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All fundraising ideas
College fundraising ideas
Whether you're raising money for your study abroad trip or on behalf of a local nonprofit, college fundraising requires strategy. To stand out in a crowd of other activities, you’ll need fresh campaigns and events that are fun and easy to get involved in.
These university fundraising ideas will help you tap into the generosity of your fellow students, faculty, alumni, and the broader campus community.
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Featured campaign
Women's Club Basketball at NC State
3rd Annual Play4Kay Basketball Tournament & Competition
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Kiss the pig
Invite supporters to donate for your good cause with a creative twist—the top fundraiser earns the honor of kissing a pig!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/kiss-the-pig
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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
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/charity-golf-outing
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Feast of ideas
Celebrate the knowledge and passion of your school or learning community with a gala or dinner event centered on sharing ideas, insights, and wisdom.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/feast-of-ideas
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Shamrock festival
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a shamrock-themed live event or auction in support of a good cause. Go all out with a green color scheme, traditional live music, and Irish-inspired activities.
Cost:
3
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/shamrock-festival
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Summer camp fundraiser
Organize paid day or week-long camps filled with favorite summertime activities like arts, sports, and outdoor adventures. Parents receive childcare and kids build new skills—creating a win-win event that raises money while strengthening community ties.
Cost:
3
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/summer-camp-fundraiser
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Food fight
This isn’t your typical cafeteria food fight. This cleverly named event raises awareness and funds to fight food insecurity and help keep your community fed.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/food-fight
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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
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/charity-golf-day
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Jog-a-thon
Host a family friendly jog-a-thon at your local running track. Participants can collect pledges for the number of laps they jog, walk, or run. Recruit volunteers to tally the number of laps each participant completes.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/jog-a-thon
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Benefit dance recital
Turn your next dance recital into a benefit in aid of your chosen charity or nonprofit. Sell tickets and donate a percentage of sales, and raise even more funds by selling refreshments, branded merch, and dance supplies.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/benefit-dance-recital
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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
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/boardwalk-bash
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Dance challenge
Find a viral social media dance challenge and invite your supporters to have a go. Ask them to include a message to donate towards your good cause, or use peer-to-peer fundraising to help them raise money from their friends and family members.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/dance-challenge
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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
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/holiday-performance
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Pet portraits
Pet owners love having portraits of their pets—even if they’re not made by professionals! Host a fun pet portrait fundraiser where volunteers draw or paint pictures of supporters’ furry friends. Ask donors to bring a photo of their pet or upload one when they make a donation online.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pet-portraits
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Dance marathon
See how long your dance group’s members can dance for by hosting a dance marathon. Set challenges throughout the experience, and use livestreaming to not only bring the experience to a wider group but add more interactivity and fun to the day.
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/dance-marathon
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Creative design workshop
Host a paid workshop that teaches hands-on skills like painting, design thinking, or advanced crafting. Ask instructors to volunteer their time, and keep supply costs low by partnering with local business sponsors to maximize profit margins.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/creative-design-workshop
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Chords for Cancer gala
Invite your community to an evening of music, dance, and entertainment in support of cancer research. Host one large gala event or a series of smaller shows throughout the year.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/chords-for-cancer-gala
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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
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/diy-workshop
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Themed run
Make your peer-to-peer fundraising run truly memorable with a standout theme! Ask participants to dress up and choose a route relevant to the theme. Encourage participants to create teams to build community and boost the competitive spirit!
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/themed-run
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Studio showcase
A studio showcase is a great fundraising idea for dance companies that want to grow relationships with major donors, corporate sponsors, and potential partners. Invite special guests to see your best dancers in action, and follow up with a sponsorship proposal.
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/studio-showcase
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Marathon
A marathon is a classic fun run fundraising event—perfect for your most ambitious supporters! You can host your own fundraising event, or give supporters the resources they need to raise money for your organization by running in an existing race.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/marathon
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Kick out cancer
Rally soccer fans to raise money for cancer research and care. Charge a small team registration fee, then spark friendly competition by encouraging peer-to-peer or team fundraising.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/kick-out-cancer
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Outdoor education class
Invite your community to explore the world around you with an outdoor education experience. Determine your target age group(s) and create an out-of-classroom adventure they’ll treasure.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/outdoor-education-class
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Three point contest
Request a minimum donation for event attendees to participate. Each team shoots shoots from behind the three-point. The winning team is the one with the most points when the time goes off.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/three-point-contest
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Trash-a-thon
Team up to clean up! Rally volunteers to collect litter in your local community, and have each participant gather sponsorships based on bags filled or hours spent. It's a powerful way to raise funds and make a visible impact.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/trash-a-thon
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Taco-Making Contest
Put your culinary skills to the test! Charge an entry fee per team, and provide everyone with the same ingredients. The winner is the team with the tastiest tacos. Ready, set, cook!
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/taco-making-contest
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Frequently asked questions
How do college clubs and groups make money?
College clubs and groups use various strategies to raise money and collect donations in support of their activities. Common fundraising ideas for college organizations include running bake sales or car washes, selling tickets to events, getting sponsorships from local businesses, and receiving grants.
What are the most popular college fundraising ideas?
The most popular fundraising ideas for college students engage fellow students and the local community while providing value or entertainment. Favorite options include charging an entry fee to themed parties or events like a battle of the bands, organizing social media challenges, selling raffle tickets, or teaming up with local restaurants to add some flavor to your fundraising efforts.
What are the most profitable college fundraisers?
The impact of college fundraisers can vary depending on factors such as the size of the audience, the level of engagement, and the expenses involved. Some of the most profitable fundraisers for college clubs and groups include hosting large-scale events such as concerts, festivals, charity galas, gaming tournaments, and auctions, and leveraging online platforms for crowdfunding campaigns.
Strategic partnerships with businesses or alumni networks can also help maximize fundraising potential, too!
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