Fundraising event ideas
Looking to host virtual, in-person, or hybrid fundraising experiences this year? Whether you’re planning your first event or seeking fresh tactics to re-engage your community, we’ve got plenty of easy, fun, and budget-friendly event fundraising ideas to consider.
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Game night
Sell custom event ticket types and group tickets that offer unlimited access to games—or charge a certain number of tickets per game.
March Madness
Raise money while cheering on your favorite NCAA players with a bracket competition culminating in a ticketed March Madness watch party.
To take this fundraising idea online, take advantage of livestreaming tools, too!
Mini-golf tournament
Assemble teams, charge entry fees, and cheer everyone on as they compete for the best score. Encourage participants to make personal team fundraising pages and ask friends and family to support them and the cause.
Obstacle course
Challenge supporters to navigate walls, mud pits, and rope climbs. To amplify your impact and spark some friendly competition, encourage team fundraising—all supporters can join an existing team or create their own to compete!
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!
Face painting
Set up a booth where passersby can get their face painted by volunteers from your group in exchange for a small donation.
Make it easy for people to give with scan-to-donate. All they need to do is scan the QR code and they’ll land on your donation page in seconds.
Dinner dance
Pajama run
Ask participants to don their favorite PJs while tackling a walk, jog, roll, or run for the cause. Encourage everyone to set a donation goal and spread the word about the fundraiser through peer-to-peer fundraising. Don’t forget to award prizes to the coziest runners!
Restaurant takeover
Car wash
Gather volunteers, soap, and plenty of rags to wash cars in exchange for donations. Easily accept onsite payments with a scan-to-donate QR code featuring Venmo and other modern methods.
Give this classic fundraiser a fresh twist by adding a theme! Encourage volunteers to dress up as ‘80s icons, classic Disney characters, superheroes—you name it.
Family fun run
Alumni night
Sell tickets to an all-inclusive alumni dinner before a big game or event. During half-time or intermission, bring out the alumni for special recognition. Alternatively, you can livestream a special alumni message during a virtual event.
Baseball bingo
Rah-rah raffle
To attract the right audience, host a silent auction at your next spirited event with these experiences included!
Concession stand
Use an existing stand or create your own and sell items like popcorn, candy, and sunflower seeds. To boost sales, create customticketswith mouth-watering pictures of available treats!
Pet run/walk
Invite community members to bring their furry friends along to walk in a charity 5K. Encourage participants to create individual fundraising pages that feature their pets, set a donation goal, and help spread the word about the cause.
Home decor workshop
Charge a registration fee and provide materials for attendees to create their own home decor. Selecting seasonal DIY projects—such as holiday wreaths or pumpkin painting—is a great way to draw a larger crowd. Take this event to the next level by turning it into a competition! Once all projects are completed, attendees can donate to vote for who should be crowned winner.
Pop-up clothing shop
Ask community members to purge their wardrobes and donate sell-worthy items to your cause. Host a pop-up clothing shop at a local venue and sell tickets for entry!
Raffle
Ask your sponsors and community members to donate items or experiences, then raffle them off! The sky’s the limit when it comes to raffle ticket prizes: gift baskets, movie tickets, artwork—anything your community members will love.
Just be sure to check your state laws regarding raffles before you start planning!
Color run
Spray participants with brightly colored powder along the course of your charity fun run. By the end, runners will be rainbow-ed! Set up a photo booth at the finish line for selfies, and encourage donations on social media via a scan-to-donate code.
5k walk/run
Map out your fundraising run route and have supporters donate to participate. Then, use peer-to-peer and team fundraising tools that let supporters create their own donation pages, set goals, and ask friends and family to contribute!
Fitness class
Ask local instructors to donate a virtual or in-person class for your cause. Sell tickets and boost revenue on the day of by offering snacks, drinks, or branded merch.
Flower bulb sale
Sell wholesale flowers or request donations from nurseries and landscaping stores to sell to supporters. To gamify your efforts, use peer-to-peer fundraising to encourage individual supporters to compete to see who can sell the most!
Dance-a-thon
Supporters can donate, leave encouraging messages for the dancers, and purchase tickets to join in the fun—all in one place.
Spa crawl
Frequently asked questions
What is a fundraising event?
A fundraising event is a planned gathering to raise money for a nonprofit organization or other charitable project. These events create opportunities for supporters to contribute financially while engaging with the organization's cause in a meaningful, enjoyable way.
What is an example of a fundraising event?
A charity run or walk is a classic type of fundraiser where participants gain sponsors and raise funds to support an organization's work. Participants typically collect pledges based on the distance they complete, bringing together community support and financial contributions.
What are the most profitable fundraising events?
The most profitable fundraising event ideas include:
- Selling tickets and charging entry fees for large events like galas
- Peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns that engage friends and family with personal fundraising pages
- Virtual and in-person charity golf tournaments
- Annual giving days with donation matching opportunities, livestreams, and more
To ensure that your fundraising event is a success, use Givebutter’s free event planning checklist!
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