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All fundraising ideas
YMCA fundraising ideas
From movie nights to membership drives, we've got a variety of creative strategies to help you raise funds to support those critical YMCA programs that promote youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility—all while bringing your beloved Y community closer together.
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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.
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.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
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Inspiration
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All
Events
Auctions
Postcard drive
Handwritten, personalized messages can have a huge impact on your fundraising efforts. During your next campaign, ask volunteers to write and address postcards to your contacts to ask for donations.
Add a modern twist to this old-school tactic and have volunteers include an easy-to-read, short URL that goes right to your fundraising page.
Add a modern twist to this old-school tactic and have volunteers include an easy-to-read, short URL that goes right to your fundraising page.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Inspiration
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Fundraising page
Donation forms
Touchdown sponsorships
Ask local businesses to sponsor your team for the entire season! Create a sponsorship proposal that outlines exactly what donors will get in return—like featuring their signage or logo each time you score!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
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Inspiration
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Donation forms
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!
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!
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
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Fundraising page
Events
Donation forms
Auctions
Costumed car wash
Sprinkle some extra magic into the classic car wash fundraiser by giving it a theme! Get everyone in your group to dress up in costumes representing the ‘80s, classic Disney characters, superheroes, you name it.
Create a smooth experience for all with fundraising pages that include easy in-person payments and a range of giving options.
Create a smooth experience for all with fundraising pages that include easy in-person payments and a range of giving options.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
All
Events
Donation forms
Fundraising page
TikTok dance-off
Challenge participants to create a dance and post their video to social media. Each person must tag someone and donate once they’ve completed the challenge.
For easy and simple sharing, create a custom donation form that’s optimized for mobile!
For easy and simple sharing, create a custom donation form that’s optimized for mobile!
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Inspiration
All
Fundraising page
Donation forms
Holiday-grams
Put together bundles of holiday cards and small gifts and charge extra for distribution at your club, school, college, or workplace.
Customize your donation form with custom fields to collect all the details you need—such as the recipient’s name, a personalized, heartfelt holiday message, and where the gram should be delivered.
Customize your donation form with custom fields to collect all the details you need—such as the recipient’s name, a personalized, heartfelt holiday message, and where the gram should be delivered.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
Inspiration
All
Donation forms
Fundraising page
Community service day
Organize volunteers to take part in a day of community care in which you work together to tackle projects and tasks in exchange for donations from your community members.
Showcase every project or fundraiser you’re working on with a central giving hub. Your supporters can then see all your amazing work in one place.
Showcase every project or fundraiser you’re working on with a central giving hub. Your supporters can then see all your amazing work in one place.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
All
Events
Fundraising page
Donation forms
Puppy party
Team up with your local animal shelter to host an event to raise awareness and funds for both the shelter and your organization or campaign. Attendees get bonus puppy snuggles!
At the event, highlight the different mobile giving options your supporters can choose from with live display.
At the event, highlight the different mobile giving options your supporters can choose from with live display.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
All
Events
Student battle of the bands
Invite student-run bands to rock out for a prize! Charge entry fees and offer rad, donated prizes for the winners. Have each band create a team fundraising page, and encourage attendees to cast their votes for their favorites bands with a donation!
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Inspiration
All
Events
Peer-to-peer
March Madness
Raise money while cheering on your favorite NCAA players with a bracket competition culminating in a ticketed March Madness watch party.
To take this fundraising idea online, take advantage of livestreaming tools, too!
To take this fundraising idea online, take advantage of livestreaming tools, too!
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
All
Events
Peer-to-peer
Sledding course
Embrace the winter wonderland and assemble your very own sledding course for all to enjoy. Encourage participants to bring their own sleds and consider contributing to your cause in exchange for a thrilling ride. Simplify donations with scan-to-donate and raise additional funds by selling cozy delights like hot chocolate or soup.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
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Inspiration
All
Events
Donation forms
Crowdfunding campaign
Collect online donations from friends, family, and community members by creating a fundraising page that lays out your needs and the impact that you will make with the money you raise. Use photos and videos to make your story more engaging, and use a goal bar to showcase your progress.
Be sure to follow crowdfunding best practices in order to make your campaign an even bigger success!
Be sure to follow crowdfunding best practices in order to make your campaign an even bigger success!
Cost:
1
Effort:
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Impact:
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Inspiration
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Peer-to-peer
Fundraising page
Donate or dare
Pledge to do something wild, exciting, or newsworthy if your fundraising campaign hits or exceeds its target.
Share regular campaign updates and add a goal bar to your fundraising page to keep the momentum going and encourage more donations.
Share regular campaign updates and add a goal bar to your fundraising page to keep the momentum going and encourage more donations.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Inspiration
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Fundraising page
Peer-to-peer
Auction your time or skills
Ask supporters to volunteer their special skills, then auction their time and expertise to the highest bidder!
Streamline the whole experience with the help of free auction software. Add and categorize items, manage bids, and your bidders can get real-time updates on what’s happening.
Streamline the whole experience with the help of free auction software. Add and categorize items, manage bids, and your bidders can get real-time updates on what’s happening.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
All
Auctions
Tool drive
Rather than requesting a financial gift, ask supporters to donate new or gently used tools and construction equipment for your programs and services. Or, sell them in an annual community tool sale. Don’t forget to send friendly reminders and guidelines on what kinds of tools can be donated using free email marketing software!
Cost:
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Effort:
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Impact:
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Inspiration
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Events
Donation forms
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!
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
Inspiration
All
Events
Donation forms
Grab bags
Reach out to local businesses and ask them to donate a small number of products that you can bundle together and offer donors online.
To attract more partnerships from businesses, create a sponsorship proposal that emphasizes the benefits for them, like free publicity and marketing opportunities.
To attract more partnerships from businesses, create a sponsorship proposal that emphasizes the benefits for them, like free publicity and marketing opportunities.
Cost:
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Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Inspiration
All
Fundraising page
Donation forms
Auctions
Field goal derby
Invite fans to donate to see how many field goals they can make in a minute (make a smaller goalpost for kids, too!). Have each participant create a personal peer-to-peer fundraising page and reach out to friends and family for for their support!
Cost:
1
Effort:
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Impact:
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Inspiration
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Events
Peer-to-peer
Multicultural fair
Showcase dishes and traditions from around the globe and celebrate the diversity of your community with a multicultural fair fundraiser. Sell tickets and set up food, drinks, and gift booths for attendees to enjoy.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
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Inspiration
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Events
Donation forms
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We're always cooking up new ideas, so check back soon for fresh picks!
Dive into our list of best fundraising ideas in the meantime
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Frequently asked questions
How can I raise money fast for my YMCA?
To raise money fast for your local YMCA, start an online fundraising campaign, leverage social media to reach a wider audience, and make direct appeals to your supporters through email newsletters and personal outreach. Check out our $1K in 30 Days toolkit for more tips!
What are the best YMCA fundraisers?
Popular YMCA fundraisers include galas featuring guest speakers, family-friendly events, and online auctions. Peer-to-peer fundraisers, in which supporters create their own fundraising pages and ask their friends and family to contribute online donations to the cause are also a fun, cost-effective way to spread the word and reach your goal.
How do I promote my YMCA fundraising events?
Spread the word about your YMCA fundraising events through social media, via email newsletters, and on your YMCA's website to engage your community and maximize attendance and donations.
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