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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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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
Donation forms

Ale tasting

For a fun twist on the usual wine tasting, sell tickets online and in person to an ale-tasting event instead. Host an evening of learning about brewing, tasting different beers, and raising money for a good cause.

Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/ale-tasting
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Events

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
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pie-baking-contest-and-potluck
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Events
Peer-to-peer

Sponsor a stud

Encourage donors to "sponsor" a piece of lumber your team will use in your construction projects. Create custom labels for different donation amounts on your donation form that align with the cost of materials (e.g., $50 donation equals 3 pieces of lumber). 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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Donation forms
Fundraising page

Rah-rah raffle

Raffle or auction off donated spirit-related items or experiences like a spot at a cheer clinic and private cheer lessons.

To attract the right audience, host a silent auction at your next spirited event with these experiences included!

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/rah-rah-raffle
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Events
Auctions

Carnival night

Host a magical fundraising event with traditional carnival games, rides, and booths. Charge an all-inclusive fee or make each activity pay-as-you-go using QR codes for a smoother donation experience.

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

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

Coach dare

Challenge your coach to do something wild (like shaving their head!) if your team reaches their fundraising goal. Have supporters watch the fundraiser’s progress—and create some exciting anticipation—with an engaging fundraising page that features a live goal bar.

Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/coach-dare
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Fundraising page
Donation forms

PTA mimosa breakfast

Invite parents to a fun twist on the pancake breakfast by selling tickets to an adult-only meal at your next fundraising event. Offer extra goodies—like espresso martinis!—at an additional cost.

Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pta-mimosa-breakfast
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Events

Student art auction

Auction off students' art projects online, in-person, or both! Add photos and descriptions for each masterpiece using easy auction software.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/student-art-auction
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Auctions
Events
Fundraising page

Caroling

Embrace the holiday spirit and spread joy by going caroling around town or at an event. Pass the hat for cash donations AND hold a big QR code or text-to-donate number for easy mobile giving!

Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
1
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/caroling
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Donation forms
Events

Coding bootcamp

Partner with coding organizations and offer students discounted class fees and programs. Be sure to include some appealing benefits for participating companies in your corporate sponsorship proposal, like free marketing and publicity.

Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/coding-bootcamp
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Events

Jeans day / Out of uniform day

Sell passes for a day out of uniform or a day in jeans. Allow parents to pre-pay ahead or donate on the day-of the event. For easy payments, use scan-to-donate or accept Venmo and other convenient options.

Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/jeans-day-out-of-uniform-day
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Events
Donation forms

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
Fundraising page
Peer-to-peer

Car wash

Gather volunteers, soap, and plenty of rags to wash cars in exchange for donations. Collect onsite donations easily with a scan-to-donate QR code that lets donors to select from a variety of payment methods.

Sprinkle some extra magic into this classic fundraiser by giving it a theme! Encourage your group to dress up in costumes representing ‘80s icons, classic Disney characters, superheroes—you name it.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/car-wash
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Events

Wine pull

Collect donated bottles of wine, disguise the labels, and invite attendees to buy them blindly to discover what they’ve won. For some extra fundraising, host a livestream wine-tasting class afterward for everyone to learn more about their picks.

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/wine-pull
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Events
Donation forms
Auctions

Naming rights

Supporters cast their vote with donations to name a bench, tree, garden, sculpture, or pathway.

Create custom labels on your donation form for various donation amounts (for example: $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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Donation forms

Youth lock-in

Plan a good old-fashioned lock-in for your younger community members. Charge a registration fee and have chaperones on hand to supervise activities like trivia, movie screenings, and video game tournaments.

Set up an online fundraising event page where participants can register and supporters can make donations.

Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/youth-lock-in
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Events

Skate-a-thon

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

Leading up to your event, encourage your participants to create their own peer-to-peer fundraising pages, which they can personalize with their own stories and updates.

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

Build-a-thon

Invite supporters to have a tangible impact on their communities by raising funds and committing to volunteer their time to help build homes for those in need.

Participants create personal peer-to-peer fundraising pages where they can share their commitment to this cause with their friends and family, encouraging them to donate and support the initiative.

Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/build-a-thon
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Peer-to-peer

24-hour relay race

Create the ultimate relay race for rival schools in your district and charge an entrance fee for spectators. Encourage each school to create a team fundraising page where friends and family can show their support with donations and progress toward their goal in real time.

Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/24-hour-relay-race
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Events
Peer-to-peer

High heels walk

Instead of a 5k, organize a high heels walk down a “runway” of your choice. Challenge supporters to see who can raise the most funds leading up to the event through peer-to-peer fundraising—and who can rock the best look. Encourage your supporters to personalize their pages to attract more donations!

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/high-heels-walk
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Events
Peer-to-peer

Movies in the park

Ask your community members to join you for a series of movies in the park this summer. Screen a classic or trending movie somewhere scenic, and sell popcorn, drinks, and other refreshments.

Sell tickets online, check guests in with your mobile app, and offer easy payment methods like scan-to-donate for on-the-spot donations.

Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share this idea
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/movies-in-the-park
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Events
Donation forms

Pet spa day

Recruit volunteers to perform various pet grooming services like bathing and nail trimming. Charge a fee for every “treatment” at this fundraising event by offering tiered ticket types for various services and combinations.

Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share this idea
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pet-spa-day
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Events
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