100+ Easy and Affordable Fundraising Ideas for Nonprofits
Fundraising often feels daunting and overwhelming, but it doesn't have to! Whether you're raising money for a nonprofit organization, a community project, or a personal cause, there are countless creative and easy ways to engage your community and generate funds.
In this article, we've compiled 100 easy fundraising ideas. With options for all ranges of resources, skills, and interests!
From bake sales and car washes to talent shows and trivia nights, you'll find exciting options to help you meet your fundraising goals while having fun along the way.
Dive in and discover the perfect fundraising ideas for your next campaign!
Fundraising ideas table of contents:
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9 low-cost and easy-to-implement fundraising ideas
Searching for affordable fundraising ideas for your nonprofit? Look no further! These nine creative strategies are easy to organize and cost little to nothing, making them ideal for nonprofits with tight budgets. Whether it's through penny drives or online crowdfunding, each of these approaches is crafted to boost your fundraising efforts without breaking the bank. Dive in to explore how you can implement these cost-effective and impactful ideas to champion your cause!
1. Hold a penny drive
A penny drive is one of the simplest and most effective ways to raise funds with minimal effort. Set up collection jars at local businesses, schools, and community centers to encourage others to donate their spare change. Add a QR code that links to a giving page or text-to-donate number on each container, so those who don’t have cash on them can still opt to give.
By placing jars in high-traffic areas, you're making it easy for people to contribute without feeling pressured. Announce the penny drive through community bulletins, social media, and word-of-mouth to maximize participation. This small change can add up quickly, making a significant impact on your cause.
2. Host a read-a-thon
This fundraising idea is a fantastic way to combine the love of reading with fundraising. Participants can gather pledges from family and friends for every book or page they read, setting personal reading goals to stay motivated.
Create a sense of community by sharing progress updates through social media. Celebrate the collective achievements with a grand finale event, where top readers are recognized, and everyone can share their favorite books and experiences. This not only raises funds but also fosters a culture of reading and learning, and would work well for a library
3. Rev up for a community carwash
Rally a group of volunteers and set up a carwash in a local parking lot, school, or other high-traffic area. Create eye-catching signs to place around the neighborhood and use social media to broadcast your event.
When it comes to how you’ll raise funds, you’ve got options. Whether you set a fixed price for each wash or let customers donate any amount they wish, both options have their pros and cons.
To boost engagement and raise additional funds, consider offering additional services like vacuuming interiors or adding a small refreshment stand with snacks and lemonade.
4. Host a quarter-mile challenge
Invite your supporters to join an exciting Quarter Mile Challenge! The goal is to collect enough quarters to stretch them over a quarter mile—or even further! This engaging activity is perfect for a sunny day and can be hosted outdoors for maximum fun.
You'll need at least a quarter mile of space, and incorporating landmarks to mark your progress and goal will add an extra layer of excitement. Turn it into a public event to boost community involvement and support. Ideal locations include parks, school parking lots, or other high-traffic areas.
Bring the community together to see how far you can stretch your quarters and make a memorable day out of it!
5. Throw a “brave the shave”
Jump on the No Shave November and Movember momentum, and host a Brave the Shave at the start of December.
Encourage your community to shave their beards or heads for your cause. Those who aren’t ready to take the plunge can show their support by donating!
For this event to be successful, you’ll need:
Set up a photo booth so people can take before-and-after photos. And make sure to have ways for people to give while they’re there!
6. Hold a phone-a-thon
Hosting a phone-a-thon fundraiser can be a highly effective way to connect with supporters and raise funds.
Start by assembling a dedicated team of volunteers who are comfortable making calls and engaging with potential donors. Most volunteers won’t be comfortable using their own phone number, so this is where Google Voice comes in handy. You can easily setup a phone number for each person that works from their cellphone, but isn’t their own number.
It’s important to prepare a script ahead of time and make sure to choose a comfortable location or set up a virtual phone-a-thon. And provide plenty of snacks and breaks to keep your volunteers energized.
Promote the event in advance through social media, emails, and your website to generate interest and inform people about incoming calls. On the day of the event, keep track of donations in real time to maintain enthusiasm and momentum!
7. Host a photo contest
Host a photo contest with an exciting theme and showcase the entries online or at a local event. Let the public vote for their favorites and offer prizes for the winners.
Here are some ways to turn this into a fundraiser:
8. Plan a community scavenger hunt
Plan an exciting scavenger hunt in your community or local park with a fun theme and engaging clues.
Here’s how to turn it into a fundraiser:
Make it a fun and memorable event that also supports your cause!
9. Online crowdfunding
Start an online fundraising campaign using platforms like GoFundMe or Kickstarter to reach a wide audience and boost donations.
Create a compelling campaign page with a clear story, goal, and impact. Promote it through social media, email, and your personal network to spread the word.
Keep the momentum going by posting regular updates about your progress, sharing milestones, and expressing gratitude to your supporters. Engage with your audience to build excitement and encourage them to share your campaign with their friends and family.
12 Easy sale ideas to boost your fundraising
Looking for simple and effective ways to supercharge your fundraising efforts? We’ve got you covered! Here are 12 easy sales ideas that can help you raise more money and engage your community. From bake sales to gift wrapping, these easy-to-organize ideas will help maximize your fundraising efforts. Let's explore each opportunity to make your next fundraiser a success!
10. Host an irresistible bake sale
Rally your volunteers to whip up delicious homemade treats like cookies, brownies, and cakes. Set up tables in high-traffic areas such as schools, churches, or community centers to attract a steady stream of eager customers.
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Be sure to offer a variety of options, including gluten-free and vegan treats, to cater to everyone's taste buds and maximize your sales potential. Engaging signage, friendly volunteers, and tempting displays will help ensure your bake sale becomes a sweet success for your cause!
11. Coordinate a community yard sale
Bring together friends, family, and neighbors by organizing a community yard sale. Ask everyone to donate items they no longer need but others might love. Then set up your yard sale in a central location like a park or community center where people naturally gather. This will make it easier for shoppers to find you.
Arrange tables to display all the wonderful donated items neatly. Make sure everything is easy to see and access. Remember to keep prices reasonable to encourage sales. It’s better to sell items at a lower price than not sell them at all. On the day of, start early! Many avid yard-sale goers shop early, so start your sale in the morning.
Advertise your yard sale far and wide! Use local newspapers, social media platforms, and community bulletin boards. The more people who know about it, the better.
It’s always a great idea to set up a refreshment stand, too. Selling drinks and snacks is a great way to keep kids engaged while parents shop, encourages people to stick around longer, and will help you raise more!
By following these tips, your community yard sale can turn into a successful and enjoyable fundraiser that everyone will look forward to!
12. Create a community cookbook
Create a community cookbook with recipes contributed by friends, family, local chefs, or the people served by your nonprofit. Compile the recipes into a professionally printed book and sell it online or at local events. Promote the cookbook through social media and community groups.
Want to make sure your cookbook sale is a success? Consider the following tips:
13. Host a craft fair
Charge a booth fee for vendors to participate and sell their handmade goods. Promote the event through social media, community groups, and local newspapers to attract attendees.
Hosting a craft fair can be an easy and effective way for nonprofits to raise funds. By tapping into local artisans and crafters, vendor recruitment will be pretty straightforward. And, because most of the products (crafts) are provided by vendors, there is little in the way of cost to your nonprofit.
You’ll be in charge of recruiting vendors and organizing the logistics like finding a good location, selecting the date, and making sure vendors will have or bring their own tables and chairs.
Local crafts attract the community, making promotional efforts through local media, social media, and word of mouth very effective. And if you host around the holidays, that can naturally boost attendance as people look for unique gifts.
14. Hold a used book sale
Books may seem old-fashioned in our tech-driven world, but they remain a timeless art form. Here are some fresh ideas to make your book sale a standout event:
15. Create mission-focused calendars
This fundraiser is ideal for nonprofits dedicated to adorable animals, wildlife welfare, or environmental conservation—essentially, any cause that allows for captivating animal or nature photography. While it may not be as effective for nonprofits supporting vulnerable groups, it can still be impactful with the right approach.
Here's how to make it work:
Not only will this help you raise funds, but it will also keep your organization at the forefront of your donors' minds throughout the year.
16. Host of a flower sale
A flower sale is a beautiful and fragrant way to raise funds for your cause. Here’s how to make your flower sale a blooming success:
17. Prime parking fundraiser
Transform parking spaces into valuable fundraising opportunities with a Prime Parking Fundraiser. Leverage the high demand for convenient parking during busy events to benefit your cause. Here's how to make it a success:
A Prime Parking Fundraiser not only raises funds but also provides valuable community service. With careful planning, you can turn parking spaces into a great fundraising opportunity
18. Inspire whimsy with a face painting and faerie hair booth
Tap into the whimsical world of face painting and faerie hair to create an enchanting fundraiser that appeals to both kids and adults. By setting up a booth at local events with high foot traffic, such as fairs, festivals, farmers' markets, or school events, you can engage with people who may have never heard of your nonprofit before. Plus, these venues provide the perfect setting for a face painting and faerie hair booth!
Friendly and skilled volunteers are key to a successful booth. Ensure your team is well-trained, patient, and enthusiastic about creating fun designs. Then choose a variety of designs customers can choose from. From glittery butterflies and superheroes to colorful braids and sparkling hair extensions, offering a wide range of options ensures there’s something for everyone.
Remember, engage both kids and adults! Encourage grown-ups to embrace their inner child and join in the fun. Whether it’s a subtle design or a full face of fantasy, adults will love the chance to play and express themselves creatively.
Offer to take photos of your customers once their face painting or faerie hair is complete. Share these photos on your social media pages (with their permission) to showcase your work and promote future events.
19. Gift card fundraiser
A gift card fundraiser is a simple and effective way to raise money for your cause. By partnering with companies like RaiseRight or Fundscript , you can raise money for your org without any extra cost to your supporters.
How it works:
Supporters purchase gift cards through one of these companies. They use the gift cards to pay for their everyday expenses. A percentage of what is spent is given to your nonprofit.
The good: A gift card fundraiser is a great way to generate steady support while providing your supporters with something they can use in their daily lives.
These companies make it easy to compare donation percentages from companies like Walmart and Amazon, helping you choose the best gift card for maximum impact. They also offer bonuses for buying gift cards within certain periods.
The Downside: The process involves several steps, which may deter some people. While potential earnings per purchase can be higher, the complexity might make it less appealing compared to simpler options.
It’s also not ideal for urgent needs. If you need to raise funds quickly, this might not be the best option, as it relies on the ongoing use of gift cards to generate donations.
20. Host an art show and sale
Hosting an art sale or selling art is a great way to raise funds with minimal costs beyond art supplies. When it comes to an art show, you’ve got two great options:
1. Local Artists' Art Show: Feature local artists in an art show. Charge an admission fee and take a commission on sold artwork. Use social media, community groups, and local newspapers to attract attendees and buyers.
2. Kids' Art Show and Sale: This is great for school fundraisers. Ask the art teacher to run a one-day workshop for each class. Host a party in the gymnasium to display the kids' artwork. This event is likely to be a hit, as parents will want to support their children and buy their art.
By combining both events, you can draw a larger crowd and raise more funds for your cause.
21. Setup a gift-wrapping service
The holiday season is the perfect time to offer a gift-wrapping service and raise funds for your cause. By setting up a gift-wrapping station in a busy area like the mall, you can provide a convenient service for shoppers while generating donations.
Decide if you want to charge for each fee or just have a suggested donation amount. Have volunteers set up during busy shopping days like Black Friday or the last few days before Christmas.
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