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Fundraising ideas

We’ve got the best fundraising ideas for good causes of all shapes and sizes! Check out our curated lists or browse all fundraising ideas below by cost, effort, and impact.

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Mother’s Day brunch

Reserve a community space or partner with a local restaurant or café to host a Mother's Day brunch, with proceeds going toward your cause. 

Charge a small ticket fee for this fundraising event and offer a selection of refreshments, sandwiches, and sweet treats. 
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/mother-s-day-brunch
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Events

Virtual auction

Take the bidding online by allowing participants to browse your silent auction catalog, place bids, and win from anywhere! 

Use auction software that makes the bidding process smooth and simple for you and your donors.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Share idea
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/virtual-auction
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Auctions
Pages & forms

Ugly sweater run

Get festive by encouraging supporters to wear their ugliest holiday sweater for a fun run! Use peer-to-peer fundraising to encourage participants to set a donation goal and spread the word—along with photos of them in their ugly regalia. Offer a special award for the “best” dressed.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/ugly-sweater-5k
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Events
Peer-to-peer

Grow-your-own garden kit


Ask local nurseries to donate herbs, seeds, and soil you can use to assemble gardening kits. Bring volunteers together to assemble everything and sell them on a custom fundraising page or donation form.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/grow-your-own-garden-kit
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Events
Pages & forms

Scratch card fundraiser


Buy a batch of scratch cards from a wholesaler. Each circle hides a dollar amount, typically ranging from 50 cents to several dollars. Participants scratch off as many spots as they’d like—the total amount revealed is how much they’ll donate!

Collect cash or accept virtual payments on the spot with Tap-to-Pay, Venmo, and other convenient options.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/scratch-card-fundraiser
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Pages & forms
Events

Special series


Create programming for a special series of sermons designed to help raise money for your current fundraising project.

Tie sermons directly to your goal and reach more supporters by livestreaming right from your fundraising page. Anyone can tune into the stream, make a donation, and learn about your campaign all in one place.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/special-series
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Events
Pages & forms

Scavenger hunt


Set up a themed scavenger hunt in your venue, neighborhood, or even across the entire town. Charge participants a small entrance fee and offer donated prizes for the winners.

Streamline ticket sales and create a central hub with a fundraising event page. All the energy you save can be spent making your event even more exciting!
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/scavenger-hunt
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Events

Beach Games

Plan an exciting beach competition including an Olympics-style championship for events like volleyball, surfing, and sandcastle making. 

Ask participants to pay a small fee to register and raise even more funds by selling cold drinks and ice cream.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/beach-games
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Events

Workshop or masterclass


Put your community’s talents to good use.Host an expert workshop or masterclass series and raise funds through ticket sales.

You don’t need to limit your audience to only the people you can fit in the room. Consider livestreaming your event to make it more accessible and raise even more dollars.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/workshop-or-masterclass
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Events
Auctions

Candle Making

Host a creative candle building workshop for your team and their family. You’ll raise money, and your guests get to take home their very own candle! 
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/candle-making
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Events
Auctions

Coffee morning


Host a coffee morning and invite your community members to join you for tea or coffee, cake, and a warm conversation. Ask a local coffee shop to sponsor the event or donate a percentage of the morning’s profits to your cause. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
1
Share idea
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/coffee-morning
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Events

Cheer off


Invite dance, cheer, or pom squads to pay a small entry fee and battle it out for top spots like “Most Spirited” and “Best Routine.” Take this event to the next level by asking attendees to consider adding a donation to their ticket purchase, offering concessions, or evenlivestreamingthe event.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/cheer-off
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Events

Coach or teacher dare


Challenge a coach or teacher to do something wild (like shaving their head!) if your team reaches its fundraising goal. Build anticipation by letting supporters track your progress in real time with a fundraising page that features a live goal bar.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Share idea
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/coach-dare
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Pages & forms

Raise for rescues


Create a giving day or online fundraising campaign to raise awareness for your shelter program. Share photos and stories that highlight your impact and offer multiple giving levels so everyone can take part in making a difference. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/raise-for-rescues
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Pages & forms

Movie night


Choose an indoor or outdoor space and host a ticketed screening of a fan-favorite movie—bonus if it’s related to your cause! Sell popcorn, treats, and drinks to raise even more funds.

Use Givebutter’s fundraising event tools like online ticketing, mobile check-ins, and scan-to-donate to keep everything seamless.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/movie-night
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Events

Queen brunch or dinner


Invite supporters to dress up for a classy brunch or dinner party. This event is all about elegance, with every ticket helping raise money for a good cause.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Share idea
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/queen-brunch-or-dinner
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Events
Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms

Tag 3

Ask donors to tag three friends when they give. This fun, no-cost challenge turns every donation into an instant ripple effect, sparking new connections and spreading your campaign further.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/tag-3
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Pages & forms
Peer-to-peer

Costume contest


Throw a themed costume party to match the season or holiday and award prizes for the best costumes! Sell tickets to your fundraising event online and partner with local sponsors to offset costs and spread the word.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share idea
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/costume-contest
All
Events
Pages & forms

Charity golf outing

Plan an outing for your golf team somewhere special and donate a percentage of ticket sales towards your nonprofit cause. This works great for school, college, and work golf groups.
Cost:
3
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share idea
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/charity-golf-outing
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Events

Playing for good


Turn a standard golf tournament into something meaningful by spotlighting your cancer charity. Invite teams to sign up, host a raffle or auction, and encourage guests to give generously throughout the day.

Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
Share idea
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/playing-for-good
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Events
Auctions
Pages & forms

Golf tournament


Golf tournaments are an incredible way to build relationships and raise funds for your cause. Charge teams an entry fee, secure sponsorships, and enjoy a day on the green with your community.

Check out our guide to discover how to make your next golf tournament even more profitable.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/golf-tournament
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Events
Auctions
Peer-to-peer

Battle of the food trucks

Host a showdown between some of your favorite food trucks. Ask each truck to donate a percentage of sales towards your good cause, and award a fun prize to the truck that makes the most sales that day. 

Partnering with food trucks is a great way to reach your fundraising target. Discover how to secure corporate sponsorships.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share idea
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/battle-of-the-food-trucks
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Events

Day at the zoo


Rally your supporters for an unforgettable fundraising field trip to the zoo. Partner with a local zoo to offer discounted admission that includes a donation to your organization. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share idea
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/day-at-the-zoo
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Events
Auctions

Animal allies


Encourage recurring donors by launching an animal ally monthly giving program. Your monthly supporters will receive exclusive updates about the animals their money is helping, plus access to special events and volunteer opportunities.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Share idea
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/animal-allies
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Pages & forms
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