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.
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Game night
Sell custom event ticket types and group tickets that offer unlimited access to games—or charge a certain number of tickets per game.
Themed auction
Asking for items to sell at your auction can feel daunting at first, so use this silent auction donation request guide to help you build relationships and attract amazing donations.
Membership drive
Incentivize supporters to invite friends and family to sign up for a membership during a specific period of time. Offer discounted rates or additional perks, and accept recurring donations on a monthly or annual basis.
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.
Virtual gala
Showcase live or pre-recorded presentations and guest speakers, host an auction, and solicit donations—all livestreamed from your event registration page.
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!
Movie marathon
Enjoy a better experience with engaging event ticketing options, such as online and in-person ticket sales and app-powered check-ins.
Speakeasy night
Sell tickets to a prohibition-era-themed night that features poker, themed cocktails, live music, and more. Sell tickets to this fundraising event ahead of time, and accept donations from latecomers on the spot, too.
Multicultural fair
Pumpkin carving contest
See who can carve or decorate the best pumpkin while raising funds for your group or cause. Award prizes in different categories like kids, families, and most talented adults.
Make it easy as pumpkin pie to vote for the winners with a small donation using text-to-donate.
LGBTQ+ workshop series
Charge a registration fee for a series of educational workshops or panel discussions on topics such as gender identity, allyship, and queer history.
Spread the word and follow up with attendees using free email marketing software.
Social media challenge
Choose a theme and hashtag, then encourage supporters to post a video or photo, tag others to join in, and donate!
Explore more social media fundraising tips to take your efforts to the next level.
Crawl for a cause
Peer-to-peer fundraising
Multiply your reach with a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign in which individuals reach out to their own networks of family, friends, and coworkers to solicit donations for your cause.
Create teams to add some fun competition into the mix—and bring in more donations!
Speed dating
Find a venue, write up some icebreaker cards, and set a time limit for each date. Charge an entrance fee to this fundraising event and watch the sparks fly.
Encourage extra donations if participants find a special someone!
Online bake sale
Comedy night
Sell tickets to join your organization for an evening of laughter, drinks, and fundraising! Partner with a local venue and ask other businesses for corporate sponsorships to offset costs and bring in even more dollars for your cause.
Town hall event
Spaghetti dinner
Host a pasta party where you serve spaghetti, salad, breadsticks, and dessert to attendees for a ticket price. Make your event even better by partnering with a local restaurant to sponsor the meal.
Gala night
Plan a sophisticated gala night with music, food, and a silent auction.
Get your supporters excited about your upcoming event with an eye-catching gala invitation template. Include details on how to buy tickets, or add a scan-to-donate QR code.
Guest speaker event
Host a webinar or TED-style talk with an interesting topic and a captivating guest speaker sourced from your network.
Raise funds for your livestream by selling tickets and include upgrades like signed copies of books to bring in even more donations.
Expert lecture series
Sell tickets to in-person attendees and offer a livestreaming option to increase donations and reach interested supporters from anywhere.
Coffee morning
Host a coffee morning and invite your community members to join you for tea or coffee, cake, and a warm conversation. Ask a local coffee shop to sponsor the event or donate a percentage of the morning’s profits to your cause.
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!
Pride flag decoration party
Charge attendees a small fee to attend this crafty gathering and then sell or auction off your creations at an upcoming event.
Make the silent auction process as smooth as possible with mobile bidding tools that enable supporters to participate right from their phones.
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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