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Fundraising ideas

We’ve got the best fundraising ideas for good causes of all shapes and sizes! Check out our curated lists or browse all fundraising ideas below by cost, effort, and impact.

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Virtual tournament

Skip the traditional in-person event and go virtual to attract even more participants. Plan your digital tournament around any sport or skill, and livestream the action to boost engagement, support, and donations from anywhere.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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Meditation retreat


Organize a mindfulness retreat focused on yoga, meditation, and wellness sessions in a serene setting.

Customize tickets for this fundraising event to collect needed information from registrants, such as dietary restrictions.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/meditation-retreat
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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
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/donut-fundraiser
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Book sale


Partner with a publisher or local book store and host a book sale to raise money. Sell books of all kinds or organize the event around a theme—romance novels, religious books, or children's literature—whatever will resonate with your community.

Make sure to spread the word about your sale and send reminders using free email marketing software!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/book-sale
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Mother’s Day brunch

Reserve a community space or partner with a local restaurant or café to host a Mother's Day brunch, with proceeds going toward your cause. 

Charge a small ticket fee for this fundraising event and offer a selection of refreshments, sandwiches, and sweet treats. 
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/mother-s-day-brunch
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Donation drive


Set up a donation drive to collect valuable in-kind donations or financial gifts for your cause. This can be done by setting up a drop-off zone in person or collecting donations online through a fundraising page. No matter the format—make sure to share your fundraising goal far and wide to keep the momentum going!

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/donation-drive
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Church trivia nights

Put your knowledge to the test with a faith-filled trivia night! Pick a lively host, sell team tickets, and let the friendly competition begin. 

Want to reach an even bigger audience? Go hybrid or virtual so everyone can join in on the fun!
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/church-trivia-nights
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Silent disco

Organizing a disco can feel like a lot of work, but a silent disco is easier and just as much fun! Sell tickets in advance so you know how many people to prepare for, and raise extra funds by selling food and drink on the night.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/silent-disco
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Spooky bake sale

Decorate cookies and other treats with Halloween flair and sell them at a fall festival or community gathering. Or, make the bake sale the main event!

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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Events

Halloween costume run


Ask supporters to wear their silliest or spookiest Halloween costumes during this fun run. Use team or peer-to-peer fundraising to help participants set a donation goal and spread the word. At the end, award special prizes to the race winners, the teams or individuals who raised the most, and the best costumes!
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/halloween-costume-run
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Ice cream social

Set up an ice cream stall with different flavors, cones, toppings, and sauces. Raise funds by asking for donations to unlock the most popular or extravagant toppings.

Create a vibrant, themed fundraising page, then send your supporters straight to it with scan-to-donate. From there they can pay for their ice-cream and unlock flavors!
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/ice-cream-social
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Pages & forms

Pop-up clothing shop


Ask community members to purge their wardrobes and donate sell-worthy items to your cause. Host a pop-up clothing shop at a local venue and sell tickets for entry!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pop-up-clothing-shop
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Culture day

Introduce the wider community to your club or group by hosting a themed culture day. Offer workshops, food, and activities in exchange for small donations using easy fundraising event tools like ticketing and mobile payment options.  
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/culture-day
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Board game night


Host a pay-to-play fundraising event where participants can compete against their friends in games like UNO or Sorry. Sell goodies for competitors to snack on to make this event extra sweet.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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Nostalgia night party

Pick an era (like the ‘90s), set the scene, charge an entrance fee, and sell themed merch, food, and drinks. To encourage even more donations during the festivities, display mobile giving options and your goal bar using live display
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/nostalgia-night-party
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Yard sale


Turn old treasures into new funds for your good cause! Ask community members to host individual garage sales and donate their proceeds to your campaign—or host one large community yard sale using donated goods.

Create a fundraising page for your event, post campaign updates to keep people engaged, and update the fundraising total as donations come in.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/yard-sale
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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
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/summer-project-sale
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Golf advice clinic

If you know your stuff, set up a golf advice clinic where new and would-be golfers can come along and ask questions. Host this at your club, or invite an expert or celebrity to come in for the day. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/golf-advice-clinic
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Bonfire BBQ

Plan a cozy community fundraiser with a firepit, s'mores, firecrackers, and a delicious BBQ. Charge an entrance fee or raise funds through carnival games and refreshments.

With user-friendly fundraising event features, you can sell tickets in advance and accept donations in person, too.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/bonfire-bbq
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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
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/harvest-dinner-party
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Trunk or treat

Ask local businesses to sponsor this non-traditional trick-or-treating experience. Families and volunteers decorate their cars and hand out candy to kids in a designated parking lot for a safe, fun-filled event.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/trunk-or-treat
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