Getting creative with your fundraiser can inspire donors to give more. These easy fundraising ideas can add unique and fresh elements to the long list of established fundraising ideas. Here’s your guide to leading the fundraising charge with proven ideas that will grab the attention of donors, inspire donations, and boost social shares in your community.
An art gala is one of the more creative fundraiser ideas. If you’re an artist or have friends or students that are artists or craftspeople (perhaps photographers, painters, or jewelry makers), ask them to donate pieces to an art sale supporting your cause. Here’s how:
This is one of our favorite quick fundraising ideas. If you have artistically talented friends and family, you can host an art workshop. There’s likely to be a great deal of overlap between people who support your cause and those who want to learn a related craft.
If you’re looking for unique fundraising ideas, then you just need to allow your community to show what makes them special. Host a talent show and invite supporters and members of your local community to perform. Some easy steps to do this are:
If you and your fundraising team have ideas for clothing, jewelry, or other artwork you can reproduce in large quantities, you can use sites like eBay and Etsy to help you raise money. This is just one of many virtual fundraising ideas!
This is a perfect gift for the holidays! The best fundraisers plug into existing trends and excitement. Offer your wreaths in exchange for donations to your fundraiser.
Making a quilt with your fundraising team and other volunteers is a great way to bring a traditional craft into your fundraiser. Here are some tips:
Take advantage of all the holiday shopping that happens during winter by creating a gift wrapping station. Many people are either too busy to wrap their holiday gifts, or they’d rather pay someone who’s better at it. Work with a local business to make sure it’s okay to set up your gift wrapping station nearby or inside, and be sure to make it clear through a sign or poster that all funds will be used to support your cause. People will likely be happy to contribute to a good cause while getting their holiday wrapping all taken care of.
Spring is the perfect time to launch a new fundraiser or revive an old idea. People are ready to shed their winter layers, socialize more, and attend more sporting events. Tap into excitement for NCAA playoffs by starting a basketball bracket that helps your cause: supporters can exchange donations for entrance to your bracket. From there, you can encourage people to pledge more donations for specific events that happen during the season!
Combine some favorite summer activities with a single, outdoor fundraising extravaganza. Everyone loves a good potluck, and it also encourages sharing, community bonding, and plenty of opportunities to talk to others about your fundraiser.
You can sell tickets to the event beforehand, letting community members know that all proceeds will be donated to your cause. Or, you can organize yard sale items beforehand, and let everyone know that those sales will help fund your worthy cause.
Fall is a time when students are back in class and trying to work their way through reading lists for class. Tap into this academic need by asking community members and neighbors to donate books that they no longer want or need. Once you have enough books for a sale, set up your goods in your garage, or work with a local school to use their gymnasium. Be sure to let everyone know that all funds will be used to support your cause.
Chris Cognac did just that while serving as a police officer in Hawthorne, California. After meeting a passionate young girl who needed some help Chris set up a fundraiser for Yanet’s education. She’s now attending Berkeley.
A group of students from Boston came to GoFundMe to save their 44-year-old independent student newspaper, The Daily Press, and raised over $80,000 to keep their operation running.
11-year-old cancer survivor Kylie Simmonds invented a wearable IV backpack. Sick of the constraints of traditional IV machines, Kylie’s invention gives children more mobility during their treatment. Her incredible story was picked up by national media outlets, and Kylie is now building her first prototype.
When Sherwin Callender was contacted to attend the 70th anniversary of D-Day at Normandy but didn’t have the funds to fly, friends and family came to his rescue and made sure he was able to attend. Their fundraiser, Send Sherwin Callander to Normandy for the 70th Anniversary of D-Day!, ended up raising more than $10,000.
In 2011, Kasonja Holley started a project called Love In Motion. During lunch one day per week, she spends her time passing out 20 meals. With an amazing network of friends, and family, Kasonja raised over $10,000 to feed the homeless in Park Forest, Illinois.
Add your fundraising goal, high-quality photos, videos, and write your story.
Share your fundraiser with our built-in links to Facebook, Twitter, and email.
Write fundraiser updates, add new photos, and send thank you’s to your donors.
This is your chance to tell a unique story. Make it stand out by choosing a memorable and descriptive name; add high-quality photos, and offer a heartfelt description of your financial needs.
Visuals are powerful. Fundraisers with compelling visuals raise more money than those without. Add high-quality photos and videos to your fundraiser page to help potential donors connect with—and share—your cause with the world.
Build a strong fundraising community to drive traffic to your fundraiser. Check out our proven ideas for building support for your cause.
Getting your fundraiser featured in the news is a surefire way to get your story out into the world. And, it isn’t as hard as you might think. Check out these great ideas for shining a spotlight on your fundraiser.
Social media is one of your most important fundraising tools. Use your social networks to spread awareness among family, friends, and even strangers— reach as many potential donors as you can.
Easy ways to maximize donations to your fundraiser.