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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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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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Online quiz

Involve your supporters beyond donations by hosting an interactive, online quiz. Bonus points for including a round connected to your mission.

Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
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Golf tournament


Golf tournaments are an incredible way to build relationships and raise funds for your cause. Charge teams an entry fee, secure sponsorships, and enjoy a day on the green with your community.

Check out our guide to discover how to make your next golf tournament even more profitable.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/golf-tournament
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Murder mystery night

Arrange a classic "whodunnit" event in which your guests roleplay to find out who the criminal within the group is. 

Use easy event ticketing features to register guests online and check them in quickly with your mobile app to get the festivities started sooner! 
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/murder-mystery-night
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Haunted house

Create a spooky experience and raise funds by encouraging brave participants to enter—if they dare. Accept payments on the spot with scan-to-donate, Venmo, and more convenient options. 
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/haunted-house
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Shamrock festival


Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a shamrock-themed live event or auction in support of a good cause. Go all out with a green color scheme, traditional live music, and Irish-inspired activities.
Cost:
3
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/shamrock-festival
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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
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/telethon
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Back-to-school sale


Get everyone set up for the new school year with a back-to-school sale. Sell items like stationery, backpacks, water bottles, and other accessories for kids of all ages.

Customize online tickets with the name and image of each product, so your supporters can easily choose between the items on sale.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/back-to-school-sale
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Online bake sale

Sell homemade or donated treats through a donation form, event page, or buy-now auction, and organize volunteers to make deliveries after purchase! For some additional funds, allow recipients to make a donation alongside their purchase. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/virtual-bake-sale
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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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Escape Room Challenge

Charge a participation fee and challenge teams to solve puzzles and clues to "escape” from various spaces in this exciting, community-building fundraising event.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/escape-room-challenge
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Expert lecture series

Recruit local experts, professors, speakers, and community leaders to donate their time and expertise for a series of talks on a certain theme. 

Sell tickets to in-person attendees and offer a livestreaming option to increase donations and reach interested supporters from anywhere. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/expert-lecture-series
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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.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/10-000-steps-challenge
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Festive volunteers

Rally volunteers to act as festive little helpers to put up holiday decorations for others in your community in exchange for donations.

Set up a donation form and use custom labels to create fun options, like a $50 donation = putting up your roof lights. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/festive-volunteers
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Social media bingo

Create a bingo card of fun tasks—like donating, sharing, or tagging friends—and challenge supporters to complete a row. Engagement meets friendly competition!

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/social-media-bingo
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Team dance-a-thon sponsorship

Bust a move for a good cause! 
Host a dance-a-thon where players collect sponsorships to keep their feet moving for hours on end. Sounds easy? Think again—these marathons can go 12+ hours! 
Get ready to groove, rally support, and dance your way to your donation goal. 
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/team-dance-a-thon-sponsorship
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Serve-a-thon


Turn your volleyball skills into a high-energy fundraiser with a serve-a-thon! Players collect pledges for every successful serve they make during a timed event. Invite teammates, supporters, and even future players to join in the fun. It’s a great way to raise funds, strengthen your team, and build community—all while spiking your fundraising goals.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/serve-a-thon
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Town hall event

Host a town hall event to give community members an opportunity to learn about your organization, program, or new project. Display your text-to-give code prominently around the space to raise funds from inspired audience members. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/town-hall-event
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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.

Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/influencer-collaboration
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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
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/dodgeball-tournament
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Pet costume contest


Invite owners to enter their pets in themed costume categories like "cutest" or "most creative." Charge an entry fee and ask attendees to vote for their stylish furry favorite by donating to the pet’s individual fundraising page.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pet-costume-contest
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Three point contest

Request a minimum donation for event attendees to participate. Each team shoots shoots from behind the three-point. The winning team is the one with the most points when the time goes off. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/three-point-contest
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Hole sponsorship

Ask a local company or big brand to sponsor a hole at your next golf tournament. Write a stellar sponsorship proposal that’ll impress them enough to not only sponsor your event but become a long-term partner.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/hole-sponsorship
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Fantasy football draft festival

Turn a fantasy football draft into an exciting fundraising event! Sell tickets and offer tailgate games, food, and entertainment. 
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/fantasy-football-draft-festival
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