Fall fundraising ideas
The fall season is the perfect time to introduce spooky themes and cozy, seasonal delights into your fundraising strategy. From apple bobbing and pie eating to photo walks and bonfires, we have all the fall fundraiser ideas you need to rally your community and raise more than ever this autumn.
Battle of the food trucks
Partnering with food trucks is a great way to reach your fundraising target. Discover how to secure corporate sponsorships.
Dog walking
Simplify the experience for your supporters by using custom labels to create specific options on your donation forms, like $50 for a 2-hour walk.
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.
Costume contest
Swim-a-thon
Pie-eating contest
Use a range of fundraising event features, such as online registration, on-the-spot payments, and seamless check-ins.
Yard raking
Follow best practices for volunteer recruitment to build a loyal community of supporters ready to pitch in for yardwork and more.
Flamingoed
To make pulling off this silly fundraiser a breeze, create custom fields on your donation form, like the address of the Flamingo recipient.
Local celebrities
Cookie-decorating extravaganza
To make your fundraising event even sweeter, bring in a cookie-decorating expert to show off some sweet tips and tricks.
Bonfire BBQ
With user-friendly fundraising event features, you can sell tickets in advance and accept donations in person, too.
Community potluck dinner
Superhero training camp
After your event, use email marketing software to share your gratitude with participants and volunteers along with pictures you captured of the day!
Oozeball tourney
Best seat in the house
With Givebutter you can also create unlimited kinds of event tickets—perfect for creating VIP packages.
Culture day
Virtual book club
Be sure to set up recurring donations as a simple way to collect membership fees for ongoing gatherings.
Speed dating
Encourage extra donations if participants find a special someone!
Scratch card fundraiser
Collect cash or accept virtual payments on the spot with Tap-to-Pay, Venmo, and more convenient options.
Murder mystery night
Use easy event ticketing features to register guests online and check them in quickly with your mobile app to get the festivities started sooner!
Count the jellybeans
Comedy roast
Take a pie to the face
With scan-to-donate, pie throwers use your QR code to land on your donation page instantly—no waiting around.
One-day giving event
Keep your supporters invested in your progress with a goal bar and campaign updates that highlight milestones, matching gifts, and special shout-outs throughout the day.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most popular fall fundraisers?
Fall fundraising event ideas that bring local community members together are always popular. Plan family-friendly events like a pumpkin patch, fall festival, chili cook-off, or haunted house to draw in the crowds and raise awareness (and funds) for your good cause.
What are the most profitable fall or autumn fundraising ideas?
If you’re raising money to hit a lofty fundraising goal, sell tickets to an exclusive, high-priced event like a gala or harvest dinner party with a silent auction. Or, charge an entrance fee for a kids vs. grownups football game. Be sure to ask local businesses to support your efforts!
You can also start a fun social media challenge and peer-to-peer fundraising campaign to encourage friends and family to join in on the action.
How do I plan and promote my fall fundraiser?
Planning your next fall fundraiser just got easier, thanks to our handy event planning checklist. Follow our guide for step-by-step help, from idea brainstorming and event promotion all the way through to hosting your event debrief.
Which are the easiest fall fundraisers to host?
Fall-themed fundraising ideas like a haunted house or Oktoberfest are tons of fun, but they also take a lot of planning. If you’re looking for easy fall fundraising ideas, our favorite picks include hosting a pumpkin carving contest, an apple bobbing stall, or a nature photography walk.
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