Food fundraising ideas
In fundraising, as in life, one thing is certain: food is the way to the heart. If you’re looking to raise money for your school, nonprofit, sports team, or another worthy cause, we’ve got some of the best food fundraiser ideas that are sure to delight your donors.
From food truck festivals and chili-cookoffs to potluck dinners and bake sales that are perfect for school fundraisers, check out these easy food fundraising ideas to inspire every inner chef.
Pie-eating contest
Use a range of fundraising event features, such as online registration, on-the-spot payments, and seamless check-ins.
Pie baking contest and potluck
Community members can make small donations as their “votes” for their favorite pies, and you can display the leaderboard to keep the competitive spirit up and momentum moving toward your fundraising goal throughout the event.
Beach Games
Ask participants to pay a small fee to register and raise even more funds by selling cold drinks and ice cream.
Holiday card campaign
Use Givebutter’s built-in Canva integration to add a little extra cheer to your letters or emails in just a few clicks.
Bring your pet to work day
Masquerade ball
Virtual bike-a-thon
Community resource fair
Employee appreciation day
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.
Video Game Tournament
Team sponsorship
Mascot showdown
Art festival
5k walk/run
Book sale
Make sure to spread the word about your sale and send reminders using free email marketing software!
Fashion show
At this fundraising event, you can bring in donations by charging entrance fees, selling food and drinks, and adding a silent auction.
Eating contest
Lip sync competition
Sell tickets for this fundraising event online, streamline check-in, and accept extra donations with the same easy platform.
High five booth
Make the donation process as quick and easy as the high-five itself—send people straight to your donation form with scan-to-donate.
March Madness
To take this fundraising idea online, take advantage of livestreaming tools, too!
Drag bingo
Night at the museum
Kids’ art calendar
Frequently asked questions
What is the best food to sell for fundraising?
The best culinary delights to include when hosting a food fundraiser will depend your target audience, location, and season. You can really never go wrong with crowd-pleasers like pizza, hot dogs, tacos, and baked goods, but the best food ideas for fundraising will ultimately depend on the taste buds of your community. Be sure to also consider cost, preparation time, and potential profit margins as you make your decision!
How do food fundraisers work?
Food fundraisers involve selling delicious treats or hosting culinary events to raise funds for a cause. Usually, organizations promote the event through channels like email and social media and charge an admission fee to attend.
Another option is to team up with local restaurants and chefs. Often called a “restaurant takeover,” organizations invite community members to dine for a cause, and a percentage of the profits from the night go directly to your mission!
How do I set up a food fundraiser?
Setting up a food fundraiser consists of a few key steps. First, decide on the type of food you want to sell or the food-related event you wish to host. Next, plan the details, such as the menu, venue, pricing, and target fundraising goal. Then, promote the fundraiser food idea through various channels to attract attendees or customers. Finally, handle sales, collect funds, and thank your hungry supporters!
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