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Fundraising event ideas

Looking to host virtual, in-person, or hybrid fundraising experiences this year? Whether you’re planning your first event or seeking fresh tactics to re-engage your community, we’ve got plenty of easy, fun, and budget-friendly event fundraising ideas to consider. 

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Dinner dance

Sell tickets for guests to join you for a sophisticated dinner and dance. This is an ideal fundraising idea for dance groups and studios that want to show off their skills and attract major donors and sponsors.
Cost:
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Impact:
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Pros vs. Joes

Invite a local celebrity or sports expert to join you for the day. Sell tickets for guests to compete against the expert—whether it’s beating their score, time, or performance. You raise funds, they get a fun challenge, and you can offer a prize if anyone manages to win.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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Peer-to-peer

Virtual tournament

Skip the traditional in-person event and go virtual to attract even more participants. Plan your digital tournament around any sport or skill, and livestream the action to boost engagement, support, and donations from anywhere.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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Peer-to-peer

Take a stroll


Host an inclusive fun run event that’s a little more leisurely. Set a time window for participants to complete their stroll and encourage them to collect donations through peer-to-peer fundraising pages. Be sure to showcase their achievements on social media! 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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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
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/themed-run
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Silent disco

Organizing a disco can feel like a lot of work, but a silent disco is easier and just as much fun! Sell tickets in advance so you know how many people to prepare for, and raise extra funds by selling food and drink on the night.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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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
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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
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/trash-a-thon
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Cornhole tournament

Gather your community for a friendly cornhole tournament. Set a donation amount to participate, and don’t forget prizes for the winning team. 
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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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.  
Cost:
2
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
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3-v-3 tournament

Whether it’s soccer, volleyball, or basketball, organize a fast-paced 3v3 tournament where teams compete to hit a set score or time limit. Require a minimum donation to enter and sell tickets for spectators to cheer them on.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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Calendar fundraiser

Design a calendar featuring fun or themed photos from your community, event participants, or volunteers. Sell it for a set donation amount, or use it as an auction item or giveaway prize.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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Volleyball tournament

Sell tournament tickets, and spread the word on social media to get your team and wider community involved. Sell concessions, and consider finding a corporate sponsor. 
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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Baseball bingo

Create bingo cards featuring baseball terms, players, and teams. Sell tickets and show off prizes with a custom fundraising event page that makes it easy to purchase more cards during the event by accepting every kind of payment method—even Venmo.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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Pajama party


Raise money for a good cause and create an unforgettable, cozy experience by turning any fundraising event into a pajama party.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
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Home run derby


Have participants create personal peer-to-peer fundraising pages and collect pledges from friends and family based on the number of home runs they hit. Sell tickets to watch the game and award prizes to the winners.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/home-run-derby
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Peer-to-peer

Baseball hit-a-thon


Collect pledges or donations from supporters based on the number of hits they make during a designated period of time. Have each participant create a personal peer-to-peer fundraising page and reach out to friends and family for donations!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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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
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/costume-contest
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Field goal derby

Invite fans to donate to see how many field goals they can make in a minute (use a smaller goalpost for kids!). Have each participant create a personal peer-to-peer fundraising page and reach out to friends and family for support!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/field-goal-derby
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Bowl-a-thon


Reserve lanes at a bowling alley, ask participants to gather pledges for an all-you-can-bowl night, and watch the donations roll in on team fundraising pages.

Offer special prizes for the team with the highest score, most creative name, or even the best uniforms.
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/bowl-a-thon
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Flag football tournament


Bring fans onto the field for some football fun! Teams register and pay to play and fans buy tickets to cheer them on.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/flag-football-tournament
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Alumni night


Sell tickets to an all-inclusive alumni dinner before a big game or event. During half-time or intermission, bring out the alumni for special recognition. Alternatively, you can livestream a special alumni message during a virtual event.
Cost:
3
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/alumni-night
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Family fun run

Encourage families to run, walk, or jog for your cause! Offer kid-friendly activities, prizes, and course options. Use team and peer-to-peer fundraising to encourage participants to set a donation goal and spread the word about the event.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/family-fun-run
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Pajama run


Ask participants to don their favorite PJs while tackling a walk, jog, roll, or run for the cause. Encourage everyone to set a donation goal and spread the word about the fundraiser through peer-to-peer fundraising. Don’t forget to award prizes to the coziest runners!
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pajama-run
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Rah-rah raffle

Raffle or auction off donated spirit-related items or experiences like a spot at a cheer clinic and private cheer lessons. 

To attract the right audience, host a silent auction at your next spirited event with these experiences included!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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Auctions
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Frequently asked questions

A fundraising event is a planned gathering to raise money for a nonprofit organization or other charitable project. These events create opportunities for supporters to contribute financially while engaging with the organization's cause in a meaningful, enjoyable way.

A charity run or walk is a classic type of fundraiser where participants gain sponsors and raise funds to support an organization's work. Participants typically collect pledges based on the distance they complete, bringing together community support and financial contributions.

The most profitable fundraising event ideas include:

  • Selling tickets and charging entry fees for large events like galas
  • Peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns that engage friends and family with personal fundraising pages
  • Virtual and in-person charity golf tournaments
  • Annual giving days with donation matching opportunities, livestreams, and more

To ensure that your fundraising event is a success, use Givebutter’s free event planning checklist!

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