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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.

Givebutter fundraising progress graphic showing $45,000 raised out of a $50,000 goal (90% complete), with a smiling yellow character holding a light bulb and a green 'Support Now!' button.

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Networking night

Find a suitable space, charge an entry fee, and check in attendees as they arrive at your networking event! Get creative by inviting food trucks and hosting hands-on activities. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/networking-night
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Grill-off

At your next BBQ, invite hobby chefs to compete in a grill-off, where they’ll be judged by a panel of experts—your supporters!

Set up team fundraising pages where everyone can make a donation to vote for their favorite chef. They can also see a live leaderboard and watch the votes land in real time!
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/grill-off
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Peer-to-peer

Pet photo calendar


Create a pet photo calendar featuring adorable photos of shelter animals. Sell the calendars online using a donation form or fundraising page, and at local events too!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pet-photo-calendar
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Discount cards

Create and sell discount card coupon books full of deals to local restaurants and businesses. Sell the coupon books on a custom donation form and share it far and wide!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/discount-cards
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Plant sale


Ask your green-thumbed community members to grow their best seedlings and plants for a future plant sale to raise much-needed funds. Or, send a sponsorship proposal to a local plant nursery to sign on as your event sponsor or partner.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/plant-sale
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Tailgate party


Invite a local restaurant to contribute or have volunteers create a menu for a tailgate. Sell entry tickets and offer some fun merch or special treats at an additional price to bring in extra dollars.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/tailgate-party
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Events

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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Events
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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
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/beach-day
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Events

Scary movie marathon

Pick a series of spooky films to show every Friday night in October. Sell Halloween-themed concessions and display a QR code to encourage donations before the show begins!

Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/scary-movie-marathon
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Events

Virtual fun run

Take your fundraising run online—or create a hybrid event—by encouraging participants to complete a designated distance anytime, anywhere! Be sure to use peer-to-peer fundraising to spread the word and bring in some major funds.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/virtual-fun-run
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Events
Peer-to-peer

Obstacle course


Challenge supporters to navigate walls, mud pits, and rope climbs. To amplify your impact and spark some friendly competition, encourage team fundraising—all supporters can join an existing team or create their own to compete!
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/obstacle-course
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Events
Peer-to-peer

Virtual food/wine tasting


Partner with local eateries and provide tasting kits for participants to enjoy at home for a small fee. Then, host a livestream tasting experience.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/virtual-food-wine-tasting
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Events
Auctions
Pages & forms

School karaoke

A silly and fun way to raise funds, students pay a small donation to sing family-friendly karaoke songs over the school’s P.A. system or in a special assembly. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/school-karaoke
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Events
Pages & forms

Donate or dare


Pledge to do something wild, exciting, or newsworthy if your campaign hits its goal. Shaving your head is a classic option for this fundraising idea!

Share regular updates on your fundraising page and add a goal bar to keep the momentum going and drive more donations.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/donate-or-dare
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Peer-to-peer
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Social media challenge


Choose a theme and hashtag, then encourage supporters to post a video or photo, tag others to join in, and donate!

Explore more social media fundraising tips to take your efforts to the next level.

Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/social-media-challenge
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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.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/puppy-party
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Events

Battle of the bands


Host a battle of the bands with local musicians. Change the audience a small ticket fee, or raise funds by selling drinks and snacks.

Raise even more money by livestreaming the show. Encourage your supporters to tune in, support the event, and donate what they can towards your goal.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/battle-of-the-bands
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Events

Team sponsorship

Ask local businesses to sponsor your team in exchange for logo placement on jerseys, in programs, or on stadium banners. Be sure to follow sponsorship proposal best practices to make the most of this partnership! 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/team-sponsorship
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Flamingoed


Invite supporters to make a donation to have lawn flamingos placed on their friends’ yards. Volunteers will sneak them onto recipients’ lawns so they awake to a pink surprise!

To make pulling off this silly fundraiser a breeze, create custom fields on your donation form, like the address of the Flamingo recipient.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/flamingoed
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Events
Pages & forms

Pajama run


Ask participants to don their favorite PJs while tackling a walk, jog, roll, or run for the cause. Encourage everyone to set a donation goal and spread the word about the fundraiser through peer-to-peer fundraising. Don’t forget to award prizes to the coziest runners!
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pajama-run
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Events
Peer-to-peer

Hot chocolate stall


Set up a cozy drink stand to warm up your community! Offer coffee, hot chocolate, tea, and an array of syrups and toppings for an added fee. Don’t forget the marshmallows!

Make it easy for supporters to pay as they order with scan-to-donate, Venmo, and other seamless options.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/hot-chocolate-stall
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Events
Pages & forms

Family dance


Give the classic “father-daughter” or “mother-son” dance an inclusive update. Invite families of all shapes and sizes to enjoy a fun night of cutting a rug together for a good cause. Choose a theme, sell tickets for your fundraising event online, and raise even more by setting up a photo booth with silly props!

Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/family-dance
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Events

Telethon


Livestream an engaging program from your fundraising page with information, entertainment, and impact stories to inspire viewers to donate. Task volunteers with accepting gifts over the phone and replying to comments and gifts on your supporter feed. Don’t forget to display a live thermometer so everyone can watch donations come in in real time!
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
Share idea
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/telethon
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Events
Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms

Dodgeball tournament


Put teams together and face off to see who truly is the best when it comes to dodgeball. Charge teams an entry fee, sell tickets to watch the games, and sell refreshments to raise even more funds.

Invite participants to set up team fundraising pages so they can also compete to see who can raise the most funds for your cause.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Share idea
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/dodgeball-tournament
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Events
Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms
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