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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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Charity golf day

Combine two or more golf-themed events into your own charity or nonprofit golf day. Host a golf tournament, hand out sponsored awards, and end the day with an evening gala and an auction.
Cost:
3
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/charity-golf-day
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Peer-to-peer

Fantasy football draft party

Host a live draft event where participants pay an entry fee to join a fantasy football league, with proceeds benefiting your team or program. Set the scene with big screens and food vendors!
Cost:
3
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/fantasy-football-draft-party
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Events
Auctions
Pages & forms

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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Auctions
Pages & forms

You name it

Come up with a creative fundraiser with a catchy name like “Pancakes for Parents” brunch or a “Chicken Wings for Cheerleaders.” To get supporters excited, create a custom fundraising page full of on-theme photos, videos, ands more! 
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/you-name-it
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Weeknight meal cooking class


Reach out to local chefs to volunteer to host a class or series for cooking easy weeknight dinners. To make this event virtual, livestream the class(es) so that donors can watch and cook along from home!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/weeknight-meal-cooking-class
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Charity golf outing

Plan an outing for your golf team somewhere special and donate a percentage of ticket sales towards your nonprofit cause. This works great for school, college, and work golf groups.
Cost:
3
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/charity-golf-outing
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Events

Pie baking contest and potluck


Invite bakers to submit their best pies for consideration as the dessert offering at your next potluck dinner.

Community members can make small donations as their “votes” for their favorite pies, and you can display the leaderboard to keep the competitive spirit up and momentum moving toward your fundraising goal throughout the event.


Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pie-baking-contest-and-potluck
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Events
Peer-to-peer

Swag sale


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!
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/sell-swag-or-merch
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Events
Auctions
Pages & forms

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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Pages & forms

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.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/tag-3
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Pages & forms
Peer-to-peer

Pet picture day


Ask a photographer in your area to volunteer to take pictures of pets and their owners at a local park. Customize your fundraising event page with time-slotted tickets to make the day run smoothly.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pet-picture-day
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Events
Pages & forms

Queen brunch or dinner


Invite supporters to dress up for a classy brunch or dinner party. This event is all about elegance, with every ticket helping raise money for a good cause.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/queen-brunch-or-dinner
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Events
Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms

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.

Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/livestream-donation-challenge
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Events

Church choir performance

Organize a night of beautiful singing performed by your talented church choir. Sell tickets for a small fee and invite audience members to make donations at the end of the celebration from their phones with an easy text-to-donate code. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/church-choir-performance
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Events

Youth lock-in


Plan a good old-fashioned lock-in for your younger community members. Charge a registration fee and have chaperones on hand to supervise activities like trivia, movie screenings, and video game tournaments.

Set up an online fundraising event page where participants can register and supporters can make donations.
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
Share idea
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/youth-lock-in
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Events

Oktoberfest


Take inspiration from the popular German event and host your own Oktoberfest with carnival games, a haunted house, and plenty of beer and non-alcoholic drinks.

This fall festival idea is a great way to raise funds for your cause and give your supporters an exciting day out.
Cost:
3
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/oktoberfest
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Events
Pages & forms

Bring your pet to work day

Let employees bring their furry friends to work for the day in an exchange for a donation to your local animal shelter. Organize pet-themed activities and competitions to raise additional funds. To get remote employees involved, livestream some of the activities and invite coworkers to tune in!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/bring-your-pet-to-work-day
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Events
Pages & forms

Kids vs. grownups field day


Organize an afternoon of hilarious games and exciting dual-team events, like tug-of-war, that are sure to get the competitive spirit going.

Charge entrance fees for this fundraising event, sell snacks and drinks, and don’t forget prizes for the champs!
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/kids-vs-grownups-field-day
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Events

Field goal derby

Invite fans to donate to see how many field goals they can make in a minute (use a smaller goalpost for kids!). Have each participant create a personal peer-to-peer fundraising page and reach out to friends and family for support!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share idea
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/field-goal-derby
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Events
Peer-to-peer

Monster Mash

Throw a rockin’ Halloween party for a good cause! Sell tickets and sponsorships, use Tap to Pay for drinks and snacks, and celebrate the best costumes with special prizes.

Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share idea
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/monster-mash
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Events

Tag Day


Invite students to set up outside local businesses and collect donations from patrons. Donors receive “tags” (stickers) to show they gave. Accept payments via Venmo or scan-to-donate!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/tag-day
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Pages & forms

Pumpkin carving contest


See who can carve or decorate the best pumpkin while raising funds for your group or cause. Award prizes in different categories like kids, families, and most talented adults.

Make it easy as pumpkin pie to vote for the winners with a small donation using text-to-donate.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
Share idea
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pumpkin-carving-contest
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Events
Peer-to-peer

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
Share idea
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/family-dance
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Events

Calendar fundraiser

Design a calendar featuring fun or themed photos from your community, event participants, or volunteers. Sell it for a set donation amount, or use it as an auction item or giveaway prize.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share idea
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/calendar-fundraiser
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Pages & forms
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