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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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DIY workshop


Host a DIY workshop where attendees pay to learn new skills—like crafting, home repair, or cooking—while supporting your cause. Charge an entry fee for each class, and use donated materials and volunteer instructors to lower costs and boost revenue.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/diy-workshop
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Bring your pet to work day

Let employees bring their furry friends to work for the day in an exchange for a donation to your local animal shelter. Organize pet-themed activities and competitions to raise additional funds. To get remote employees involved, livestream some of the activities and invite coworkers to tune in!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/bring-your-pet-to-work-day
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Bake to give raffle

Gather your community’s best bakers and turn their sweet creations into a fundraising feast! Ask volunteers to whip up their favorite cakes or cookies to sell at your event. 

To add some extra excitement, sell raffle tickets and offer baked goods as delicious prizes.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/bake-to-give-raffle
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Gift wrapping

Source donated paper, set up a gift wrapping station in a popular location, and charge for holiday gift-wrapping! Use scan-to-donate or Venmo to accept payments on the spot.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/gift-wrapping
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Charity golf day

Combine two or more golf-themed events into your own charity or nonprofit golf day. Host a golf tournament, hand out sponsored awards, and end the day with an evening gala and an auction.
Cost:
3
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/charity-golf-day
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Peer-to-peer

Boardwalk bash


Host a boardwalk get-together complete with carnival games and treats. You can also use the event to introduce a renovation project for your beachside community and rally support for your cause.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/boardwalk-bash
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Autographed jersey auction

Connected to the right people? Procure and auction off autographed jerseys (or other memorabilia) to your supporters. You’d be surprised how willing athletes are to offer their signature for a good cause! Take advantage of intuitive auction software for simple and easy bidding, custom item descriptions, and more—no matter if your auction is in-person or completely virtual.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/autographed-jersey-auction
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Auctions

Scary movie marathon

Pick a series of spooky films to show every Friday night in October. Sell Halloween-themed concessions and display a QR code to encourage donations before the show begins!

Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/scary-movie-marathon
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Tailgate party


Invite a local restaurant to contribute or have volunteers create a menu for a tailgate. Sell entry tickets and offer some fun merch or special treats at an additional price to bring in extra dollars.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/tailgate-party
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Team sponsorship

Ask local businesses to sponsor your team in exchange for logo placement on jerseys, in programs, or on stadium banners. Be sure to follow sponsorship proposal best practices to make the most of this partnership! 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/team-sponsorship
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Discount cards

Create and sell discount card coupon books full of deals to local restaurants and businesses. Sell the coupon books on a custom donation form and share it far and wide!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/discount-cards
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Volley-a-thon

Request each participant solicit pledges for the number of volleys they’re able to make. Sell event tickets, and put a call out for volunteers to keep things running smoothly.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/volley-a-thon
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Virtual bike-a-thon


Set a distance and have your bikers pay a registration fee to join in. Then, foster some friendly competition by encouraging supporters to start or join a team, raise funds, and set off wherever they are.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/virtual-bike-a-thon
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Peer-to-peer
Events

Slide into DMs

Few things beat a personalized, one-on-one request. Send direct messages to thank your supporters and link to your donation form or fundraising campaign.

Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/slide-into-dms
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Pet adoption extravaganza


Partner with a local shelter for an all-day pet adoption palooza. Make it an event to remember and attract more guests with music, games, food, and plenty of furry companions.

You never know—the person who came by for a hot dog might just leave with their forever friend!
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pet-adoption-extravaganza
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Events

Holiday cookie sale


Whip up some sweet treats to sell at your next fundraising event, group gathering, or around town. Consider setting up a station for supporters to decorate their own cookies or create kits for families to bring home in exchange for a donation.

Streamline the buying process with scan-to-donate—which guest can use to make their payment instantly right from their phones!
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/holiday-cookie-sale
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Reverse raffle

Unlike a traditional raffle, the last ticket holder gets the grand prize in a reverse raffle. Offer custom ticket types to feature various raffle items so participants have lots of options. 

Before you start planning, be sure to check for any state regulations on raffles where you live! 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/reverse-raffle
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Gift basket showdown

Using peer-to-peer fundraising, participants compete to raise the most money for your campaign. The winner gets the first pick from a selection of gift baskets.  
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/gift-basket-showdown
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Peer-to-peer
Auctions
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Tag Day


Invite students to set up outside local businesses and collect donations from patrons. Donors receive “tags” (stickers) to show they gave. Accept payments via Venmo or scan-to-donate!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/tag-day
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Raise the roof

Challenge your congregation to reach your fundraising goal by pledging that your pastor or ministry leader will sleep on the roof if you hit it—or until you do!

Embed a donation form on your website with a live goal bar, so your community members can see just how close you are to hitting that target.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/raise-the-roof
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Holiday performance

Put on a special holiday performance for your dance group’s friends and family members. Encourage everyone to make a donation to your chosen cause, or raise money by selling refreshments and dance-themed holiday decorations.
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/holiday-performance
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Street painting competition

Choose a theme and secure a paved area where supporters can register to paint their own parking space or designated square.

Ask a local business to donate painting supplies, then invite the community to vote for their favorite design by making a donation ($1 = 1 vote) using a scan-to-donate QR code.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/street-painting-competition
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Principal for the day


Auction off the chance for a student to be school principal for the day! The lucky student will get to greet classmates as they arrive, make morning announcements, visit classrooms, and enjoy a special lunch with the principal. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/principal-for-the-day
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Auctions

Trunk or treat

Ask local businesses to sponsor this non-traditional trick-or-treating experience. Families and volunteers decorate their cars and hand out candy to kids in a designated parking lot for a safe, fun-filled event.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/trunk-or-treat
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