Fundraisers are essential for many organizations like nonprofits, schools, and churches. Fortunately, traditional avenues like auctions and raffles are joined by crowdsourcing and social media, giving organizers more fundraising strategies than ever before.
Plus, you can use tools like Eventbrite to make sure those strategies are executed smoothly and you attract the necessary funding to make your nonprofit organization thrive in any industry.
But in order to take advantage of those tools, you’ll need to run great events too! To help you brainstorm what your next fundraiser event could be, we’ve put together this list of unique and inspiring ideas.
Table of contents
- How our experts rated fundraising ideas
- Social fundraising ideas
- Easy fundraising ideas
- Unique fundraising ideas
- Extreme fundraising ideas
- Community charity fundraising ideas
- Sports fundraising ideas
- Arts and crafts fundraising ideas
How our experts rated fundraising ideas
Look for these handy ratings to easily judge which type of event will fit your needs:
1) Fundraising potential from ★ to ★★★★
Fundraising potential assesses how much an event might raise. This can vary widely, but a rating of ★ indicates that it might raise a few dozen dollars, like a lemonade stand, while a rating of ★★★★ means that it could raise upwards of $10,000.
2) Overhead cost from $ to $$$$
The overhead cost is an estimate of how much you’d have to pay to run an event like this. An event with an overhead cost of $ could probably be run with materials you already have on hand, or with purchases totalling less than $20. One with a cost of $$$$ could require renting specialized equipment, a venue, a team of professionals, or other costs that would total more than $10,000.
3) Event complexity from + to ++++
Event complexity is how much time and effort you’d have to put in to make the event happen. A complexity of + means you could probably throw the event together in just a few days if you needed to—although that might be a little stressful! An event with a complexity of ++++ needs multiple months of preparation.
Social fundraiser ideas
Social fundraising events will bring people together while encouraging them to donate to your cause. Social interaction is a core part of these events, which makes them especially appealing on top of the fun activities they include. That’s why experts say social interaction is key to successful fundraising events.
1. Fashion show
1) Fundraising potential: ★★★
2) Overhead cost: $$
3) Event complexity: ++
Got a catwalk? Got models? You actually don’t need either to pull off a fundraising fashion show. At the Cancer Warrior Fashion Show & Brunch Charity Event in Powder Springs, Georgia, put on by Bald Nation Rocks Against Cancer, the catwalk featured cancer survivors while live music, spoken word poetry, and a silent auction added to the fun. Consider offering a small prize to the best-dressed!
When and where?
Piggyback onto the four major fashion weeks of New York, London, Milan, and Paris—held twice a year on successive weekends, typically in February and September. Alternatively, you can hold your event in the counter seasons in summer and winter. Set up tents and heaters if rain or cold temperatures threaten your good time.
Challenges to consider
Designers and models tend to be the stars of a fashion show. Finding stars to make your event stand out takes persistence and a keen eye.
2. Auction a date
1) Fundraising potential: ★★★
2) Overhead cost: $
3) Event complexity: +
Date auctioning works great if the date in question is someone well-known or beloved in the community. Think outside the box on this one. Maybe it’s your CEO—dressed up for the date as the winner’s choice character from history? If you can recruit volunteers, coworkers, and colleagues who are likely to bid, it can make for a great peer fundraising opportunity.
When and where?
Although romance is a year-long affair, an event around Valentine’s Day might attract additional interest.
Challenges to consider
Keep this event fun and lighthearted as a strategy to avoid any unseemly overtones and make sure everyone has a great time.
3. Silent auctions
1) Fundraising potential: ★★★★
2) Overhead cost: $$
3) Event complexity: ++
The best way to have a successful silent auction is to have some creative ideas for the auction items. Think about experiences instead of things. Perhaps you have supporters willing to grant access to their vacation home for the weekend. You can also try an online auction, with the advantage of more people being able to participate at the same time.
When and where?
If your event is tax deductible, an end-of-year event might inspire additional donations from those seeking to meet certain charitable giving thresholds. Host it in a dining hall, ballroom, or similar indoor venue, which can have better acoustics than outdoor settings.
Challenges to consider
Procuring donations that people will want to bid on is key. It can take time, social capital, and creativity to put together an appealing set of goods to bid on, so don’t take that challenge lightly.
4. A carnival
1) Fundraising potential: ★★★
2) Overhead cost: $$$
3) Event complexity: ++++
Skip the outdated carousels and make up your own games with homemade booths and DIY costumes for a lower cost and more personalized event experience. Carnivals are great fundraising ideas for the whole community—feel free to invite students from local schools.
When and where?
Carnivals are usually outdoors, so warm weather might be preferred. You’ll need plenty of space, so set up in an expansive parking lot, large park, or empty field.
Challenges to consider
Along with booths and other attractions, carnivals typically include food and drink booths, souvenir booths, and similar features, so there are a wide variety of vendors to accommodate. That often means even higher ticket sales, but you’ll need a crew of dedicated supporters to help you set it up and run the event.
5. Scavenger hunt
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $$
3) Event complexity: +++
Use an app like Actionbound to set up a scavenger hunt that combines an IRL (in real life) experience with augmented reality. Set up a small fee as an optional donation and let everyone know that it’s for a good cause.
When and where?
Choose a place with plenty of features that can help conceal your treasures. Hold it outdoors in good weather or—if rain, snow, or cold threaten—rent out an indoor playground or similar facility for more comfortable hunting.
Challenges to consider
Some less tech-savvy guests may be inexperienced with augmented reality features, so be ready to provide assistance for virtual fundraising ideas like this.
6. Movie night
1) Fundraising potential ★★
2) Overhead cost: $
3) Event complexity: +
Screen a movie for your group and ask for donations in exchange for tickets. You can also sell concessions like popcorn, candy, soft drinks, and beer to generate additional revenues.
When and where?
If a local cinema is willing to participate, that would be ideal. Otherwise, you could rent a projector and put up a white sheet in a backyard or public park.
Challenges to consider
Make sure to follow the local laws for screening movies for large groups, and if you’re serving alcohol, even if it’s for a nonprofit.
7. Bake sale
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $
3) Event complexity: +
Hold a bake sale and ask participants to collect pledges or pay an entry fee for freshly baked goods. Have fun prizes for the teams with the highest sales and most creative displays.
When and where?
You might want to do this in front of a local grocery store, at the farmer’s market, or anywhere with a lot of foot traffic.
Challenges to consider
Offer a variety of options for people with allergies and dietary restrictions.
8. Wine tasting
1) Fundraising potential: ★★★
2) Overhead cost: $$
3) Event complexity: ++
Invite participants to a wine tasting event and charge an entry fee. Offer samples of different types of wines, from white and red to sparkling and rosé.
When and where?
This is another event that could work at a restaurant just as well as someone’s house. Research local vineyards, wineries, and breweries to see if they offer venue rentals—you can even host an online wine tasting event! But you might want to do it on a weekend when people don’t have to wake up too early the next day!
Challenges to consider
Be sure everyone’s of age, don’t over-serve your guests, and make sure everyone has a safe way to get home.
9. Karaoke night
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $
3) Event complexity: ++
Organize a karaoke night and charge an admission fee at the door and, of course, for drinks. Encourage participants to get pledges from their friends and family for each song they sing.
When and where?
Hold it at a local pub or bar, or rent out equipment and host it in your own space.
Challenges to consider
Make sure the song selections available are appropriate for all ages that will attend.
10. Talent show
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $
3) Event complexity: +++
Invite performers of all kinds—singers, dancers, magicians—and ask them to collect pledges or pay an entry fee. Offer prizes for the most creative performance.
When and where?
This event would be best somewhere with a stage. A theater, school, or community center could work, depending on what’s available.
Challenges to consider
Make sure to review what everyone’s doing ahead of time to be sure it’s appropriate for the whole family.
11. Family Fun Day
1) Fundraising potential: ★★★
2) Overhead cost: $$
3) Event complexity: +++
Organize a family fun day with activities like face painting, arts and crafts, and balloon animals. Ask participants to collect pledges or pay an entry fee.
When and where?
This is best in a large, open space. A big parking lot, behind a school, or a public park could work.
Challenges to consider
This is a complicated event to organize, so be sure that everyone’s carrying their weight. You’ll need to organize a team of volunteers and set up the logistics for many different activities. You’ll also need to get your budget straight and find people with the skills to run those programs.
Easy fundraiser ideas
If something is an easy fundraiser event, you can be sure it won’t need too much preparation. These are easy ways to raise funds in case there’s a last-minute change of plans, and they’re very fun to put together as well! Our experts think you can probably pull off these events quickly and at a low cost.
12. Neighborhood street party
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $$
3) Event complexity: +
This is a great way to make money for a local community cause or a recent calamity. Have neighbors donate food and drinks and loan out lawn chairs. You could even get local businesses to participate!
When and where?
Hold it in a neighborhood park or set it up on front yards and driveways. Because it’s outdoors, hold it in spring or summer when the weather permits, or set up outdoor heaters for chillier temps.
Challenges to consider
The more neighbors that partake in the event, the more fun your event will be. Choose a cause that your neighbors will be likely to support, and make sure you’ve done your research about any local permits you might need.
13. Car wash
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $
3) Event complexity: ++
This classic isn’t just for high school sports teams. Have the higher-ups in your organization wash the cars to increase visibility in your community.
When and where?
Set up anywhere with access to a hose and spigot—and a lot of traffic.
Challenges to consider
Some automobile paints are sensitive to certain soaps, so be careful to use only approved suds.
14. Clothing swap
1) Fundraising potential: ★
2) Overhead cost: $
3) Event complexity: ++
Hand-me-downs aren’t just for family members anymore! Hang everyone’s upcycled clothes on retail racks, and let participants “shop” and swap for one new piece of apparel or buy them for cash. Donate all the rest to charity. For a more specific version of this, consider running a shoe drive fundraiser as well.
When and where?
Calendar your swap near the beginning of spring or fall, when people change their wardrobe for the new season. Set up your racks anywhere with good lighting, so people can see the colors and designs clearly.
Challenges to consider
Be sure to bring baskets or hampers to carry leftover goods to charity.
15. Community garage sale
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $$
3) Event complexity: +
Help community members declutter and support a worthy cause by donating to a yard sale, with the proceeds going to nonprofit organizations. This is one of the easiest ways to get rid of unnecessary junk while doing something helpful for others.
When and where?
A garage sale can be held any time of year, so long as the weather won’t prevent setting up your goods in the neighborhood’s open garages.
Challenges to consider
A successful fundraiser depends on the quantity—and quality—of the goods. Separating out your big-ticket items from the more everyday items can help draw attention to them so they don’t get lost among smaller-value stuff.
16. Dog wash
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $$
3) Event complexity: ++
Invite the public to come and get their pooch sudsed up for a set amount of donation money. You could even partner with local animal shelters for this. This would work especially well on National Dog Day!
When and where?
You might be especially busy during holiday periods when families want their dogs to look their best. Set up in a garage or yard, where access to an outdoor spigot is likely.
Challenges to consider
Animals can be unpredictable, so be careful to protect against dog bites and require proof of vaccination.
Unique fundraiser ideas
Do you want your fundraising event to stand out from the crowd? Unique fundraising ideas will catch others’ attention and create lasting memories, on top of raising money for a good cause. That’s why our experts recommend these creative ways to inspire donors and attendees.
17. Charity dips
1) Fundraising potential: ★★★
2) Overhead cost: $
3) Event complexity: ++
Organize your fundraiser around a polar bear plunge in a chilly lake or ocean in your local area. Offer prizes for people that swim a certain distance or stay in for a long (but safe!) amount of time.
When and where?
These are commonly set in wintertime, often on New Year’s Day.
Challenges to consider
Safety is always a concern when dealing with the elements, especially in cold weather. Be sure to bring life jackets for those who need them and consider hiring medics to be on hand in case of emergency. Make sure participants all feel comfortable.
18. Gaming tournament
1) Fundraising potential: ★★★
2) Overhead cost: $
3) Event complexity: ++
Grab some retro consoles, borrow some TVs, and you’ve got yourself a gaming event. Go all night, and you’ve got a marathon. This fundraising event is great for families. It’s also a great option if you’re interested in holding virtual events.
When and where?
Hold it on a Saturday or Sunday when more kids will be able to participate. Choose an online game or stream on Twitch for an online fundraiser.
Challenges to consider
Test your A/V equipment and internet connections in advance so you don’t experience technical problems mid-event.
19. Paint jam
1) Fundraising potential ★★
2) Overhead cost $$
3) Event complexity ++
Charity street art events—often called “paint jams”—are one of the most unique fundraisers you can host. They bring together several street artists to paint live, reeling in fans to watch the artists in action, either in-person or by live streaming. You can also sell art supplies beforehand so a wider audience can join in on the fun, as San Gabriel Mission High School did. Raise money by selling tickets, raffling off the artwork, or bringing in sponsors like local companies.
When and where?
You’ll want good weather, so rain or snow doesn’t damage the art. Or set up in a gym or community center where the weather won’t threaten the art.
Challenges to consider
Paint can easily stain floors and other surfaces, so be sure to bring a protective cover.
20. Open mic night
1) Fundraising potential: ★★★
2) Overhead cost: $$
3) Event complexity: +++
Let donors explore their stand-up comedy aspirations with an open mic night. Invite a professional comedian to emcee and keep the night moving. See if a local restaurant might be willing to host.
When and where?
An open mic night can be held any time of year, but to create that unique comedy club ambiance, you’ll want to find a venue with a stage and sound system.
Challenges to consider
A spotlight helps the audience see the performer and creates a sense of excitement.
21. Powder play
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $$
3) Event complexity: ++
The Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre (WOCRC) embraced the winter flurries as a fun way to fundraise. Have a snowball fight, a snowman-making contest, or, if you’re feeling extra adventurous, try dog-sledding. Charge admission and let everyone enjoy!
When and where?
This one’s strictly an outdoors-in-deepest-winter affair, so encourage attendees to bring a heavy jacket and gloves. Given the need for snow, the holiday season is the perfect time to plan a snow day!
Challenges to consider
Ensuring participants stay warm in freezing temperatures is essential, so extra jackets, gloves, hats, blankets, and maybe a warming tent.
22. Egg drop competition
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $
3) Event complexity: +++
Invite teams of participants to engineer a container that can safely carry an egg from the top of a building. Ask them to collect pledges or pay an entry fee, and offer prizes for the team with the most creative design and the best-performing egg protector.
When and where?
Buildings, cliffs, and other tall locations all make great places for this. It’s best done outdoors, so try and do it on a sunny day that isn’t very windy.
Challenges to consider
People that don’t successfully protect their eggs will make quite a mess, so be ready for some cleanup!
23. Jigsaw puzzle challenge
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $$
3) Event complexity: ++
Invite participants to complete jigsaw puzzles as quickly as they can. Have them collect pledges or pay an entry fee, with the proceeds going to your chosen charity. Offer prizes for the first to finish.
When and where?
Anyone’s living room, garage, or basement could work for this.
Challenges to consider
Make sure you have enough tables, and don’t let people bump into others’ tables and ruin their progress.
24. Chocolate tasting
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $$
3) Event complexity: ++
Invite participants to a chocolate-tasting event and charge an entry fee or ask them to collect pledges from their friends and family. Offer samples of different types of chocolates, including white, dark, and milk chocolate.
When and where?
You can do this anywhere! A fancy restaurant, someone’s dining room or kitchen, or any space with enough seating will work.
Challenges to consider
Pay attention to allergens, and see if local chocolate makers will give you a discount or a donation for the event.
25. Lip sync battle
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $
3) Event complexity: +++
Hold a lip sync battle and ask participants to collect pledges for each song they lip sync. Have prizes for the most creative performance, the funniest rendition, and more.
When and where?
This is best in a place with a stage, such as a local school or community center.
Challenges to consider
You’ll need full buy-in from the people participating, so make sure they’re on board.
26. Tabletop gaming night
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $
3) Event complexity: ++
Hold a tabletop gaming night and have participants collect pledges or pay an entry fee to play some great board games. Offer prizes for the best plays, winners of challenging games, and more.
When and where?
Local gaming stores have the experience to help you host a board game tournament, but you could do it anywhere with enough space.
Challenges to consider
Have a wide variety of games to play, and make sure there’s a good mix of experienced players and newbies.
27. Garden party
1) Fundraising potential: ★★★
2) Overhead cost: $$
3) Event complexity: +
Hold a garden party and ask participants to collect pledges or pay an entry fee. Have fun prizes for the team with the best flower arrangement, the most creative vegetable sculpture, and more.
When and where?
A park or garden would fit the vibe well, but premium locations like country clubs or luxury event spaces are more likely to attract higher spenders.
Challenges to consider
This event hinges on who you can invite and what location you can get. Try and leverage your network to get the fanciest location and guest list you can!
28. Game show night
1) Fundraising potential: ★★★
2) Overhead cost: $$
3) Event complexity: +++
Organize an evening of classic game shows and have participants collect pledges or pay an entry fee. Offer prizes for the team with the highest score on each show.
When and where?
This works best if you can have a large audience, so either a park or a large private space would be ideal.
Challenges to consider
Some game shows require elaborate props, so be sure you’re equipped with whatever you need to make the games happen.
29. Costume contest
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $$
3) Event complexity: ++
Invite contestants to dress up in their spookiest, wackiest, and most outrageous costumes and have them collect pledges or pay an entry fee. Offer prizes for the funniest costume, best makeup, and more.
When and where?
You could always do this around Halloween, but don’t let that limit you!
Challenges to consider
Make sure that everyone understands the standards for the costumes, what kinds would be appropriate, and if there’s a theme they should stick to.
Extreme fundraiser ideas
Maybe you want your fundraising event to get people out of their comfort zones and raise their adrenaline a little. Experts recommend extreme fundraising ideas because they’re exciting events that make everyone eager to contribute.
30. Murder mystery
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $$
3) Event complexity: ++
Murder mystery nights are a great way to bring some theater to regular dinner parties, and can easily be held as virtual fundraising events as well as IRL. Include props and beverages in the ticket price for an effective way to upsell.
When and where?
An autumn evening strikes us as appropriately haunting. Rent out an old mansion or a similarly spooky locale for the evening.
Challenges to consider
These events require a certain level of creativity to pull off the ideal ambiance, particularly in building a sufficiently mysterious narrative, so be sure to involve your most artistic colleagues.
31. Muddy obstacle course
1) Fundraising potential: ★★★
2) Overhead cost: $$$
3) Event complexity: +++
Create your own version of Tough Mudder by reserving a field for the day and putting together an obstacle course. People can enter as teams or solo. The fundraising opportunities are twofold as participants both pay to enter and also ask for friends and family sponsorship.
When and where?
Since part of the appeal of an obstacle course is challenging oneself physically, set yours any time of year—though depending on the local climate, the heart of winter might discourage participants.
Challenges to consider
The courses can require significant acreage, so be sure you have access to a large park or field.
32. Eating challenge
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $$
3) Event complexity: +++
For those hardy souls always willing to try adventurous foods, now’s your chance to really test them. Instead of haggis or sautéed snails, challenge your contestants to eat “interesting” foods that you can find at home. Think hot dog smoothies or chocolate and cheese pizza. Have people pledge money or pay low entry fees. As the cash rolls in, ask your at-home challengers to eat the next strange food combination on the list.
When and where?
A restaurant or dining hall makes a good setting for a food-based event.
Challenges to consider
Food events may require compliance with health regulations, so be sure to check your local rules.
33. Geocaching excursion
1) Fundraising potential: ★
2) Overhead cost: $
3) Event complexity: ++
Hold a geocaching competition in your local area and invite participants to search for hidden treasures. Ask them to collect pledges or charge entry fees, with the proceeds going to your chosen charity.
When and where?
The whole area is your oyster! That’s the beautiful thing about geocaching—you can do it anywhere, but normally outdoors.
Challenges to consider
Be careful to make sure that nobody trespasses on private property, and make sure everyone knows how geocaching works.
Community charity fundraiser ideas
A community charity event is a great opportunity for everyone in a neighborhood, club, or social group to get together to support a cause. They’re perfect for groups that live nearby or already have common connections with one another.
Experts recommend that bringing a community together is a great way to improve your fundraising efforts.
34. Raffle
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $
3) Event complexity: ++
Pool together some money or find a local donor to offer a great prize. Then, sell raffle tickets to give it away. It’s a simple fundraising method that’s practiced nationwide, and no wonder—it’s easy enough that an organization of any size can pull it off.
When and where?
Depending on what the prize is, this can go year-round, but, for example, people offering up a stay at a vacation home might be more willing to donate time in the off-season.
Challenges to consider
Make sure to have a way to contact the winner. You don’t want someone missing out on their prize!
35. Potluck dinner
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $
3) Event complexity: +
Organize a potluck dinner and ask participants to bring a dish to share. Collect donations or charge an entry fee, with the proceeds going to your chosen charity.
When and where?
Potluck dinners are perfect for a friend’s backyard, weather permitting.
Challenges to consider
Make sure people know what kinds of food others are bringing—you don’t want everyone bringing dessert!
36. Chili cook-off
1) Fundraising potential ★★★
2) Overhead cost $
3) Event complexity ++
Gather neighbors and friends together at a park or church to see whose Texas red or chile verde takes the prize. For example, at the West Chester Chili Cook-Off near Philadelphia, more than 50 teams, made up of a mix of restaurant staff members and home cooks, competed for the people’s choice prize, and proceeds benefited the Rotary Club of West Chester.
When and where?
The heat from red and green chilis might be especially tasty when the weather turns chilly. Hold it in a park if the sun is shining, or duck into a community center or parish hall if temperatures drop.
Challenges to consider
Food safety is paramount, so check with local authorities about what regulations are in effect.
37. Seedling sale
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $
3) Event complexity: +
Raising houseplants from seed can be extremely rewarding. Set up a plant sale where local green thumbs can sell cuttings from their favorite plants to raise money for your chosen charity group.
When and where?
A seedling sale should be held in the spring, naturally. Choose a setting somewhere verdant such as a yard or park.
Challenges to consider
Avoid excess plastic waste by encouraging attendees to bring their own seedling pots or to repurpose yogurt cups, soda cans, and even folded newsprint.
38. Trivia night
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $$
3) Event complexity: ++
Host a trivia night and charge an admission fee or ask people to donate to enter. Break people into teams and offer prizes for the top-performing team. Make sure some questions are specific to your cause so that everyone is educated while they’re having fun.
When and where?
Local bars, restaurants, and cafés are great for this, but you can also hold a trivia night at someone’s home.
Challenges to consider
Keep things varied so people don’t get bored in the middle. Consider serving food or drinks for a change of pace and additional fundraising.
39. Food truck rally
1) Fundraising potential: ★★★
2) Overhead cost: $
3) Event complexity: +++
Invite food truck vendors to join in a rally and have them collect pledges or pay an entry fee, with the proceeds going to your chosen charity. Offer prizes for the most creative dishes, best presentation, and more.
When and where?
Cities will sometimes restrict where food trucks can operate, so check your local regulations for where this would be possible.
Challenges to consider
You’ll need to do some significant marketing to convince the food truck operators that it’ll be worth bringing their trucks over. Otherwise, you’ll need to offer a financial incentive that could increase your costs significantly.
Sports fundraiser ideas
Sports are a great way to bring people together for a day of fundraising. You’ll have plenty of eager attendees happy to play their favorite game and whilst helping others. That’s why our experts recommend sports fundraisers as a great way to raise money while having fun.
40. Bike ride
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $$
3) Event complexity: +++
Organize a group bike ride and ask participants to collect pledges from their friends and family. You can also charge an entry fee or have attendees pay for their own food and supplies.
When and where?
Any local bike trail would work, or even a track if one is available.
Challenges to consider
Make sure to plan ahead for the route, parking, rest stops, and other details. Larger events may require official permits and even escorts from municipal authorities.
41. Softball home run competition
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $$
3) Event complexity: +++
Invite local sluggers to see who can hit the most home runs. Ask participants to obtain pledges for the number of home runs they hit. You can also charge a small admission fee for spectators.
When and where?
Baseball season starts in spring and continues through the summer into early fall. Reserve a community baseball field through your city or county, or set up a makeshift fence in a field with home plate at an appropriate distance.
Challenges to consider
Be sure to bring extra gloves, bats, and balls in case attendees forget to bring their own.
42. H-O-R-S-E competition
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $$
3) Event complexity: ++
Challenge participants to this classic game, where two or more participants must match each other’s basketball shots, from wherever on the court they decide to shoot. Ask for donations per shot made.
When and where?
This event can be held throughout the year, either at an outdoor basketball court at a park or, if the weather’s adverse, head indoors at a high school or city court.
Challenges to consider
Be sure to let your players know the rules ahead of time so everyone is on the same page. You may want to include a referee to make rulings on any questions of fair play that may arise.
43. Dance-a-thon
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $
3)Event complexity: ++
Hold a dance-a-thon and ask participants to collect pledges or pay an admission fee. Play music all night and offer prizes for the dancer who can last the longest on their feet. Invite local DJs to spin and hire a photographer to capture the night’s events.
When and where?
A local bar or dance club would be perfect but don’t be afraid to improvise and hold it in someone’s basement or garage.
Challenges to consider
Watch the temperature, and make sure people have access to plenty of water.
44. Golf tournament
1) Fundraising potential: ★★★★
2) Overhead cost: $$$
3) Event complexity: +++
Play a full 18-hole PGA-style tournament with some friendly competition, or simply make it a putting tournament to include those daunted by a longer event. You could even make it a miniature golf tournament for a kid-friendly affair. Charge green fees as donations to your charity.
When and where?
Set your day on the greens in spring or summer on your municipal course. Or partner with a country club for access to additional courses (and benefactors).
Challenges to consider
Rain can delay or even prevent your tournament from finishing, so pay attention to the latest reports. Make sure registrants provide contact information in case you need to inform them of any scheduling changes. Running this can be complex, so it might be good to have someone with nonprofit training help out.
45. Beach volleyball tournament
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $$
3) Event complexity: +++
Team up in twos for fun in the sun and sand. Invite registrants to sign up as teams or put teams together by picking names randomly. Ask for donations from participants and attendees, with the collected funds donated to the tournament winner’s favorite charity.
When and where?
Set this for when the sun will be out. If you don’t live near a sandy shore, try setting up a temporary sandbox in a park.
Challenges to consider
For people to be able to watch the competition live, consider setting up folding beach chairs for that summer feel, or, if your budget allows, renting grandstands.
46. Bowling tournament
1) Fundraising potential: ★★★
2) Overhead cost: $$
3) Event complexity: ++
Invite teams of bowlers to compete against each other and ask them to collect pledges or pay an entry fee. Have fun prizes for things like the team with the highest score and the best-dressed bowlers.
When and where?
This one needs to be at a bowling alley, but make sure you have their blessing–you don’t want to upset your hosts by interfering with their regular business!
Challenges to consider
The event needs a specific location, so make sure you have that locked in before you do any further planning.
47. Kite flying festival
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $
3) Event complexity: +
Go fly a kite! Organize a kite flying festival and invite participants of all ages to celebrate the joys of flight. Ask them to collect pledges or pay an entry fee, with the proceeds going to your chosen charity. Offer prizes for the most creative designs, longest flights, and more.
When and where?
Public parks are best for this. If you live near the beach, that’d be perfect as well!
Challenges to consider
Make sure to teach people how to fly their kites without getting tangled in others, and try to find a place with consistent wind.
48. Mini-golf tournament
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $$
3) Event complexity: +++
Organize a mini golf tournament and have participants collect pledges or pay an entry fee. Have prizes for the team with the lowest score, the most creative costumes, and more.
When and where?
While a local mini golf course would be best, you could use your crafts skills and make your own course!
Challenges to consider
This is another location-specific event, so your biggest challenge will be finding a location that’s the perfect fit.
49. Dodgeball tournament
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $
3) Event complexity: ++
Organize a dodgeball tournament and invite participants of all skill levels to compete against each other. Ask them to collect pledges or pay an entry fee, with the proceeds going to your chosen charity. Offer prizes for the team with the highest score and best strategies.
When and where?
A gymnasium at a local school or community center would work best with this.
Challenges to consider
Make sure the teams are balanced–you don’t want little kids going up against adults.
50. Golf tournament
1) Fundraising potential: ★★★★
2) Overhead cost: $$
3) Event complexity: +++
Hold a golf tournament and ask participants to collect pledges or pay an entry fee. Have fun prizes for things like the team with the lowest score and the most creative strategy. See if a local small business or local store would be a sponsor!
When and where?
Try to organize this for a sunny day without too much wind. It’s always good to plan ahead and have a backup plan in case of inclement weather.
Challenges to consider
The barrier to entry for this is higher than with other fundraisers, so make sure you have interest from people who can participate.
Arts and crafts fundraiser ideas
Help others get in touch with their creative side by putting together an arts and crafts fundraiser. Your guests will come away with a project, skill, or experience they didn’t have before, and that could make them even happier to donate. Those advantages make arts and crafts fundraisers a great way to raise money.
51. Tie-dye workshop
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $
3) Event complexity: +
Show participants how to create the perfect psychedelic tie-dyed t-shirt with a workshop that’s perfect for families and art kids alike. At a tie-dye workshop put on by the Mosaic Community Garden of Chula Vista near San Diego, California, attendees learned to design and dye their own shirts for a $10 donation benefiting the organization’s Garden Waterwise Program. Stock up on T-shirts to sell for additional revenues.
When and where?
Use an art studio or garage, where spilled dyes won’t cause damage.
Challenges to consider
For family-friendly events, choose dyes that can be easily washed off the skin, so parents can quickly clean off their kids.
52. Collaging classes
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $
3) Event complexity: +
Invite a local art instructor to teach principles of composition, color design, and collage. Use old newspapers and magazines to create unique works—since no drawing skills are necessary, collages can be especially attractive to a wide range of people. As a bonus, they can be themed around your charity’s goals and shared on social media–with the creator’s permission, of course.
When and where?
Art instructors might be most available when school is out, such as during the summer and winter holidays. This should be held indoors so that the wind won’t blow photos and other materials away.
Challenges to consider
Stock up on magazines, newspapers, posters, and other art that can be used by your participants in their collages.
53. Cupcake decorating class
1) Fundraising potential: ★★
2) Overhead cost: $$$
3) Event complexity: ++
Invite a local baker to teach the sweet art of cupcake decoration. Provide pre-baked cupcakes and all the sugary decorations—sprinkles, icing tubes, candy pieces—and attendees will love unleashing their creativity. You can even create your own version of “Cupcake Wars” and offer prizes for the top cupcake decorator!
When and where?
Rent a venue with a kitchen or look for someone to donate some time in a cooking classroom with all the equipment you’ll need.
Challenges to consider
Watch out for allergens, and make sure there’s plenty of equipment for everyone!
54. Escape room challenge
1) Fundraising potential: ★★★
2) Overhead cost: $
3) Event complexity: +++
Invite teams of participants to join in an escape room challenge and have them collect pledges or pay an entry fee. Offer prizes for the team with the most creative solution and fastest completion time.
When and where?
Get creative! Escape rooms can be in any kind of building, or even outdoors, so do some research to get inspired.
Challenges to consider
Building a whole escape room is easier said than done. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but you’ll certainly benefit from well-made props and decorations.
Get started on your next fundraiser
With more than 50 new and exciting fundraising ideas provided by experts, what will you plan for your next fundraiser?
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