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.
24-hour marathon
Great livestream activity ideas include a poetry slam, gaming tournament, or virtual concert.
Easter egg hunt
Create an Easter Bunny photo booth and host a bake sale to bring in even more donations with scan-to-donate and Venmo donations on the day of the hunt!
Office mini-golf tournament
Pizza party
Halloween costume run
At the end, award the winners of the race, the teams or individuals who raised the most, and, of course, the best dressed with special prizes.
Photography walk
Cookie-decorating extravaganza
To make your fundraising event even sweeter, bring in a cookie-decorating expert to show off some sweet tips and tricks.
Virtual scavenger hunt
Cup of coffee
Offer scan to-donate and accept Venmo donations to make giving even easier.
Tree planting day
Video Game Tournament
CEO challenge
Adopt-a-mile fundraiser
Highlight how close you are to reaching your target by displaying a live goal bar on your fundraising page, where the fundraising goal total equals the number of miles.
Basketball tournament
Step things up by challenging each team to see who can raise the most. Encourage them to create team fundraising pages to track their impact and build momentum toward game day.
Spring break t-shirt sale
Use custom fields on your donation form to collect the details you need from buyers, such as their t-shirt size and color choice.
Donation drive
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!
Tag Day
Pay you not to ask me again
Summer day out
Use a fundraising event page to make registration and payment easy, and add custom fields to capture important information from each participant, such as t-shirt size or dietary restrictions.
DIY gingerbread house kits
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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