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Fundraising ideas for individuals on behalf of nonprofits

Whether you’re a passionate individual supporter or a nonprofit organization eager to engage more people in your fundraising efforts, we’ve pulled together a slew of individual fundraising ideas that are sure to make an impact. 

From birthday donations and crowdfunding campaigns to baked goods sales and social media challenges, this list of easy fundraising ideas for individuals will help you find the inspiration you need to start raising funds for your favorite organization.

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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
Inspiration
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/mini-golf-tournament
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Peer-to-peer

No-talent show

Sell tickets to an all-but-traditional talent show where people make a fool of themselves for a good cause. Offer seamless event ticketing, sell food and drinks, and let the laughs begin!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/no-talent-show
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Community service day

Organize volunteers to take part in a day of community care in which you work together to tackle projects and tasks in exchange for donations from your community members. 

Showcase every project or fundraiser you’re working on with a central giving hub. Your supporters can then see all your amazing work in one place.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/community-service-day
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Fundraising page
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Fourth of July party

Celebrate our nation’s independence with a red, white, and blue fundraiser! Work with businesses to secure sponsorships and an amazing venue, then sell tickets to your fundraising event, filled with food, music, and activities.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/fourth-of-july-party
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Networking night

Find a suitable space, charge an entry fee, and check in attendees as they arrive at your networking event! Get creative by inviting food trucks and hosting hands-on activities. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
Inspiration
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/networking-night
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Video Game Tournament

Host a tournament featuring the most popular video games. Charge entry fees for participants and offer donated prizes for winners. To make this fundraiser digital, livestream the event so participants can play—and cheer each other on—from home.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/video-game-tournament
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Pet-friendly bake sale

Choose a location in a high-pet-traffic area, request treat donations from pet supply stores, and get to selling! Offer multiple methods for payment including scan-to-donate and Venmo.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pet-friendly-bake-sale
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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.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Inspiration
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/virtual-bike-a-thon
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Peer-to-peer
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Raffle

Ask your sponsors and community members to donate items or experiences, then raffle them off! The sky is the limit when it comes to raffle ticket prizes: gift baskets, movie tickets, artwork—anything that will appeal to your community members. 

Just be sure to check your state laws regarding raffles before you start planning!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Inspiration
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/raffle
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Lend a helping hand

Let donors "purchase" 2-5 hours of extra help from students or volunteers (think raking leaves or mowing the lawn). 

In order to streamline the process and keep track of contributions, create custom labels for different donation amounts on a special fundraising page or donation form (e.g. $50 = 2 volunteer hours).
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/lend-a-helping-hand
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Fundraising page
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Auctions

Skate-a-thon

For a fun twist on a walk-a-thon, swap the walking shoes for a pair of rollerblades or quad skates and raise money for a good cause.

Leading up to your event, encourage your participants to create their own peer-to-peer fundraising pages, which they can personalize with their own stories and updates. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/skate-a-thon
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Peer-to-peer

Gift basket showdown

Using peer-to-peer fundraising, participants compete to raise the most money for your campaign. The winner gets the first pick from a selection of gift baskets.  
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
Inspiration
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Fundraising page

Cup of coffee

Set up a coffee cart in the office and ask employees and/or passersby to donate the cost of their morning coffee towards the cause. 

Offer scan to-donate and accept Venmo donations to make giving even easier.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Inspiration
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/cup-of-coffee
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Easter gift basket auction

Source delicious treats and seasonal goodies to create a selection of Easter gift baskets for an eggcellent silent auction. 

Combine classic Easter baskets (chocolate eggs, bunnies, etc.) with other awesome silent auction basket ideas to offer biddable items for the whole family. 
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/easter-gift-basket-auction
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Student battle of the bands

Invite student-run bands to rock out for a prize! Charge entry fees and offer rad, donated prizes for the winners. Have each band create a team fundraising page, and encourage attendees to cast their votes for their favorites bands with a donation! 
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Inspiration
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/student-battle-of-the-bands
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Principal challenge

Challenge your principal to do something wild (like dye their hair) if your team reaches their fundraising goal. Use a custom fundraising page with a live goal bar to drum up excitement and share updates (and photos!) as donations roll in.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Inspiration
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/principal-challenge
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Peer-to-peer

Alumni night

Sell tickets to an all-inclusive alumni dinner before a big game or event. During half-time or intermission, bring out the alumni for special recognition. Alternatively, you can livestream a special alumni message during a virtual event.
Cost:
3
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
Inspiration
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/alumni-night
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Events

Drag bingo

Sell bingo cards for a night of drag entertainment and competition! Winners receive donated prizes. To raise even more at this memorable fundraising event, offer drink specials and sell eye-catching merch. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
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Tree planting day

Plan a day of tree or flower planting to beautify your community. Invite local businesses to sponsor the whole event or an individual plant or tree, and invite donations from the wider community.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/tree-planting-day
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Pie baking contest and potluck

Invite bakers to submit their best pies for consideration as the dessert offering at your next potluck dinner. 

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.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pie-baking-contest-and-potluck
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Dodgeball tournament

Put teams together and face off to see who truly is the best when it comes to dodgeball. Charge teams an entry fee, sell tickets to watch the games, and sell refreshments to raise even more funds.

Invite participants to set up team fundraising pages so they can also compete to see who can raise the most funds for your cause.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Inspiration
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/dodgeball-tournament
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Fundraising page
Peer-to-peer

Drag show

Sell tickets for a night of performances by local drag artists and musicians (with food and drinks available, too!). 

Manage your event ticketing, check in your attendees, and accept additional donations in person with easy fundraisng event software. 
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/drag-show
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Annual holiday party

Throw a big annual holiday party to finish the year in style. Make this a VIP event and raise funds through ticket sales or partner up with sponsors to help offset costs and reach more supporters.

With Givebutter you can create unlimited custom event ticket types—allowing you to create fun VIP packages to offer to your partygoers.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
Inspiration
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/annual-holiday-party
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Meditation retreat

Organize a mindfulness retreat focused on yoga, meditation, and wellness sessions in a serene setting. 

Customize tickets for this fundraising event to collect needed information from registrants, such as dietary restrictions. 
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/meditation-retreat
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All you can eat buffet

Host an all-you-can-eat buffet or potluck dinner, and charge a small fee to enjoy a meal together with your community.

A free event ticketing platform can help you organize and manage your evening and check people in from your mobile device without any stress. 
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/all-you-can-eat-buffet
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Frequently asked questions

When it comes to raising funds solo, there are plenty of effective personal fundraising ideas that don't require the support of a large team or organization. Once you choose a nonprofit you want to support, take advantage of online fundraising by creating a personal fundraising page, asking friends and family to contribute to your donation page in lieu of gifts on your birthday, or even running a race and asking for small donations.

There are numerous ways to ask for donations, but be sure to keep a few best practices to keep in mind. Instead of sending generic messages, personalize your outreach to each potential donor. Share why the cause is meaningful to you and how their contribution can truly make a difference. And don't forget to express genuine gratitude for their support, no matter the size of their donation.

While birthday donations and crowdfunding are classic single-person fundraising ideas, larger-scale fundraising campaigns and events are more likely to bring in higher donations with greater speed. Whether you charge an entry fee for a concert, ask local businesses to sponsor a car wash, or sell tickets for a block party, exciting events have the potential to attract a large audience and help you reach your fundraising goal more quickly.

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