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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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Flower bouquets

Partner with a local florist to set up a stall where volunteers make, wrap, and sell flower bouquets for Mother's Day, Easter, or any other spring celebration.

Create a fundraising page with custom donation amounts featuring a photo of each kind of bouquet and the number available so donors can reserve bouquets online or purchase in person.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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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
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pajama-run
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Events
Peer-to-peer

Pet adoption extravaganza


Partner with a local shelter for an all-day pet adoption palooza. Make it an event to remember and attract more guests with music, games, food, and plenty of furry companions.

You never know—the person who came by for a hot dog might just leave with their forever friend!
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pet-adoption-extravaganza
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Eating contest

Challenge contestants to (safely) stuff their faces in a race to the finish. Sell tickets to watch and offer prizes for the winner! To gamify the experience even more, encourage contestants to create personal peer-to-peer fundraising pages where friends and family can show their support.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/eating-contest
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Beach day

Arrange a day of sand and sun for your team members, volunteers, and the wider community with beach games, a picnic, and lots of family fun. 

Set an affordable ticket price or ask for donations to cover the cost of the event and raise funds—whichever you choose, our fundraising event tools can help!
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/beach-day
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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

Dance silent auction

Give the traditional silent auction a dance-themed twist by selling off items, vouchers, and experiences that your dancer community would love. Make this part of a gala event and sell tickets to enter for even more fundraising opportunities.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/dance-silent-auction
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Auctions

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
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/march-madness
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Events
Peer-to-peer

Beach ball


Swap the traditional venue for a sunset gala on the beach. With catering, live music, and an auction, you’ll have the perfect recipe for a memorable summer fundraiser.
Cost:
3
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/beach-ball
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Events
Pages & forms

Trivia night

At this crowd-favorite activity, you can come up with fun questions, charge entry fees for teams, and raise extra money by providing sweet and salty snacks.

Make the evening go even smoother with seamless attendee check-ins and easy payment options like Tap to pay, Venmo donations, and scan-to-donate. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/trivia-night
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Silent disco

Organizing a disco can feel like a lot of work, but a silent disco is easier and just as much fun! Sell tickets in advance so you know how many people to prepare for, and raise extra funds by selling food and drink on the night.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/silent-disco
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Events

Board game night


Host a pay-to-play fundraising event where participants can compete against their friends in games like UNO or Sorry. Sell goodies for competitors to snack on to make this event extra sweet.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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Events

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

Drive-in movie night


Turn a parking lot and the side of a building into a makeshift drive-in movie theater. Charge an entrance fee and raise funds by selling drinks and snacks. Sell tickets for your fundraising event in advance, and use engaging features like scan-to-donate and mobile app check-in to streamline your guests' experience.

Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/drive-in-movie-night
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Events

Golf auction

Plan an in-person, virtual, or hybrid auction themed all around golf. Ask club members and local golf companies to donate items or experiences, and see if you can encourage a celebrity or local expert to get involved.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/golf-auction
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Auctions

Food truck Friday


Choose one Friday every month to be Food Truck Friday, in which you partner up with a local food truck to visit the area and promote their arrival.

In exchange for driving more business their way, use a sponsorship proposal to negotiate a percentage of profits for your good cause.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/food-truck-friday
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Events

Superhero run


Charge an entry fee to participate in a costumed fundraising run. Encourage runners to raise even more for your cause through their own peer-to-peer fundraising pages, and award prizes for race winners, best super hero costumes, and most donations raised!  
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/superhero-run
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Events
Peer-to-peer

Three point contest

Request a minimum donation for event attendees to participate. Each team shoots shoots from behind the three-point. The winning team is the one with the most points when the time goes off. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/three-point-contest
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Events
Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms

Home exercise classes


Invite local fitness instructors and coaches to donate their skills and invite community members to join you for at-home exercise classes in exchange for a donation.

Manage everything in one place by broadcasting your classes with a livestream right on your event registration page.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/home-exercise-classes
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Events

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

VIP cushioned seats sale


Sell VIP event tickets that offer access to front-row, cushioned seats—and maybe some team swag—at your next home game. Give your biggest fans an unforgettable experience while raising funds for your cause. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/vip-cushioned-seats-sale
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Events
Auctions

Water balloons & sponge toss

For this fundraising event, charge a small fee per water balloon or sponge, and let students throw them at each other during a pep rally or outdoor event. For easy participation, offer scan-to-donate and accept multiple payment methods like Apple Pay, Venmo, and more.

Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/sponge-toss
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Events
Pages & forms

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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Speakeasy night


Sell tickets to a prohibition-era-themed night that features poker, themed cocktails, live music, and more. Sell tickets to this fundraising event ahead of time, and accept donations from latecomers on the spot, too.


Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share idea
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/speakeasy-night
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Events
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