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All fundraising ideas
Creative fundraising ideas
While bake sales and car washes are tried-and-true strategies for raising funds, it’s smart to mix things up and keep your supporters on their toes with innovative fundraising ideas.
To get inspired, check out these unique fundraiser ideas that put a fresh spin on traditional events, whether by flipping them entirely on their head or introducing bold new themes.
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TikTok dance-off
Challenge participants to create a dance and post their video to social media. Each person must tag someone and donate once they’ve completed the challenge.
For easy and simple sharing, create a custom fundraising page that’s optimized for mobile!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/tiktok-dance-off
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Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms
24-hour marathon
Host a 24-hour livestream fundraiser for a high-energy day of fun and fundraising.
Great livestream activity ideas include a poetry slam, gaming tournament, or virtual concert.
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/24-hour-marathon
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Peer-to-peer
Raise the roof
Challenge your congregation to reach your fundraising goal by pledging that your pastor or ministry leader will sleep on the roof if you hit it—or until you do!
Embed a donation form on your website with a live goal bar, so your community members can see just how close you are to hitting that target.
Embed a donation form on your website with a live goal bar, so your community members can see just how close you are to hitting that target.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/raise-the-roof
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Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms
Postcard drive
Handwritten messages can make a huge impact on your fundraising by helping donors feel seen and appreciated. During your next campaign, have volunteers write and mail postcards to your contacts asking for support.
Add a modern twist by including a short URL that links directly to your fundraising page.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
3
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/postcard-drive
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Flamingoed
Invite supporters to make a donation to have lawn flamingos placed on their friends’ yards. Volunteers will sneak them onto recipients’ lawns so they awake to a pink surprise!
To make pulling off this silly fundraiser a breeze, create custom fields on your donation form, like the address of the Flamingo recipient.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/flamingoed
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Murder mystery night
Arrange a classic "whodunnit" event in which your guests roleplay to find out who the criminal within the group is.
Use easy event ticketing features to register guests online and check them in quickly with your mobile app to get the festivities started sooner!
Use easy event ticketing features to register guests online and check them in quickly with your mobile app to get the festivities started sooner!
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/murder-mystery-night
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Telethon
Livestream an engaging program from your fundraising page with information, entertainment, and impact stories to inspire viewers to donate. Task volunteers with accepting gifts over the phone and replying to comments and gifts on your supporter feed. Don’t forget to display a live thermometer so everyone can watch donations come in in real time!
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/telethon
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Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms
Street painting competition
Choose a theme and secure a paved area where supporters can register to paint their own parking space or designated square.
Ask a local business to donate painting supplies, then invite the community to vote for their favorite design by making a donation ($1 = 1 vote) using a scan-to-donate QR code.
Ask a local business to donate painting supplies, then invite the community to vote for their favorite design by making a donation ($1 = 1 vote) using a scan-to-donate QR code.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/street-painting-competition
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Events
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Cupcake wars
Have kids prepare their favorite cupcake recipe to sell at a cupcake-only bake sale. To add some friendly competition, invite attendees to vote on their favorite by making a donation to the tastiest cupcake’s team fundraising page. Use a leaderboard to show real-time votes and award prizes for the winning bakers!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/cupcake-wars
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Events
Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms
Improv night
Invite community members to try their hand at comedy while earning money—and a few good laughs—for a cause. Sell tickets and raise even more at your event with snacks and drinks.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/improv-night
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Events
Pet therapy
Invite local animal shelters to bring adoptable dogs and cats to campus during midterms or finals to reduce student stress and raise money for a good cause.
Charge an entry fee and sell inexpensive extras like dog and cat treats. Be sure to offer multiple ways to pay, such as scan-to-donate and Venmo!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pet-therapy
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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!
Before you start planning, be sure to check for any state regulations on raffles where you live!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/reverse-raffle
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Auctions
Pages & forms
Desk decorating contest
Choose a theme and invite your coworkers to pay a small entry fee to decorate their workspace. Let others donate $5 to vote for the best “dressed” desk through each participant’s peer-to-peer fundraising page. Track the leaderboard in real time to see who’s in the lead!
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
1
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/desk-decorating-contest
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Events
Peer-to-peer
Mystery art show
Invite local artists, students, and other enthusiastic community members to contribute small paintings or other works for an anonymous community art sale.
Charge an entrance fee and invite supporters to purchase pieces all at the same price—without knowing who their artist is until the end of the event!
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/mystery-art-show
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Events
Pages & forms
Secret supper
Sell tickets to a dining experience where guests purchase tickets to a "secret" location revealed only hours before the event. Use free texting software to send updates to attendees and inform them of the location.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/secret-supper
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Events
Bring your pet to work day
Let employees bring their furry friends to work for the day in an exchange for a donation to your local animal shelter. Organize pet-themed activities and competitions to raise additional funds. To get remote employees involved, livestream some of the activities and invite coworkers to tune in!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/bring-your-pet-to-work-day
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Events
Pages & forms
Pi Day
Celebrate Pi Day on March 14th by inviting your community to contribute to your cause. Set the suggested donation amount at $3.14, $31.40, or $314.00, but let supporters know that any amount adds up to something great.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
1
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pi-day
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Pages & forms
Summer project sale
Host a yard sale/craft fair event focused on helping people finish those summer projects they've been meaning to tackle. Cater to a range of DIY projects with materials like paint, furniture, craft supplies, scrapbooking materials, and more.
Use email marketing software to spread the word about the upcoming sale and share a printable map, so attendees know what kinds of booths will be there.
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/summer-project-sale
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Events
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Drag show
Sell tickets for a night of performances by local drag artists and musicians (with food and drinks available, too!).
Manage your event ticketing, check in your attendees, and accept additional donations in person with easy fundraisng event software.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/drag-show
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Events
Smash it!
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!
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
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/car-smashing
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Pet picture day
Ask a photographer in your area to volunteer to take pictures of pets and their owners at a local park. Customize your fundraising event page with time-slotted tickets to make the day run smoothly.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pet-picture-day
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Events
Pages & forms
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:
3
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/thrifty-fashion-show
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Pet costume contest
Invite owners to enter their pets in themed costume categories like "cutest" or "most creative." Charge an entry fee and ask attendees to vote for their stylish furry favorite by donating to the pet’s individual fundraising page.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pet-costume-contest
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Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms
Pumpkin patch
Partner with a local farm to host a family-friendly pumpkin patch event. Invite your community to take fall photos and pick out a pumpkin or two in exchange for a donation.
Make transactions quick and easy with Tap to Pay and a scan-to-donate QR code to let donors choose their payment method—PayPal, Google Pay, Venmo, and more.
Make transactions quick and easy with Tap to Pay and a scan-to-donate QR code to let donors choose their payment method—PayPal, Google Pay, Venmo, and more.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pumpkin-patch
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Events
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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
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/speakeasy-night
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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. When you put a creative twist on a classic, easy fundraising idea, your supporters will love it—and you’ll be one step closer to your fundraising goal.
Why are unusual fundraising ideas important?
Alternative fundraising ideas keep donors engaged and excited. They generate buzz around your cause with existing supporters—and can help you bring in new ones, especially through peer-to-peer fundraising. The right theme can make all the difference when it comes to selling tickets, attracting sponsors, or driving donations.
How do I get supporters excited about a different fundraising idea?
If your audience is used to the same predictable ways of raising money, new, creative ideas for fundraising might be an adjustment. Partner with local businesses to help spread the word and offer fun prizes for the winners. That support builds excitement and can boost your fundraising efforts significantly.
Why try a creative fundraising idea instead of a traditional one?
An out-of-the-box fundraising idea can motivate donors in ways a traditional one can’t. Whether you host a cat-themed soirée for your animal charity or an ugly sweater contest in collaboration with local businesses, a creative fundraising idea will get people talking—and donating.
How do I choose the right creative fundraising idea for my group?
When choosing a fundraising idea, consider your mission, resources, and what motivates your supporters. A family event at a local park where you charge an entry fee works great for a community group. For a church group, try a faith-themed trivia night with baked goods for sale. A creatively themed silent auction is always a hit—people love the chance to win without the pressure of traditional paddle-raising.
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