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Small group fundraising ideas

As a small group, you have the opportunity to be nimble and creative in how you approach raising money for your cause. Discover all kinds of unique fundraiser ideas for small groups that will help turn your talents and enthusiasm into practical support and donations for your next big project.

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Postcard drive


Handwritten messages can make a huge impact on your fundraising by helping donors feel seen and appreciated. During your next campaign, have volunteers write and mail postcards to your contacts asking for support. 

Add a modern twist by including a short URL that links directly to your fundraising page. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
3
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/postcard-drive
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Donation matching


Build relationships with local businesses and major donors that can offer matching donations to feature during your next campaign.

Matching gifts create an enormous incentive for supporters who understand that they can automatically double (or even triple or quadruple!) their impact for your cause.



Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/donation-matching
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Pages & forms

Envelope fundraiser


Distribute branded envelopes around your community and invite supporters to pick one up, insert a donation, and drop it off at a designated location. 

Spread the word with easy email marketing software. Share campaign details and send reminders as the deadline gets approaches. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/envelope-fundraiser
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Mystery art show


Invite local artists, students, and other enthusiastic community members to contribute small paintings or other works for an anonymous community art sale.

Charge an entrance fee and invite supporters to purchase pieces all at the same price—without knowing who their artist is until the end of the event!
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/mystery-art-show
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Events
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Shoe drive


Invite your community members to donate gently worn or newly purchased shoes that you can sell at a pop-up shoe drive.

Make transactions easy with scan-to-donate and multiple payment options, including Venmo.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
1
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/shoe-drive
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Events

Donut fundraiser


Some bakeries like Krispy Kreme sell their doughnuts at a discounted price to individuals and groups raising money for a good cause.

Create a fundraising page or donation form to promote your efforts and make it easier to sell your sweet treats with multiple payment options wherever you are.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/donut-fundraiser
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Events
Pages & forms

Beach day

Arrange a day of sand and sun for your team members, volunteers, and the wider community with beach games, a picnic, and lots of family fun. 

Set an affordable ticket price or ask for donations to cover the cost of the event and raise funds—whichever you choose, our fundraising event tools can help!
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/beach-day
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Events

Summer day out


Raise funds and give your supporters a memorable experience at the same time with an excursion to an exciting attraction, museum, or other destination.

Use a fundraising event page to make registration and payment easy, and add custom fields to capture important information from each participant, such as t-shirt size or dietary restrictions.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/summer-day-out
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Events

Summer project sale


Host a yard sale/craft fair event focused on helping people finish those summer projects they've been meaning to tackle. Cater to a range of DIY projects with materials like paint, furniture, craft supplies, scrapbooking materials, and more.

Use email marketing software to spread the word about the upcoming sale and share a printable map, so attendees know what kinds of booths will be there.
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/summer-project-sale
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Drag bingo


Sell bingo cards for a night of drag entertainment and competition! Winners receive donated prizes. To raise even more at this memorablefundraising event, offer drink specials and sell eye-catching merch.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/drag-bingo
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Events

Ale tasting


For a fun twist on the usual wine tasting, sell tickets online and in person to an ale-tasting event instead. Host an evening of learning about brewing, tasting different beers, and raising money for a good cause.

Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/ale-tasting
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Pie-eating contest

Ask local bakeries and volunteers to contribute pies, then host a pie-eating contest with a ticket price for entry. Sell refreshments (including slices of pie!) to raise extra funds.

Use a range of fundraising event features, such as online registration, on-the-spot payments, and seamless check-ins.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pie-eating-contest
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Peer-to-peer
Events

Harvest dinner party

Host a grand harvest or Thanksgiving dinner party for special guests. Raise money through exclusive ticket sales, and use corporate sponsorship best practices to secure a partnership with a local restaurant or catering company.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/harvest-dinner-party
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Year-end fundraiser


Celebrate the end of the year with a big annual fundraiser. Host an event and attract donations and support with a silent auction, peer-to-peer campaign, and more.

Use the year-end giving checklist to make sure you’ve covered every angle!
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/year-end-fundraiser
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Auctions
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Holiday cookie sale


Whip up some sweet treats to sell at your next fundraising event, group gathering, or around town. Consider setting up a station for supporters to decorate their own cookies or create kits for families to bring home in exchange for a donation.

Streamline the buying process with scan-to-donate—which guest can use to make their payment instantly right from their phones!
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/holiday-cookie-sale
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Holiday movie marathon

Create a lineup of classic holiday movies for a community movie marathon. Sell tickets, popcorn, hot chocolate, and other treats to create a delightful (and profitable!) experience. 

With user-friendly fundraising event features for online ticket sales and in-person donations, organizing this event can be as easy as hitting play on your favorite festive film.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/holiday-movie-marathon
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Gift basket auction

Go big with your silent auction baskets! Ask local businesses to donate goods to help you fill hampers with items that fit different themes. Wrap them up nicely to entice bidders and bring in more dollars for your cause.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/gift-basket-auction
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Auctions
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Frequently asked questions

Small groups can raise money in many different ways. They can set up an online donation page, run a car wash, or charge a small fee for tickets to an event. They can also raise funds with silent auctions and peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns. It’s never a bad idea to partner with a local restaurant or another local business for sponsorship to bring in even more funds and exposure for their fundraising efforts.

When it comes to finding easy fundraising ideas for small groups, stick with what you know best and what you already have the resources for. You can organize a Sunday morning bake sale or a yard sale to turn goods into funds. These kinds of events don’t require extensive planning or materials, making them great ways to raise money with less prep work.

If baked goods aren’t cutting it and you need to raise money straight away, some quick fundraiser ideas for small groups include time-based events like virtual telethons, online fundraisers, and urgent appeals. Our How to Raise $1K in 30 Days guide is packed with simple yet powerful fundraising strategies and tips on how to spread the word and hit your fundraising goal fast.

The best small group fundraiser ideas come from creative experiences that capture the attention and excitement of your friends, family, and community members. Choose themes and activities that your supporters are likely to enjoy the most, whether that’s a movie night, a murder mystery event, a walk-a-thon, a talent show, or a sports game. You know your community best! 

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