Top ten proven fundraising event ideas

  1. Clothing drive
    1. Ask people you know or the wider community to donate their unwanted clothes to sell as part of the drive
    2. Arrange a space for the sale. This could be your house, garden, in the office, or a local community space. If you mention that you’re raising money for charity they may lend you the space for free or at low cost.
  2. Auctions at events
    Hold a dinner, reception or party (perhaps at a public space, restaurant, gallery, or private home) and conduct an auction. It can be a silent auction or a live event with an auctioneer. Winning bids are paid in the form of donations.

    1. For auction items, ask for donations from individuals and businesses. Ask restaurants, tour companies, wineries, spas, gyms, hair stylists, artists, lawyers and any others who can donate goods or services.
    2. Be clear in what you’re fundraising for. You should provide information about the cause and inform people what they’re donating to. You could also direct them to your fundraising page.
    3. Donating to your cause gives them the halo effect and some promotion, creating a win-win situation.
  3. Walkathon
    With these events, participants usually ask donors to give a certain amount based on total number of miles completed.

    1. Have sponsors make their donations directly to your fundraising page.
    2. Participants can set up teams, issuing challenges or competitions between teams.
    3. Ask local businesses to match donations or contribute a portion of proceeds to the cause for a period of time.
    4. These events are easy to take part in because they’re usually accessible. There’s often different levels of difficulty available, they aren’t costly and all ages can usually take part.
  4. Party or banquet
    Hosting a dinner party or charity banquet is a great way to gather a large group of people together, enjoy a good meal and gather donations.

    1. Invite your friends, family and neighbours.
    2. Parties and banquets can be hosted at a home, clubhouse or banquet hall.
    3. Try selling tickets in exchange for donations.
  5. Benefit dance
    Hosting a benefit dance (or better yet, a themed benefit dance) is a fun way for adults and children to come together and raise funds.

    1. Share the link to your fundraiser on social media and ask anyone who wants to attend to contribute a certain amount as payment for a ticket.
    2. For last-minute arrivals, be ready to sell tickets at the door in exchange for donations.
    3. Try and make this as social as possible. This can be done with your colleagues, at a school event or with a sports group.
  6. Charity sports event
    Host a charity sporting event — maybe a football match, basketball game or a golf tournament

    1. Sell tickets in exchange for contributions to your fundraiser and ask that players also make a contribution (or get sponsors to donate).
    2. Ask local sports organisations and teams if any of the coaches would be willing to help coordinate the event.
 Amateur leagues may already have a following that you can tap into.
  7. Community bake-off

    1. Invite people to bake their best cakes and bring them together to crown a winner
    2. You could sell the baked goods, with the proceeds going towards the fundraiser
  8. Craft for good causes

    1. Invite people to get creative and use their crafting skills for a good cause
    2. Something simple like papercraft or handmade jewellery would keep it accessible and inexpensive
    3. Ask anyone attending to donate to your fundraiser and then sell the handcrafted items afterwards to raise more money
  9. Car wash
    Car washes have long been a popular way to drum up support for a cause

    1. Advertise your car wash on your fundraiser page and on social media.
    2. Let donors know they can receive a car wash on a certain date.
    3. You can sell tickets in advance in exchange for a donation, or take donations at the event.
    4. Get out in the community and spread the word of your fundraiser. Washing cars can also help your fundraising team bond while working together.
  10. Barbecue night
    Host a summer evening barbecue, add a dash of music and entertainment and you’ve got yourself a fundraising event.

    1. Ask volunteers to help out by bringing side dishes such as potato salad, fruit, vegetables, dessert, crisps and drinks.
    2. See if you can find a local band or musician open to donating a performance.
    3. Toss in outdoor games — maybe cornhole, three-legged races, bocce, croquet or horseshoes.
    4. Ask guests to make a suggested donation in exchange for tickets. Give them a chance to donate during the night as well, via a donation station.

Connect with your community and create momentum

  • Your event can strengthen bonds and offer light at the end of the tunnel. If your fundraiser is in response to a stressful situation, gathering neighbours helps ease the emotional weight.
  • If you’re raising money to achieve a positive goal or to support a friend or a charity in need, an event can inspire everyone, creating a positive energy that carries your fundraiser to the end.
  • If your beneficiaries can attend the event, donors and potential donors get a chance to connect with them — and see the importance of their contributions first hand.

Make your crowdfunding fundraiser an eventful one

Ready to get started with one of these fundraising event ideas? Get more inspiration from our easy fundraising ideas and creative fundraising ideas pages. With our tips, event fundraising just got easier — and your event is sure to be effective, fun and memorable. Crowdfunding on GoFundMe is free for fundraiser organisers, and you can begin withdrawing funds as soon as you start receiving donations. Start your event fundraiser today.