Your go-to source for fundraising inspiration
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.
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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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Tell cancer to take a hike
Grab your walking shoes and show cancer who’s boss with a charity walk or hike. Charge a small entry fee and encourage teams to raise additional funds through peer-to-peer fundraising.
Cost:



2
Effort:



2
Impact:



3
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/tell-cancer-to-take-a-hike
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Events
Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms
Touchdown sponsorships
Ask local businesses to sponsor your team for the entire season! Create a sponsorship proposal that outlines exactly what donors will get in return—like featuring their signage or logo each time you score!
Cost:



1
Effort:



2
Impact:



3
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/touchdown-sponsorships
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Pages & forms
Obstacle course
Challenge supporters to navigate walls, mud pits, and rope climbs. To amplify your impact and spark some friendly competition, encourage team fundraising—all supporters can join an existing team or create their own to compete!
Cost:



2
Effort:



3
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/obstacle-course
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Events
Peer-to-peer
Pumpkin patch
Partner with a local farm to host a family-friendly pumpkin patch event. Invite your community to take fall photos and pick out a pumpkin or two in exchange for a donation.
Make transactions quick and easy with Tap to Pay and a scan-to-donate QR code to let donors choose their payment method—PayPal, Google Pay, Venmo, and more.
Make transactions quick and easy with Tap to Pay and a scan-to-donate QR code to let donors choose their payment method—PayPal, Google Pay, Venmo, and more.
Cost:



2
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pumpkin-patch
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Events
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Pop-up clothing shop
Ask community members to purge their wardrobes and donate sell-worthy items to your cause. Host a pop-up clothing shop at a local venue and sell tickets for entry!
Cost:



1
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pop-up-clothing-shop
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Events
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Teddy bear picnic
Host a picnic where participants can bring along their favorite stuffed animals and enjoy simple brown-bag lunches or treats from a mini bake sale. This fundraising event is a sweet and family-friendly way to bring in needed funds.
Cost:



1
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/teddy-bear-picnic
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Cold water plunge
Challenge your supporters to take a dip in an icy cold body of water to raise funds and awareness for your cause! Participants can set up their own peer-to-peer fundraising pages connected to your campaign, where they can share their stories, set a personal target, and bring in donations from friends and family.
Cost:



1
Effort:



3
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/cold-water-plunge
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Events
Peer-to-peer
Food fight
This isn’t your typical cafeteria food fight. This cleverly named event raises awareness and funds to fight food insecurity and help keep your community fed.
Cost:



1
Effort:



2
Impact:



3
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/food-fight
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Peer-to-peer
Events
Pages & forms
Lend a helping hand
Let donors "purchase" 2-5 hours of extra help from students or volunteers (think raking leaves or mowing the lawn).
In order to streamline the process and keep track of contributions, create custom labels for different donation amounts on a special fundraising page or donation form (e.g. $50 = 2 volunteer hours).
In order to streamline the process and keep track of contributions, create custom labels for different donation amounts on a special fundraising page or donation form (e.g. $50 = 2 volunteer hours).
Cost:



1
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/lend-a-helping-hand
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Auctions
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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
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/postcard-drive
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Pages & forms
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.
Cost:



1
Effort:



3
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/summer-project-sale
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Events
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Volleyball tournament
Sell tournament tickets, and spread the word on social media to get your team and wider community involved. Sell concessions, and consider finding a corporate sponsor.
Cost:



2
Effort:



2
Impact:



3
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/volleyball-tournament
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Events
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Marathon
A marathon is a classic fun run fundraising event—perfect for your most ambitious supporters! You can host your own fundraising event, or give supporters the resources they need to raise money for your organization by running in an existing race.
Cost:



1
Effort:



2
Impact:



3
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/marathon
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Events
Peer-to-peer
Fantasy football draft party
Host a live draft event where participants pay an entry fee to join a fantasy football league, with proceeds benefiting your team or program. Set the scene with big screens and food vendors!
Cost:



3
Effort:



3
Impact:



3
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/fantasy-football-draft-party
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Events
Auctions
Pages & forms
Ice cream social
Set up an ice cream stall with different flavors, cones, toppings, and sauces. Raise funds by asking for donations to unlock the most popular or extravagant toppings.
Create a vibrant, themed fundraising page, then send your supporters straight to it with scan-to-donate. From there they can pay for their ice-cream and unlock flavors!
Create a vibrant, themed fundraising page, then send your supporters straight to it with scan-to-donate. From there they can pay for their ice-cream and unlock flavors!
Cost:



2
Effort:



2
Impact:



1
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/ice-cream-social
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Events
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Candy bar sale
Sell wholesale candy bars and sweet treats to your supporters. Bring them to events or offer them anywhere people might need a snack! Use peer-to-peer fundraising to spark a bit of friendly competition and easily track who’s sold the most.
Cost:



2
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/candy-bar-sale
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Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms
Talent show
Host a talent show and invite supporters to take to the stage and show off their skills. Sell tickets, drinks, and snacks to raise funds for your cause.
Make the experience even more interactive with text-to-donate. Let audience members vote from their seats and help you raise money in real time.
Cost:



2
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/talent-show
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Events
Speed dating
Find a venue, write up some icebreaker cards, and set a time limit for each date. Charge an entrance fee to this fundraising event and watch the sparks fly.
Encourage extra donations if participants find a special someone!
Encourage extra donations if participants find a special someone!
Cost:



2
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/speed-dating
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Events
Water balloons & sponge toss
For this fundraising event, charge a small fee per water balloon or sponge, and let students throw them at each other during a pep rally or outdoor event. For easy participation, offer scan-to-donate and accept multiple payment methods like Apple Pay, Venmo, and more.
Cost:



1
Effort:



1
Impact:



2
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/sponge-toss
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Events
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Holiday cookie sale
Whip up some sweet treats to sell at your next fundraising event, group gathering, or around town. Consider setting up a station for supporters to decorate their own cookies or create kits for families to bring home in exchange for a donation.
Streamline the buying process with scan-to-donate—which guest can use to make their payment instantly right from their phones!
Cost:



2
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/holiday-cookie-sale
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Events
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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!
Cost:



1
Effort:



3
Impact:



3
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/mystery-art-show
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Events
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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
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/naming-rights
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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
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/student-art-auction
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Auctions
Events
Pages & forms
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