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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.

Givebutter fundraising progress graphic showing $45,000 raised out of a $50,000 goal (90% complete), with a smiling yellow character holding a light bulb and a green 'Support Now!' button.

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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

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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Pages & forms

Dance workshop

Find the next generation of talented dancers for your group and put a smile on people’s faces by hosting dance workshops. Sell tickets with a percentage going towards your community group or a cause of your choice.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/dance-workshop
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Events

Dance team calendar

Put together your own dance team calendar, and sell this at classes, recitals, and community events to raise funds for your dance company or team. Givebutter’s event ticketing feature is customizable enough for you to use this to sell your calendars and other merch.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/dance-team-calendar
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Shoe-decorating

Source an array of paints and art supplies and invite community members to make a donation and bring a pair of sneakers to paint together for your good cause. 

To create a seamless event experience, set up custom ticket types, like an upsell ticket that provides a pair of shoes. Make sure to add a custom question to get the right shoe size!
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/shoe-decorating
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Events
Auctions

Improv night


Invite community members to try their hand at comedy while earning money—and a few good laughs—for a cause. Sell tickets and raise even more at your event with snacks and drinks.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/improv-night
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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

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

Book sale


Partner with a publisher or local book store and host a book sale to raise money. Sell books of all kinds or organize the event around a theme—romance novels, religious books, or children's literature—whatever will resonate with your community.

Make sure to spread the word about your sale and send reminders using free email marketing software!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/book-sale
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Events
Auctions
Pages & forms

Turkey raffle

Sell raffle tickets right on your event page to give donors the chance to win an epic Thanksgiving feast while supporting your cause at the same time.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/turkey-raffle
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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

Pay you not to ask me again


Give your supporters a way to opt out of all your upcoming donation requests during a big fundraising effort. If they contribute via your donation form before a certain date, you’ll take them off your email and call list for the whole campaign! Then, you can easily segment your email list with your built-in CRM and marketing tools. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pay-you-not-to-ask-me-again
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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

F*ck cancer


Channel your negative feelings about cancer into positive impact with a major fundraiser for your nonprofit. Whether you host a live event or launch a year-long campaign, this bold approach is a powerful way to rally support for your cause.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/f-ck-cancer
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Events
Auctions
Pages & forms

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
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/tails-and-trails
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Events
Peer-to-peer

Open mic night

Invite community members to perform music, poetry, or comedy for a good cause. Ask audience members to make a small donation and offer snacks to raise more funds using easy in-person mobile payments like Tap to Pay and scan-to-donate
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/open-mic-night
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Events
Pages & forms

Grown-up bake sale

Sell donated or homemade gourmet goodies like croissants and macarons for the ultimate grownups-with-a-sweet-tooth fundraiser. 

Collect in-person payments with scan-to-donate, which gives donors a wide range of payment options.  
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/grown-up-bake-sale
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Pages & forms
Events

Tag Day


Invite students to set up outside local businesses and collect donations from patrons. Donors receive “tags” (stickers) to show they gave. Accept payments via Venmo or scan-to-donate!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/tag-day
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Pages & forms

Pet yoga


Ask a local yoga teacher to lead a class with adoptable animals—or invite participants bring their pets along for some zen!

Make this fundraising event even better by asking a local yoga studio to be a sponsor.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pet-yoga
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Events

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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Auctions
Events
Pages & forms

Putting contest

Gather everyone around the practice green and sell tickets for golfers to putt the ball as far as they can. The winner is the participant that gets their ball closest to the hole.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
Share idea
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/putting-contest
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Events
Peer-to-peer

Beach bash


Head to your favorite local beach for a summer celebration like no other. Feature live music, beach activities, refreshments, and plenty of fun—all in support of your good cause.
Cost:
3
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Share idea
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/beach-bash
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Events

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

Jump-a-thon


Organize a jump-a-thon where participants collect pledges for every jump—or every minute they keep jumping. It’s a fun, high-energy way to raise money while fostering community and a little friendly competition.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share idea
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/jump-a-thon
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Peer-to-peer
Events
Pages & forms
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