Greek life fundraising ideas
Philanthropy is at the heart of Greek life, so your sisterhood or brotherhood will always need a steady supply of fresh fraternity and sorority fundraising ideas—and we’ve got them! This list of creative frat fundraising ideas will help you find the right fit and amplify your impact.
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Virtual bike-a-thon
Set a distance and have your bikers pay a registration fee to join in. Then, foster some friendly competition by encouraging supporters to start or join a team, raise funds, and set off wherever they are.
Carnival night
Host a magical fundraising event with traditional carnival games, rides, and booths. Charge an all-inclusive admission or use QR codes for each activity to create a smoother pay-as-you-go experience.
Grants
Research grants that you can apply for to fund your nonprofit organization or project. Be sure to create a stand-out grant proposal in order to impress grantmakers!
Discount cards
Spring cleaning
Dance marathon
Gift wrapping
Bingo night
Sell bingo cards and offer exciting prizes to keep everyone engaged all night long—either virtually or in person!
In the lead-up to your fundraising event, entice attendees with campaign updates featuring teasers of some of the prizes at stake to build anticipation.
Grown-up bake sale
Collect in-person payments with scan-to-donate, which gives donors a wide range of payment options.
Toy drive
Set up a toy drive so your community members can donate toys or cash to support families over the holiday season. Distribute toys to those most in need and use extra funds to buy additional gifts.
Let everyone know when, where, and what to donate with the help of email marketing software.
Date auction
Brave individuals offer themselves up for your auction to go on a date with the highest bidders. This idea is a little bit dated, but with the right planning, you can have a lot of fun with it.
Ask sponsoring restaurants to donate gift certificates to bring in more bids for these “items” and make for an easy, in-public location for each date.
Donation drive
Set up a donation drive to collect valuable in-kind donations or financial gifts for your cause. This can be done by setting up a drop-off zone in person or collecting donations online through a fundraising page. No matter the format—make sure to share your fundraising goal far and wide to keep the momentum going!
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!
Yard raking
Set up a yard raking service in exchange for donations toward your good cause.
Follow best practices for volunteer recruitment to build a loyal community of supporters ready to pitch in for yardwork and more.
Pumpkin Games
Perfect for the Halloween season, challenge participants to a pay-to-play series of games like pumpkin races and decorating contests. Sell tickets in advance or on the day of using scan-to-donate or Venmo.
Text-to-donate
With text-to-donate, raising funds is as easy as sending a text. Display your shortcode at fundraising events, share it on social media, or add it to signs so your supporters give using their mobile devices right on the spot—no matter where they are.
See for yourself how easy it is! Text “DEMO” to 53-555.
Fall festival
Host your own fall-themed festival with carnival games, food and drink, local vendors, and live music.
Ask local businesses to donate supplies or prizes, and raise funds through refreshments, games, and stallholder fees.
Ugly sweater run
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.
Pet yoga
Ask a local yoga teacher to lead a class with adoptable animals—or invite participants bring their pets along for some zen!
Make this fundraising event even better by asking a local yoga studio to be a sponsor.
24-hour relay race
Create the ultimate relay race to raise funds for your cause. Participants create individual or team fundraising pages where friends and family can show their support with donations and progress toward their goal in real time.
Popcorn fundraiser
All you can eat buffet
A free event ticketing platform can help you organize and manage your evening and check people in from your mobile device without any stress.
Cold water plunge
Frequently asked questions
What philanthropy do sororities do?
Philanthropy is very important in sororities, as in all of Greek life. Typically, all members join in to raise funds through events like car washes or online fundraising campaigns to support charitable causes.
Whether they support education, health-related initiatives, or environmental conservation efforts, Greek organizations aim to raise awareness among other college students and community members about communities in need or issues that matter.
What do fraternities/sororities raise money for?
Fraternity fundraising ideas typically align with the organization’s values and priorities. Common philanthropic initiatives include supporting local charities or nonprofits, contributing to national or international humanitarian organizations, funding scholarships for students in need, and organizing service projects.
How can fraternities/sororities raise money?
To raise money, fraternities and sororities use various fundraising strategies tailored to their goals and resources. Fundraising ideas for Greek life may include hosting charity events such as galas, benefit concerts, or themed parties where they can charge an entry fee. They may also plan a fun walk/run, participate in social media challenges, or ask supporters to simply give via a fundraising page.
Sorority and fraternity fundraising efforts often involve teaming up with local businesses, alumni networks, or corporate sponsors to maximize their impact.
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