LGBTQ+ fundraising ideas
Whether you’re a nonprofit community center that serves queer youth or an individual looking to raise funds for a cause that’s close to your heart, we’ve got a list of the best LGBTQ fundraiser ideas—from pride-themed merchandise sales to dance-a-thons, trivia nights, and everything in between.
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Bingo night
Sell bingo cards and offer exciting prizes to keep everyone engaged all night long—either virtually or in person!
In the lead-up to your fundraising event, entice attendees with campaign updates featuring teasers of some of the prizes at stake to build anticipation.









Lip sync competition
Invite community members to sign up and submit their songs for an unforgettable lip-sync battle. Recruit a volunteer panel of judges to select the winners—and don’t forget prizes for the winners!
Sell tickets for this fundraising event online, streamline check-in, and accept extra donations with the same easy platform.









Multicultural fair









TikTok dance-off
Challenge participants to create a dance and post their video to social media. Each person must tag someone and donate once they’ve completed the challenge.
For easy and simple sharing, create a custom fundraising page that’s optimized for mobile!









Peer-to-peer fundraising
Multiply your reach with a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign in which individuals reach out to their own networks of family, friends, and coworkers to solicit donations for your cause.
Create teams to add some fun competition into the mix—and bring in more donations!









Board game night
Host a pay-to-play fundraising event where participants can compete against their friends in games like UNO or Sorry. Sell goodies for competitors to snack on to make this event extra sweet.









Expert lecture series
Sell tickets to in-person attendees and offer a livestreaming option to increase donations and reach interested supporters from anywhere.









Themed auction
Asking for items to sell at your auction can feel daunting at first, so use this silent auction donation request guide to help you build relationships and attract amazing donations.









Speed dating
Encourage extra donations if participants find a special someone!









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.









Donation matching
Build relationships with local businesses and major donors that can offer matching donations to feature during your next campaign.
Matching gifts create an enormous incentive for supporters who understand that they can automatically double (or even triple or quadruple!) their impact for your cause.









Coffee morning
Host a coffee morning and invite your community members to join you for tea or coffee, cake, and a warm conversation. Ask a local coffee shop to sponsor the event or donate a percentage of the morning’s profits to your cause.









Guest speaker event
Host a webinar or TED-style talk with an interesting topic and a captivating guest speaker sourced from your network.
Raise funds for your livestream by selling tickets and include upgrades like signed copies of books to bring in even more donations.









Virtual gala
Showcase live or pre-recorded presentations and guest speakers, host an auction, and solicit donations—all livestreamed from your event registration page.









Movie marathon
Enjoy a better experience with engaging event ticketing options, such as online and in-person ticket sales and app-powered check-ins.









Telethon
Livestream an engaging program from your fundraising page with information, entertainment, and impact stories to inspire viewers to donate. Task volunteers with accepting gifts over the phone and replying to comments and gifts on your supporter feed. Don’t forget to display a live thermometer so everyone can watch donations come in in real time!









Online bake sale









Street painting competition
Ask a local business to donate painting supplies, then invite the community to vote for their favorite design by making a donation ($1 = 1 vote) using a scan-to-donate QR code.









Improv night
Invite community members to try their hand at comedy while earning money—and a few good laughs—for a cause. Sell tickets and raise even more at your event with snacks and drinks.









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.









Virtual auction
Use auction software that makes the bidding process smooth and simple for you and your donors.









Meditation retreat
Organize a mindfulness retreat focused on yoga, meditation, and wellness sessions in a serene setting.
Customize tickets for this fundraising event to collect needed information from registrants, such as dietary restrictions.









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!









Spaghetti dinner
Host a pasta party where you serve spaghetti, salad, breadsticks, and dessert to attendees for a ticket price. Make your event even better by partnering with a local restaurant to sponsor the meal.









Pride flag decoration party
Charge attendees a small fee to attend this crafty gathering and then sell or auction off your creations at an upcoming event.
Make the silent auction process as smooth as possible with mobile bidding tools that enable supporters to participate right from their phones.









Frequently asked questions
How do you fundraise for an LGTBQ+ nonprofit during Pride Month?
Pride fundraising ideas are as diverse as LGBTQ+ communities. Reach out to local nonprofits to see if you can join any current fundraising campaigns, or offer to organize one on their behalf.
Gather a group of volunteers and decide how you’ll raise money: Hosting a pride-themed merch sale? Selling tickets to a special Drag Queen Story Hour? Whatever shape your pride fundraiser takes, be sure to collaborate with local businesses and influencers to amplify your fundraising efforts and reach a wider audience during your local gay pride parade, too!
How can I raise awareness for LGBTQ+ nonprofits?
Social media campaigns and fun events that bring people together are two ways that you can celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and raise money and awareness for organizations that create safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals. Strategies like peer-to-peer fundraising also help rally community support and raise funds for LGBTQ+ nonprofits.
Consider sharing educational content, like a history of the Stonewall Riots, to grow an understanding of the struggles of LGBTQ people, and show how organizations are continuing the fight for equality today.
What are the most popular LBGTQ+ fundraising ideas?
Some popular LGBTQ+ fundraising ideas include queer trivia nights, pride art auctions, and drag bingo. Additionally, you can offer pride-themed products or services with a portion of the proceeds donated to LGBTQ+ nonprofits.
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