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.
House party
Sell event tickets online in advance, check guests in with our mobile app, and use Tap to Pay and Venmo donations to accept latecomers on the spot.
Crowdfunding campaign
Be sure to follow crowdfunding best practices in order to make your campaign an even bigger success!
Grown-up bake sale
Collect in-person payments with scan-to-donate, which gives donors a wide range of payment options.
Birthday fundraiser
Givebutter’s fundraising pages make it easy to get creative and express your personality. Add photos and videos, share your story, and leave comments and drawings for your supporters as they give.
Give it up challenge
Create a fundraising page for your challenge, including a list of ideas and suggested donation amounts. Share campaign updates and donor shout-outs to keep momentum going toward your goal!
Workshop or masterclass
You don’t need to limit your audience to only the people you can fit in the room. Consider livestreaming your event to make it more accessible and raise even more dollars.
10,000 steps challenge
Invite participants to set up a peer-to-peer fundraising page where they can share their personal stories and interact with supporters.
Yard sale
Create a fundraising page for your yard sale, use campaign updates to keep your community engaged, and update the fundraising total to reflect how much you’ve raised.
Lemonade stand
Cookie-decorating extravaganza
To make your fundraising event even sweeter, bring in a cookie-decorating expert to show off some sweet tips and tricks.
Escape Room Challenge
Corporate matching gift drive
Feature matching gifts on your fundraising page and encourage corporate staffers to explore employer matching via Double the Donation.
Flower bouquets
Create a fundraising page with custom donation amounts featuring a photo of each kind of bouquet and the number available so donors can reserve bouquets online or purchase in person.
Fashion show
At this fundraising event, you can bring in donations by charging entrance fees, selling food and drinks, and adding a silent auction.
Teen film festival
Gift wrapping
Gift basket showdown
Home exercise classes
Manage everything in one place by broadcasting your classes with a livestream right on your event registration page.
Lip sync competition
Sell tickets for this fundraising event online, streamline check-in, and accept extra donations with the same easy platform.
Cooking competition
You can get even more spectators in on the fun by livestreaming the event and asking for donations throughout the program.
Peer-to-peer fundraising
Create teams to add some fun competition into the mix—and bring in more donations!
Festive volunteers
Set up a donation form and use custom labels to create fun options, like a $50 donation = putting up your roof lights.
Speed dating
Encourage extra donations if participants find a special someone!
Toy drive
Let everyone know when, where, and what to donate with the help of email marketing software.
Frequently asked questions
How can I raise money individually?
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.
How do I ask for 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.
How can I fundraise a lot of money fast?
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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