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All fundraising ideas
YMCA fundraising ideas
From movie nights to membership drives, we've got a variety of creative strategies to help you raise funds to support those critical YMCA programs that promote youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility—all while bringing your beloved Y community closer together.
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Scavenger hunt
Set up a themed scavenger hunt in your venue, neighborhood, or even across the entire town. Charge participants a small entrance fee and offer donated prizes for the winners.
Streamline ticket sales and create a central hub with a fundraising event page. All the energy you save can be spent making your event even more exciting!
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/scavenger-hunt
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Events
Rent your space
Rent your field, venue, office, or community space to other groups and organizations to make the most of any time it isn't in use.
Spread the word that your space is available for rent with your email marketing software. Don’t forget to include photos of the space to encourage interest!
Spread the word that your space is available for rent with your email marketing software. Don’t forget to include photos of the space to encourage interest!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/rent-your-space
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Pages & forms
Weeknight meal cooking class
Reach out to local chefs to volunteer to host a class or series for cooking easy weeknight dinners. To make this event virtual, livestream the class(es) so that donors can watch and cook along from home!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/weeknight-meal-cooking-class
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Events
Field day
Invite participants to register for a day of fun outdoor games and friendly competitions, like relay races, a water balloon toss, and tug-of-war.
Make your fundraising event a success with sponsorships from local businesses to help offset costs and bring in more participants.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/field-day
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Haunted house
Create a spooky experience and raise funds by encouraging brave participants to enter—if they dare. Accept payments on the spot with scan-to-donate, Venmo, and more convenient options.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/haunted-house
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Events
Pages & forms
Raise some dough with cookie dough
Buy wholesale cookie dough for volunteers to sell during peak cookie-baking season. To gamify your efforts, use peer-to-peer fundraising so participants can compete to see who sold the most!
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/raise-some-dough-with-cookie-dough
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Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms
Kids’ art calendar
Turn kids’ finger paintings and drawings into custom calendars—or transform them into keepsakes like photo books, mugs, or t-shirts. Sell the merch using a fun, eye-catching auction or fundraising page.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/kids-art-calendar
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Auctions
Pages & forms
Corporate matching gift drive
Create a special awareness campaign and fundraiser that highlights the matching donation programs that many companies offer.
Feature matching gifts on your fundraising page and encourage corporate staffers to explore employer matching via Double the Donation.
Feature matching gifts on your fundraising page and encourage corporate staffers to explore employer matching via Double the Donation.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/corporate-matching-gift-drive
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Events
Pages & forms
Community service day
Organize volunteers to participate in a day of community care—tackling local projects and tasks in exchange for donations from your community members.
Showcase every project or fundraiser you’re working on using a central giving hub, so supporters can see all your amazing work in one place.
Showcase every project or fundraiser you’re working on using a central giving hub, so supporters can see all your amazing work in one place.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/community-service-day
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Events
Pages & forms
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!
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/kids-vs-grownups-field-day
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Events
International Women's Day fundraiser
Highlight the power, strength, and talent of women in your community today and throughout history with a special fundraising event.
Whether it’s in-person, virtual, or hybrid, raise more and stress less with easy online registration, mobile app check-ins, and live display
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/international-women-s-day-fundraiser
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Auctions
Events
Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms
Student art auction
Auction off student art projects online, in person, or both! Add photos and descriptions of each masterpiece using auction software for easy bidding and sharing.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/student-art-auction
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Auctions
Events
Pages & forms
Superhero run
Charge an entry fee to participate in a costumed fundraising run. Encourage runners to raise even more for your cause through their own peer-to-peer fundraising pages, and award prizes for race winners, best super hero costumes, and most donations raised!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/superhero-run
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Events
Peer-to-peer
Parents’ night out
This fundraising event can be a fun gathering for parents—or a chance for grownups to drop off their kids for a few hours in exchange for a donation to your cause. Charge an hourly rate or flat “entrance fee” and give caregivers some priceless peace and quiet.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/parents-night-out
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Events
Battle of the food trucks
Host a showdown between some of your favorite food trucks. Ask each truck to donate a percentage of sales towards your good cause, and award a fun prize to the truck that makes the most sales that day.
Partnering with food trucks is a great way to reach your fundraising target. Discover how to secure corporate sponsorships.
Partnering with food trucks is a great way to reach your fundraising target. Discover how to secure corporate sponsorships.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/battle-of-the-food-trucks
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Events
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
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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Events
Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms
Envelope fundraiser
Distribute branded envelopes around your community and invite supporters to pick one up, insert a donation, and drop it off at a designated location.
Spread the word with easy email marketing software. Share campaign details and send reminders as the deadline gets approaches.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/envelope-fundraiser
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Pages & forms
Networking night
Find a suitable space, charge an entry fee, and check in attendees as they arrive at your networking event! Get creative by inviting food trucks and hosting hands-on activities.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/networking-night
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Events
Basketball tournament
Host a basketball tournament between different schools, teams, or departments. Sell event tickets and offer drinks, snacks, and merch using Tap to Pay.
Step things up by challenging each team to see who can raise the most. Encourage them to create team fundraising pages to track their impact and build momentum toward game day.
Step things up by challenging each team to see who can raise the most. Encourage them to create team fundraising pages to track their impact and build momentum toward game day.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/basketball-tournament
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Events
Peer-to-peer
Legacy giving
Encourage supporters to make a planned gift to your organization (e.g., bequests, charitable trusts, or beneficiary designations) to leave a lasting legacy. Wealth screening software can help you identify the best donors to reach out to right in your CRM.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/legacy-giving
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Pages & forms
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.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/movies-in-the-park
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Events
Pages & forms
Beach day
Arrange a day of sand and sun for your team members, volunteers, and the wider community with beach games, a picnic, and lots of family fun.
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!
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!
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/beach-day
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Events
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.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/swim-a-thon
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Events
Peer-to-peer
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.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/summer-day-out
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Events
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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
How can I raise money fast for my YMCA?
To raise money fast for your local YMCA, start an online fundraising campaign, leverage social media to reach a wider audience, and make direct appeals to your supporters through email newsletters and personal outreach. Check out our $1K in 30 Days toolkit for more tips!
What are the best YMCA fundraisers?
Popular YMCA fundraisers include galas featuring guest speakers, family-friendly events, and online auctions. Peer-to-peer fundraisers, in which supporters create their own fundraising pages and ask their friends and family to contribute online donations to the cause are also a fun, cost-effective way to spread the word and reach your goal.
How do I promote my YMCA fundraising events?
Spread the word about your YMCA fundraising events through social media, via email newsletters, and on your YMCA's website to engage your community and maximize attendance and donations.
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