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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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All fundraising ideas

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Reverse raffle

Unlike a traditional raffle, the last ticket holder gets the grand prize in a reverse raffle. Offer custom ticket types to feature various raffle items so participants have lots of options.

Before you start planning, be sure to check for any state regulations on raffles where you live!

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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Events
Auctions
Donation forms

Spring cleaning

Rally volunteers together for a spring cleaning of your community space or a street in your neighborhood. Reach out to local businesses to sponsor the event and offer supplies. Then, invite donations from your local community with scan-to-donate signage as you work!

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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Events
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Jeans day / Out of uniform day

Sell passes for a day out of uniform or a day in jeans. Allow parents to pre-pay ahead or donate on the day-of the event. For easy payments, use scan-to-donate or accept Venmo and other convenient options.

Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
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Kids vs. grownups field day

Organize an afternoon of hilarious games and exciting dual-team events, such as tug-of-war, that are sure to get the competitive spirit going.

Charge entrance fees for this fundraising event, offer for-sale hydration and snacks, and don’t forget prizes for the winners!

Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/kids-vs-grownups-field-day
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Events

Partner with a local restaurant

Partner with a celebrated local eatery to donate a percentage of their profits from a certain night or weekend to your fundraising campaign. Check out tips for securing corporate sponsorships to make the most of this opportunity.

Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/partner-with-a-local-restaurant
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Penny wars

Grades or classes compete to collect the most pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. Grab a few jars and encourage students to find some loose change to get started! To ensure that no one forgets their cents at home, send reminders to parents with free texting software.

Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/penny-wars
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Teddy bear picnic

Sell simple brown-bag lunches or have a mini bake sale at a picnic where participants can bring along their favorite stuffed animal. This fundraising event is a perfect family-friendly way to bring in needed funds.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/teddy-bear-picnic
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Events

Street painting competition

Choose a theme and get permission to secure a paved area where your supporters can register to paint their own parking space or designated square.

Ask a local business to donate painting supplies, and then invite the community to vote for the best-painted square by making a donation ($1 = 1 vote) with an easy scan-to-donate QR code.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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Give it up challenge

Invite supporters to “give up” something small like their morning coffee order for a set amount of time and donate those funds towards your campaign instead.

Create a fundraising page for your challenge, including a list of ideas and suggested donation amounts. Share campaign updates and donor shout-outs to keep momentum going toward your goal!

Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
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Peer-to-peer

Thrifty fashion show

Host a fashion show featuring only second-hand clothes, which will then be on sale after the show! Charge an entrance fee, sell food and drinks, and remember to send a big thank you to everyone when your fundraising event is all over.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/thrifty-fashion-show
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Events

Virtual fun run

Take your fundraising run online or create a hybrid event by encouraging participants to complete a designated distance anytime, anywhere! Be sure to use peer-to-peer fundraising to spread the word and bring in some major funds.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/virtual-fun-run
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Events
Peer-to-peer

Garage sale

Host a garage sale to transform your old belongings into funds for your mission. Your buyers will get some new treasures, and you will reach your fundraising goal.

Use our free email marketing software to send a big launch email with all the details, then send reminders closer to the day of the sale.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/garage-sale
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Pumpkin Games

Perfect for the Halloween season, challenge participants to a pay-to-play series of games like pumpkin races and decorating contests. Sell tickets in advance or on the day of using scan-to-donate or Venmo.

Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pumpkin-games
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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 with ease on a user-friendly platform.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/membership-drive
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Gift wrapping

Source donated paper, set up a gift wrapping station in a popular location, and charge for holiday gift-wrapping! Use scan-to-donate or Venmo to accept payments on the spot.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/gift-wrapping
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Donation forms
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Events

Speakeasy night

Sell tickets to a prohibition-era-themed night that features poker, themed cocktails, live music, and more. Sell tickets to this fundraising event ahead of time, and accept donations from latecomers on the spot, too.

Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/speakeasy-night
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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
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/local-celebrities
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Events
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One for one pledge

Whether you’re offering branded merch, boxed lunches, or other appealing products, incentivize even more donations for your cause by pledging to give away one “reward” item for each one purchased. (For example, for every pair of cozy socks sold, you’ll donate a pair to a local shelter.)

Showcase this cycle of generosity on your donation forms using custom labels and donation amounts to make it clear you’ll be making an in-kind donation for every monetary donation received.

Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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Fundraising page

Car smashing

Ask your local junkyard to donate totaled cars and invite supporters to make a donation to take a sledgehammer to them.

Sell different kinds of tickets online for smashers and audience members and offer food and drinks to raise even more during the fun. Don’t forget the safety goggles!

Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/car-smashing
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Events

Bingo night

Sell bingo cards and offer exciting prizes to keep everyone engaged all night long, either virtually or in person!

In the lead-up to your fundraising event, entice attendees with campaign updates featuring teasers of some of the prizes at stake.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/bingo-night
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Events

Sell swag or merch

Raise some extra funds for your organization or club and spread the word about your cause by selling branded swag like totes, stickers, and t-shirts.

With advanced ticketing features, you can offer each item on a mobile-friendly platform and add an image and available amount so supporters can easily purchase and share their sizing info, too!

Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/sell-swag-or-merch
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Fundraising page
Events
Donation forms
Auctions

Sponsor a stud

Encourage donors to "sponsor" a piece of lumber your team will use in your construction projects. Create custom labels for different donation amounts on your donation form that align with the cost of materials (e.g., $50 donation equals 3 pieces of lumber). Don’t forget to invite all sponsors to the ribbon-cutting ceremony when construction is complete!

Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/sponsor-a-stud
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Literary pub crawl

Each stop on this bar-hopping adventure features readings or performances inspired by famous works of literature related to a given theme—poems, books, plays, you name it!

To take this fundraising event further, arrange to have each watering hole feature a special cocktail or brew (with some non-alcoholic beverages in the mix!) to match your theme.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/literary-pub-crawl
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Events

Dog walking

Set up a service in which volunteers will walk or play with community members' dogs in exchange for a donation.

Simplify the experience for your supporters by using custom labels to create specific options on your donation forms, like $50 for a 2-hour walk.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/dog-walking
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Donation forms
Auctions

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