Virtual fundraising ideas
Raising money through a virtual fundraiser is a powerful way to get more supporters involved in your cause—anyone around the globe can join and donate! The possibilities are endless when it comes to online fundraising ideas, but we’ve assembled a list of favorites, including virtual happy hours, livestream telethons, and book clubs, to help get your own digital party started.
Earth Day
Charge an entrance fee and make your fundraising event move smoothly with mobile app check-in and easy scan-to-donate payment options.
Baseball hit-a-thon
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.
CEO challenge
Trike-a-thon
Parents’ night out
Mini-golf tournament
Photo contest
Raise even more by turning the top photos into a deck of cards or a calendar.
Raffle
Just be sure to check your state laws regarding raffles before you start planning!
Outdoor adventure day
Sponsor a stud
Alumni night
Street painting competition
Ask a local business to donate painting supplies, and then invite the community to vote for the best-painted square by making a donation ($1 = 1 vote) with an easy scan-to-donate QR code.
Peer-to-peer fundraising
Create teams to add some fun competition into the mix—and bring in more donations!
Holiday card campaign
Use Givebutter’s built-in Canva integration to add a little extra cheer to your letters or emails in just a few clicks.
Pet run/walk
Pump-a-thon
You name it
Home decor workshop
Dance-a-thon
Supporters can donate, leave messages of support for the dancers, and purchase tickets to join in the fun all in one place.
Count the jellybeans
Food truck Friday
In exchange for driving more business their way, use a sponsorship proposal to negotiate a percentage of profits for your good cause.
Guest speaker event
Raise funds for your livestream by selling tickets and include upgrades like signed copies of books to bring in even more donations.
Swim-a-thon
Donation drive
Frequently asked questions
What is a virtual fundraiser?
A virtual or online fundraiser is a campaign or event created to raise money for a good cause that happens entirely on the World Wide Web. While using the Internet to raise funds has been happening for quite some time, this strategy became even more popular during the pandemic when in-person events were prohibited and social distancing was a must.
Unlike in-person fundraising, virtual fundraisers allow people to participate from wherever they are using their computers, phones, or other mobile devices. It's like bringing the fundraising party to your living room! You can connect with others online and support a good cause without having to leave the comfort of your own home.
How can I raise money virtually?
Good causes can raise money online through various channels, such as donation pages, peer-to-peer fundraising, or crowdfunding campaigns, as well as events like livestream concerts, talent shows, and auctions.
Some of the best virtual fundraising event ideas leverage social media (Facebook Live, social media takeovers, etc.), email campaigns, and text-to-donate tools to bring in more donations. Corporate sponsorships, partnerships with local businesses, matching gift programs, and online merchandise sales can also help boost virtual fundraising efforts, too.
What is the best online fundraising site?
The top fundraising sites include popular options like Givebutter, GoFundMe, Fundly, Kickstarter, and Donorbox. Each platform offers different features, fees, and support, so it's important to research and choose the one that aligns best with your fundraising goals and needs.
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