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Children’s fundraising ideas

Whether you’re raising funds for causes that impact children or looking for fundraiser ideas that kids can participate in, we’ve got you covered.

From t-shirt design contests to a much-needed parents' night out, these kids and family fundraising ideas offer fun, engaging ways to raise money for schools, clubs, sports teams, and more.

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Street clean up

Use the longer days of summer to your advantage by organizing a street clean-up to keep your neighborhood looking fresh and welcoming. 

Partner with local businesses to sponsor the day and encourage donations toward your charity or group. 
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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.
Cost:
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Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/toy-drive
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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!

Cost:
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Impact:
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Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/donation-drive
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Plant sale


Ask your green-thumbed community members to grow their best seedlings and plants for a future plant sale to raise much-needed funds. Or, send a sponsorship proposal to a local plant nursery to sign on as your event sponsor or partner.
Cost:
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/plant-sale
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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!
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pop-up-clothing-shop
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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. 
Cost:
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Impact:
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Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pumpkin-games
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Peer-to-peer

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.

Cost:
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Effort:
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Impact:
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Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/fall-festival
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Ugly sweater run

Get festive by encouraging supporters to wear their ugliest holiday sweater for a fun run! Use peer-to-peer fundraising to encourage participants to set a donation goal and spread the word—along with photos of them in their ugly regalia. Offer a special award for the “best” dressed.
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Impact:
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Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/ugly-sweater-run
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Peer-to-peer

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!
Cost:
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/raffle
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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.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/color-run
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Peer-to-peer

5k walk/run


Map out your fundraising run route and have supporters donate to participate. Then, use peer-to-peer and team fundraising tools that let supporters create their own donation pages, set goals, and ask friends and family to contribute!
Cost:
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Effort:
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Impact:
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Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/5k-walk-run
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Peer-to-peer

Popcorn fundraiser

Partner with a popcorn supplier and sell gourmet popcorn to family, friends, and community members. Add mouthwatering images to tickets to showcase all the different flavors available.
Cost:
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Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/popcorn-fundraiser
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Flower bulb sale


Sell wholesale flowers or request donations from nurseries and landscaping stores to sell to supporters. To gamify your efforts, use peer-to-peer fundraising to encourage individual supporters to compete to see who can sell the most!
Cost:
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Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/flower-bulb-sale
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Talent show


Host a talent show and invite supporters to take to the stage and show off their skills. Sell tickets, drinks, and snacks to raise funds for your cause.

Make the experience even more interactive with text-to-donate. Let audience members vote from their seats and help you raise money in real time.
Cost:
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Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/talent-show
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Dance-a-thon

Using individual peer-to-peer fundraising pages connected to your main event page, participants gather donations and pledges based on how long they aim to dance—without taking a break!

Supporters can donate, leave encouraging messages for the dancers, and purchase tickets to join in the fun—all in one place.
Cost:
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Effort:
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Impact:
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Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/dance-a-thon
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Peer-to-peer

High five booth


Brighten up someone’s day and raise money for a good cause. Set up a booth where passersby can make a donation and receive a high-five in return.

Make the giving process as quick and easy as the high-five itself with scan-to-donate.
Cost:
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Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/high-five-booth
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Tag Day


Invite students to set up outside local businesses and collect donations from patrons. Donors receive “tags” (stickers) to show they gave. Accept payments via Venmo or scan-to-donate!
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Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/tag-day
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Principal for the day


Auction off the chance for a student to be school principal for the day! The lucky student will get to greet classmates as they arrive, make morning announcements, visit classrooms, and enjoy a special lunch with the principal. 
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Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/principal-for-the-day
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Auctions

Street painting competition

Choose a theme and secure a paved area where supporters can register to paint their own parking space or designated square.

Ask a local business to donate painting supplies, then invite the community to vote for their favorite design by making a donation ($1 = 1 vote) using a scan-to-donate QR code.
Cost:
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Impact:
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Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/street-painting-competition
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Petting zoo


Partner with a local farm or petting zoo to bring animals on-site for a day of fun. Charge an entry fee and optional donations for extra activities like pony rides. 

Make sure attendees can make quick payments from their phones, using methods like Venmo or Tap to Pay, so they don't have to return to their cars for cash.
Cost:
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Impact:
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Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/petting-zoo
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Auctions

Virtual fun run

Take your fundraising run online—or create a hybrid event—by encouraging participants to complete a designated distance anytime, anywhere! Be sure to use peer-to-peer fundraising to spread the word and bring in some major funds.
Cost:
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Impact:
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Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/virtual-fun-run
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Peer-to-peer

Movie night


Choose an indoor or outdoor space and host a ticketed screening of a fan-favorite movie—bonus if it’s related to your cause! Sell popcorn, treats, and drinks to raise even more funds.

Use Givebutter’s fundraising event tools like online ticketing, mobile check-ins, and scan-to-donate to keep everything seamless.
Cost:
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Impact:
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Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/movie-night
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Sledding course

Embrace the winter wonderland and assemble your own sledding course for all to enjoy. Encourage participants to bring their own sleds and contribute to your cause in exchange for a thrilling ride. Simplify donations with scan-to-donate and raise additional funds by selling cozy treats like hot chocolate or soup.
Cost:
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Impact:
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Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/sledding-course
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Night at the museum

Secure a sponsorship from a local museum and invite families and community members to make a donation to enjoy a crowd-free evening of fun.  
Cost:
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Impact:
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Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/night-at-the-museum
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Trunk or treat

Ask local businesses to sponsor this non-traditional trick-or-treating experience. Families and volunteers decorate their cars and hand out candy to kids in a designated parking lot for a safe, fun-filled event.

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Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/trunk-or-treat
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Frequently asked questions

Kids have plenty of options when it comes to crafting items for charity. Some of the best kid-friendly fundraiser ideas tap into their creativity, like designing t-shirts or baking tasty treats to sell at bake sales or fundraising events.

Car washes and lemonade stands are two great fundraising ideas for kids. Shoe drive fundraisers offer an easy way for kids to engage with local community members, while hosting a walk-a-thon in your local park gives them a chance to get active while boosting fundraising efforts through pledges, small donations, or sponsorships from local businesses.

Pro tip: Offering small prizes at the end can help keep motivation high!

Easy kids' fundraising ideas require minimal resources or adult supervision. Game nights and read-a-thons, for example, are two great fundraisers for kids that keep things simple while still providing fun, memorable experiences.

For children with short attention spans, look for active fundraising events with activities that don’t take long to complete. Try water balloon fights, color runs, costume contests, or kids vs. grown-ups field days.

To keep everyone engaged when raising money for a cause, focus on fundraising campaigns that bring families together. Bonus points if there’s a little friendly competition—like a scavenger hunt, trivia night at a local restaurant, or a family-friendly talent show. Share updates and photos on social media, and use fundraising tools like team pages or leaderboards to keep excitement high.

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