College fundraising ideas
Whether you're raising money for your study abroad trip or on behalf of a local nonprofit, college fundraising requires strategy. To stand out in a crowd of other activities, you’ll need fresh campaigns and events that are fun and easy to get involved in.
These university fundraising ideas will help you tap into the generosity of your fellow students, faculty, alumni, and the broader campus community.
Walkathon
Sell official charity gear, encourage supporters to share updates on their own personal donation pages, and award top fundraisers with exciting prizes.
Adopt-a-room
Shoe-decorating
To create a seamless event experience, set up custom ticket types, like an upsell ticket that provides a pair of shoes. Make sure to add a custom question to get the right shoe size!
Cup of coffee
Offer scan to-donate and accept Venmo donations to make giving even easier.
Car smashing
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!
Flower bouquets
Create a fundraising page with custom donation amounts featuring a photo of each kind of bouquet and the number available so donors can reserve bouquets online or purchase in person.
Pet therapy
Charge an entry fee and sell inexpensive extras like dog and cat treats. Be sure to offer multiple ways to purchase treats in-person like scan-to-donate and Venmo!
Networking night
Gift wrapping
Virtual food/wine tasting
Jeans day / Out of uniform day
Pool volleyball tournament
Beach Games
Ask participants to pay a small fee to register and raise even more funds by selling cold drinks and ice cream.
Pumpkin carving contest
Make it easy as pumpkin pie for participants to vote for the winners with a small donation using text-to-donate.
Karaoke night
To encourage even more donations during the party, display mobile giving options and your progress toward your goal using live display.
Chili cook-off
Coach dare
Coffee morning
Donate or dare
Share regular campaign updates and add a goal bar to your fundraising page to keep the momentum going and encourage more donations.
Home exercise classes
Manage everything in one place by broadcasting your classes with a livestream right on your event registration page.
Dance-a-thon
Supporters can donate, leave messages of support for the dancers, and purchase tickets to join in the fun all in one place.
Pumpkin patch
Make transactions quick and easy with Tap to Pay and a scan-to-donate QR code posted to let donors choose their payment method—PayPal, Google Pay, Venmo, and more.
Oktoberfest
This fall festival idea is a great way to raise funds for your cause and give your supporters an exciting day out.
Home run derby
Frequently asked questions
How do college clubs and groups make money?
College clubs and groups use various strategies to raise money and collect donations in support of their activities. Common fundraising ideas for college organizations include running bake sales or car washes, selling tickets to events, getting sponsorships from local businesses, and receiving grants.
What are the most popular college fundraising ideas?
The most popular fundraising ideas for college students engage fellow students and the local community while providing value or entertainment. Favorite options include charging an entry fee to themed parties or events like a battle of the bands, organizing social media challenges, selling raffle tickets, or teaming up with local restaurants to add some flavor to your fundraising efforts.
What are the most profitable college fundraisers?
The impact of college fundraisers can vary depending on factors such as the size of the audience, the level of engagement, and the expenses involved. Some of the most profitable fundraisers for college clubs and groups include hosting large-scale events such as concerts, festivals, charity galas, gaming tournaments, and auctions, and leveraging online platforms for crowdfunding campaigns.
Strategic partnerships with businesses or alumni networks can also help maximize fundraising potential, too!
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