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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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Drag bingo


Sell bingo cards for a night of drag entertainment and competition! Winners receive donated prizes. To raise even more at this memorablefundraising event, offer drink specials and sell eye-catching merch.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/drag-bingo
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Events

Face painting


Set up a booth where passersby can get their face painted by volunteers from your group in exchange for a small donation.

Make it easy for people to give with scan-to-donate. All they need to do is scan the QR code and they’ll land on your donation page in seconds.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/face-painting
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Events
Pages & forms

Pool party


Charge an entry fee for a fun day in the sun—think pool floats, squirt guns, and water balloons!

To make this fundraising event even more of a hit, sell summery snacks and drinks, too. Don’t forget the sunscreen!
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pool-party
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Events
Pages & forms

Lip sync competition


Invite community members to sign up and submit their songs for an unforgettable lip-sync battle. Recruit a volunteer panel of judges to select the winners—and don’t forget prizes for the winners!

Sell tickets for this fundraising event online, streamline check-in, and accept extra donations with the same easy platform.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/lip-sync-competition
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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

Toy drive


Set up a toy drive so your community members can donate toys or cash to support families over the holiday season. Distribute toys to those most in need and use extra funds to buy additional gifts.

Let everyone know when, where, and what to donate with the help of email marketing software.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/toy-drive
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Pages & forms

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

Pizza party


Have each class or group create a team fundraising page for donations and campaign sharing. Reward the team that raises the most with a bottomless pizza day, donated by a local pizzeria or made by volunteers. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pizza-party
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Events
Peer-to-peer

Comedy roast

Invite participants to roast their teachers or coaches—in a light-hearted way. Sell tickets online and check-in attendees as they arrive, in addition to offering in-person donations for entry (and snacks!) with Venmo and scan-to-donate. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/comedy-roast
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Events

Sports clinic


Host a sports clinic or skills camp for participants to learn from top coaches, pro players, or other notable experts. Depending on the scale of your clinic, you can sell several tickets to the public or offer just a few spots as a big-ticket silent auction item at a fundraising event.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/sports-clinic
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Events
Auctions

Community cookbook


Create and sell a custom cookbook featuring favorite recipes from your community members and families. To drum up excitement and spread the word, share sneak peek photos on your custom fundraising page.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/community-cookbook
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Pages & forms

Gala night


Plan a sophisticated gala night with music, food, and a silent auction.

Get your supporters excited about your upcoming event with an eye-catching gala invitation template. Include details on how to buy tickets, or add a scan-to-donate QR code.
Cost:
3
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/gala-night
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Events
Auctions

Family photo day

Partner with a local photographer and charge a fee for photo packages with themed backdrops or props. Create custom tickets with time slots for families to sign up to keep the day moving smoothly.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/family-photo-day
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Events
Pages & forms

Elect an animal


Nominate some of the animals in your care to be “election candidates.” Create fundraising pages for the nominees and have supporters cast their vote by donating. Be sure to spotlight each animal’s story and how your organization has helped them thrive. 
 
The winning animal receives some extra treats—and social media recognition! 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/elect-an-animal
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Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms

Swim-a-thon


Swap your sneakers for a swimsuit or trunks and host a swim-a-thon to raise money for your cause. Set a route that feels achievable, and invite participants to create their own peer-to-peer fundraising pages to help you reach your goal.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/swim-a-thon
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Events
Peer-to-peer

Mystery art show


Invite local artists, students, and other enthusiastic community members to contribute small paintings or other works for an anonymous community art sale.

Charge an entrance fee and invite supporters to purchase pieces all at the same price—without knowing who their artist is until the end of the event!
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/mystery-art-show
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Events
Pages & forms

50-yard-line movie night

Hang a projector screen (or large, white sheet) from the goalposts at the football field. Charge a small entrance fee, sell popcorn, and enjoy an outdoor movie night together—football-themed film or not! 
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/50-yard-line-movie-night
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Events

Virtual scavenger hunt


For this totally remote fundraising event, charge a registration fee and ask participants to use their computer or mobile device to complete various challenges. Share instructions and updates and announce winners from a livestream hosted right on your event page.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/virtual-scavenger-hunt
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Events

Desk decorating contest


Choose a theme and invite participants to decorate their workspace, door, etc! Let others donate $5 to vote for the best “dressed” desk through each participant’s peer-to-peer fundraising page. Track the leaderboard in real time to see who’s in the lead.

Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/desk-decorating-contest
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Events
Peer-to-peer

24-hour marathon


Host a 24-hour livestream fundraiser for a high-energy day of fun and fundraising.

Great livestream activity ideas include a poetry slam, gaming tournament, or virtual concert.
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/24-hour-marathon
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Events
Peer-to-peer

Food truck smorgasbord


Invite food trucks to a big game or event and ask them in return to donate a portion of all food sales to your team. To really sweeten thesponsorshipopportunity, offer benefits for these small businesses, like free marketing and publicity.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/food-truck-smorgasbord
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Events

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
Share idea
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/thanksgiving-food-drive
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Pages & forms

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

Craft sale

Turn your community’s talents into funds for your cause by hosting a craft sale. Ask volunteer crafters to donate some of their goods or ask for a percentage of their profits in return for promoting and hosting the event.

Want to make an even bigger impact? Auction off some larger or more in-demand items.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Share idea
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/craft-sale
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Events
Auctions
Pages & forms
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