. For Churches 9. For In-Kind Donations
4. For Schools 10. For Requesting Volunteers
5. For Sports Clubs 11. For Explaining Sponsorship Levels
6. For Food 12. For Acknowledgement

1. Event Sponsorship Letter

An event sponsorship letter template.

Follow these best practices when writing event sponsorship letters:

  • Highlight the event. When asking for event sponsorship, your event needs to be the focal point. Start by detailing the kind of event it is, the theme, the date, and the location. Then, dive into what you’re looking to raise and why. Once you have your reader hooked, bring up how their event sponsorship fits in and what their gift could mean for your cause.
  • Provide ample sponsorship opportunities. You’ll include a separate document with your cover letter that details your sponsorship levels. With each increase in gift level, the incentives should equally increase. If your event needs a range of sponsorship types from monetary to gifts-in-kind, make sure you are expressing the variety of opportunities to show support.
  • Get to the point. Event sponsorship proposals should be succinct. The initial cover letter should be no longer than a page and simply provide a high-level overview of what you’re looking for. Be specific and direct. Once you have someone’s interest, you can always provide supplementary information as a next step.
  • Start with your existing supporters. Make sure you reach out to past sponsors and tweak your letter template to acknowledge their prior support. If this event is new for your organization, reach out to sponsors of your other events or look to your closest supporters to see who has ties to a business that might be a good fit for sponsorship (i.e. a top donor who owns a local restaurant).

2. Corporate Sponsorship Letter

A corporate sponsorship letter example.

Follow these best practices when writing corporate sponsorship letters:

  • Know your audience. When reaching out to a corporate sponsor, you need to know and demonstrate that you know exactly who you’re contacting, their role at the company, and how they fit into your sponsorship needs. Make sure to acknowledge past gifts and drill down on exactly what your organization needs from the sponsor.
  • Mention common goals. As you ask for corporate sponsorship, be sure to highlight how support of your efforts intersects with the business’ larger philanthropic goals. Show that you both want to help your community and that everyone wins with their sponsorship of your organization, the community included.
  • Include contact information. Your corporate sponsorship letter is your opening. Most businesses will want to discuss the sponsorship over the phone, in person, or both before agreeing. Provide a range of ways to get in touch so that potential sponsors can reach you easily.
  • Attach a sponsorship level document. Interested corporate prospects will want to know exactly what their sponsorship options are. An attached sponsorship level document shows professionalism and makes the process easier for busy corporate sponsors.

3. Church Sponsorship Letter

A church sponsorship letter template.

Follow these best practices when writing church sponsorship letters:

  • Connect on a personal level. Sponsoring the financial needs of a church is a very personal decision for supporters. Your sponsorship proposal should reflect that in both its language and discussion of sponsorship incentives.
  • Be specific. Make it clear in your letter that you’re asking for a sponsorship to fulfill a specific need and not to increase general funding. Provide the date or deadline, names of those who are involved, location (if relevant), and the desired outcome.
  • Tell your story. Since donating to a church is such a personal decision, it is important that you highlight your church’s story within the letter. It can be brief, but you want to use your narrative to connect with sponsor prospects on an emotional level.
  • Thank them for considering. Show your gratitude to your potential sponsors for taking time out of their day to read your letter. You want both those who choose to sponsor and those who do not to feel acknowledged and respected by your church.

4. Sponsorship Letter for Schools, PTAs, and Students

An example of a school sponsorship letter.

Follow these best practices when writing sponsorship letters for schools, PTAs, or students:

  • Focus on the students. For any school-related fundraiser, the students are going to be the driving force behind a sponsor’s reason to donate. Your letter needs to recognize that fact by demonstrating how sponsorship will benefit the students.
  • Know what you’re asking for. Don’t just send a generic sponsorship letter. Customize the letter to highlight exactly what you’re asking of your sponsor. Do you need them to supply the drinks for a school-wide field day? What about a big-ticket item for the auction? Include exactly what you need in your school sponsorship letter.
  • Tweak your template based on your audience. For school fundraising, you’re going to have four main categories of potential sponsors: parents, alumni, faculty, and community members. Segment your outreach by category so that you can tweak your language to appeal directly to each of those groups.
  • Cast a wide net. There are few causes as universally supported as education. Use that to your advantage and send sponsorship letters to a large selection of prospects. Look to local businesses, larger corporations, and even chain businesses within your town.

5. Sponsorship Letter for Sports Clubs

A sponsorship letter template for sports clubs.

Follow these best practices when writing sponsorship letters for your sports club:

  • Brag about the team. You only have one page to explain why sponsorship of your sports club is worthwhile, so take the opportunity to share your accomplishments. Highlight your wins, but make sure you also cover your big-picture benefit to the community, such as giving teenagers a healthy way to spend time after school.
  • Feature an athlete. Pick an athlete from your organization whose experience exemplifies the core values of your club and tell their story. This shouldn’t be a lengthy section, but it will give your potential sponsors an anchor that connects them to your club.
  • Explain exactly where the funds will go. When considering sponsoring your team, local businesses will want to know what their funds will accomplish. Is the money covering travel for one athlete for the season? Will the donations go to new uniforms? Be as specific as possible.
  • Use advertising as an incentive. Sports clubs are perfectly positioned to offer advertising as a sponsorship incentive. You can place the sponsor’s sign on your scoreboard or even brand your uniforms. Then, during each game, your sponsor gets promotional benefits.

6. Sponsorship Letter for Food

An example sponsorship letter for food.

Follow these best practices when writing sponsorship letters for food:

  • Reach out strategically. Remember that you won’t need one restaurant or business to donate all the food for your event. You can increase your odds of success by dividing and conquering. You can go to one organization for the food and another for the beverages — just be sure to specify what you need in your request.
  • Be complimentary. When reaching out for donated catering, it’s important to note that flattery is crucial. Be sure to include a few compliments about the food you’re requesting within your sponsorship letter. The more personalized you can make the proposal, the better.
  • Space out requests. Unlike monetary donations, your event can only have so many food sponsors and vendors. You want to avoid a situation where you’re turning away the donations because too many restaurants want to provide catering. When you’re planning out your sponsorship requests, reach out to your first choice early enough that if it doesn’t pan out, you have time to continue the search.
  • Include an estimated headcount. Potential food sponsors will want to know the headcount for two reasons. First, they need to assess if they have the capacity to cater for the number of people you’re expecting. And second, each meal they serve is an opportunity to potentially earn a new customer, which is highly valuable.

Click here to start your Fundly campaign and keep your sponsors in the loop.

7. Sponsorship Letter for Auction Items

An example of a sponsorship letter requesting auction items.

Follow these best practices when writing sponsorship letters for auction items:

  • Talk about your last auction. Tell donors about the success of your last auction and what you raised. If this is your first auction, talk about your fundraising goal. In either case, talk about what the money will go toward.
  • Include a form. Within your mailing, you should include a separate form that donors can attach to their sent-in item. The form should include a space for their name, type of item, and contact info. Ask them to mail the item directly if it’s small or to call in if the item needs to be picked up.
  • Be specific with your request. Your auction theme needs to be included within the letter, as well as any items you’re hoping for and items you will not be accepting. Highlight examples where necessary, too. Being upfront will save everyone from a headache down the line.
  • Include an event invitation. Be inclusive and polite and extend an invitation to everyone you’re asking for a gift-in-kind from. Include details about the time and date of the auction and how the potential sponsor can get involved besides donating an auction item.

8. Sponsorship Letter for Requesting Monetary Donations

A sponsorship letter requesting monetary donations template.

Follow these best practices when writing sponsorship letters for requesting monetary donations:

  • Address the right person. Large companies might have designated corporate social responsibility (CSR) departments and managers that handle all donation requests. Smaller companies might rely on the CEO or another leader to make charitable decisions. Before you write your cover letter, make sure you know who you’re talking to.
  • Reference your past successes. Think of your cover letter as a chance to brag about your nonprofit. If you’re raising money for an annual event, use the facts and figures from last year’s event to show how effective your fundraising efforts were. If this is your first event, talk about other successful fundraising campaigns that you’ve launched.
  • Highlight mutual benefits. While many companies are philanthropic, it’s important to remember that they are businesses, and as such, they will want to know what kind of return they can expect by donating to your nonprofit. While you can outline the details of the different incentive levels in your Sponsorship Levels Document, you can broadly highlight the mutual benefits that come with a donation.
  • Offer ways to get in touch. Make sure that your potential corporate sponsor has a way to get in touch with you should they have any questions. Include all of your contact info (email address, direct phone number, mailing address) in your sponsorship proposal cover letter. Of course, with that, you have to be available! Return calls and emails promptly and answer questions as thoroughly as possible.

9. Sponsorship Letter for Requesting In-Kind Donations

An in-kind donation sponsorship letter template.

Follow these best practices when writing sponsorship letters for requesting in-kind donations:

  • Elaborate on your fundraiser. It should be clear what event or campaign you’d like recipients to sponsor. Include the date and time of the event, as well as what cause the event will support. Companies you ask will see why obtaining sponsors is critical to furthering your cause.
  • Highlight last year’s success. Illustrate your previous success so corporations can see the potential benefits of sponsoring your event. You can mention the average number of attendees, which will translate into more promotion for companies.
  • Be specific. In your letter, you should be exact about what you expect. For instance, if you want businesses to sponsor a table at your gala or the supplies for a new facility, you should address that information directly.
  • Thank sponsors in advance. Whether the company decides to sponsor your fundraiser or not, it’s good practice to thank all of your recipients in advance. It shows that you respect their time. Who knows?  The same companies that decline might change their minds next year.

10. Sponsorship Letter Requesting Volunteers

A sponsorship letter template for asking for volunteers.

Follow these best practices when writing sponsorship letters for requesting volunteers:

  • Tie the recipient to your cause. It’s important to connect with the reader right away. Speak to your recipients’ emotions with a story that explains how the funds will be used. When readers are connected to your cause, they’ll be more invested in what you have to say.
  • Explain why you need volunteers. You should not only let companies know that you need volunteers but also explain how their support will impact the outcome of the event. Let your recipients know what tasks the volunteers will complete so that companies understand what to expect.
  • Make your “ask” concrete. Just asking for volunteers is unclear, and the goal, as with any solicitation, should be to ask for exactly what you need. By providing the reader with the specifics (amount of volunteers and number of hours needed), recipients won’t have to guess.
  • Include your email and phone number. Leave your contact information in the letter so that interested sponsors can contact you to hash out the details.

11. Sponsorship Levels Document

An example of a sponsorship levels document.

When creating a sponsorship levels document, follow these best practices:

  • Be as specific as possible. It’s sometimes okay to be more general in your sponsorship proposal cover letter, but you can’t beat around the bush when it comes to your sponsorship levels document. List out a few different donation amounts ranging from a couple hundred to, potentially, tens of thousands of dollars. Then, list the benefits that come with each donation amount.
  • List out incentives for in-kind donations. Many nonprofits forget about in-kind donations when it comes to their sponsorship level documents. They only list incentives for cash donations. However, many corporate donations come in the form of goods and services. While you can’t list out every possible in-kind contribution you could receive, you can delineate examples and include the incentives that come along with donations of that type.
  • Create a hierarchy. To make it easier for your donors and your organization, it might be worthwhile to create a hierarchy of giving levels. The most common are Gold, Silver, and Bronze, but feel free to get creative with your giving hierarchy! You can make it tailored to your nonprofit as a whole or keep it on theme with your specific fundraising event.
  • Include a place for donors to indicate their giving level. Once you’ve listed out all of your giving levels, make sure that you give your donors a way to indicate how much they’d like to give. The bottom of your sponsorship levels document should include a tear-off section that collects your donor’s name, contact information, and preferred giving level.

12. Sponsorship Acknowledgement Letter

A sponsorship acknowledgement letter template.

Follow these best practices when writing sponsorship acknowledgement letters:

  • Be sincere. Your sponsorship acknowledgement letter should come from the heart. Your corporate donors can make a huge impact on your fundraising efforts, and they deserve to know just how much your nonprofit appreciates them! Show your gratitude by writing a unique letter for each corporate donor.
  • Tell them what the donation went toward. If you want to demonstrate the impact that your corporate donors had on your event (and you should!), let them know exactly what their donation went toward! While you may not be able to list out everything you were able to accomplish down to the last penny, you can give your donors a solid idea of how they contributed to your cause and mission.
  • Offer other engagement opportunities. While an acknowledgement letter is never the place to ask for another donation, you can use your sponsorship acknowledgement letter to offer your donors other ways to get involved. Maybe you have an open seat on your board. Or perhaps there’s an upcoming volunteer event you think they’d be interested in. Whatever the case, let them know about the other ways they can get involved!
  • Send the letter promptly. Don’t let too much time pass before you send out your sponsorship acknowledgement letter! You can send a quick note after you receive their response from your sponsorship levels document, but you should follow up with a detailed and well-written acknowledgement no later than a week after your event has concluded.

Additional Resources

Click through to learn how to secure more corporate fundraising revenue with a free Fundly campaign.