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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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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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Fitness challenge


Participants commit to completing a certain number of workouts and collect pledges for each milestone achieved using personal peer-to-peer fundraising pages.

Watch as donations come in and friends and family share words of encouragement on the supporter feed.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/fitness-challenge
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Events
Peer-to-peer

Tailgate party


Invite a local restaurant to contribute or have volunteers create a menu for a tailgate. Sell entry tickets and offer some fun merch or special treats at an additional price to bring in extra dollars.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/tailgate-party
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Paint and sip

Get creative juices flowing with a fundraising paint and sip! Sell tickets, and provide snacks and art materials. Add an element of friendly competition and ask participants to vote on their favorite painting at the end. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/paint-and-sip
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Outdoor education class


Invite your community to explore the world around you with an outdoor education experience. Determine your target age group(s) and create an out-of-classroom adventure they’ll treasure.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/outdoor-education-class
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Halloween costume run


Ask supporters to wear their silliest or spookiest Halloween costumes during this fun run. Use team or peer-to-peer fundraising to help participants set a donation goal and spread the word. At the end, award special prizes to the race winners, the teams or individuals who raised the most, and the best costumes!
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/halloween-costume-run
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Events
Peer-to-peer

Membership drive


Incentivize supporters to invite friends and family to sign up for a membership during a specific period of time. Offer discounted rates or additional perks, and accept recurring donations on a monthly or annual basis.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/membership-drive
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“Celebrity” breakfast

Charge an entrance fee for a special family breakfast with a beloved children’s character like Elmo! Check-in attendees and accept in-person donations with Tap to Pay as guests arrive, ask volunteers to whip up scrambled eggs and pancakes, and arrange a corner of the room for family photos and selfies. 
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/celebrity-breakfast
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Boardwalk bash


Host a boardwalk get-together complete with carnival games and treats. You can also use the event to introduce a renovation project for your beachside community and rally support for your cause.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/boardwalk-bash
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Influencer collaboration

Partner with local celebrities, influencers, or experts to amplify your campaign on social. Ask them to donate, match contributions, share your campaign with their followers.

Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/influencer-collaboration
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Peer-to-peer

Home decor workshop


Charge a registration fee and provide materials for attendees to create their own home decor. Selecting seasonal DIY projects—such as holiday wreaths or pumpkin painting—is a great way to draw a larger crowd. Take this event to the next level by turning it into a competition! Once all projects are completed, attendees can donate to vote for who should be crowned winner.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/home-decor-workshop
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Coding bootcamp

Partner with coding organizations and offer students discounted class fees and programs. Be sure to include some appealing benefits for participating companies in your corporate sponsorship proposal, like free marketing and publicity.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/coding-bootcamp
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Events

Elect an animal


Nominate some of the animals in your care to be “election candidates.” Create fundraising pages for the nominees and have supporters cast their vote by donating. Be sure to spotlight each animal’s story and how your organization has helped them thrive. 
 
The winning animal receives some extra treats—and social media recognition! 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/elect-an-animal
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Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms

Night at the museum

Secure a sponsorship from a local museum and invite families and community members to make a donation to enjoy a crowd-free evening of fun.  
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/night-at-the-museum
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Scratch card fundraiser


Buy a batch of scratch cards from a wholesaler. Each circle hides a dollar amount, typically ranging from 50 cents to several dollars. Participants scratch off as many spots as they’d like—the total amount revealed is how much they’ll donate!

Collect cash or accept virtual payments on the spot with Tap-to-Pay, Venmo, and other convenient options.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/scratch-card-fundraiser
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Events

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
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/ales-for-tails
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Events

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
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/puck-cancer
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Events
Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms

Beach day

Arrange a day of sand and sun for your team members, volunteers, and the wider community with beach games, a picnic, and lots of family fun. 

Set an affordable ticket price or ask for donations to cover the cost of the event and raise funds—whichever you choose, our fundraising event tools can help!
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/beach-day
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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
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/you-name-it
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Give $5, grab 5 friends

Ask your supporters to donate $5 to your cause. Then, each donor has to tag at least five people via social media. The goal is that each person who gets tagged matches that $5 gift to your campaign—and then tags five others.

This is a great social media fundraising idea that can spread quickly within your community, helping you raise funds fast.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/give-5-grab-5-friends
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Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms

Secret supper

Sell tickets to a dining experience where guests purchase tickets to a "secret" location revealed only hours before the event. Use a texting software to send updates to attendees and inform them of the location.

Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/secret-supper
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Silent auction


Swap your traditional auction for a silent one, where supporters or live audience members can bid any time before the auction ends. With a silent auction, your supporters are able to bid on items online or with their phones via QR code, making it easy and accessible for all.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/silent-auction
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Auctions

Back-to-school sale


Get everyone set up for the new school year with a back-to-school sale. Sell items like stationery, backpacks, water bottles, and other accessories for kids of all ages.

Customize online tickets with the name and image of each product, so your supporters can easily choose between the items on sale.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/back-to-school-sale
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Events
Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms

Carve for cancer


Grab your snowboards and support a good cause with this fun winter fundraising idea. Combine slope-side competitions with live music, refreshments, and vendors.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Share idea
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/carve-for-cancer
All
Events
Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms
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