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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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Workshop or masterclass


Put your community’s talents to good use.Host an expert workshop or masterclass series and raise funds through ticket sales.

You don’t need to limit your audience to only the people you can fit in the room. Consider livestreaming your event to make it more accessible and raise even more dollars.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/workshop-or-masterclass
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Auctions

Puck cancer


Host a hockey-themed fundraiser in support of cancer research or a cancer care facility. Rally your community of hockey fans to raise much-needed funds through ticket sales, themed merch, and peer-to-peer fundraising.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/puck-cancer
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Events
Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms

Community potluck dinner


Invite each person to contribute a dish and invite at least two people to join your dinner. To keep everything organized, customize your fundraising page or donation form so participants can note what dish they’re bringing when they RSVP—and make a contribution to your campaign.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/community-potluck-dinner
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Pages & forms

Field day


Invite participants to register for a day of fun outdoor games and friendly competitions, like relay races, a water balloon toss, and tug-of-war.

Make your fundraising event a success with sponsorships from local businesses to help offset costs and bring in more participants.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/field-day
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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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Events
Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms

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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Peer-to-peer

Taco-Making Contest


Put your culinary skills to the test! Charge an entry fee per team, and provide everyone with the same ingredients. The winner is the team with the tastiest tacos. Ready, set, cook!
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/taco-making-contest
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Events
Pages & forms

Baby picture guessing


Ask employees to bring in baby photos, then hang them up and challenge everyone to make a donation to guess who’s who!  
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/baby-picture-guessing
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Day at the zoo


Rally your supporters for an unforgettable fundraising field trip to the zoo. Partner with a local zoo to offer discounted admission that includes a donation to your organization. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/day-at-the-zoo
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Events
Auctions

Naming rights


Offer supporters the chance to name a bench, tree, sculpture, or pathway in recognition of their gift.

Create custom labels on your donation form for different naming tiers (e.g., $100 = named brick in a sidewalk).
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/naming-rights
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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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Animal allies


Encourage recurring donors by launching an animal ally monthly giving program. Your monthly supporters will receive exclusive updates about the animals their money is helping, plus access to special events and volunteer opportunities.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/animal-allies
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Players vs. parents game

It’s kids vs. grownups in this ultimate showdown. Ask for a small donation per participant or family or charge a small fee for supporters to come watch it all go down.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/players-vs-parents-game
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Events
Peer-to-peer

Thanksgiving food drive

Raise funds and ask supporters to contribute food items to provide neighbors in need with all the ingredients for a delicious and dignified Thanksgiving dinner.

Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/thanksgiving-food-drive
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House party

Host a house party and charge a small entrance fee to gain entry. Choose a theme to match your audience or fundraising campaign goal.

Sell event tickets online in advance, check guests in with our mobile app, and use Tap to Pay and Venmo donations to accept latecomers on the spot.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/house-party
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Events

Cutest pet contest

Who has the cutest pet in your community? Host a photo contest to find out! Invite participants to submit a photo of their four-legged (or feathered or scaly!) friend for a set donation amount. Then, open up voting to the public—each vote can be a small donation. Crown a winner, raise funds, and flood everyone’s feed with cuteness.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/cutest-pet-contest
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Events
Pages & forms

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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Events

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

Pride flag decoration party


Charge attendees a small fee to attend this crafty gathering and then sell or auction off your creations at an upcoming event.

Make the silent auction process as smooth as possible with mobile bidding tools that enable supporters to participate right from their phones.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pride-flag-decoration-party
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Events
Auctions
Pages & forms

Skate-a-thon


For a fun twist on a walk-a-thon, swap the walking shoes for rollerblades or quad skates and raise money for a good cause.

Encourage participants to create peer-to-peer fundraising pages they can personalize with their own stories and updates leading up to the big day. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/skate-a-thon
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Events
Peer-to-peer

One for one pledge


Whether you’re offering branded merch, boxed lunches, or other appealing products, incentivize even more donations for your cause by pledging to give away one “reward” item for each one purchased. (For example, for every pair of cozy socks sold, you’ll donate a pair to a local shelter.)

Showcase this cycle of generosity on your donation forms using custom labels and donation amounts to make it clear you’ll be making an in-kind donation for every monetary donation received.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/one-for-one-pledge
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Books and bubbly event


Host a literary-themed silent auction or raffle—think signed books, gift cards, and book-related tech. Perfect for libraries and community projects.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/books-and-bubbly-event
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Auctions
Events

Pool or beach volleyball tournament

Turn your local beach or community pool into a sports arena with a pool volleyball tournament. To make this a high-value event, charge teams an entry fee and encourage them to raise sponsorship through their team fundraising pages.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pool-volleyball-tournament
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Events
Peer-to-peer

Grants


Research grants that you can apply for to fund your nonprofit organization or project. Be sure to create a stand-out grant proposal in order to impress grantmakers!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/grants
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