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Fundraising ideas for individuals on behalf of nonprofits

Whether you’re a passionate individual supporter or a nonprofit organization eager to engage more people in your fundraising efforts, we’ve pulled together a slew of individual fundraising ideas that are sure to make an impact. 

From birthday donations and crowdfunding campaigns to baked goods sales and social media challenges, this list of easy fundraising ideas for individuals will help you find the inspiration you need to start raising funds for your favorite organization.

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Pet picture day

Ask a photographer in your area to volunteer to take pictures of pets and their owners at a local park. Customize your fundraising event page with time-slotted tickets to make the day go smoothly.

Cost:
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Effort:
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Impact:
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pet-picture-day
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Photo contest

Run a short photo contest for an inexpensive, all-ages fundraiser. Choose a theme, charge a small fee to enter, and invite community members to submit their photos alongside their donations in your supporter feed.

Raise even more by turning the top photos into a deck of cards or a calendar.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/photo-contest
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Pet-friendly bake sale

Choose a location in a high-pet-traffic area, request treat donations from pet supply stores, and get to selling! Offer multiple methods for payment including scan-to-donate and Venmo.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pet-friendly-bake-sale
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Photography walk

Invite a photographer to host a tour around the local area, taking in the sights of the season. Sell tickets in advance and use an easy mobile app to check in guests and take any last-minute payments on the day of.

Cost:
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Effort:
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Impact:
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/photography-walk
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Harvest dinner party

Host a grand harvest or Thanksgiving dinner party for special guests. Raise money through exclusive ticket sales, and use corporate sponsorship best practices to secure a partnership with a local restaurant or catering company.

Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/harvest-dinner-party
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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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Holiday market

Ring in the festive season with your own holiday market. Invite stallholders to participate for a small fee and raise funds through selling refreshments, merch, and game tickets.

Use engaging fundraising event features to make it an enjoyable experience for all—with easy online ticket sales, on-the-spot donations, and more.

Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/holiday-market
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Date auction

Brave individuals offer themselves up for your auction to go on a date with the highest bidders. This idea is a little bitdated, but with the right planning, you can have a lot of fun with it.

Ask sponsoring restaurants to donate gift certificates to bring in more bids for these “items”and make for an easy, in-public location for each date.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/date-auction
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Frequently asked questions

When it comes to raising funds solo, there are plenty of effective personal fundraising ideas that don't require the support of a large team or organization. Once you choose a nonprofit you want to support, take advantage of online fundraising by creating a personal fundraising page, asking friends and family to contribute to your donation page in lieu of gifts on your birthday, or even running a race and asking for small donations.

There are numerous ways to ask for donations, but be sure to keep a few best practices to keep in mind. Instead of sending generic messages, personalize your outreach to each potential donor. Share why the cause is meaningful to you and how their contribution can truly make a difference. And don't forget to express genuine gratitude for their support, no matter the size of their donation.

While birthday donations and crowdfunding are classic single-person fundraising ideas, larger-scale fundraising campaigns and events are more likely to bring in higher donations with greater speed. Whether you charge an entry fee for a concert, ask local businesses to sponsor a car wash, or sell tickets for a block party, exciting events have the potential to attract a large audience and help you reach your fundraising goal more quickly.

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