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Fundraising ideas

We’ve got the best fundraising ideas for good causes of all shapes and sizes! Check out our curated lists or browse all fundraising ideas below by cost, effort, and impact.

Givebutter fundraising progress graphic showing $45,000 raised out of a $50,000 goal (90% complete), with a smiling yellow character holding a light bulb and a green 'Support Now!' button.

All fundraising ideas

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Envelope fundraiser

Leave stacks of branded envelopes in various places around your community or grounds. Invite supporters to pick up an envelope, insert a donation, and leave it at a designated drop-off point.

Spread the word with easy email marketing software. Share the details of your campaign and send reminders as the deadline gets closer.

Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/envelope-fundraiser
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Donation forms

Tie-dye fundraiser

Invite students to bring t-shirts, tote bags, socks, and other light-colored items of clothing for a tie-dye party. Charge a small fee for entry and supplies, and have some extra clothing items on hand to sell, too.

If you produce a large volume lot of tie-dyed items, create a donation form or buy-now auction to sell them to your community!

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/tie-dye-fundraiser
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Events
Donation forms
Fundraising page

Pet photo calendar

Create a pet photo calendar featuring adorable photos of shelter animals. Sell the calendars online using a donation form or fundraising page and at local events, too!

Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pet-photo-calendar
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Fundraising page
Donation forms

Build-a-thon

Invite supporters to have a tangible impact on their communities by raising funds and committing to volunteer their time to help build homes for those in need.

Participants create personal peer-to-peer fundraising pages where they can share their commitment to this cause with their friends and family, encouraging them to donate and support the initiative.

Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/build-a-thon
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Peer-to-peer

Apple bobbing

Set up a stall where people can try apple bobbing in exchange for a small donation. This works well as part of a fall festival or Halloween event where you can set up a range of fun activities for families to get involved with.

Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/apple-bobbing
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Events

Culture day

Introduce the wider community to your club or group by hosting a themed culture day. Offer workshops, food, and activities in exchange for small donations using easy fundraising event tools like ticketing and mobile payment options.

Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/culture-day
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Events
Donation forms

Auction your time or skills

Ask supporters to volunteer their special skills, then auction their time and expertise to the highest bidder!

Streamline the whole experience with the help of free auction software. Add and categorize items, manage bids, and your bidders can get real-time updates on what’s happening.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/auction-your-time-or-skills
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Auctions

Crowdfunding campaign

Collect online donations from friends, family, and community members by creating a fundraising page that lays out your needs and the impact that you will make with the money you raise. Use photos and videos to make your story more engaging, and use a goal bar to showcase your progress.

Be sure to follow crowdfunding best practices in order to make your campaign an even bigger success!

Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/crowdfunding-campaign
All
Peer-to-peer
Fundraising page

Carnival night

Host a magical fundraising event with traditional carnival games, rides, and booths. Charge an all-inclusive fee or make each activity pay-as-you-go using QR codes for a smoother donation experience.

Cost:
3
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/carnival-night
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Events

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.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/lip-sync-competition
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Events

Movies in the park

Ask your community members to join you for a series of movies in the park this summer. Screen a classic or trending movie somewhere scenic, and sell popcorn, drinks, and other refreshments.

Sell tickets online, check guests in with your mobile app, and offer easy payment methods like scan-to-donate for on-the-spot donations.

Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/movies-in-the-park
All
Events
Donation forms

Virtual bike-a-thon

Set a distance and have your bikers pay a registration fee to join in. Then, foster some friendly competition by encouraging supporters to start or join a team, raise funds, and set off wherever they are.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/virtual-bike-a-thon
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Peer-to-peer
Events

Skills clinic

Offer a skills clinic for your team members and their friends. Charge a registration fee, and accept donations during the event. Don’t forget to sell concessions and merchandise!

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/skills-clinic
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Fundraising page
Events

Church choir performance

Organize a night of beautiful singing performed by your talented church choir. Sell tickets for a small fee and invite audience members to make donations at the end of the celebration from their phones with an easy text-to-donate code.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/church-choir-performance
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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.

Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/basketball-tournament
All
Events
Peer-to-peer

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.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/improv-night
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Events

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 securing a restaurant as a sponsor.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/spaghetti-dinner
All
Events
Donation forms

Comedy roast

Invite participants to roast their teachers or coaches—in a light-hearted way. Sell tickets online and check-in attendees as they arrive, in addition to offering in-person donations for entry (and snacks!) with Venmo and scan-to-donate.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/comedy-roast
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Events

Candy grams

Buy some crowd-favorite candies and charge supporters to send these sweet treats to a chosen recipient along with a heartfelt note. To streamline the process, have donors fill out custom fields on your donation form with their personal notes and recipient addresses.

Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/candy-grams
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Donation forms
Fundraising page

High heels walk

Instead of a 5k, organize a high heels walk down a “runway” of your choice. Challenge supporters to see who can raise the most funds leading up to the event through peer-to-peer fundraising—and who can rock the best look. Encourage your supporters to personalize their pages to attract more donations!

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/high-heels-walk
All
Events
Peer-to-peer

Virtual fun run

Take your fundraising run online—or create a hybrid event—by encouraging participants to complete a designated distance anytime, anywhere! Be sure to use peer-to-peer fundraising to spread the word and bring in some major funds.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Share this idea
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/virtual-fun-run
All
Events
Peer-to-peer

Give it up challenge

Invite supporters to “give up” something small like their morning coffee order for a set amount of time and donate those funds towards your campaign instead.

Create a fundraising page for your challenge, including a list of ideas and suggested donation amounts. Share campaign updates and donor shout-outs to keep momentum going toward your goal!

Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/give-it-up-challenge
All
Fundraising page
Peer-to-peer

Virtual food/wine tasting

Partner with local eateries and provide tasting kits for participants to enjoy at home for a small fee. Then, host a livestream tasting experience.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share this idea
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/virtual-food-wine-tasting
All
Events
Donation forms
Fundraising page

Spring break t-shirt sale

Design your own spring break t-shirts and sell them in person and online to raise funds for your group or cause.

Use custom fields on your donation form to collect the details you need from buyers, such as their t-shirt size and color choice.

Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/spring-break-t-shirt-sale
All
Donation forms
Fundraising page
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