Fundraising is a continuous effort, with multiple events each year. However, trying to come up with fresh new fundraising ideas to fill your fundraising calendar is time-consuming and difficult.
Fortunately, we’ve got you covered! These 15 creative fundraising ideas are fresh and unique, and guaranteed to draw in new attendees.
So, don’t waste time wracking your brain for new fundraising event ideas. Instead, keep this list on hand and focus on reaching your fundraising goals.
No matter the type of fundraiser you’re hosting, these creative fundraising ideas are guaranteed to be a hit.
Branded merchandise like T-shirts are a great way to bring in money. Even the most altruistic person likes receiving something in return for their money.
T-shirts are also a great way to spread awareness about your cause and boost your fundraiser marketing efforts.
Host an ice cream social with your donors and invite them to buy delicious treats. As for getting the ice cream, reach out to local stores, artisans, and bakeries and ask for their support. Split the profit or offer to repay their kindness with exposure at the event.
A flea market is a fun way to raise money and get your local community involved. So host a flea market and invite local businesses and people to set up a booth. Charge people who enter a small ticket fee and ask the booths to donate a percentage of their profits to the cause.
Get the competitive spirit flowing with a game tournament. It’s relatively easy to manage and perfect for all age groups. Invite the local community and charge a small entrance fee.
Classic games like Monopoly, Mouse Trap, Jumanji, and Cluedo are already popular and most people will know how to play them. Lastly, foster some friendly competition with small prizes and bragging rights.
Karaoke is an affordable and fun way to raise money for a fundraiser. So host a karaoke night at a local community center or bar if you’re only inviting adults. Charge a small entry fee and encourage people to vote for who they think is the best singer.
People can also donate a small monetary amount with their vote and you can organize a fun prize for the winner.
Another affordable option is a trivia night. All you need is space to host the event, some trivia questions, drinks, and some food. It’s a good idea to partner with a local restaurant for this fundraising event. You can charge an entry fee to participate and the restaurant gets extra business through people ordering drinks and food. It’s a win-win!
The host is especially important for an event like trivia night, so make sure to involve someone engaging and charismatic.
Venmo is an easy-to-use money-sharing app and a great tool for fundraisers. Create a social media campaign and encourage people to donate a few dollars of their current Venmo balance. Small amounts add up, so even $1 will do.
To make the challenge even better, encourage them to share the challenge online and get friends and family involved. Remember to engage with people who donate and share the results of the fundraiser.
Talent shows always draw big crowds, especially if you open the event to people of all ages. Promote the talent show and the reason for the fundraiser, and charge a small entry and participation fee. Lastly, have a few prizes ready for the top performers.
A haunted house fundraiser is guaranteed to be a hit around Halloween. Work with a local school and decorate the building with all the spooky decorations you can get your hands on. Get volunteers to act as ghosts and charge visitors an entry fee.
Unlike a marathon or a race, a walkathon is easier on participants and appeals to a large demographic of donors. Encourage people through social media to form groups and create interesting uniforms. Teams that want to participate only have to pay a small fee to join.
This type of fundraising event is also a great way to gain social exposure, so encourage participants to share their unique team uniforms online. Engage with participants and share a link to an online donation platform for other people to donate.
Host a car wash at a busy local spot and charge a small fee for every wash. Involve locals and ask people to volunteer for the cause. Make sure you have enough soap and water, and share the campaign on local community boards so that people can fit it into their busy schedules.
Danceathons are super fun and are known for being extremely lucrative. One recent university danceathon raked in a record-breaking $15 million!
Donors essentially pledge a certain amount of money based on participants dancing for a set amount of hours.
For high turnout, promote the danceathon online and provide enough time for anticipation to build around the event.
Raise money and help locals find love with a cute speed dating fundraiser. Hosting the event is easy. All you need is an event center, some tables and chairs, and music and drinks. Give each couple a few minutes to talk before calling for a switch. Invite young singles to participate and charge a small entry fee.
Serve delectable treats with a bake sale. Get local community members to bake and present their proud creations and have participants vote for their favorite. You can charge a small fee to participate and for entry to the event.
Auctions are always a great way to raise money. All you need are some items to sell. Either ask the community to volunteer items for a good cause or work with local businesses willing to sponsor items.
You can also use auction software, like BiddingOwl, to quickly and easily set up an online auction which donors can access from any device with internet access. It’s a highly effective way to increase your auction’s reach and donations.
Hosting a fundraiser is a great way to raise money but coming up with new ideas for every event is daunting. Fortunately, there are a ton of fresh, exciting, and unique event ideas for you to reach your fundraising goals with. So, keep this list handy and take your pick for your next fundraising event!
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