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All fundraising ideas
Online fundraising ideas
Virtual fundraisers are a powerful way to involve more supporters with your cause—anyone around the world can join and donate!
The possibilities are endless, but we’ve assembled a list of our favorite online fundraising ideas—including virtual happy hours, livestream telethons, and book clubs—to help get your digital party started.
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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!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/peer-to-peer-fundraising
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Peer-to-peer
Special series
Create programming for a special series of sermons designed to help raise money for your current fundraising project.
Tie sermons directly to your goal and reach more supporters by livestreaming right from your fundraising page. Anyone can tune into the stream, make a donation, and learn about your campaign all in one place.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/special-series
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All
Events
Pages & forms
24-hour marathon
Host a 24-hour livestream fundraiser for a high-energy day of fun and fundraising.
Great livestream activity ideas include a poetry slam, gaming tournament, or virtual concert.
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/24-hour-marathon
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Events
Peer-to-peer
One for one pledge
Whether you’re offering branded merch, boxed lunches, or other appealing products, incentivize even more donations for your cause by pledging to give away one “reward” item for each one purchased. (For example, for every pair of cozy socks sold, you’ll donate a pair to a local shelter.)
Showcase this cycle of generosity on your donation forms using custom labels and donation amounts to make it clear you’ll be making an in-kind donation for every monetary donation received.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/one-for-one-pledge
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All
Pages & forms
Festive volunteers
Rally volunteers to act as festive little helpers to put up holiday decorations for others in your community in exchange for donations.
Set up a donation form and use custom labels to create fun options, like a $50 donation = putting up your roof lights.
Set up a donation form and use custom labels to create fun options, like a $50 donation = putting up your roof lights.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/festive-volunteers
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Pages & forms
Engraved bricks
Allow supporters to “buy” a brick for your next construction project that will have their name or dedication engraved on it for all to see.
Use custom fields on your donation form to capture essential details for donors’ bricks—and be sure to set a word count limit so they don’t go over!
Cost:
2
Effort:
1
Impact:
3
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/engraved-bricks
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All
Pages & forms
Expert lecture series
Recruit local experts, professors, speakers, and community leaders to donate their time and expertise for a series of talks on a certain theme.
Sell tickets to in-person attendees and offer a livestreaming option to increase donations and reach interested supporters from anywhere.
Sell tickets to in-person attendees and offer a livestreaming option to increase donations and reach interested supporters from anywhere.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/expert-lecture-series
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All
Events
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.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
3
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/postcard-drive
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All
Pages & forms
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.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/donation-matching
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Pages & forms
Naming rights
Offer supporters the chance to name a bench, tree, sculpture, or pathway in recognition of their gift.
Create custom labels on your donation form for different naming tiers (e.g., $100 = named brick in a sidewalk).
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/naming-rights
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Pages & forms
Text-to-donate
With text-to-donate, raising funds is as easy as sending a text. Display your shortcode at fundraising events, share it on social media, or add it to signs so your supporters give using their mobile devices right on the spot—no matter where they are.
See for yourself how easy it is! Text “DEMO” to 53-555.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
3
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/text-to-donate
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All
Pages & forms
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.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/guest-speaker-event
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All
Events
Virtual gala
Showcase live or pre-recorded presentations and guest speakers, host an auction, and solicit donations—all livestreamed from your event registration page.
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/virtual-gala
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Events
Auctions
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!
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/telethon
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All
Events
Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms
Online bake sale
Sell homemade or donated treats through a donation form, event page, or buy-now auction, and organize volunteers to make deliveries after purchase! For some additional funds, allow recipients to make a donation alongside their purchase.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/virtual-bake-sale
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All
Auctions
Pages & forms
Virtual scavenger hunt
For this totally remote fundraising event, charge a registration fee and ask participants to use their computer or mobile device to complete various challenges. Share instructions and updates and announce winners from a livestream hosted right on your event page.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/virtual-scavenger-hunt
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All
Events
Virtual concert
Ask local musicians or bands to perform for a livestreaming audience and invite viewers to make donations or purchase tickets to attend virtually right on your event page.
Make sure to feature a donation thermometer on your page to encourage viewers to make extra donations and get you closer to your goal as they enjoy the music.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/virtual-concert
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All
Events
Virtual auction
Take the bidding online by allowing participants to browse your silent auction catalog, place bids, and win from anywhere!
Use auction software that makes the bidding process smooth and simple for you and your donors.
Use auction software that makes the bidding process smooth and simple for you and your donors.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/virtual-auction
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All
Auctions
Pages & forms
Holiday card campaign
Send a festive holiday card—by mail or email—to share season’s greetings, thank your supporters, and invite them to contribute toward your year-end fundraising goals.
Use Givebutter’s built-in Canva integration to add extra cheer to your letters or emails in just a few clicks.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/holiday-card-campaign
Please enter a valid email address.
All
Pages & forms
Pet contest
For National Pet Week, host a pet competition! Ask people to send in photos of their pets to be judged in categories like Funniest Pet or Most Adorable. Charge an entry fee and partner with local businesses to sponsor prizes.
Invite supporters to submit their entries via your supporter feed for an engaging way to send in photos alongside their donations.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pet-contest
Please enter a valid email address.
All
Events
Pages & forms
Pi Day
Celebrate Pi Day on March 14th by inviting your community to contribute to your cause. Set the suggested donation amount at $3.14, $31.40, or $314.00, but let supporters know that any amount adds up to something great.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
1
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pi-day
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All
Pages & forms
Refer a friend
For successful referrals to your program, offer your current members discounted membership fees, merchandise, or entry into a raffle. Create custom fields (like “Who referred you?”) on your donation forms to keep track of eligible members.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/refer-a-friend
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Pages & forms
Membership drive
Incentivize supporters to invite friends and family to sign up for a membership during a specific period of time. Offer discounted rates or additional perks, and accept recurring donations on a monthly or annual basis.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/membership-drive
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All
Pages & forms
Give $5, grab 5 friends
Ask your supporters to donate $5 to your cause. Then, each donor has to tag at least five people via social media. The goal is that each person who gets tagged matches that $5 gift to your campaign—and then tags five others.
This is a great social media fundraising idea that can spread quickly within your community, helping you raise funds fast.
This is a great social media fundraising idea that can spread quickly within your community, helping you raise funds fast.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/give-5-grab-5-friends
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Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms
Fitness challenge
Participants commit to completing a certain number of workouts and collect pledges for each milestone achieved using personal peer-to-peer fundraising pages.
Watch as donations come in and friends and family share words of encouragement on the supporter feed.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/fitness-challenge
Please enter a valid email address.
All
Events
Peer-to-peer
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We're always cooking up new ideas, so check back soon for fresh picks!
Dive into our list of best fundraising ideas in the meantime
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Frequently asked questions
What is a virtual fundraiser?
A virtual (or online) fundraiser is a campaign or event created to raise money for a good cause through a website or online platform. While nonprofit organizations have been using this fundraising strategy for quite some time, it became even more popular during the pandemic, when in-person events weren’t possible.
Unlike in-person fundraising opportunities, virtual fundraisers allow people to participate from anywhere using a computer, phone, or other mobile device. It's like bringing the fundraising party to your living room! You can host a virtual event to connect with others and encourage supporters to invest in your mission—all without leaving home.
How can I raise money virtually?
You can raise funds online through donation pages, peer-to-peer fundraising, or crowdfunding campaigns, as well as virtual events like livestream concerts, talent shows, or auctions.
Some of the best digital fundraising ideas leverage social media platforms (e.g., Facebook Live, social media takeovers), email campaigns, and text-to-donate tools to collect donations. Online merchandise sales can also help boost your fundraising efforts.
What is the best online fundraising site?
The top fundraising sites include trusted platforms like Givebutter, GoFundMe, Fundly, Kickstarter, and Donorbox. Each offers different features, fees, and support, so it's important to choose the one that aligns best with your fundraising goals and needs.
What are the best virtual fundraising ideas for a small team or solo organizer?
Birthday fundraisers and peer-to-peer campaigns work great for small teams or solo organizers. Just set up a simple fundraising page and share it with friends and family—they already want to support you! These fundraisers are easy to launch, require minimal coordination, and maximize your personal network's power to spread the word.
Do virtual fundraisers raise as much as in-person events?
Yes! With the right internet fundraising ideas, you can raise as much as—or even more than—in-person events. Virtual fundraisers often provide benefits like broader reach, lower costs, and more convenience. Success depends on choosing fundraisers that translate well to an online setting (e.g., virtual galas, auctions, telethons) rather than those that lose appeal virtually—a virtual car wash might not be a big draw.
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