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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Chili cook-off
Invite participants to prepare their best chili for attendees—and offer prizes for the winner! Create team fundraising pages for each chili recipe/culinary team. There, supporters can cast their vote with a donation and watch the live leaderboard to see which chef is in the lead!
Cost:



1
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/chili-cook-off
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Golf tournament
Golf tournaments are an incredible way to build relationships and raise funds for your cause. Charge teams an entry fee, secure sponsorships, and enjoy a day on the green with your community.
Check out our guide to discover how to make your next golf tournament even more profitable.
Cost:



2
Effort:



2
Impact:



3
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/golf-tournament
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Events
Auctions
Peer-to-peer
Pie-eating contest
Ask local bakeries and volunteers to contribute pies, then host a pie-eating contest with a ticket price for entry. Sell refreshments (including slices of pie!) to raise extra funds.
Use a range of fundraising event features, such as online registration, on-the-spot payments, and seamless check-ins.
Use a range of fundraising event features, such as online registration, on-the-spot payments, and seamless check-ins.
Cost:



1
Effort:



2
Impact:



1
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pie-eating-contest
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Adopt-a-mile fundraiser
Raise funds for a mission trip by asking congregation members to “adopt a mile.” This is a fun way to tie your fundraising activity into the experience and drive donations closer to your goal.
Highlight how close you are to reaching your target by displaying a live goal bar on your fundraising page, where the fundraising goal total equals the number of miles.
Cost:



1
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/adopt-a-mile-fundraiser
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Petting zoo
Partner with a local farm or petting zoo to bring animals on-site for a day of fun. Charge an entry fee and optional donations for extra activities like pony rides.
Make sure attendees can make quick payments from their phones, using methods like Venmo or Tap to Pay, so they don't have to return to their cars for cash.
Cost:



2
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/petting-zoo
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Candle Making
Host a creative candle building workshop for your team and their family. You’ll raise money, and your guests get to take home their very own candle!
Cost:



2
Effort:



3
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/candle-making
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Donut fundraiser
Some bakeries like Krispy Kreme sell their doughnuts at a discounted price to individuals and groups raising money for a good cause.
Create a fundraising page or donation form to promote your efforts and make it easier to sell your sweet treats with multiple payment options wherever you are.
Cost:



2
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/donut-fundraiser
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Flamingoed
Invite supporters to make a donation to have lawn flamingos placed on their friends’ yards. Volunteers will sneak them onto recipients’ lawns so they awake to a pink surprise!
To make pulling off this silly fundraiser a breeze, create custom fields on your donation form, like the address of the Flamingo recipient.
Cost:



1
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/flamingoed
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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
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/virtual-bake-sale
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You name it
Come up with a creative fundraiser with a catchy name like “Pancakes for Parents” brunch or a “Chicken Wings for Cheerleaders.” To get supporters excited, create a custom fundraising page full of on-theme photos, videos, ands more!
Cost:



2
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/you-name-it
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Ales for tails
Partner with your favorite animal-friendly brewery and invite supporters to sip refreshing beverages—all for a good cause.
Charge a set ticket price that includes a donation and two beer tokens. Pair the event with a pet costume contest to make it even more memorable and raise more funds.
Cost:



1
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/ales-for-tails
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Events
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
Virtual book club
Host a virtual book club and charge a small registration fee or ask for donations to join. Hold regular discussions via Zoom or another video conferencing platform to keep the community engaged.
Set up recurring donations as a simple way to collect membership fees for ongoing gatherings.
Cost:



1
Effort:



1
Impact:



1
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/virtual-book-club
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Pottery or clay experiences
Encourage your community to try clay sculpting or pottery painting—or host a clay shooting experience to raise funds for your cause. Perfect for those who enjoy hands-on activities or the great outdoors.
Cost:



2
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pottery-or-clay-experiences
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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
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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
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/popcorn-fundraiser
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Events
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Recycling drive
Ask supporters to collect recyclable materials like cans, bottles, or even old tech, then use a local service to turn these items into funds.
Recycling drives work great for long-term fundraising. Keep your supporters engaged and remind them when and where they can drop off materials via your email marketing software.
Cost:



1
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/recycling-drive
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Yard raking
Set up a yard raking service in exchange for donations toward your good cause.
Follow best practices for volunteer recruitment to build a loyal community of supporters ready to pitch in for yardwork and more.
Cost:



1
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/yard-raking
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Auctions
Holiday wreath sale
Partner with a local nursery to sell holiday wreaths made of fresh greenery. Create a fundraising page where supporters can purchase them with ease.
Cost:



1
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/holiday-wreath-sale
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Pages & forms
School karaoke
A silly and fun way to raise funds, students pay a small donation to sing family-friendly karaoke songs over the school’s P.A. system or in a special assembly.
Cost:



1
Effort:



2
Impact:



1
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/school-karaoke
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Events
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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
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/kids-vs-grownups-field-day
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Earth Day
Reserve an indoor or outdoor space and invite your community to come arrange flower bouquets and pot their own plants to celebrate Earth Day (April 22).
Charge an entrance fee and make your fundraising event move smoothly with mobile app check-in and easy scan-to-donate payment options.
Charge an entrance fee and make your fundraising event move smoothly with mobile app check-in and easy scan-to-donate payment options.
Cost:



2
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/earth-day
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Events
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Puck cancer
Host a hockey-themed fundraiser in support of cancer research or a cancer care facility. Rally your community of hockey fans to raise much-needed funds through ticket sales, themed merch, and peer-to-peer fundraising.
Cost:



2
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/puck-cancer
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Events
Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms
Pay you not to ask me again
Give your supporters a way to opt out of all your upcoming donation requests during a big fundraising effort. If they contribute via your donation form before a certain date, you’ll take them off your email and call list for the whole campaign! Then, you can easily segment your email list with your built-in CRM and marketing tools.
Cost:



1
Effort:



1
Impact:



3
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pay-you-not-to-ask-me-again
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Looks like we don’t have any fundraising ideas matching that criteria 🔎
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