Summer fundraising ideas
Set your nonprofit, community group, or school up for success this season with these fun summer fundraiser ideas.
From yard sales and pool parties to concerts in the park, your supporters will be delighted to make the most of the sun while helping raise funds for your cause.
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Skate-a-thon
For a fun twist on a walk-a-thon, swap the walking shoes for rollerblades or quad skates and raise money for a good cause.
Encourage participants to create peer-to-peer fundraising pages they can personalize with their own stories and updates leading up to the big day.









Kids vs. grownups field day
Organize an afternoon of hilarious games and exciting dual-team events, like tug-of-war, that are sure to get the competitive spirit going.
Charge entrance fees for this fundraising event, sell snacks and drinks, and don’t forget prizes for the champs!









Battle of the food trucks
Partnering with food trucks is a great way to reach your fundraising target. Discover how to secure corporate sponsorships.









Plant sale
Ask your green-thumbed community members to grow their best seedlings and plants for a future plant sale to raise much-needed funds. Or, send a sponsorship proposal to a local plant nursery to sign on as your event sponsor or partner.









Street food stand
Partner with a local restaurant or food truck, or set up your own stall for the day. Want to strike up a relationship with a local restaurant? Use our sponsorship proposal guide to get started!









Golf tournament
Golf tournaments are an incredible way to build relationships and raise funds for your cause. Charge teams an entry fee, secure sponsorships, and enjoy a day on the green with your community.
Check out our guide to discover how to make your next golf tournament even more profitable.









Bonfire BBQ
With user-friendly fundraising event features, you can sell tickets in advance and accept donations in person, too.









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.









Food truck Friday
Choose one Friday every month to be Food Truck Friday, in which you partner up with a local food truck to visit the area and promote their arrival.
In exchange for driving more business their way, use a sponsorship proposal to negotiate a percentage of profits for your good cause.









Fourth of July party
Celebrate our nation’s independence with a red, white, and blue fundraiser! Work with businesses to secure sponsorships and an amazing venue, then sell tickets to your fundraising event, filled with food, music, and activities.









Movies in the park
Invite your community to enjoy a summer movie series in the park. Screen a classic or trending film somewhere scenic, and sell popcorn, drinks, and other refreshments.
Sell tickets online, check guests in with your mobile app, and offer easy payment options like scan-to-donate for on-the-spot donations.









Beach day
Set an affordable ticket price or ask for donations to cover the cost of the event and raise funds—whichever you choose, our fundraising event tools can help!









Sand ‘n’ sip
For a summer twist on a paint 'n' sip, invite donors to join you for a day of fun on the beach alongside a wine-tasting experience. To reach your goal, sell tickets for your fundraising event online and strike up a sponsorship deal with a local wine company.









Pool or beach volleyball tournament









Beach Games
Ask participants to pay a small fee to register and raise even more funds by selling cold drinks and ice cream.









Street clean up
Partner with local businesses to sponsor the day and encourage donations toward your charity or group.









Swim-a-thon
Swap your sneakers for a swimsuit or trunks and host a swim-a-thon to raise money for your cause. Set a route that feels achievable, and invite participants to create their own peer-to-peer fundraising pages to help you reach your goal.









Summer day out
Raise funds and give your supporters a memorable experience at the same time with an excursion to an exciting attraction, museum, or other destination.
Use a fundraising event page to make registration and payment easy, and add custom fields to capture important information from each participant, such as t-shirt size or dietary restrictions.









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.









Outdoor adventure day
Charge participants a registration fee for a full day of outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and nature walks. Use marketing tools to tease different activities and remind supporters what to bring along on the big day!









LGBTQ+ trivia night
Charge a registration fee for a fun night of testing your LGBTQ+ knowledge. To raise additional funds at this fundraising event, sell pride-themed merch, drinks, and snacks, too!









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.









Frequently asked questions
What are the most popular summer fundraisers?
Summer fundraising event ideas that let supporters enjoy the warm weather are always a hit. To bring your community together, organize an outdoor movie night, food truck competition, themed car wash, ice cream social, or beach cleanup.
Check out the complete summer fundraising checklist for more top tips on making the most of the sunny season.
What is the most profitable summer fundraiser?
Empowering your supporters and local community to raise money through peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns is one of the most effective ways to hit your fundraising goals in the summer. Host a walk-a-thon, swim-a-thon, or summer beach games tournament, and encourage friends and family to pledge or donate. Don’t forget to partner with a local sponsor to increase visibility and impact.
How do I plan and promote my summer fundraiser?
Planning a summer fundraiser is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. That’s why we created a step-by-step event planning checklist to walk you through the process, from brainstorming ideas to executing your event. It’s great for both indoor and outdoor fundraising ideas.
Which summer holidays and awareness days work well for themed fundraisers?
Awareness days and holidays make perfect summertime fundraising ideas. Try a golf tournament around Father’s Day, a hot dog eating contest on the Fourth of July, or a social media campaign for Juneteenth or Pride Month. You can charge a small fee or ask for a small donation to participate in a specific event or activity.
How can I boost summer event attendance when donors are traveling?
There are plenty of ways to encourage participation in your summer fundraising efforts! If you usually charge an entry fee, try hosting a free event in the local park, where guests can support your cause by buying treats at a bake sale or custom items from your merch stand. For traveling supporters, make giving easy with donation pages, online auction items, or even a virtual scavenger hunt to keep the momentum going.
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