Your go-to source for fundraising inspiration
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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Ice cream social
Set up an ice cream stall with different flavors, cones, toppings, and sauces. Raise funds by asking for donations to unlock the most popular or extravagant toppings.
Create a vibrant, themed fundraising page, then send your supporters straight to it with scan-to-donate. From there they can pay for their ice-cream and unlock flavors!
Create a vibrant, themed fundraising page, then send your supporters straight to it with scan-to-donate. From there they can pay for their ice-cream and unlock flavors!
Cost:



2
Effort:



2
Impact:



1
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/ice-cream-social
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Events
Pages & forms
Community service day
Organize volunteers to participate in a day of community care—tackling local projects and tasks in exchange for donations from your community members.
Showcase every project or fundraiser you’re working on using a central giving hub, so supporters can see all your amazing work in one place.
Showcase every project or fundraiser you’re working on using a central giving hub, so supporters can see all your amazing work in one place.
Cost:



2
Effort:



3
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/community-service-day
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Events
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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
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/parents-night-out
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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
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/taco-making-contest
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Events
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School auction
Source quality school-related items, such as backpacks and shoes, and auction them off during a virtual, in-person, or hybrid event.
Cost:



1
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2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/school-auction
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Events
Auctions
Teacher spelling bee
Put your teachers and school admins in the spelling spotlight. Ask for an entry fee and charge contestants for “help” if their skills are rusty (like buying an “ask-the-audience” pass!).
To make this event virtual or hybrid, livestream it from your event page for attendees to watch from home.
To make this event virtual or hybrid, livestream it from your event page for attendees to watch from home.
Cost:



1
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/teacher-spelling-bee
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Events
Tails and trails
Gather your dog-loving supporters for a tails and trails dog-walking fundraiser. Choose a scenic, dog-friendly trail and charge a set fee for tickets.
Don’t forget to provide refreshments at the end of the trail—for both humans and canines!
Cost:



1
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/tails-and-trails
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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
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/one-for-one-pledge
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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
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pajama-run
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Events
Peer-to-peer
Concession stand
Use an existing stand or create your own and sell items like popcorn, candy, and sunflower seeds. To boost sales, create customticketswith mouth-watering pictures of available treats!
Cost:



2
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/concession-stand
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Events
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Penny wars
Organize a friendly competition between grades or classes to collect the most pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. Just grab a few jars and encourage students to find some loose change to get started!
Cost:



1
Effort:



1
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/penny-wars
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Pages & forms
Fourth of July party
Celebrate our nation’s independence with a red, white, and blue fundraiser! Work with businesses to secure sponsorships and an amazing venue, then sell tickets to your fundraising event, filled with food, music, and activities.
Cost:



2
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/fourth-of-july-party
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Auctions
Events
Pages & forms
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
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/networking-night
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Events
Singing telegram
Unleash your inner performer with a singing telegram! Cast willing team members to be singers, and and sell performances for a set donation amount.
Cost:



1
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/singing-telegram
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All
Events
Pages & forms
Uncork it for cancer
Plan a wine-themed lunch or dinner event featuring delicious food and drink, live music, and great conversation—all while raising money for cancer care and research. Include an auction to attract even more donations.
Cost:



3
Effort:



3
Impact:



3
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/uncork-it-for-cancer
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Events
Auctions
Pages & forms
March Madness
Raise money while cheering on your favorite NCAA players with a bracket competition culminating in a ticketed March Madness watch party.
To take this fundraising idea online, take advantage of livestreaming tools, too!
Cost:



2
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/march-madness
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All
Events
Peer-to-peer
Pet run/walk
Invite community members to bring their furry friends along to walk in a charity 5K. Encourage participants to create individual fundraising pages that feature their pets, set a donation goal, and help spread the word about the cause.
Cost:



2
Effort:



2
Impact:



3
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pet-run-walk
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Events
Peer-to-peer
Creative design workshop
Host a paid workshop that teaches hands-on skills like painting, design thinking, or advanced crafting. Ask instructors to volunteer their time, and keep supply costs low by partnering with local business sponsors to maximize profit margins.
Cost:



2
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/creative-design-workshop
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Events
Pages & forms
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
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pie-baking-contest-and-potluck
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All
Events
Peer-to-peer
Adopt-a-mile fundraiser
Raise funds for a mission trip by asking congregation members to “adopt a mile.” This is a fun way to tie your fundraising activity into the experience and drive donations closer to your goal.
Highlight how close you are to reaching your target by displaying a live goal bar on your fundraising page, where the fundraising goal total equals the number of miles.
Cost:



1
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/adopt-a-mile-fundraiser
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All
Pages & forms
Basketball tournament
Host a basketball tournament between different schools, teams, or departments. Sell event tickets and offer drinks, snacks, and merch using Tap to Pay.
Step things up by challenging each team to see who can raise the most. Encourage them to create team fundraising pages to track their impact and build momentum toward game day.
Step things up by challenging each team to see who can raise the most. Encourage them to create team fundraising pages to track their impact and build momentum toward game day.
Cost:



2
Effort:



3
Impact:



3
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/basketball-tournament
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All
Events
Peer-to-peer
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
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/hole-sponsorship
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Pages & forms
Refer a friend
For successful referrals to your program, offer your current members discounted membership fees, merchandise, or entry into a raffle. Create custom fields (like “Who referred you?”) on your donation forms to keep track of eligible members.
Cost:



1
Effort:



2
Impact:



2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/refer-a-friend
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One-day giving event
Take part in Giving Tuesday or create your own giving day in which you mobilize your community to reach your fundraising goal in one day.
Keep your supporters invested in your progress with a goal bar and campaign updates that highlight milestones, matching gifts, and special shout-outs throughout the day.
Cost:



1
Effort:



3
Impact:



3
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/one-day-giving-event
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Events
Pages & forms
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