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All fundraising ideas
Cheap fundraising ideas
Making an impact doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. Changemakers looking to raise funds without burning a hole in their pockets can choose from hundreds of inexpensive fundraising ideas. This list of lower-cost and free fundraising ideas will help you reach your goal without breaking the bank.
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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.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/game-night
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Events
Membership drive
Incentivize supporters to invite friends and family to sign up for a membership during a specific period of time. Offer discounted rates or additional perks, and accept recurring donations on a monthly or annual basis.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/membership-drive
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Pages & forms
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.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/mini-golf-tournament
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Peer-to-peer
Virtual gala
Showcase live or pre-recorded presentations and guest speakers, host an auction, and solicit donations—all livestreamed from your event registration page.
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/virtual-gala
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Auctions
Movie marathon
Host a mega movie marathon packed with hits from a popular franchise or films that match a specific theme or season. Raise extra funds by selling drinks and snacks, having a costume competition, or conducting a movie trivia quiz throughout.
Enjoy a better experience with engaging event ticketing options, such as online and in-person ticket sales and app-powered check-ins.
Enjoy a better experience with engaging event ticketing options, such as online and in-person ticket sales and app-powered check-ins.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/movie-marathon
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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.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
1
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/face-painting
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Book sale
Partner with a publisher or local book store and host a book sale to raise money. Sell books of all kinds or organize the event around a theme—romance novels, religious books, or children's literature—whatever will resonate with your community.
Make sure to spread the word about your sale and send reminders using free email marketing software!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/book-sale
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Pages & forms
Trike-a-thon
Set up a mini racecourse and encourage family and friends to sponsor your little big-wheel racers by making a donation on their behalf through your fundraising page. Don’t forget to award prizes!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/trike-a-thon
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Pages & forms
Pumpkin carving contest
See who can carve or decorate the best pumpkin while raising funds for your group or cause. Award prizes in different categories like kids, families, and most talented adults.
Make it easy as pumpkin pie to vote for the winners with a small donation using text-to-donate.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pumpkin-carving-contest
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Events
Peer-to-peer
Social media challenge
Choose a theme and hashtag, then encourage supporters to post a video or photo, tag others to join in, and donate!
Explore more social media fundraising tips to take your efforts to the next level.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
3
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/social-media-challenge
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Pages & forms
Count the jellybeans
Fill a jar with jellybeans (or another candy) and have guessers write down their number estimation alongside their name.
Use scan-to-donate or other mobile payment options to accept donations for each guess and award a prize to the person whose comes closest!
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
1
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/count-the-jellybeans
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Pages & forms
Food truck Friday
Choose one Friday every month to be Food Truck Friday, in which you partner up with a local food truck to visit the area and promote their arrival.
In exchange for driving more business their way, use a sponsorship proposal to negotiate a percentage of profits for your good cause.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/food-truck-friday
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Naming rights
Offer supporters the chance to name a bench, tree, sculpture, or pathway in recognition of their gift.
Create custom labels on your donation form for different naming tiers (e.g., $100 = named brick in a sidewalk).
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/naming-rights
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Pages & forms
Grab bags
Reach out to local businesses and ask them to donate a small number of products that you can bundle together and offer donors online.
To attract more partnerships from businesses, create a sponsorship proposal that emphasizes the benefits for them, like free publicity and marketing opportunities.
To attract more partnerships from businesses, create a sponsorship proposal that emphasizes the benefits for them, like free publicity and marketing opportunities.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/grab-bags
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Auctions
Pages & forms
Peer-to-peer fundraising
Multiply your reach with a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign in which individuals reach out to their own networks of family, friends, and coworkers to solicit donations for your cause.
Create teams to add some fun competition into the mix—and bring in more donations!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/peer-to-peer-fundraising
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Peer-to-peer
Local celebrities
Invite a local children’s book author or beloved mascot to an event. Guests will pay a fee to attend, ask questions, and take photos!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/local-celebrities
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Pages & forms
Online bake sale
Sell homemade or donated treats through a donation form, event page, or buy-now auction, and organize volunteers to make deliveries after purchase! For some additional funds, allow recipients to make a donation alongside their purchase.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/online-bake-sale
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Auctions
Pages & forms
Touchdown sponsorships
Ask local businesses to sponsor your team for the entire season! Create a sponsorship proposal that outlines exactly what donors will get in return—like featuring their signage or logo each time you score!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/touchdown-sponsorships
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Pages & forms
Town hall event
Host a town hall event to give community members an opportunity to learn about your organization, program, or new project. Display your text-to-give code prominently around the space to raise funds from inspired audience members.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/town-hall-event
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Events
Pages & forms
Spaghetti dinner
Host a pasta party where you serve spaghetti, salad, breadsticks, and dessert to attendees for a ticket price. Make your event even better by partnering with a local restaurant to sponsor the meal.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/spaghetti-dinner
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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.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/car-wash
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Pages & forms
Dog walking
Set up a service where volunteers walk or play with community members' dogs in exchange for a donation. Or, auction off this opportunity to the highest bidder!
Simplify the process for your supporters by using custom labels on your donation forms—for example, $50 for a two-hour walk.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/dog-walking
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Pages & forms
Auctions
Pajama day
For a small donation, students can come to school in their pajamas and enjoy a cozy day. Grownups can organize a pajama day fundraiser at work, too! Accept donations in advance or on the day of via multiple payment methods like Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Venmo.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pajama-day
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Pages & forms
VIP cushioned seats sale
Sell VIP event tickets that offer access to front-row, cushioned seats—and maybe some team swag—at your next home game. Give your biggest fans an unforgettable experience while raising funds for your cause.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/vip-cushioned-seats-sale
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Auctions
Easter egg hunt
Host an epic Easter egg hunt and set up a fundraising event page so families can register with a sliding-scale donation.
Add an Easter Bunny photo booth or bake sale and accept donations with scan-to-donate or Venmo on the day of the hunt.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/easter-egg-hunt
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Frequently asked questions
What is the most affordable fundraising idea?
The most affordable, low-cost fundraising ideas typically utilize existing resources and free tools. Many nonprofits launch online fundraising campaigns with free fundraising software or organize events with low overhead, such as car washes, bake sales, or virtual talent shows in which participants donate their time and artistry for the cause.
Is there a free fundraising platform?
Yes! Givebutter is an all-in-one fundraising platform that is completely free to use. Unlike other fundraising websites, Givebutter pricing doesn’t include hefty subscriptions or hidden fees. Instead, it’s funded by optional tips from donors.
How do I start a free fundraiser?
If you want to start a free fundraiser, the best tool you can use is an online fundraising page where you can easily collect donations and spread the word about your efforts.
It takes just a few minutes to create a free Givebutter account and launch any campaign, whether it’s a donation form, a peer-to-peer fundraiser, or a livestream event. Plus, don’t forget to take advantage of Givebutter’s full suite of CRM and engagement tools to streamline your efforts for fundraising that’s free and easy.
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