Creative fundraising ideas
While bake sales and car washes are tried-and-true strategies for raising funds, it’s good to mix things up and keep your supporters on their toes with innovative fundraising ideas, too. To get inspired, check out these unique fundraiser ideas that offer a twist on traditional events and challenges—either by flipping them entirely on their head or introducing new and exciting themes.
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 can I be creative in fundraising?
Creativity in fundraising means thinking outside the box and finding unique ways to entice donors. Try hosting themed events, leveraging social media challenges, or tapping into the specific interests of your local community or audience. If you offer a spin on some classic, easy fundraising ideas, your supporters will surely love it, and you’ll be closer to your fundraising goal.
Why are unusual fundraising ideas important?
Alternative fundraising ideas keep donors engaged and active. They generate excitement around your cause with existing supporters and can even bring in new ones—especially with peer-to-peer fundraising!
How do I get supporters excited about a different fundraising idea?
If your supporters are used to the same predictable ways of raising money for your cause, new, creative ideas for fundraising might be an adjustment. To help get your audience on board, partner with local businesses that can boost your fundraising efforts, help spread the word, and even offer fun prizes for winners.
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