LGBTQ+ fundraising ideas
Whether you’re a nonprofit community center that serves queer youth or an individual looking to raise funds for a cause that’s close to your heart, we’ve got a list of the best LGBTQ fundraiser ideas—from pride-themed merchandise sales to dance-a-thons, trivia nights, and everything in between.
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!









Costume contest
Throw a themed costume party to match the season or holiday and award prizes for the best costumes! Sell tickets to yourfundraising eventonline and work with local sponsors to offset costs and spread the word.









Silent auction
Swap your traditional auction for a silent one, where supporters or live audience members can bid any time before the auction ends. With a silent auction, your supporters are able to bid on items online or with their phones via QR code, making it easy and accessible for all.









Pump-a-thon
Find out who can (safely) lift the most weight curling, deadlifting, or squatting. Charge entry fees for participants, sell tickets, and offer food and drink at an additional cost.









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!









Social media challenge
Choose a theme and a hashtag, encourage supporters to post their video or picture, and then tag others to challenge them to do the same—and donate!
Learn more social media fundraising tips to take your efforts to the next level.









Raffle
Ask your sponsors and community members to donate items or experiences, then raffle them off! The sky is the limit when it comes toraffle 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!









Color run
Spray participants with brightly colored powder along the course of your charity fun run. By the end, runners will be rainbow-ed! Create a photo booth at the end with your scan-to-donate code where runners can take selfies and encourage more donations on social media.









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.









Walkathon
Ask supporters to lace up their shoes and gather pledges or donations for every mile they walk.
Sell official charity gear, encourage supporters to share updates on their own personal donation pages, and award top fundraisers with exciting prizes.









Halloween costume run
Ask supporters to wear their spookiest Halloween costume during thisfun run, walk, or roll. Be sure to use peer-to-peer fundraising to encourage participants to set a donation goal and spread the word.
At the end, award the winners of the race, the teams or individuals who raised the most, and, of course, the best dressed with special prizes.









T-shirt design contest









Dance-a-thon
Using individualpeer-to-peer fundraisingpages connected to your central event page, participants gather donations and pledges based on how long they aim to dance—without taking a break!
Supporters can donate, leave messages of support for the dancers, and purchase tickets to join in the fun all in one place.









Shoe-decorating
To create a seamless event experience, set up custom ticket types, like an upsell ticket that provides a pair of shoes. Make sure to add a custom question to get the right shoe size!









Open mic night









Candy grams
Buy some crowd-favorite candies and charge supporters to send these sweet treats to a chosen recipient along with a heartfelt note. To streamline the process, have donors fill out custom fields on your donation form with their personal notes and recipient addresses.









Virtual movie night









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.









Sell swag or merch
Raise some extra funds for your organization or club and spread the word about your cause by selling branded swag like totes, stickers, and t-shirts.
With advanced ticketing features, you can offer each item on a mobile-friendly platform and add an image and available amount so supporters can easily purchase and share their sizing info, too!









Community cookbook
Create and sell a custom cookbook featuring favorite recipes from your community members and families. To drum up excitement and spread the word, share sneak peek photos on your custom fundraising page.









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 afundraising page. No matter the format—make sure to share your fundraising goal far and wide to keep the momentum going!









Family and friends game night









Concert for a cause
Work with popular local musicians and performers to host a benefit concert with a percentage of the proceeds going towards your cause.
Want to make sure everyone can listen in and donate, no matter where they are? Livestream your concert to the masses and enable people to contribute to your campaign without leaving the stream.









Trivia night
Make the evening go even smoother with seamless attendee check-ins and easy payment options like Tap to pay, Venmo donations, and scan-to-donate.









Movie night
Find a suitable 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, too.
Use Givebutter’s fundraising event tools like online ticket sales, mobile app check-ins, and in-person payments to make it easier for you and your supporters.









Frequently asked questions
How do you fundraise for an LGTBQ+ nonprofit during Pride Month?
Pride fundraising ideas are as diverse as LGBTQ+ communities. Reach out to local nonprofits to see if you can join any current fundraising campaigns, or offer to organize one on their behalf.
Gather a group of volunteers and decide how you’ll raise money: Hosting a pride-themed merch sale? Selling tickets to a special Drag Queen Story Hour? Whatever shape your pride fundraiser takes, be sure to collaborate with local businesses and influencers to amplify your fundraising efforts and reach a wider audience during your local gay pride parade, too!
How can I raise awareness for LGBTQ+ nonprofits?
Social media campaigns and fun events that bring people together are two ways that you can celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and raise money and awareness for organizations that create safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals. Strategies like peer-to-peer fundraising also help rally community support and raise funds for LGBTQ+ nonprofits.
Consider sharing educational content, like a history of the Stonewall Riots, to grow an understanding of the struggles of LGBTQ people, and show how organizations are continuing the fight for equality today.
What are the most popular LBGTQ+ fundraising ideas?
Some popular LGBTQ+ fundraising ideas include queer trivia nights, pride art auctions, and drag bingo. Additionally, you can offer pride-themed products or services with a portion of the proceeds donated to LGBTQ+ nonprofits.
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