.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
DIY fundraising ideas
Do-it-yourself fundraising helps you keep more of your hard-earned donations by avoiding venue and planning costs, while adding a personal touch that turns neighbors into loyal advocates.
Whether it’s a bake sale that highlights local talent or a garage sale that clears clutter while raising funds, these grassroots efforts build meaningful connections that keep supporters engaged long after your fundraiser ends.
%201.png)
%201.png)
.webp)
Crowdfunding campaign
Collect online donations from friends, family, and community members by creating a fundraising page that lays out your needs and the impact that you will make with the money you raise. Use photos and videos to make your story more engaging, and use a goal bar to showcase your progress.
Be sure to follow crowdfunding best practices in order to make your campaign an even bigger success!
.png)
.png)
Auction your time or skills
Ask supporters to volunteer their special skills, then auction their time and expertise to the highest bidder!
Streamline the whole experience with the help of free auction software. Add and categorize items, manage bids, and your bidders can get real-time updates on what’s happening.
.png)
.png)
Give it up challenge
Ask supporters to “give up” a small indulgence—like their morning coffee—for a set amount of time and donate those funds to your campaign instead.
Create a fundraising page to share challenge ideas, set suggested donation amounts, and post updates or donor shout-outs to keep momentum going.
.png)
Ice cream social
Create a vibrant, themed fundraising page, then send your supporters straight to it with scan-to-donate. From there they can pay for their ice-cream and unlock flavors!
.png)
.png)
Yard sale
Turn old treasures into new funds for your good cause! Ask community members to host individual garage sales and donate their proceeds to your campaign—or host one large community yard sale using donated goods.
Create a fundraising page for your event, post campaign updates to keep people engaged, and update the fundraising total as donations come in.
.png)
.png)
Online garage sale
Collect new and used goods from your community and sell items on a first-come, first-served basis—virtually. To introduce some fun competition and bring in more funds, turn the sale into an auction with buy-now pricing options!
.png)
Lemonade stand
Set up a classic lemonade stand—and maybe add some tasty treats—to raise funds for your cause. Make purchases seamless with scan-to-donate and mobile-friendly donation forms that accept Venmo and other popular payment methods.
Family dance
Give the classic “father-daughter” or “mother-son” dance an inclusive update. Invite families of all shapes and sizes to enjoy a fun night of cutting a rug together for a good cause. Choose a theme, sell tickets for your fundraising event online, and raise even more by setting up a photo booth with silly props!
.png)
No-talent show
.png)
.png)
Parents’ night out
This fundraising event can be a fun gathering for parents—or a chance for grownups to drop off their kids for a few hours in exchange for a donation to your cause. Charge an hourly rate or flat “entrance fee” and give caregivers some priceless peace and quiet.
.png)
.png)
Postcard drive
Handwritten messages can make a huge impact on your fundraising by helping donors feel seen and appreciated. During your next campaign, have volunteers write and mail postcards to your contacts asking for support.
Add a modern twist by including a short URL that links directly to your fundraising page.
.png)
Adopt-a-mile fundraiser
Raise funds for a mission trip by asking congregation members to “adopt a mile.” This is a fun way to tie your fundraising activity into the experience and drive donations closer to your goal.
Highlight how close you are to reaching your target by displaying a live goal bar on your fundraising page, where the fundraising goal total equals the number of miles.
.png)
.png)
Used book sale
Reserve a space and ask your community to donate their gently used books for a cause. Set a price for each book and use scan-to-donate or Venmo to easily accept payments on the spot.
.png)
.png)
Envelope fundraiser
Distribute branded envelopes around your community and invite supporters to pick one up, insert a donation, and drop it off at a designated location.
Spread the word with easy email marketing software. Share campaign details and send reminders as the deadline gets approaches.
.png)
.png)
Karaoke night
Host an unforgettable night for your community to come belt out their favorite songs. Charge a small entry fee or accept donations for participation.
To encourage even more donations during the party, display mobile giving options and your progress toward your goal using live display.
%20(1).png)
.png)
Pancake breakfast
There’s nothing like pancakes to bring a community together. Charge an entry fee for an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, or ask a local restaurant to sponsor the event to make it even sweeter.
.png)
.png)
Baby picture guessing
Ask employees to bring in baby photos, then hang them up and challenge everyone to make a donation to guess who’s who!
Desk decorating contest
Choose a theme and invite participants to decorate their workspace, door, etc! Let others donate $5 to vote for the best “dressed” desk through each participant’s peer-to-peer fundraising page. Track the leaderboard in real time to see who’s in the lead.
Mystery art show
Invite local artists, students, and other enthusiastic community members to contribute small paintings or other works for an anonymous community art sale.
Charge an entrance fee and invite supporters to purchase pieces all at the same price—without knowing who their artist is until the end of the event!
Summer project sale
Host a yard sale/craft fair event focused on helping people finish those summer projects they've been meaning to tackle. Cater to a range of DIY projects with materials like paint, furniture, craft supplies, scrapbooking materials, and more.
Use email marketing software to spread the word about the upcoming sale and share a printable map, so attendees know what kinds of booths will be there.
.png)
.png)
Pride-themed merch sale
Design and sell pride-themed merchandise such as t-shirts, buttons, stickers, and flags. To drum up excitement, create a custom donation form, event, or fundraising page that includes images of the available items.
.png)
Thrifty fashion show
.png)
.png)
Pet spa day
Recruit volunteers to perform various pet grooming services like bathing and nail trimming. Charge a fee for each “treatment” at this fundraising event by offering tiered ticket types for different services and combinations.
.png)
.png)
Explore related fundraising ideas
Get top features for your DIY fundraiser
Frequently asked questions
What is a DIY fundraiser?
A DIY fundraiser is a self-organized fundraising opportunity in which individuals or small groups take full responsibility for the budgeting, planning, and execution of the event or campaign. These fundraisers typically rely on friends and family to spread the word and help raise money. DIY fundraising is flexible, cost-effective, and personal—you plan your own community event, tap into local resources, and keep 100% of the funds raised.
What are the best DIY fundraising ideas?
The most successful DIY fundraising ideas are low-cost, engaging, and easy to promote through social media pages or word of mouth. Bake sales, car washes, and garage sales require minimal planning. You can host an event like a trivia night or talent show and charge an entry fee or admission fee to raise funds. Workshops or raffles also work well when you offer fun experiences or the chance to win high-value goods in exchange for donations.
How much does it cost to do a DIY fundraiser?
Many DIY fundraising ideas require little or no upfront spending. For virtual events or simple challenges, you only need a donation page or a fundraising page to start collecting gifts. In-person events may include costs for materials or venue rental. Local businesses often help offset these expenses by donating items or services. With a bit of creative planning, your fundraising opportunity can stay low-cost while helping you raise money for your cause.
How long does it take to plan a DIY fundraiser?
A DIY fundraising campaign, like a bake sale or donation drive, can be launched in just one to two weeks with the help of friends and family. Larger community events—like art exhibits where attendees pay an entrance fee—might require four to six weeks (or longer) to organize. Use that time to recruit volunteers, secure an event space, and build your fundraising page to attract and inform supporters.
%201.png)
Subscribe to
The Butter Brief
Get fundraising ideas, tips, and free resources right in your inbox
Givebutter helps you turn ideas into impact
.webp)
Subscribe to
The Butter Brief
Get fundraising ideas, tips, and free resources right in your inbox
The most-loved fundraising platform
.png)
%201.png)
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
%201.webp){kind=icon}