.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}
Easy fundraising ideas
Raising money for your organization can feel overwhelming, especially when fundraising is just one task on a very long to-do list. These simple fundraiser ideas are quick to pull together and easy to execute, so you can spread the word and collect donations for your cause.
From favorites like board game nights and baked goods sales to donation pages and photo contests, the easiest fundraising ideas will help you hit your goal fast—without burning out your team.
%201.png)
%201.png)
.webp)
Trending hashtag
Keep an eye out for trending hashtags to join the conversation and introduce your cause to new audiences. Just be sure to find a clear way to connect the trend back to your mission.
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.
Cornhole tournament
.webp)
.webp)
Sell merch
Branded t-shirts, hoodies, totes, or water bottles are a tried-and-true way to raise money and spread the word about your organization. Set up an online store and sell merch at community events to increase visibility and donations.
.png)
.png)
Cutest pet contest
Bake to give raffle
To add some extra excitement, sell raffle tickets and offer baked goods as delicious prizes.
Shoot-a-thon
In this basketball fundraiser, each contestant pays a small entry fee to see how many baskets they can make in a short amount of time.
.png)
.png)
Jeans day
Sell passes for a day out of uniform or a day in jeans. You can even turn it into a friendly competition to see which grade has the highest participation. For easy payments, use scan-to-donate, Venmo, or other convenient methods.
.png)
.png)
Storybook Character Dress-Up Day
.png)
.png)
Pay you not to ask me again
Give your supporters a way to opt out of all your upcoming donation requests during a big fundraising effort. If they contribute via your donation form before a certain date, you’ll take them off your email and call list for the whole campaign! Then, you can easily segment your email list with your built-in CRM and marketing tools.
.png)
.png)
Water balloons & sponge toss
For this fundraising event, charge a small fee per water balloon or sponge, and let students throw them at each other during a pep rally or outdoor event. For easy participation, offer scan-to-donate and accept multiple payment methods like Apple Pay, Venmo, and more.
.png)
.png)
Bake sale
Everyone loves sweet treats! Whip up some cookies, cakes, or donuts and host a bake sale to raise funds for your good cause. Supporters don’t have cash? No problem! With Givebutter, you can accept mobile payments via Cash App, Venmo, Apple Pay, and more.
The guessing game
Fill a jar with candy at your next event and invite people to guess how many pieces are inside for a small donation. The closest guess wins all the candy!
Use scan-to-donate for quick, on-the-spot giving—just print the QR code on a poster or display it at your stand.
.png)
.png)
Caroling
Embrace the holiday spirit and spread joy by going caroling around town or at a seasonal event. Pass the hat for cash donations and display a large QR code or text-to-donate number for easy mobile giving.
.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)
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)
Penny wars
Organize a friendly competition between grades or classes to collect the most pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. Just grab a few jars and encourage students to find some loose change to get started!
.png)
.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.
Kids’ art calendar
Turn kids’ finger paintings and drawings into custom calendars—or transform them into keepsakes like photo books, mugs, or t-shirts. Sell the merch using a fun, eye-catching auction or fundraising page.
.png)
Virtual book club
Host a virtual book club and charge a small registration fee or ask for donations to join. Hold regular discussions via Zoom or another video conferencing platform to keep the community engaged.
Set up recurring donations as a simple way to collect membership fees for ongoing gatherings.
Teacher “jail”
Challenge students to meet a fundraising goal. If they succeed, their teacher gets “locked in jail” (aka gets to relax in the teachers’ lounge) while students take over the classroom for fun and games. Use a custom fundraising page with a live goal bar to build excitement!
.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)
Best seat in the house
Auction off tickets to the best seats at an upcoming performance, sports game, gala, live concert, or other experience your group is hosting.
Use Givebutter to create unlimited types of event tickets—perfect for customizing your VIP packages.
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)
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!
.png){kind=small}
Get top features for your next fundraiser
.svg){kind=small}
Frequently asked questions
How can I raise money fast for my nonprofit?
To raise funds for your cause quickly, look through super-easy fundraising ideas featured on this page to find one (or a few!) right for you. Then, check out our step-by-step guide on how to raise $1K in 30 days for a smoother journey toward your fundraising goal.
What are the benefits of running an easy fundraiser?
The best thing about these fast fundraising ideas for nonprofit organizations is that they don’t require expert knowledge, extensive planning, or a lot of upfront cost. Instead, these fundraising efforts only need a few materials and plenty of enthusiasm—perfect for teams with limited resources.
What makes something an easy or simple fundraising idea?
We’ve designed this list to meet two criteria—that they’re fast to plan and simple to execute. Each of these can be planned with little effort, making them ideal for anyone on a tight budget or in need of last-minute fundraising ideas.
What is the easiest fundraiser?
Bake sales, read-a-thons, car washes, and scavenger hunts in a local park or partnering with a local restaurant are some of the best quick fundraising ideas. Other great examples include text-to-donate, matching gifts, and online fundraising campaigns.
What are the easiest fundraisers for small teams?
If your nonprofit team is small (but mighty!), focus on nonprofit fundraisers that don’t require too much setup effort. Raffles, car washes, and yard sales will raise funds for your cause without requiring a huge lift. Virtual fundraising events—like fun runs, concerts, or movie nights are also great options for small teams because they are low-cost and can bring in significant revenue through charging an entry fee.
%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}