.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
Online fundraising ideas
Virtual fundraisers are a powerful way to involve more supporters with your cause—anyone around the world can join and donate!
The possibilities are endless, but we’ve assembled a list of our favorite online fundraising ideas—including virtual happy hours, livestream telethons, and book clubs—to help get your digital party started.
%201.png)
%201.png)
.webp)
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!
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!
.png)
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.
Photo contest
Raise even more by turning the top photos into a deck of cards or a calendar.
.png)
Fitness class
Ask local instructors to donate a virtual or in-person class for your cause. Sell tickets and boost revenue on the day of by offering snacks, drinks, or branded merch.
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!
Give $5, grab 5 friends
Ask your supporters to donate $5 to your cause. Then, each donor has to tag at least five people via social media. The goal is that each person who gets tagged matches that $5 gift to your campaign—and then tags five others.
This is a great social media fundraising idea that can spread quickly within your community, helping you raise funds fast.
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.
Virtual movie night
Host a virtual family movie night using Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party) on your favorite streaming platform. Collect donations before or during your fundraising event, and make it more interactive and fun with movie trivia questions throughout the evening.
Virtual auction
Use auction software that makes the bidding process smooth and simple for you and your donors.
Virtual fun run
Holiday card campaign
Send a festive holiday card—by mail or email—to share season’s greetings, thank your supporters, and invite them to contribute toward your year-end fundraising goals.
Use Givebutter’s built-in Canva integration to add extra cheer to your letters or emails in just a few clicks.
10,000 steps challenge
Encourage members to set up a fundraising page and accept pledges based on how long they’ll commit to their 10k-steps-a-day habit.
Invite participants to set up a peer-to-peer fundraising page where they can share their personal stories and interact with supporters.
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.
Workshop or masterclass
Put your community’s talents to good use.Host an expert workshop or masterclass series and raise funds through ticket sales.
You don’t need to limit your audience to only the people you can fit in the room. Consider livestreaming your event to make it more accessible and raise even more dollars.
Spring forward
Organize a fundraising campaign or event that harnesses the positive energy of the spring equinox or the beginning of daylight savings time.
Oscars fundraiser
Sell tickets to an extra special Oscars viewing party—or create your very own awards program fundraiser that’s as glamorous and exciting as the real thing.
Giving Tuesday campaign
Create a special campaign for Giving Tuesday and get your supporters to join in the action with peer-to-peer fundraising pages, social media, and more.
.png)
.png)
Slide into DMs
Few things beat a personalized, one-on-one request. Send direct messages to thank your supporters and link to your donation form or fundraising campaign.
.png)
.png)
Influencer collaboration
Partner with local celebrities, influencers, or experts to amplify your campaign on social. Ask them to donate, match contributions, share your campaign with their followers.
.png)
.png)
Online quiz
Involve your supporters beyond donations by hosting an interactive, online quiz. Bonus points for including a round connected to your mission.
.png)
.png)
Livestream donation challenge
Livestream an event like a concert, film, or informational session related to your mission. Set a clear donation goal to reach by the end of the event.
Video challenge
Launch a video challenge that invites followers to do something fun, challenging, or unexpected. Have them share their videos on social media and tag their friends.
Trending hashtag
Keep an eye out for trending hashtags to join the conversation and introduce your cause to new audiences. Just be sure to find a clear way to connect the trend back to your mission.
Tag 3
Ask donors to tag three friends when they give. This fun, no-cost challenge turns every donation into an instant ripple effect, sparking new connections and spreading your campaign further.
.png){kind=small}
Get top features for your virtual fundraiser
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 through a website or online platform. While nonprofit organizations have been using this fundraising strategy for quite some time, it became even more popular during the pandemic, when in-person events weren’t possible.
Unlike in-person fundraising opportunities, virtual fundraisers allow people to participate from anywhere using a computer, phone, or other mobile device. It's like bringing the fundraising party to your living room! You can host a virtual event to connect with others and encourage supporters to invest in your mission—all without leaving home.
How can I raise money virtually?
You can raise funds online through donation pages, peer-to-peer fundraising, or crowdfunding campaigns, as well as virtual events like livestream concerts, talent shows, or auctions.
Some of the best digital fundraising ideas leverage social media platforms (e.g., Facebook Live, social media takeovers), email campaigns, and text-to-donate tools to collect donations. Online merchandise sales can also help boost your fundraising efforts.
What is the best online fundraising site?
The top fundraising sites include trusted platforms like Givebutter, GoFundMe, Fundly, Kickstarter, and Donorbox. Each offers different features, fees, and support, so it's important to choose the one that aligns best with your fundraising goals and needs.
What are the best virtual fundraising ideas for a small team or solo organizer?
Birthday fundraisers and peer-to-peer campaigns work great for small teams or solo organizers. Just set up a simple fundraising page and share it with friends and family—they already want to support you! These fundraisers are easy to launch, require minimal coordination, and maximize your personal network's power to spread the word.
Do virtual fundraisers raise as much as in-person events?
Yes! With the right internet fundraising ideas, you can raise as much as—or even more than—in-person events. Virtual fundraisers often provide benefits like broader reach, lower costs, and more convenience. Success depends on choosing fundraisers that translate well to an online setting (e.g., virtual galas, auctions, telethons) rather than those that lose appeal virtually—a virtual car wash might not be a big draw.
%201.png)
Subscribe to
The Butter Brief
Get fundraising ideas, tips, and free resources right in your inbox
Givebutter helps you turn ideas into impact
.webp)
Subscribe to
The Butter Brief
Get fundraising ideas, tips, and free resources right in your inbox
The most-loved fundraising platform
.png)
%201.png)
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
%201.webp){kind=icon}