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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.

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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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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. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/festive-volunteers
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Gala night


Plan a sophisticated gala night with music, food, and a silent auction.

Get your supporters excited about your upcoming event with an eye-catching gala invitation template. Include details on how to buy tickets, or add a scan-to-donate QR code.
Cost:
3
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/gala-night
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Auctions

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
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/mystery-art-show
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Costume contest


Throw a themed costume party to match the season or holiday and award prizes for the best costumes! Sell tickets to your fundraising event online and partner with local sponsors to offset costs and spread the word.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/costume-contest
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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
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/tell-cancer-to-take-a-hike
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Peer-to-peer
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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
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/virtual-bake-sale
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Drag show


Sell tickets for a night of performances by local drag artists and musicians (with food and drinks available, too!).

Manage your event ticketing, check in your attendees, and accept additional donations in person with easy fundraisng event software.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/drag-show
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Tails and trails


Gather your dog-loving supporters for a tails and trails dog-walking fundraiser. Choose a scenic, dog-friendly trail and charge a set fee for tickets. 

Don’t forget to provide refreshments at the end of the trail—for both humans and canines! 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/tails-and-trails
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Peer-to-peer

Popcorn fundraiser

Partner with a popcorn supplier and sell gourmet popcorn to family, friends, and community members. Add mouthwatering images to tickets to showcase all the different flavors available.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/popcorn-fundraiser
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Pumpkin carving contest


See who can carve or decorate the best pumpkin while raising funds for your group or cause. Award prizes in different categories like kids, families, and most talented adults.

Make it easy as pumpkin pie to vote for the winners with a small donation using text-to-donate.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pumpkin-carving-contest
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Events
Peer-to-peer

Bail out the pastor

Lock your pastor or church leader away behind closed doors and ask congregation members to donate towards their freedom. This is a fun and fast-paced way to raise funds quickly! 

Create excitement by displaying a live goal bar on your fundraising page so supporters can watch the total rise in real time. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/bail-out-the-pastor
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Concert for a cause


Work with popular local musicians and performers to host a benefit concert with a percentage of the proceeds going towards your cause.

Want to make sure everyone can listen in and donate, no matter where they are? Livestream your concert to the masses and enable people to contribute to your campaign without leaving the stream.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/concert-for-a-cause
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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

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
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/engraved-bricks
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Basketball bonanza

Challenge contestants to score as many points as they can within the time limit. Charge an entry fee and check attendees in as they line up. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/basketball-bonanza
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Events

Serve-a-thon


Turn your volleyball skills into a high-energy fundraiser with a serve-a-thon! Players collect pledges for every successful serve they make during a timed event. Invite teammates, supporters, and even future players to join in the fun. It’s a great way to raise funds, strengthen your team, and build community—all while spiking your fundraising goals.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/serve-a-thon
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Day at the zoo


Rally your supporters for an unforgettable fundraising field trip to the zoo. Partner with a local zoo to offer discounted admission that includes a donation to your organization. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/day-at-the-zoo
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Baseball hit-a-thon


Collect pledges or donations from supporters based on the number of hits they make during a designated period of time. Have each participant create a personal peer-to-peer fundraising page and reach out to friends and family for donations!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/baseball-hit-a-thon
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Peer-to-peer

Shave for the cause


Create a peer to peer fundraising campaign and invite participants to create their own pages and compete to raise the most funds. Watch the leaderboard for live updates on who’s in the lead. The person with the highest amount raised or the most individual donations will shave their head—or nominate someone else to shave their own!

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/shave-for-the-cause
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Events
Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms

Trash-a-thon

Team up to clean up! Rally volunteers to collect litter in your local community, and have each participant gather sponsorships based on bags filled or hours spent. It's a powerful way to raise funds and make a visible impact.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/trash-a-thon
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Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms

Video challenge

Launch a video challenge that invites followers to do something fun, challenging, or unexpected. Have them share their videos on social media and tag their friends.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/video-challenge
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Events

Themed auction

Partner with local businesses to source items for a themed auction with a variety of attractive packages, exciting products, and alluring getaways. 

Asking for items to sell at your auction can feel daunting at first, so use this silent auction donation request guide to help you build relationships and attract amazing donations. 
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/themed-auction
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Auctions

Movie night


Choose an indoor or outdoor space and host a ticketed screening of a fan-favorite movie—bonus if it’s related to your cause! Sell popcorn, treats, and drinks to raise even more funds.

Use Givebutter’s fundraising event tools like online ticketing, mobile check-ins, and scan-to-donate to keep everything seamless.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share idea
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/movie-night
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