Fundraising Ideas

50/50 Raffle

Perhaps the simplest of all fundraisers is the 50/50 raffle. Many organizations that rely on fundraising efforts offer a 50/50 raffle at every meeting. Some companies have “fun teams” that are entirely funded ... more

All Saints Day Cleanup

Little ghosts and goblins can wreak havoc on yards and pumpkins during Halloween. Have an all saints day cleanup for your next fundraiser. Create a flyer about your group and what you are ... more

All You Can Eat Potato Bar

Tired of the same old spaghetti dinner fundraisers? Try having an all you can eat potato bar for your group’s next dinner fundraiser. People will enjoy the change and there is a minimal ... more

Baby and Kids Resale

Babies and children outgrow clothing and toys so quickly, often before they are worn out. Host a baby and kids’ resale as your next fundraiser. You will need a large building with a ... more

Bachelor/Bachelorette Auction

Calling all eligible bachelors and bachelorettes. Help raise funds for your group and meet some new people while doing so. Host a Bachelor/Bachelorette Auction. This fundraiser is appropriate for adult groups. ... more

Bagger for a Day

Sometimes it seems that your local grocery store can be too busy and that you always end up bagging your own groceries. Provide a nice service to your community and raise funds at the ... more

Bake Sale

This is an easy fundraiser to run as part of a larger event, such as a holiday craft sale, or sporting event. You will want to give a call out to all of the ... more

Bargain Basement Evening Gowns

This is a wonderful way to clean out your closets and make some money during Prom and Homecoming Season. People always have old Prom dresses and Bridesmaids dresses that they don’t know what to ... more

Beautiful Baby Contest

Everyone loves a beautiful baby, and all parents know their baby is one. They won’t be able to resist entering their child into your beautiful baby contest. This fundraiser is appropriate for everyone. ... more

Bidding for Blue Plate Specials

This is a fun and sometimes hilarious twist on the dinner fundraiser. Tell people to bring an individual serving, cooked meal or dessert, their checkbook, and their sense of adventure. They will be ... more

Big Truck and Tractor Rally

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday… Here’s one for the gear-heads, automotive groups, and big kid in all of us. Talk to a local contractor or heavy equipment rental facility. Have them bring down some ... more

Board Game Tournament

Create a fun twist on a card tournament and do something that everyone can participate in. Have a Board Game Tournament. Pick a favorite, such as Sorry, Trouble, or Monopoly. Assemble 4 ... more

Break the Balloon

Pop, pop, pop. What can be more fun that popping a balloon? Winning something for doing so, of course. This is an easy fundraiser and can be incorporated into other events, such ... more

Buckets for Donations

This fundraiser is perfect to collect the change given at countless stores in your town. Gather old coffee cans and other types of containers and then punch holes in the top. Print out ... more

Business Fundraisers

Improve employee morale at work by creating a self-funding Fun Team. They will host many mini-fundraisers throughout the year to provide fun events for all employees to attend. Happy employees are more productive ... more

Butler Auction

This fundraiser will probably prove to be very popular with the underclassmen at your high school. Let the seniors’ auction themselves off to be a butler for a day. Butler responsibilities would be ... more

Campaign for Fun

This fundraiser is both a fun time and a learning experience. Many people would like to run for a political office and this is a fun way to try it out. Run a ... more

Car Smash

When someone you know is hurting from a disease or illness, it is good to be able to get your aggressions out. You can combine that with a fundraiser to help pay for treatment ... more

Car Wash

This is one of the most used and recognizable fundraisers. It is very simply known as the Car Wash. You will want to find a place to have the car wash at. ... more

Cardboard Regatta

A cardboard regatta, is race on a calm body of water between contestants that build their own cardboard vessels. This is a particularly good event for groups that have a technical or engineering focus. ... more

Carnation Day

Everyone loves to receive flowers and it can be very uplifting to know that someone is thinking of you. Have a carnation day on Valentine’s Day or Sweetest Day as your group’s next fundraiser. ... more

Celebrate National Talk like a Pirate Day!

Arrr, matey! Fundraisers don’t always have to be serious and boring. If you want a fun and hearty change, why not try a fundraiser on National Talk Like a Pirate Day? September 19 is the ... more

Chili Cook-off

Just about everyone has a secret family chili recipe. Encourage people to share theirs by having a Chili Cook-off for your next fundraiser. Charge an entry fee to all chefs and award cash ... more

Christmas Carolers

The Holidays are jolly and nothing sets the mood better than singing. This fundraiser is perfect for a school choir or glee club and will make you feel good as well as raise money. ... more

Coffee House and Poetry Slam

Lattes, mochas, and cappuccinos… Coffee houses are sweeping the nation and are the place to hang out on Friday or Saturday night. This fundraiser works great for a school or church group and ... more

Coffee Table Art Book

This fundraiser works especially well for pre-schools, elementary schools, and daycares. Create a coffee table art book filled with works of art from your children. This is a great way to showcase their ... more

Cooking With Your Charity

This is a fun and easy fundraiser that has endless possibilities. Create a “Cooking with your charity” cookbook to sell and raise money. Ask for recipe submissions from your group to include in ... more

Cow Pie Bingo

This is certainly an interesting idea for a fundraiser that will have people talking for a long time. In order to have a cow pie bingo, you will need to find a farmer willing ... more

Death by Chocolate

Chocolate lovers are everywhere. Give them what they want with a Death by Chocolate Fundraiser. Contact local restaurants and pastry chefs to see if they would be interested in participating. They would ... more

Deposit Bottle Collection

This fundraiser works great in the States with a returnable bottle deposit or area with money for scrap collection facility. Create a flyer with information about your group and what you are collecting money ... more

DogBakery

Dog bakeries are popping up all over the country. Spending on our four legged friends is at an all time high. Take advantage of this trend to raise money for your group. ... more

Doggie Parade

Everyone loves a parade, so put your doggies on parade. Gather sponsors who will donate for every mile walked or for completing the whole route. Set up your parade route in a nice ... more

Door to Door Scavenger Hunt

This fundraiser is a great way to collect non-perishable and other items for a food bank. It is also a fun night out for the family. Create a list of items that are ... more

Drive-in Movie

Drive-in movie theaters were a popular American staple during the 1950s and 1960s. Most of today’s generation has never even heard of one, so recreate the fun for your next fundraiser. You may ... more

Duckie Race

There is nothing quite like a group of rubber duckies floating down a river. For this raffle, you will want a large number of ducks and a body of water to float them down. ... more

Eating Contest

A timed eating contest is always amazing and fascinating to watch. Have one as your next fundraiser. The possibilities are endless as to what food to pick. Choose from pies, hot dogs, ... more

Face Painting

Children love to have their face panted. This is a popular activity at carnivals and fairs. Set up a face painting booth at your next craft show or fair. Enlist the help ... more

Fall Color Tour

Reds, oranges, and yellows… Its nature’s art show and it’s free for everyone to enjoy. This is a great fundraiser for areas that leaves on trees change colors in the fall. People love ... more

Festival

A Festival can be held for any season or Holiday (i.e. Fall Festival, Winter Festival, or Halloween Festival) and can be a great way to raise money for many groups or clubs all at once. ... more

Fill'er Up

Full service gas stations used to be the way of life in America. Now it is rare to see them anywhere outside of New Jersey. Bring back the service, even if just for ... more

Funny Photo Contest

This is a chance for all aspiring photographers to show off their funniest pictures. Have a funny photo contest and ask for submissions from your group. Setup pictures like an art show. ... more

Giddy-Up!

It isn’t often that most people have a chance to go to a Horse Show. This fundraiser is perfect for a group with a farming or animal husbandry focus. You will need to ... more

Gift Basket Auction or Raffle

No one wants to do another candy sale for his or her schools’ fundraiser. Here is one that is gaining in popularity and returning large rewards for those that host it. Make ... more

Giving Tree

This is a great fundraiser to stock a food bank or other church pantry, or collect gifts for people in need during the Holiday season. Instead of decorating a tree with regular ornaments, decorate ... more

Going to the Dogs

Dogs are now considered a member of the family and people are spending more time, love, and money on them than ever. Give your employees the chance to bring their dog to work for a ... more

Gourd Tossing

This fundraiser is a spin off from the popular punkin’ chunkin’ competition. It is a great one to run in the fall during pumpkin and gourd growing season. You can either allow teams ... more

Grown Up Spelling Bee

Use a classic childhood competition for your next fundraiser. Have a grown up spelling bee. Find volunteers that would like to participate. You can either collect an entry fee to raise money, ... more

Harvest Fest

This fundraiser can be as simple or elaborate as you like. Take advantage of the fall harvest and Halloween season to have a Harvest Fest. Set up a sale of local produce that ... more

Haunted Tour Bus

This is a great fundraiser to run in October. Discover all of the haunted places in your area and research their history. Advertise that your group is offering a haunted tour bus ride. ... more

Head Shaving

A head shaving fundraiser can have many incarnations, so you are only limited by your imagination. Here are a few ideas to help you brainstorm. Find a school teacher or principal willing to ... more

Holiday Flower Sale

Spring tulips, Easter lilies, fall mums, and poinsettias are all seasonal flowers that could be a great fundraiser for your group. Find a local nursery that will wholesale flowers to your group so that ... more

Holiday Shopping in One Night

Holiday gift shopping can be time consuming and hectic. Host a “holiday shopping in one night” event for your next fundraiser. Find vendors willing to set up a booth, either for a set ... more

How Many in That Jar?

You will need your best guessing skills for this fundraiser. This fundraiser is very simple to run and requires very little equipment. You will need a large jar or clear box and something ... more

Hugs and Kisses

This is a great fundraiser to run around the romantic holidays (Valentine’s Day, Sweetest Day, etc) or at the end of the school year for farewells. Package Hershey’s hugs and kisses candies (the ... more

Ice Cream Social

You Scream, I Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream! Vanilla, Chocolate, Mint Chocolate Chip. There are so many different flavors to choose from. Everyone loves ice cream. Host an ice ... more

Ice Hole Swim

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a polar bear or a seal going for a swim in ice cold water? Now you can experience it for yourself with an ice ... more

Karaoke Night

There is a hidden singer in all of us. Most people will admit to singing in their shower or car when no one else is around. Bring the singer out with a karaoke ... more

Kissing Contest

Have a fun contest and fundraiser that a couple can really get into. A kissing contest is a creative and easy way to earn money for your group. Consider having your contest on ... more

Local Celebrity Auction

Contact a few celebrities from your area or industry and ask them to participate in your fundraiser. See if they will donate some genre appropriate memorabilia that they have autographed. See if they ... more

Local Series of Poker

Poker playing is sweeping the nation with everyone from celebrities to average Joes joining in on the fun. Host a fun amateur’s night of poker playing to raise money for your group. Find ... more

Love from Home Packages

Being away at college is a huge adjustment and can leave you homesick. The perfect remedy is a care package from home. This fundraiser would be perfect for a high school or church. ... more

Luxury or Rugged Test Drive

Contact local car dealerships and see if they are willing to bring a few luxury cars down for a test drive course. Set up cones in a parking lot. Charge people to take ... more

Miniature Golf Marathon

Get out your putters and little mini pencils, it is Miniature Golf time. This is a fun fundraiser that will have you honing your putting skills around water, sand traps, and rocks. It ... more

No Dirty Dishes For a Week

No one likes to wash dirty dishes. With our busy lives, it is sometimes hard to find the time to make a home cooked meal. This fundraiser will probably be very popular and ... more

Nude Calendar

This fundraiser is exactly what it sounds like, almost. The idea here is to create a calendar based on photographs of people that are nude, but have some well placed object blocking their “naughty ... more

On the Air

“Hello caller, you are on the air!” This fundraiser involves working with a local radio station, and helping them sell advertising time for a specific day. It will probably involve a great deal ... more

Overnight Zoo or Garden

Imagine waking up to a front yard full of plastic pink flamingos, or spinning daisies for your next birthday or anniversary. This is a growing business and you can take advantage of it for ... more

Paint the Curb

Grab some number stencils, some paint and masking tape and get ready to paint the curb for this fundraiser. Having your address painted on the curb in front of your house can save precious ... more

Pampering in Prison

Create a new twist on the lock up for charity. Instead of just locking up your prisoners and having them make phone calls to family and friends to raise bail money, pamper them too. ... more

Pants, Who Needs Pants Day?

Be careful, this one could get weird. This is intended for professional and semi-professional organizations where there is a fairly strict dress code. This fundraiser is to sell a day pass to that ... more

Pawfect Art Show

Create a sensations and a fun art fundraiser by bringing the inner Picasso out of your pet. Anyone with a pet would be able to participate or you could limit it to just dogs. ... more

Pennies From Heaven

This fundraiser will create a healthy competition amongst classes, homerooms, or Sunday school classes while letting the students work together for a common coal. A penny fundraiser is simple. Each class will have ... more

Pin it On

Every mom loves being honored on her special day, Mother’s Day. A great way to honor her is with a flower corsage. Your group can make corsages for your next fundraiser. Seek ... more

Rake It Up

It seems like all the leaves fall from the trees at once in the fall. It can be a time consuming task, but a great fundraiser for your group. Create a flyer that ... more

Reserved Seats

Everyone dreams of sitting on the court at a basketball game or on the fifty yard line at a football came. Make that dream come true with a best seat in the house raffle. ... more

Santa Breakfast

Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa Claus is coming to town. No one likes to wait in line at the mall to visit Santa Claus. Host a breakfast (or lunch) with Santa Claus to ... more

Scramble (best ball) Golf Tournament

Have a golf tournament that is fun for everyone, regardless of their skill level. Host a scramble golf tournament. Find a golf course that is willing to donate their facilities for the day. ... more

Scrapbook Crop

Pictures should be displayed and they don’t belong in shoeboxes. Scrapbooking is a very popular and profitable hobby. It is gaining a larger and larger following, with scrapbook stores popping up everywhere. ... more

Shaken or Stirred?

This fundraiser is sure to create a buzz and bring in the customers. It is appropriate for adult fundraising groups and a strictly over 21 crowd. Find a local bar or nightclub that ... more

Show Up In Your Jammies Day

Isn’t it everyone’s dream to roll out of bed and head to work or school still in your pajamas? It is time to make that dream a reality and let people show up in ... more

Silly Sweepstakes

This is a great fundraiser to have during a dinner fundraiser. For the silly sweepstakes, give everyone a raffle ticket. Brainstorm a list of silly things for the “winners” to do. Start ... more

Slip Into Something More Comfortable

This fundraiser is appropriate for the over 18 crowd and would work well for a college sorority or Pan Hellenic council. Host a pajama and lingerie fashion show. Ask for volunteers who are ... more

Snack Bar or Pantry

People pay a lot of money for the convenience of vending machines. Vendors can easily charge $1.25 or more for a soda that only costs $0.50 when purchased at a warehouse club. That ... more

Spaghetti Dinner

This could be one of the most popular fundraisers for all groups due to its simplicity, ease to run, and familiarity with the general public. It is the Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser and it is ... more

Spend the Day With Your Feet Up

This is particularly well suited to high schools. Students purchase raffle tickets for a drawing where the winner is allowed to spend one school day with their “feet up”. The winner is allowed ... more

Sponsor my As and Bs

Instead of paying a student for their good grades, help them raise money for your group by getting a good report card. Find sponsors who will pay a certain amount for every A or B ... more

Super Sub Sale

Take advantage of the big sports events: the Super Bowl, All Star Game, Final Four, and Stanley Cup, etc and have a super sub sale. Submarine sandwiches are also called heroes and hoagies in ... more

Teacher/Boss Payback

This requires a willing teacher or boss. You pick several activities that are appropriate for the setting that you would want you teacher or boss to perform as payback. You put the details ... more

Time in the Slammer

This fundraiser works great if there is a new prison in your area about to open or one that has been shut down and is still in working condition. People can pay to spend ... more

Tractor Pull

Create a twist on a tractor pull with this fundraiser. Instead of seeing how much the tractor can pull, see how many people it takes to pull a tractor. Contact a local farmer that ... more

Traveling Hobo Band

This is a great fundraiser and is super easy to set up. All you need is a pickup truck loaded with some tacky yard decorations. Think plastic lawn chairs, pink flamingos, an old ... more

Wacky Hat Day

This fun fundraiser will work at school, a place of business, or house of worship. For a one or two dollar donation, allow people to wear a wacky hat for the day. Collect ... more

Waiting for Dollars

Find a local restaurant that is willing to host your waiting for dollars event. They will appreciate the extra business it will bring them and you will have a good time raising money. ... more

We Bake For You

Take the guesswork out of what will sell at a bake sale, and have a “we bake for you” sale as your next fundraiser. Decide on a list of approximately ten things that you ... more

What's in the Box Auction

Curiosity killed the cat and it will be curiosity that will work in your group’s favor with this fundraiser. Have all the attendees bring a wrapped package, big or small, to the auction. ... more

White Elephant Raffle

This contest is a wonderful compliment to a diner fundraiser or a group meeting. Have members donate items for a white elephant raffle in advance of the event. Perhaps they have a lamp, ... more

Windshield Washing

Find a busy and local fast food restaurant with a drive thru lane that is interested in helping your group have a fundraiser. Gather squeegees, towels and cleaning solution. Offer to wash the ... more

Winery or Brewpub Bus Tour

It is always a good idea to have a designated driver when visiting wineries and brewpubs for Tastings. Why not provide one as your next fundraiser? Host a Winery or Brewpub Bus Tour. ... more

Woman Fashion Show

Turn a normal dinner fundraiser into an evening of fun and entertainment. Find some brave men that are willing to embarrass themselves and have a “wo”man fashion show. Get donated dresses or look ... more

Wrap It Up!

The Holidays are busy and people are willing to pay for certain services to save time. One of the most popular Holiday services is gift wrapping. Set up a booth for your next fundraiser. ... more