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.

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.

All fundraising ideas

Filter
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

The guessing game


Fill a jar with candy at your next event and invite people to guess how many pieces are inside for a small donation. The closest guess wins all the candy!

Use scan-to-donate for quick, on-the-spot giving—just print the QR code on a poster or display it at your stand. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
1
Share idea
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/the-guessing-game
All
Events
Pages & forms

Locker room tour

Offer fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience that brings them closer to the team. The tour can feature team rituals, player gear, strategy boards, and even pre-game routines.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Share idea
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/locker-room-tour
All
Events
Pages & forms

Virtual bike-a-thon


Set a distance and have your bikers pay a registration fee to join in. Then, foster some friendly competition by encouraging supporters to start or join a team, raise funds, and set off wherever they are.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Share idea
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/virtual-bike-a-thon
All
Peer-to-peer
Events

Camp experience auction


Auction off camp spots, exclusive experiences, or premium camp gear to the highest bidders. This event builds excitement and encourages friendly competition while raising funds for beloved camp programs.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share idea
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/camp-experience-auction
All
Auctions

Dance team calendar

Put together your own dance team calendar, and sell this at classes, recitals, and community events to raise funds for your dance company or team. Givebutter’s event ticketing feature is customizable enough for you to use this to sell your calendars and other merch.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share idea
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/dance-team-calendar
All
Pages & forms

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.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share idea
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pumpkin-patch
All
Events
Pages & forms

Flag football tournament


Bring fans onto the field for some football fun! Teams register and pay to play and fans buy tickets to cheer them on.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Share idea
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/flag-football-tournament
All
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
Share idea
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/bail-out-the-pastor
All
Pages & forms

Local celebrities

Invite a local children’s book author or beloved mascot to an event. Guests will pay a fee to attend, ask questions, and take photos! 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share idea
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/local-celebrities
All
Events
Pages & forms

Fix the felines


Launch a trap-neuter-return fundraising campaign to help reduce the number of stray cats and kittens in your community. 

Make your fundraising goal visible with a fundraising thermometer, so supporters can see how their contributions are moving you one step closer to your goal. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share idea
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/fix-the-felines
All
Pages & forms

Monster Mash

Throw a rockin’ Halloween party for a good cause! Sell tickets and sponsorships, use Tap to Pay for drinks and snacks, and celebrate the best costumes with special prizes.

Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share idea
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/monster-mash
All
Events

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.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
Share idea
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pie-eating-contest
All
Peer-to-peer
Events

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
Share idea
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/paint-and-sip
All
Events
Pages & forms

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

Sponsor a stud


Let donors "sponsor" a piece of lumber for your next construction project. Customize donation amounts on your donation form to align with the cost of materials (e.g., $50 donation equals 3 studs). 

Don’t forget to invite all sponsors to the ribbon-cutting ceremony when construction is complete!
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Share idea
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/sponsor-a-stud
All
Pages & forms

Drive-in movie night


Turn a parking lot and the side of a building into a makeshift drive-in movie theater. Charge an entrance fee and raise funds by selling drinks and snacks. Sell tickets for your fundraising event in advance, and use engaging features like scan-to-donate and mobile app check-in to streamline your guests' experience.

Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Share idea
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/drive-in-movie-night
All
Events

Longest drive

Add some extra competition to your golf tournament by awarding a prize to the longest drive. You could even ask a company to sponsor the award to bring in even more funds for your cause.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
Share idea
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/longest-drive
All
Events
Peer-to-peer

Expert lecture series

Recruit local experts, professors, speakers, and community leaders to donate their time and expertise for a series of talks on a certain theme. 

Sell tickets to in-person attendees and offer a livestreaming option to increase donations and reach interested supporters from anywhere. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share idea
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/expert-lecture-series
All
Events

Car wash


Gather volunteers, soap, and plenty of rags to wash cars in exchange for donations. Easily accept onsite payments with a scan-to-donate QR code featuring Venmo and other modern methods. 

Give this classic fundraiser a fresh twist by adding a theme! Encourage volunteers to dress up as ‘80s icons, classic Disney characters, superheroes—you name it.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Share idea
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/car-wash
All
Pages & forms

Sports team car wash

Host a car wash where team members do the washing in their uniforms! Schedule players in shifts and offer premium wash packages for higher donations.
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Share idea
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/sports-team-car-wash
All
Events
Pages & forms

One-day giving event


Take part in Giving Tuesday or create your own giving day in which you mobilize your community to reach your fundraising goal in one day.

Keep your supporters invested in your progress with a goal bar and campaign updates that highlight milestones, matching gifts, and special shout-outs throughout the day.
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
Share idea
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/one-day-giving-event
All
Events
Pages & forms

Gift basket auction

Go big with your silent auction baskets! Ask local businesses to donate goods to help you fill hampers with items that fit different themes. Wrap them up nicely to entice bidders and bring in more dollars for your cause.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share idea
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/gift-basket-auction
All
Auctions
Events
Pages & forms

Donation drive


Set up a donation drive to collect valuable in-kind donations or financial gifts for your cause. This can be done by setting up a drop-off zone in person or collecting donations online through a fundraising page. No matter the format—make sure to share your fundraising goal far and wide to keep the momentum going!

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Share idea
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/donation-drive
All
Pages & forms

Take a pie to the face


Set up a booth and invite people to pay to throw a pie at willing participants like teachers, bosses, or coaches—the more authority, the more satisfying!

With scan-to-donate, pie throwers use your QR code to land on your donation page instantly—no waiting around.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
Share idea
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/take-a-pie-to-the-face
All
Events
Pages & forms
Looks like we don’t have any fundraising ideas matching that criteria 🔎
We're always cooking up new ideas, so check back soon for fresh picks!
Dive into our list of best fundraising ideas in the meantime 

Subscribe to
The Butter Brief

Get fundraising ideas, tips, and free resources right in your inbox

Subscribed! Your fundraising journey just got a whole lot butter. 🧈
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Givebutter helps you turn ideas into impact

Subscribe to
The Butter Brief

Get fundraising ideas, tips, and free resources right in your inbox

Subscribed! Your fundraising journey just got a whole lot butter. 🧈
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

The most-loved fundraising platform

G