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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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Valet parking

Create and sell custom VIP event tickets that offer parking perks to donors who'd appreciate the convenience of getting dropped off right at the game entrance.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/valet-parking
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Events

Flag football tournament


Bring fans onto the field for some football fun! Teams register and pay to play and fans buy tickets to cheer them on.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/flag-football-tournament
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Events
Peer-to-peer

Virtual movie night


Host a virtual family movie night using Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party) on your favorite streaming platform. Collect donations before or during your fundraising event, and make it more interactive and fun with movie trivia questions throughout the evening. 

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

Pet spa day


Recruit volunteers to perform various pet grooming services like bathing and nail trimming. Charge a fee for each “treatment” at this fundraising event by offering tiered ticket types for different services and combinations.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pet-spa-day
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Auctions

Office Games

Organize a series of lighthearted office games like chair races or paper airplane contests. Charge a small fee (donation) for participation and award prizes to winners. Offer scan to-donate to make the process smooth and simple.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/office-games
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Events
Pages & forms
Peer-to-peer

Sponsor a stud


Let donors "sponsor" a piece of lumber for your next construction project. Customize donation amounts on your donation form to align with the cost of materials (e.g., $50 donation equals 3 studs). 

Don’t forget to invite all sponsors to the ribbon-cutting ceremony when construction is complete!
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/sponsor-a-stud
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Pages & forms

Parents’ night out


This fundraising event can be a fun gathering for parents—or a chance for grownups to drop off their kids for a few hours in exchange for a donation to your cause. Charge an hourly rate or flat “entrance fee” and give caregivers some priceless peace and quiet.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/parents-night-out
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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

Take a pie to the face


Set up a booth and invite people to pay to throw a pie at willing participants like teachers, bosses, or coaches—the more authority, the more satisfying!

With scan-to-donate, pie throwers use your QR code to land on your donation page instantly—no waiting around.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/take-a-pie-to-the-face
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Events
Pages & forms

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

Shoot-a-thon


In this basketball fundraiser, each contestant pays a small entry fee to see how many baskets they can make in a short amount of time.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/shoot-a-thon
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Events
Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms

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

Read-a-thon


Students pledge to read a certain number of minutes each day and collect donations for every minute read or a flat rate. Use peer-to-peer fundraising to gamify your efforts and encourage readers to compete to see who reads—and raises—the most.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/read-a-thon
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Events
Peer-to-peer

Holiday cookie sale


Whip up some sweet treats to sell at your next fundraising event, group gathering, or around town. Consider setting up a station for supporters to decorate their own cookies or create kits for families to bring home in exchange for a donation.

Streamline the buying process with scan-to-donate—which guest can use to make their payment instantly right from their phones!
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/holiday-cookie-sale
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Events
Pages & forms

Apple bobbing


Set up a stall where people can try apple bobbing in exchange for a small donation. This activity works especially well as part of a fall festival or Halloween event with a range of seasonal activities for families to enjoy.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/apple-bobbing
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Events

Sports team car wash

Host a car wash where team members do the washing in their uniforms! Schedule players in shifts and offer premium wash packages for higher donations.
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/sports-team-car-wash
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Events
Pages & forms

Special series


Create programming for a special series of sermons designed to help raise money for your current fundraising project.

Tie sermons directly to your goal and reach more supporters by livestreaming right from your fundraising page. Anyone can tune into the stream, make a donation, and learn about your campaign all in one place.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/special-series
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Events
Pages & forms

Fall festival


Host your own fall-themed festival with carnival games, food and drink, local vendors, and live music.

Ask local businesses to donate supplies or prizes, and raise funds through refreshments, games, and stallholder fees.

Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/fall-carnival
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Events
Pages & forms

Fix the felines


Launch a trap-neuter-return fundraising campaign to help reduce the number of stray cats and kittens in your community. 

Make your fundraising goal visible with a fundraising thermometer, so supporters can see how their contributions are moving you one step closer to your goal. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/fix-the-felines
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Pages & forms

Comedy night


Sell tickets to join your organization for an evening of laughter, drinks, and fundraising! Partner with a local venue and ask other businesses for corporate sponsorships to offset costs and bring in even more dollars for your cause.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/comedy-night
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Events

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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Events

Thanksgiving dinner

Host a big Thanksgiving meal to bring your entire community together. Sell tickets on a sliding scale so everyone can join in the fun.

Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/thanksgiving-dinner
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Events

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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Events

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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Events
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