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.
Easter egg hunt
Create an Easter Bunny photo booth and host a bake sale to bring in even more donations with scan-to-donate and Venmo donations on the day of the hunt!
Gift basket showdown
Wine pull
Home exercise classes
Manage everything in one place by broadcasting your classes with a livestream right on your event registration page.
Local celebrities
Virtual book club
Be sure to set up recurring donations as a simple way to collect membership fees for ongoing gatherings.
Student art auction
Farmer’s market
Book sale
Make sure to spread the word about your sale and send reminders using free email marketing software!
Superhero run
Lip sync competition
Sell tickets for this fundraising event online, streamline check-in, and accept extra donations with the same easy platform.
Parents’ night out
Night at the museum
Peer-to-peer fundraising
Create teams to add some fun competition into the mix—and bring in more donations!
Special series
Tie sermons directly to your goal and reach more supporters by livestreaming right from your fundraising page. Anyone can tune into the stream, make a donation, and learn about your campaign all in one place.
Pancakes for parents
Make the whole process even more convenient for parents with easy online ticketing and scan-to-donate options at the door.
Festive volunteers
Set up a donation form and use custom labels to create fun options, like a $50 donation = putting up your roof lights.
Expert lecture series
Sell tickets to in-person attendees and offer a livestreaming option to increase donations and reach interested supporters from anywhere.
Toy drive
Let everyone know when, where, and what to donate with the help of email marketing software.
Donation matching
Matching gifts create an enormous incentive for supporters who understand that they can automatically double (or even triple or quadruple!) their impact for your cause.
Flamingoed
To make pulling off this silly fundraiser a breeze, create custom fields on your donation form, like the address of the Flamingo recipient.
Coffee morning
Naming rights
Create custom labels on your donation form for various donation amounts (for example: $100 = named brick in a sidewalk).
Text-to-donate
See for yourself how easy it is — text “DEMO” to 53-555.
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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