Are you on a mission to raise funds for your school, charity, or community project? Well, fret not! Fundraising doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful. In fact, with a little creativity and some teamwork, you can make it both fun and successful. So, grab your enthusiasm and let’s dive into these easy fundraiser ideas that anyone can try!
Contents
- 21 Easy Fundraiser Ideas
- 1. Bake Sale Bonanza
- 2. Car Wash Crew
- 3. Trivia Night Thrills
- 4. Garage Sale Galore
- 5. Art Auction Adventure
- 6. Fitness Challenge Fiesta
- 7. DIY Craft Fair
- 8. Movie Night Magic
- 9. Plant Sale Parade
- 10. Cook-Off Craze
- 11. Jelly Belly Jamboree
- 12. Corkcicle Cool-down
- 13. Krispy Kreme Delight
- 14. Online Crowdfunding Campaigns
- 15. Merchandise Sales
- 16. Board Game Tournament
- 17. Golf Tournament
- 18. Talent Show
- 19. Raffle
- 20. Restaurant Night
- 21. Mystery Dinner Theater
- Conclusion
21 Easy Fundraiser Ideas
Ready to make a difference without spending a lot of time or money organizing a fundraiser? Check out these simple yet effective easy fundraising ideas!
1. Bake Sale Bonanza
Who can resist the allure of freshly baked goodies? Gather a group of bakers (or enthusiastic amateurs) to whip up cookies, cakes, and brownies. Set up a stall at a local event or outside a busy supermarket, and watch as the irresistible aroma lures in customers.
2. Car Wash Crew
Get sudsy and splashy with a car wash fundraiser! All you need are some buckets, sponges, soap, and eager volunteers. Choose a visible location with lots of passing traffic (Walgreens parking lots are perfect). You can also offer extra services like window cleaning or vacuuming for a donation boost.
3. Trivia Night Thrills
Host a trivia night at a local pub or community center. Charge teams an entry fee and prepare some brain-teasing questions on a variety of topics. Add extra excitement with raffles or prizes for the winning team. Local stores are always happy to donate prizes in exchange for some free advertising.
4. Garage Sale Galore
Declutter for a cause by organizing a garage sale. Encourage friends, family, and neighbors to donate unwanted items, and then set up shop in your driveway or a communal space such as a church hall or school auditorium. Remember, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure!
5. Art Auction Adventure
Showcase local talent with an art auction fundraiser. Reach out to artists and patrons in your community and ask them to donate art pieces for the cause. Host the auction at a gallery, school, or even online, and watch as art lovers bid generously. Some day that local artist’s painting may be worth millions (and art investing is a real thing)!
6. Fitness Challenge Fiesta
Get active and raise funds simultaneously with a fitness challenge. Whether it’s a sponsored walk, run, or bike ride, participants can gather pledges from friends and family based on their mileage or time spent exercising. Get some inspiration (or hold a fundraiser to help cure childhood cancer) with St. Jude’s Fitness Challenge Fundraiser.
7. DIY Craft Fair
Unleash your creativity with a DIY craft fair. Gather crafty individuals to showcase their handmade wares—think jewelry, candles, Cricut projects, knitted goods, and more. Set up stalls at a local market or community center and watch the crowds flock in. You can charge the vendors a flat fee or ask them to donate a percentage of their sales. You can also ask attendees to pay a small cover charge or donate a canned food item for a local food pantry. Have one of the booths be the “bake sale bonanza” as mentioned above to make extra “bread” and feed the hungry shoppers!
8. Movie Night Magic
Transform your backyard or a local park into an outdoor cinema for a movie night fundraiser. Charge admission and sell popcorn, snacks, and drinks to hungry moviegoers. Don’t forget cozy blankets and cushions for maximum comfort!
9. Plant Sale Parade
Go green with a plant sale fundraiser. Whether it’s potted flowers, herbs, or succulents, everyone loves to add a touch of greenery to their home or garden. Partner with local nurseries or garden centers for donations or discounts. Or grow your own plants to sell which is easier than you think.
10. Cook-Off Craze
Showcase culinary talents with a cook-off competition. Whether it’s a chili cookoff, barbecue rib cookoff, or cupcake war, food lovers will flock to taste and vote for their favorites. Charge an entry fee for contestants and sell tickets to hungry spectators.
11. Jelly Belly Jamboree
Partner with Jelly Belly for a sweet fundraising campaign! Sell delicious Jelly Belly jelly beans (with a 96.1% name recognition) to friends, family, and coworkers. It’s a tasty way to raise funds for your cause. Click here to request more information.
12. Corkcicle Cool-down
Keep it cool with Corkcicle’s 100% online fundraising program! Sell their stylish drinkware—perfect for keeping beverages icy cold or piping hot—to supporters with no need for paperwork or printed literature and no upfront costs. All orders are shipped directly to the consumer, and organization earn up to 40% off sales! Click here to get started.
13. Krispy Kreme Delight
Who can resist the temptation of Krispy Kreme doughnuts? Partner with Krispy Kreme for a mouthwatering fundraiser that’s sure to be a hit. Sell their iconic doughnuts and raise dough for your cause. Click here for more info.
14. Online Crowdfunding Campaigns
Launch a crowdfunding campaign on platforms like GoFundMe, Kickstarter, or Indiegogo. Share your organization’s story, mission, and fundraising goals across social media and through email newsletters to attract donations from a wide audience.
15. Merchandise Sales
Design and sell branded merchandise such as t-shirts, tote bags, or mugs featuring your organization’s logo or a meaningful message. Host online sales through your website or partner with local businesses to sell items in-store, with proceeds supporting your nonprofit’s initiatives. We recommend CustomInk.com or Printful.com to host and fulfill your customized merchandise.
16. Board Game Tournament
Host a board game tournament fundraiser where participants can showcase their skills in classic favorites like Monopoly, Scrabble, or Settlers of Catan. Charge an entry fee for each participant or team, and offer prizes for the winners. Provide snacks and refreshments for players and spectators alike, creating a fun and competitive atmosphere for all.
17. Golf Tournament
Tee up for a golf tournament fundraiser at a local course or country club. Participants can register individually or as teams, paying a fee to participate. Offer sponsorship opportunities for businesses and corporations, providing signage and recognition on the course. Organize post-tournament festivities such as a dinner or awards ceremony to celebrate participants and donors.
18. Talent Show
Showcase the talents of your community with a talent show fundraiser. Invite performers of all ages to sing, dance, play instruments, or showcase other skills on stage. Sell tickets to the event and offer opportunities for businesses to sponsor acts or advertise in the program. Encourage audience members to vote for their favorite performers, with proceeds benefiting your nonprofit’s programs and initiatives.
19. Raffle
Organize a raffle fundraiser with enticing prizes donated by local businesses, sponsors, or supporters. Sell raffle tickets to friends, family, and community members, both in person and online. Host a drawing event where winners are announced, and offer additional entertainment or activities to make it a memorable occasion. Raffles are a classic and effective way to raise funds while offering participants the chance to win exciting prizes.
20. Restaurant Night
Partner with local restaurants for a restaurant night fundraiser where a percentage of sales from participating customers are donated to your organization. Promote the event through social media, email newsletters, and flyers to encourage supporters to dine out and support your cause. Consider hosting a themed night or offering special menu items to attract even more patrons and maximize fundraising potential.
21. Mystery Dinner Theater
Bring intrigue and entertainment to your fundraising efforts with a mystery dinner theater event. Collaborate with a local theater group or hire actors to perform a mystery play or interactive theater experience during a dinner event. Sell tickets to attendees, who can enjoy a delicious meal while unraveling clues and solving the mystery. Add a charitable twist by donating a portion of ticket sales or offering opportunities for guests to make additional contributions during the event.
Are we missing any easy fundraiser ideas that you’ve tried with success? We’d love to hear from you, and add your idea (with credit) to our list! Contact us here.
Conclusion
Remember, the key to a successful fundraiser is to have fun while making a difference. So, pick an idea that resonates with your group, rally your team, and get ready to make an impact—all while having a blast! With a little effort and creativity, you can turn any fundraiser into a resounding success. Let’s get fundraising!
