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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.

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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
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Events

Creative design workshop


Host a paid workshop that teaches hands-on skills like painting, design thinking, or advanced crafting. Ask instructors to volunteer their time, and keep supply costs low by partnering with local business sponsors to maximize profit margins.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/creative-design-workshop
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Events
Pages & forms

Raise for rescues


Create a giving day or online fundraising campaign to raise awareness for your shelter program. Share photos and stories that highlight your impact and offer multiple giving levels so everyone can take part in making a difference. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/raise-for-rescues
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Dance silent auction

Give the traditional silent auction a dance-themed twist by selling off items, vouchers, and experiences that your dancer community would love. Make this part of a gala event and sell tickets to enter for even more fundraising opportunities.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/dance-silent-auction
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Auctions

Gift basket showdown

Using peer-to-peer fundraising, participants compete to raise the most money for your campaign. The winner gets the first pick from a selection of gift baskets.  
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/gift-basket-showdown
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Peer-to-peer
Auctions
Pages & forms

Toy drive


Set up a toy drive so your community members can donate toys or cash to support families over the holiday season. Distribute toys to those most in need and use extra funds to buy additional gifts.

Let everyone know when, where, and what to donate with the help of email marketing software.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/toy-drive
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Neighborhood tailgate party


Swap the stadium for your local streets and host a neighborhood tailgate party. Clear a block or two and set up food stalls, carnival games, and plenty of activities for everyone to enjoy.

You can make the event free and charge for activities or create a ticketed event—whichever you choose, our fundraising event features can help.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/neighborhood-tailgate-party
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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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Peer-to-peer
Events

Holiday performance

Put on a special holiday performance for your dance group’s friends and family members. Encourage everyone to make a donation to your chosen cause, or raise money by selling refreshments and dance-themed holiday decorations.
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/holiday-performance
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Events

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
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/spring-break-t-shirt-sale
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Pages & forms

Cutest pet contest

Who has the cutest pet in your community? Host a photo contest to find out! Invite participants to submit a photo of their four-legged (or feathered or scaly!) friend for a set donation amount. Then, open up voting to the public—each vote can be a small donation. Crown a winner, raise funds, and flood everyone’s feed with cuteness.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/cutest-pet-contest
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Events
Pages & forms

Slide into DMs

Few things beat a personalized, one-on-one request. Send direct messages to thank your supporters and link to your donation form or fundraising campaign.

Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/slide-into-dms
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Pages & forms
Peer-to-peer

3-v-3 tournament

Whether it’s soccer, volleyball, or basketball, organize a fast-paced 3v3 tournament where teams compete to hit a set score or time limit. Require a minimum donation to enter and sell tickets for spectators to cheer them on.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/3-v-3-tournament
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Events
Pages & forms

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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Events
Peer-to-peer

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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Events
Pages & forms

Peer-to-peer fundraising


Multiply your reach with a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign in which individuals reach out to their own networks of family, friends, and coworkers to solicit donations for your cause.

Create teams to add some fun competition into the mix—and bring in more donations!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/peer-to-peer-fundraising
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Peer-to-peer

Chords for Cancer gala


Invite your community to an evening of music, dance, and entertainment in support of cancer research. Host one large gala event or a series of smaller shows throughout the year.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/chords-for-cancer-gala
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Events
Auctions
Pages & forms

Family fun run

Encourage families to run, walk, or jog for your cause! Offer kid-friendly activities, prizes, and course options. Use team and peer-to-peer fundraising to encourage participants to set a donation goal and spread the word about the event.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/family-fun-run
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Events
Peer-to-peer

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
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/candy-bar-sale
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Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms

Grab bags

Reach out to local businesses and ask them to donate a small number of products that you can bundle together and offer donors online. 

To attract more partnerships from businesses, create a sponsorship proposal that emphasizes the benefits for them, like free publicity and marketing opportunities.  
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/grab-bags
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Auctions
Pages & forms

Yard sale


Turn old treasures into new funds for your good cause! Ask community members to host individual garage sales and donate their proceeds to your campaign—or host one large community yard sale using donated goods.

Create a fundraising page for your event, post campaign updates to keep people engaged, and update the fundraising total as donations come in.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/yard-sale
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Events
Pages & forms

Shoot-a-thon


In this basketball fundraiser, each contestant pays a small entry fee to see how many baskets they can make in a short amount of time.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share idea
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/shoot-a-thon
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Events
Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms

Pride-themed merch sale


Design and sell pride-themed merchandise such as t-shirts, buttons, stickers, and flags. To drum up excitement, create a custom donation form, event, or fundraising page that includes images of the available items.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pride-themed-merch-sale
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Events
Pages & forms

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
Share idea
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/field-day
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Events
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