Top Fundraising Event Ideas to Inspire Your Next Campaign

6/25/2025

Key Takeaways

• A successful fundraising event starts with clear goals and early planning. Stay organized, promote it well, engage your guests, and follow up afterward to build stronger connections and raise more support.
• Virtual fundraising expands your reach and makes giving easier—especially as 72% of donors now prefer to give online.
• To add variety to your fundraising efforts, consider events that tap into niche interests, hobbies, and community connections. 

The first forms of fundraising began as something deeply personal. In ancient communities, people came together to contribute what they could—grain, goods, or coin—to build roads, support temples, or help neighbours in need. The idea of collective giving has always been rooted in shared responsibility.

Today, fundraising has evolved into a highly organized, often competitive space—especially when it comes to events. Coming up with fundraising event ideas that excite donors can make a huge difference in your campaign’s success. According to fundraising statistics, older generations, like boomers and the silent generation, often prefer in-person events that build connections, while millennials and Gen Z tend to engage through digital platforms. That’s why it’s important to plan fundraiser events that feel exciting, relevant, and truly worth showing up for—whether in person or online.

Unique and Creative Fundraising Event Ideas

There are countless ideas for a successful fundraising event. Some rely on the comfort of tradition, others on the power of social media and online engagement, and many find success by offering something unexpected.

Classic yet effective ideas

Some fundraising events have become classics because they consistently work. These tried-and-true formats are familiar to donors and relatively easy to organize. Here are a few classic event ideas:

• Charity auction or gala: Host a formal evening with dinner and an auction where attendees bid on donated items to support your cause.
• Raffle: Sell raffle tickets for a chance to win donated prizes.
• Bake sales: Set up a table of homemade treats donated by volunteers and raise money by selling them to your community.
• Car washes: Organize a volunteer-run car wash and collect donations from drivers.
• Charity run/walk: Invite participants to pay an entry fee or collect pledges as they complete a walk or run for your cause.
• Bike ride: Host a community bike ride where riders register or raise sponsorships to support your fundraising goal.
• Benefit concert: Feature local musicians and raise funds through ticket sales, concessions, or donations collected during the event.
• Talent show: Invite performers from your school, club, or community and sell fundraising event tickets to a fun night of entertainment for a good cause.

Low-cost and high-impact ideas

While having a big budget is certainly helpful, it’s not the only ingredient for a successful fundraiser. In general, the most effective fundraisers tend to be those that succeed because you plan creative events, not because of a big budget.

Therefore, if you’re worried about working with limited resources, you could try the following ideas for strong results:

• Crowdfunding campaign or online drive: Set up a compelling campaign online, share your story, and encourage donations through social media and email.
• 50/50 raffle: Sell tickets and split the proceeds between your organization and one lucky winner.
• Community yard sale: Collect gently used items from supporters and host a sale with all proceeds going to your cause.
• Restaurant fundraiser night: Partner with a local restaurant willing to donate a percentage of sales from a designated night.
• Donation jar campaign: Distribute branded donation jars to local businesses where customers can contribute their change.
• Neighbourhood cleanup for pledges: Recruit volunteers to clean up local areas and raise funds by collecting pledges per bag of trash.

Virtual fundraising ideas

Virtual fundraising has opened up new possibilities, making it easier than ever to connect with supporters near and far. In fact, a striking 72% of donors give through online channels.

Some strong options for fundraising in the digital space that reduce overhead costs and yet expand your impact include:

• Virtual charity auction: Host an online auction where supporters can bid on donated goods or services from anywhere.
• Sweepstakes: Offer a chance to win a big prize by donating to enter and then use online tools to manage entries and choose the winner.
• Live-stream fundraising event: Broadcast performances, interviews, or activities while inviting real-time donations from viewers.
• Online trivia night: Organize a virtual trivia game with teams paying to join and small prizes for the winners.
• Digital donation drive with countdown: Launch a time-limited donation campaign with live updates and goal tracking to build momentum and urgency.

Fundraising ideas for kids and families

If you’re fundraising through a school, club, or family-centered organization, it’s important to plan events that are fun, inclusive, and appeal to all ages. These following ideas can help you create fun for children and parents alike while building community support:

• School carnival or field day: Set up a day of games, snacks, and activities where families buy tickets to participate.
• Read-a-thon or dance-a-thon: Have children collect pledges for every book they read or every hour they dance.
• Family fun night: Host a casual evening event with a movie screening or group games and raise money through admission and concessions.
• Kids’ art show or craft fair: Showcase and sell artwork or crafts made by kids, giving them a creative way to support your cause.
• Storytime fundraiser: Invite a beloved teacher, librarian, or local author to read to kids live or online. Ask for small donations per family or offer limited-access passes.
• Mini sports tournament: Organize a kid-friendly tournament (like football or dodgeball) with team sign-up fees and simple prizes to make it extra exciting.

Corporate fundraising event ideas

Involving the business community in your fundraising strategy can help achieve larger donations and lasting partnerships. Some ideas that could be perfect for encouraging company involvement and leveraging corporate generosity are:

• Charity golf tournament: Invite businesses to sponsor teams or holes in a golf event and raise funds through entries and extras such as raffle tickets, branded merchandise, or on-course contests (like longest drive or closest to the pin).
• Gala dinner with corporate tables: Offer companies the chance to sponsor tables at a formal event, complete with branding opportunities, shoutouts, and VIP perks.
• Corporate challenge or field day: Host friendly competitions such as relay races, trivia, or obstacle courses between local businesses, with entry fees going to your cause.
• Workplace fundraisers: Encourage companies to hold casual fundraisers like bake sales or themed dress-down days, often with donation matching.
• Lunch and learn sponsorships: Host an informative session and invite a company to sponsor lunch in return for a brief presentation or featured recognition.
• Executive dunk tank: Set up a dunk tank at a corporate event where employees donate for a chance to dunk their boss or executive.

Events for startups or solo fundraisers

For those cases when you’re working solo or with a small team, large-scale events may not be realistic. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make a big impact. These simple, low-effort ideas are ideal for individuals or grassroots groups looking to raise meaningful funds:

• Personal challenge pledge event: Set a personal goal, like running a marathon or learning a skill, and raise money through pledged donations.
• House party or small gathering: Host an informal social event and ask guests to donate instead of bringing food or gifts.
• Partner with a local business: Team up with a neighborhood café, yoga studio, or boutique to donate a portion of sales to your cause.
• Online workshop or webinar for donations: Share your knowledge or hobby in a virtual session and ask attendees to donate what they can.
• Birthday fundraiser: Instead of gifts, ask friends and followers to donate to your cause in honor of your birthday.
• “Name a donation” wall: Create a virtual or physical wall where each donation gets a name or message displayed—ideal for personal campaigns.

Seasonal/themed fundraising ideas

It’s smart to have fundraising events that tap into the festive spirit and are tailored to holidays or special themes. They are easy to promote with the right seasonal event flyers and are naturally tied to times when people are already in a giving mood.

Some ideas to consider for your next fundraising event should be:

• Winter holiday fundraisers: Organize gift-wrapping stations, toy drives, or hot cocoa stands around Christmas or New Year’s.
• Springtime and Easter events: Hold events like Easter egg hunts, Earth Day cleanups, or Mother’s Day brunches to engage donors in the spring.
• Summer fundraisers: Use the sunshine to your advantage with BBQ cook-offs, outdoor movie nights, picnics by the lake, or lemonade stand competitions.
• Fall and Halloween themes: Host haunted houses, pie sales, or costume contests to raise money with autumn flair.
• Valentine’s Day grams: Sell and deliver personalized cards or treats to raise money while spreading the love.

Other creative fundraising ideas

If you’re looking to diversify your fundraising efforts, consider events that tap into niche interests, hobbies, and community connections. These types of fundraisers can attract new supporters and bring fresh energy to your campaign. Here are a few creative ideas to explore:

Pet-friendly fundraisers

Pet-themed events are perfect for drawing in animal lovers. Try a charity dog walk or pet parade, where owners donate to walk with their pets (costumes encouraged). Running a pet photo contest online, where people donate to enter, and others donate again to vote for winners, could also be fun.

Game tournaments

Whether digital or in-person, tournaments are a great way to combine fun with fundraising. You can organize a video game competition with streaming options and entry fees or host a casual board game night featuring classics like Scrabble and chess. Mini sports tournaments, like dodgeball or 3-on-3 basketball, are perfect for schools, youth groups, or neighbourhood events.

Mix-and-match fundraising ideas

Get creative by layering fundraising elements onto existing events. At a community dinner, include a silent auction or wine pull. Turn a school fair into an adventure by adding an escape room experience. Or sell recipe booklets at a chili cook-off and offer shoutout ads in a school play program.

How to Choose the Right Fundraising Event

With so many ideas on the table, you might be wondering how to choose a fundraising event that truly fits your organization. The truth is, some events will simply align better with your situation than others. That doesn’t mean the rest are ineffective—it just means they may not be the right fit for your goals or resources.

As you consider your options, keep the following factors in mind to help guide your decision:

• Your audience

Think about who you’re trying to reach (families, students, professionals, or retirees) and plan creative events that match their interests.

• Your goals

Want to raise a large amount, build awareness, or engage new donors? A high-dollar goal might need a gala or concert, while a low-key raffle or picnic can be perfect for outreach.

• Resources

If you’re a small team, skip the overambitious gala. Instead, raise money with raffles, printable tickets, or simple online events that don’t drain your bandwidth.

• Timing

Choose a date that fits the theme and season and avoid clashes with holidays or local events. For outdoor plans, check the weather and always leave enough time to spread the word.

• Your mission

Choose something that naturally ties into your cause—a dog walk for a shelter, a health fair for a wellness nonprofit, or a tree planting for an environmental group.

• Add-ons

Even simple events can benefit from layered fundraising. Sell raffle tickets or branded T-shirts, or include fundraiser flyers with event info and donation prompts to keep supporters engaged.

Tips for Hosting a Successful Fundraising Event

Once you’ve chosen your event idea, it’s time to start planning for it. Here are some key tips to help you stay on track and make your fundraising event a success:

• Set a clear goal and budget so every decision supports your financial target.
• Plan early and stay organized with checklists and a shared timeline.
• Promote widely using fundraiser flyers, social media, and email to build interest and boost turnout.
• Encourage presales with seasonal event tickets or personalized printed options to project professionalism.
• Keep your guests engaged by pairing storytelling with entertainment and a strong mission message.
• Pay close attention to logistics, including signage, accessibility, seating, and flow of foot traffic.
• Follow up quickly after the event, thank your supporters, and share results to build lasting relationships.
• Offer multiple ways to give by accepting cash, credit, and mobile payments, and by offering QR codes and online donation links for easy digital contributions.
• Train your volunteers with clear instructions, FAQs, schedules, and talking points so they’re confident and helpful on event day.
• Recognize your donors during the event with thank-you signs, name mentions, VIP seating, or small giveaways to show appreciation.
• Collect feedback afterward through quick surveys, social media polls, email responses, or comment cards to learn what worked and what to improve.

The Bottom Line

A creative, well-planned event can inject excitement into your fundraising efforts and significantly improve your campaign’s results. However, execution matters just as much as the idea, and Eventgroove is built to support every part of that process.

Eventgroove is more than a printing service or online ticketing tool—it’s an interconnected platform that supports everything from online registration and fundraising to high-quality printed materials. You can customize and order a wide range of event materials—raffle ticket templates to help manage prize drawings, wristbands for secure entry or group identification, flyers to promote your event, signage for clear directions and branding, and invitations to set the tone and get guests excited.

So whether your next event is casual or black-tie, digital or in-person fundraising—Eventgroove makes it easier to plan, promote, and deliver something truly memorable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the most profitable fundraising event?

Charity auctions, especially those tied to galas, are often the most profitable due to competitive bidding on high-value items. That said, the best return depends on your audience and resources.

What are the 3 C’s of fundraising?

The 3 C’s of fundraising are Capacity (a donor’s ability to give), Connection (their relationship to your cause), and Commitment (their willingness to support your mission). Ideal donors should score high in all three areas.

What is the 80/20 rule in fundraising?

The 80/20 rule means that around 80% of your fundraising revenue typically comes from 20% of your supporters. Focusing on top donors while still nurturing the broader base can improve both short-term impact and long-term growth.

What are effective fundraising event ideas for tiny nonprofits?

Simple, low-cost ideas work best, such as bake sales, car washes, trivia nights, or raffles with donated prizes. Small groups can also partner with local restaurants or run online campaigns to keep costs down and impact up.