You probably don’t need another list of fundraising ideas.

You need ideas your team can actually pull off.

If you’re leading a nonprofit or working on a small development team, you know the challenge. You want to raise more money, reach new donors, and keep your current supporters engaged. But you have limited time, a limited budget, and more work than your team can handle.

And while there are hundreds of ways to raise money, not every idea makes sense for your organization.

A charity walk might be perfect for a nonprofit with a strong volunteer network. A giving day might work well for a university with an active alumni community. And a small organization with two staff members might see better results from a simple birthday fundraiser or monthly giving campaign.

The key is choosing an idea that fits your mission, audience, and capacity.

In this guide, I’ve gathered 50 fundraising ideas nonprofits have actually used, including examples from organizations such as charity: water, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Cornell University, and Habitat for Humanity.

For each idea, you’ll find:

• A real nonprofit fundraising example

• An estimate of the effort and cost involved

• The audience most likely to participate

• Practical tips for getting started

• Ideas for keeping supporters engaged afterward

Because raising money is only part of the work.

What happens after someone gives matters just as much.

How to choose the right fundraising idea

Before you settle on an idea, I’d encourage you to answer three questions.

1. Who are you trying to reach?

Start with people, not activities.

Are you trying to engage current donors? Reach new supporters? Reconnect with people who haven’t given recently? Or build stronger relationships with local businesses?

Your audience should influence the kind of campaign you choose.

For example, a peer-to-peer birthday campaign can introduce your organization to people who have never heard of you.

A giving day may be more effective for engaging people who already know your mission.

2. What can your team realistically manage?

Some fundraisers require little more than a donation page and a few emails. Others involve venues, sponsors, volunteers, vendors, and months of planning.

Bigger isn’t always better.

I’d rather see a small nonprofit run a simple campaign well than spend months preparing an event it doesn’t have the capacity to manage.

To help you compare ideas, I’ve included these planning estimates:

| Level | Estimated effort | Estimated upfront cost |

| Low | 1–2 weeks of light preparation | $0–$250 |

| Medium | 3–6 weeks of coordination | $250–$2,000 |

| High | 6+ weeks of planning or significant operations | $2,000+ |

These are rough estimates for modest versions of each idea, not the actual budgets of the organizations featured. Costs exclude staff time, transaction fees, and donated resources. Larger events may cost considerably more.

3. Are you looking for one-time gifts or ongoing support?

This distinction matters.

A successful event can bring in revenue and introduce your nonprofit to new people. But that doesn’t necessarily mean those people will give again.

Monthly giving programs work differently. They create an ongoing commitment, giving your organization a more predictable source of support.

Neither approach is automatically better.

The important thing is knowing what you’re trying to accomplish and making a plan for the relationship after the campaign ends.

Where I’d start with a small fundraising team

If you’re having trouble narrowing down the options, here are a few places to begin.

| Your goal | Fundraising ideas to consider |

| Raise money with a small budget | Birthday campaigns, coffee gatherings, lemonade stands |

| Build predictable revenue | Monthly giving, annual memberships |

| Reach new supporters | Peer-to-peer challenges, livestreams, community events |

| Reconnect with past donors | Giving days, digital appeals, participation challenges |

| Engage local businesses | Restaurant partnerships, workplace fundraisers, sponsorships |

| Mobilize a large community | Walks, dance marathons, team competitions |

Now, let’s look at the 50 ideas.

Online fundraising ideas

Online fundraising can be a good starting point because you don’t always need a venue, a large volunteer team, or a complicated event.

These ideas range from simple personal campaigns to larger annual fundraising programs.

1. Start a birthday fundraiser

Instead of asking for birthday gifts, invite supporters to raise money for your nonprofit.

This works because people are often more willing to give when someone they know makes a personal request.

Real example: charity: water has long encouraged supporters to dedicate birthdays to clean water. Rachel Beckwith’s birthday campaign became one of the organization’s well-known examples of personal fundraising.

Best for: Individual supporters, families, and peer-to-peer fundraising.

Effort: Low | Cost: Low | Revenue: One-time donations

How to get started: Create a simple fundraising page supporters can personalize. Give them a short message to share with friends and family, along with a suggested donation amount.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Thank the organizer and their donors. Then reconnect with the organizer before their next birthday to see whether they’d like to participate again.

2. Celebrate a personal milestone

Birthdays aren’t the only moments worth celebrating.

Graduations, anniversaries, recoveries, and other personal achievements can become opportunities to support a meaningful cause.

Real example: LUNGevity Foundation highlights a supporter named Sheryl who created a fundraiser to celebrate an anniversary of her cancer treatment progress.

Best for: Supporters with a personal connection to your mission.

Effort: Low | Cost: Low | Revenue: One-time donations

How to get started: Offer a few milestone fundraising ideas on your website. Make it easy for participants to explain why the occasion matters to them and how donations will help.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Ask supporters whether they’d like to hear from you around future milestones. Keep sensitive health and personal information private unless they have agreed to share it.

3. Create memorial or tribute fundraising pages

People often want to honor someone who made a difference in their lives.

A tribute fundraiser gives families and friends a way to celebrate that person’s life while supporting a meaningful cause.

Real example: LUNGevity offers personalized tribute funds where supporters can share stories, photos, and fundraising invitations.

Best for: Families, friends, and supporters with close personal connections to your work.

Effort: Low | Cost: Low | Revenue: Primarily one-time donations

How to get started: Offer a simple page that allows supporters to include a photograph, personal message, and donation link.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Ask the family how they would like to receive updates. Be thoughtful about when and how you communicate, especially during a time of grief.

4. Launch a monthly giving program

A monthly giving program is one of the first ideas I’d consider if your goal is to build more predictable fundraising revenue.

Instead of asking someone to make another gift every few months, you invite them to make an ongoing commitment.

Real example: The Spring by charity: water gives supporters a clear opportunity to contribute monthly toward clean water projects.

What makes the program worth studying isn’t simply the recurring donation option. It’s the way charity: water connects monthly giving to a larger community and ongoing impact.

Best for: Existing donors and supporters who want to sustain your mission.

Effort: Medium | Cost: Low | Revenue: Recurring monthly donations

How to get started: Create a clear monthly giving offer. Explain what ongoing support makes possible, provide suggested amounts, and make enrollment and gift management easy.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Send a welcome message, share regular impact updates, and acknowledge giving anniversaries.

For a deeper explanation, see our guide to starting and growing a monthly giving program.

5. Offer an annual membership program

Membership programs can give people another reason to maintain a long-term relationship with your organization.

Depending on your mission, membership benefits might include special events, educational resources, admission, or other experiences.

Real example: The Museum of Modern Art offers membership levels with different benefits, including museum access and member experiences.

Best for: Museums, educational nonprofits, cultural organizations, and organizations with engaged communities.

Effort: Medium | Cost: Medium | Revenue: Renewable annual membership

How to get started: Choose a small number of membership levels and benefits your team can consistently provide. Calculate the cost of delivering each benefit before setting prices.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Give members reasons to remain engaged throughout the year. Don’t wait until renewal time to remind them why their support matters.

An annual membership is not automatically a recurring donation. Track renewals separately from ongoing monthly gifts.

6. Create a donor participation challenge

Sometimes the best incentive isn’t matching each donation dollar for dollar.

It’s unlocking a larger gift when enough people participate.

Real example: During Cornell University’s 2025 Giving Day, more than 1,450 student donors helped unlock a $50,000 scholarship gift.

The challenge encouraged participation, not just larger donation amounts.

Best for: Universities, schools, alumni groups, and nonprofits with an established supporter community.

Effort: Medium | Cost: Low | Revenue: One-time donations and challenge gifts

How to get started: Find a major donor willing to fund a challenge. Set a clear participation goal, such as 100 donors in one day, and explain exactly how the challenge works.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Celebrate the number of people who participated and explain what the unlocked funds will accomplish.

7. Organize a nonprofit giving day

A giving day concentrates fundraising activity into a short period, often 24 hours.

The short timeline gives supporters a clear reason to participate now rather than putting off a donation.

Real example: Cornell Giving Day brings together alumni, students, parents, and friends to support university programs. Its campaigns have included challenges, leaderboards, and opportunities to support specific funds.

Best for: Organizations with established donor lists, alumni networks, or active communities.

Effort: High | Cost: Medium | Revenue: One-time campaign donations

How to get started: Set one clear goal. Build a communication plan for the weeks leading up to the event and the day itself. Give board members, volunteers, and supporters messages they can share.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Reach out to first-time donors and returning donors differently. Each group has a different relationship with your organization.

Giving days can also be a good opportunity to reconnect with previously active supporters.

8. Run a team fundraising competition

A little friendly competition can give people another reason to participate.

Instead of organizing one broad campaign, divide supporters into teams and let them work toward a shared goal.

Real example: Duke University’s Varsity Club Giving Day organizes fundraising around its varsity sports programs, using team goals and a competitive format.

Best for: Schools, sports programs, alumni communities, and nonprofits with established groups.

Effort: Medium | Cost: Low | Revenue: One-time donations

How to get started: Identify groups that already have a sense of identity, such as alumni classes, volunteer teams, or local chapters. Give each group a fundraising page and a realistic goal.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Thank each team, share its results, and invite successful team captains to help with future campaigns.

9. Crowdfund a specific project

People are often more comfortable giving when they understand exactly what their money will support.

Project crowdfunding works well when you can explain the need, the goal, and the expected outcome.

Real example: UC Berkeley’s crowdfunding program supports campaigns for student groups, faculty, staff, and alumni initiatives.

Best for: Nonprofits with specific projects, schools, community groups, and program-based organizations.

Effort: Medium | Cost: Low | Revenue: One-time donations

How to get started: Choose one project with a clear funding goal. Explain what success looks like and provide updates as donations come in.

Don’t forget the follow-up: When the project is complete, show donors what happened. A finished project and a thoughtful update can provide a natural foundation for future support.

10. Replace a traditional event with a digital fundraising campaign

Not every fundraiser needs an in-person event.

If your team is short on time or working with supporters across different locations, a series of emails, videos, and personal messages might be a better fit.

Real example: A Bloomerang case study about Peace Community Center describes how the nonprofit replaced a canceled gala with digital communication, progress updates, and personal outreach.

Best for: Organizations with established donors and limited event capacity.

Effort: Medium | Cost: Low | Revenue: One-time campaign donations

How to get started: Build a short campaign around a clear need. Use a few strong stories, regular progress updates, and a simple donation page.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Thank participants, report the results, and ask whether they’d prefer future digital or in-person opportunities.

A digital campaign can also create a reason to reconnect with supporters who have stopped giving. See our guide to reconnecting with lapsed donors.

Creative fundraising ideas

Sometimes a different approach can help your organization stand out.

The best creative fundraising ideas still connect clearly to your mission. They give people a compelling reason to participate without making the activity more important than the cause.

11. Host a charity livestream

If your organization has supporters who create online content, consider inviting them to host a fundraising livestream.

Viewers can learn about your work and make donations while participating in something they already enjoy.

Real example: St. Jude PLAY LIVE connects fundraising with gaming and other livestream activities, including crafting and tabletop games.

Best for: Online communities, younger audiences, and organizations with creator partnerships.

Effort: Medium | Cost: Low | Revenue: One-time donations

How to get started: Work with a creator who already has an audience. Provide a fundraising page, a few mission stories, and clear instructions for donating.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Give the creator an impact update to share. Welcome new donors who have agreed to receive further communication.

12. Unlock fundraising milestones during a livestream

You can make a livestream more interactive by giving viewers something to work toward together.

For example, a host might offer a special activity or challenge when donations reach a certain amount.

Real example: St. Jude’s PLAY LIVE fundraising tools include milestone, reward, poll, and donation-tracking features.

Best for: Livestreams with an existing, engaged audience.

Effort: Medium | Cost: Low | Revenue: One-time donations

How to get started: Choose a few simple milestones. Make them fun, achievable, and appropriate for your audience.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Complete the promised activities and show viewers how their combined gifts will support your mission.

This works best as part of a larger livestream campaign, rather than as a separate fundraising event.

13. Offer a bundle of donated digital products

Digital products can provide an interesting incentive for fundraising because they don’t always require physical inventory or shipping.

The challenge is finding partners willing to donate products and making sure fulfillment is manageable.

Real example: The 2025 Jingle Jam Games Collection offered qualifying donors a collection of donated games, subject to the campaign’s availability and eligibility rules.

Best for: Organizations with creator communities, digital product partners, or established online audiences.

Effort: High | Cost: Low upfront, with potentially significant partner and fulfillment work | Revenue: One-time donations

How to get started: Approach companies or creators about contributing digital products. Start with a small collection rather than trying to recreate a large national campaign.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Deliver rewards promptly, explain the impact of the fundraiser, and invite donors to support the mission beyond the incentive.

14. Organize a pet photo contest

Pet owners love sharing photographs of their animals.

A nonprofit can turn that enthusiasm into a fundraising event by inviting submissions and encouraging supporters to vote.

Real example: CM Bryson Photography partnered with the Humane Society of Morgan County on a pet calendar contest featuring entry donations and paid votes.

Best for: Animal shelters, rescue groups, and community nonprofits.

Effort: Medium | Cost: Medium | Revenue: One-time contributions

How to get started: Partner with a local photographer. Invite pet owners to submit photos, establish clear participation rules, and feature winning pets in a calendar or other keepsake.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Share the winning photos and introduce participants to your organization’s ongoing work.

Before launching paid voting, review applicable contest and charitable fundraising rules.

15. Turn donated creative skills into personalized artwork

You don’t always need to sell a physical product to create an appealing fundraiser.

Sometimes people will support a cause in exchange for something personal and meaningful.

Real example: Maui Humane Society’s Sketch-a-Pet brought together pet owners and young artists to create personalized artwork, with community voting connected to a fundraising calendar.

Best for: Animal nonprofits, art organizations, schools, and creative communities.

Effort: Medium | Cost: Medium | Revenue: One-time contributions

How to get started: Ask local artists, students, or creative volunteers to contribute their skills. Offer a limited number of portraits or custom pieces.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Share the finished work and recognize the people who contributed their time.

Make sure participants have permission to use submitted photos and artwork.

16. Run an online art auction

If your organization has connections with local artists, consider hosting an auction featuring donated artwork.

Online bidding allows supporters to participate even if they can’t attend an event in person.

Real example: ForKids moved its established art auction online, as documented in a OneCause case study.

Best for: Arts organizations, community nonprofits, and organizations with established donor networks.

Effort: High | Cost: Medium | Revenue: One-time auction proceeds

How to get started: Recruit a manageable number of artists and use an established auction platform. Make bidding, payment, shipping, and pickup instructions clear.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Thank artists, bidders, and sponsors. Report the funds raised and the programs they helped support.

Remember to account for platform fees, fulfillment costs, and any applicable donation acknowledgment rules.

17. Offer a playful symbolic naming opportunity

Sometimes an unusual fundraising idea can capture attention.

The key is making sure the tone fits your mission and audience.

Real example: The San Antonio Zoo’s Cry Me a Cockroach campaign invites supporters to symbolically name certain items connected to its animal programs.

It’s memorable, easy to share, and tied to an established fundraising organization.

Best for: Animal organizations and nonprofits with playful, highly engaged audiences.

Effort: Medium | Cost: Low | Revenue: One-time donations

How to get started: Identify something connected to your mission that supporters could symbolically name, dedicate, or sponsor.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Deliver the promised acknowledgment and help donors learn more about the work they supported.

18. Create symbolic adoption opportunities

Symbolic adoptions let donors support a cause while giving them something meaningful to share.

They can also make effective gifts for birthdays and holidays.

Real example: World Wildlife Fund offers symbolic animal adoptions with different gift packages and acknowledgment materials.

Best for: Wildlife organizations, animal shelters, and conservation nonprofits.

Effort: Medium | Cost: Medium | Revenue: One-time donations

How to get started: Identify a program, animal, or conservation effort that supporters can symbolically sponsor. Explain what the donation supports and what the donor will receive.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Share updates about the mission and invite interested donors to become ongoing supporters.

Be clear that the adoption is symbolic and does not necessarily fund the care of a specific animal.

19. Build a mission-based gift catalog

A charitable gift catalog lets people choose a donation based on a tangible need or program.

It can make fundraising especially approachable during the holiday season.

Real example: Heifer International’s Gift Catalog features familiar giving options, such as animals and agricultural support, along with personalized acknowledgment cards.

Best for: Organizations with programs that can be explained through clear examples.

Effort: Medium | Cost: Medium | Revenue: One-time or recurring donations, depending on the offer

How to get started: Create a small catalog with several giving levels. Explain what each amount represents and how donations support your mission.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Send the acknowledgment promptly and show donors how their support fits into the larger program.

Avoid implying that every donation buys one exact item for one exact recipient unless that is how your organization actually operates.

20. Create a sponsored online quiz

Educational quizzes can encourage people to engage with a mission while generating support through a sponsoring business.

This works differently from traditional donor fundraising because the sponsor, rather than the player, provides the funds.

Real example: Freerice from the World Food Programme uses correct quiz answers to generate sponsor-funded contributions supporting WFP.

Best for: Educational nonprofits, schools, and organizations with corporate sponsors.

Effort: High | Cost: Medium | Revenue: Sponsor-funded contributions

How to get started: Start with a simple quiz about your mission. Ask a sponsor to contribute a defined amount based on completed questions or participation, up to an agreed limit.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Report participation and sponsor-funded results, then offer players an optional way to stay connected.

Community fundraising event ideas

Community events can bring people together, introduce new supporters to your work, and create opportunities for local partnerships.

But events also require planning.

Before committing to one, think about how many people your organization can realistically recruit, manage, and follow up with afterward.

21. Host a community coffee gathering

You don’t always need a formal fundraising dinner.

A simple gathering around coffee and refreshments can create an opportunity for people to connect while supporting your mission.

Real example: Macmillan Cancer Support’s Coffee Morning invites supporters to host gatherings with friends, coworkers, and neighbors.

Best for: Small nonprofits, faith communities, neighborhood groups, and workplaces.

Effort: Low | Cost: Low | Revenue: One-time donations

How to get started: Recruit hosts, provide a short fundraising toolkit, and offer an easy way for guests to donate.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Thank hosts and attendees, share the collective result, and invite interested guests to learn more about your work.

22. Organize a lemonade stand fundraiser

A lemonade stand can be a simple way to introduce children and families to fundraising.

It also gives community members an approachable way to participate.

Real example: Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation helps families host lemonade stands supporting childhood cancer research.

Best for: Family-focused nonprofits, schools, children’s ministries, and community groups.

Effort: Low | Cost: Low | Revenue: One-time donations

How to get started: Give families a small event kit with signs, a donation page, a QR code, and a short explanation of the cause.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Celebrate the young fundraisers and show their families what their efforts helped support.

Check local event, food-service, and supervision requirements.

23. Host an Empty Bowls fundraiser

An Empty Bowls event brings together art, food, and fundraising.

Guests purchase tickets, enjoy a simple meal, and receive a handmade bowl as a reminder of the people facing food insecurity.

Real example: Create Art in Community partners with potters, restaurants, and community organizations to host Empty Bowls. The organizer reports raising more than $30,000 in 2025 for local food-access efforts.

Best for: Hunger-relief organizations, arts nonprofits, and community partnerships.

Effort: High | Cost: Medium | Revenue: One-time event proceeds

How to get started: Recruit a pottery studio, restaurant partners, and volunteers. Keep the menu simple and connect the event clearly to the cause.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Report the results and thank the businesses and artists who made the event possible.

24. Hold a bowling fundraiser

A bowling fundraiser works well because it combines an activity people already enjoy with a team fundraising goal.

Participants raise money before the event and celebrate together afterward.

Real example: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah’s Bowl For Kids’ Sake uses team fundraising pages and a bowling celebration.

Best for: Workplace teams, families, local businesses, and mentoring organizations.

Effort: Medium | Cost: Medium | Revenue: One-time donations

How to get started: Partner with a local bowling alley. Recruit team captains and give each team a fundraising target.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Recognize the teams and invite participants to explore volunteering, mentoring, or ongoing giving.

25. Organize a dance marathon

Dance marathons give participants a shared experience and a reason to raise money over time.

The event itself becomes a celebration of the work they’ve done.

Real example: Penn State’s THON is a major student-led fundraising program that culminates in a 46-hour dance marathon supporting Four Diamonds.

Best for: Colleges, universities, schools, and organizations with strong student communities.

Effort: High | Cost: High | Revenue: One-time gifts within an annual program

How to get started: Start small. A shorter local event may be more realistic than a full marathon. Recruit student leaders, volunteers, and sponsors well in advance.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Keep participants connected to the mission throughout the year, not just during the event.

26. Organize a dog walk fundraiser

A dog walk can bring together pet owners, animal lovers, and local businesses.

It also provides opportunities for adoption awareness, sponsorships, and volunteer recruitment.

Real example: Best Friends Animal Society’s Strut Your Mutt brings supporters together through dog-friendly fundraising events that benefit animal welfare.

Best for: Animal shelters, rescue groups, and community nonprofits.

Effort: High | Cost: Medium | Revenue: One-time donations

How to get started: Choose an accessible route, establish event rules, and work with local animal organizations and businesses.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Share adoption or rescue stories and invite walkers to become volunteers or recurring supporters.

27. Host a nighttime charity walk

A change in timing can make a familiar fundraiser feel different.

Nighttime walks give participants a memorable experience while supporting a cause.

Real example: Cancer Research UK’s Shine Night Walk brings people together for evening walks supporting cancer research.

Best for: Health organizations and nonprofits with established volunteer and event teams.

Effort: High | Cost: High | Revenue: One-time donations

How to get started: Work with an experienced event partner. Plan the route, lighting, accessibility, safety, and local permissions.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Celebrate participants and send updates connected to the work their fundraising supports.

28. Host an overnight solidarity fundraiser

An overnight fundraiser can help participants learn more about a social issue while raising money for an organization addressing it.

The educational component should be central to the experience.

Real example: Covenant House’s Sleep Out brings together supporters who give up their beds for a night while raising funds and learning about youth homelessness.

Best for: Organizations serving people experiencing homelessness or other community needs.

Effort: High | Cost: Medium | Revenue: One-time donations

How to get started: Create a supervised event with meaningful education, appropriate safety measures, and opportunities to hear from people with relevant experience.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Share reflections, resources, and program updates.

Be careful not to suggest that spending one night outside recreates the experience of homelessness.

29. Connect fundraising with hands-on service

Some supporters want to give both their money and their time.

A service-based fundraiser allows participants to raise money while taking part in supervised mission-related work.

Real example: Habitat Chicago’s Women Build combines fundraising commitments with opportunities to help build homes.

Best for: Community service organizations, faith communities, and corporate teams.

Effort: High | Cost: High | Revenue: One-time donations

How to get started: Look for an existing program activity where volunteers can safely participate. Recruit teams and establish clear fundraising expectations.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Update participants on the work they helped complete and invite them to return.

Don’t create unsafe or unnecessary work simply to make an event more interactive.

30. Hold a sponsored rubber-duck race

A rubber-duck race can turn a simple community event into an engaging fundraiser.

Participants purchase or sponsor numbered ducks, which race toward a finish line.

Real example: Pathway Homes of Florida reported raising nearly $26,000 through its 2026 Duck Race event, combining duck participation with sponsorships.

Best for: Community nonprofits, families, and organizations with local business partners.

Effort: High | Cost: Medium | Revenue: One-time event proceeds

How to get started: Partner with an established venue and recruit sponsors. Plan how the ducks will be managed, counted, and retrieved.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Thank participants and sponsors, report the results, and share how the funds will support your mission.

Review gaming, raffle, environmental, and local event rules before launching.

Peer-to-peer fundraising and personal challenges

One of the biggest advantages of peer-to-peer fundraising is that your supporters can introduce your organization to their own networks.

You provide the campaign, resources, and mission. Your supporters provide the personal relationships.

These ideas work best when participation is simple and the fundraising request is easy to explain.

31. Launch a distance challenge

A distance challenge gives supporters a goal they can complete on their own schedule.

Participants can walk, run, or move toward a shared target while raising money.

Real example: Movember’s Move challenge encourages participants to walk or run 60 miles while raising awareness and funds for men’s health.

Best for: Fitness groups, workplace teams, and supporters who prefer flexible participation.

Effort: Medium | Cost: Low | Revenue: One-time donations

How to get started: Choose a meaningful distance and explain how participants can track their progress. Provide a personal fundraising page and regular encouragement.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Celebrate completion and connect the achievement to the mission.

32. Host a head-shaving fundraiser

Sometimes an unusual personal commitment can become a powerful fundraising tool.

Participants recruit sponsors and publicly complete a challenge that helps start conversations about the cause.

Real example: St. Baldrick’s Foundation organizes head-shaving events supporting childhood cancer research.

Best for: Schools, workplace teams, community groups, and health-related nonprofits.

Effort: Medium | Cost: Low | Revenue: One-time donations

How to get started: Recruit volunteers willing to participate, arrange professional or qualified support, and provide personal fundraising pages.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Share event results and help donors understand the research or services their gifts support.

33. Create a month-long visible challenge

A challenge doesn’t need to involve running, walking, or physical endurance.

It can be a visible activity that gives supporters a reason to talk about your mission every day.

Real example: Movember encourages supporters to grow moustaches while fundraising and discussing men’s health.

Best for: Workplaces, clubs, personal networks, and social communities.

Effort: Medium | Cost: Low | Revenue: One-time donations

How to get started: Choose a simple challenge connected to your mission. Give participants suggested messages and ways to share their progress.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Celebrate the effort and offer educational resources or opportunities for continued support.

34. Turn daily outfits into a fundraising challenge

What someone wears can become a visible reminder of a cause.

Participants make a daily commitment, share their motivation, and invite friends to support their fundraising page.

Real example: Dressember uses a month-long clothing challenge to encourage awareness and fundraising connected to justice work.

Best for: Advocacy groups, workplace communities, and organizations with active social audiences.

Effort: Medium | Cost: Low | Revenue: One-time donations

How to get started: Choose a clear theme and provide simple participation instructions. Create a few graphics and messages supporters can use throughout the campaign.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Connect participants to stories about the mission and invite them to stay involved after the challenge ends.

35. Ask supporters to donate money they save

Not every fundraiser requires people to take on a new activity.

Sometimes it involves temporarily spending less on something discretionary and donating the savings.

Real example: charity: water’s Tiny Heroes highlights Riley, who ate rice and beans for a month and contributed grocery savings toward clean water.

Best for: Families, students, and supporters who enjoy simple personal challenges.

Effort: Low | Cost: Low | Revenue: One-time donations

How to get started: Invite participants to choose an optional expense they can comfortably reduce for a defined period.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Show what their contributions supported and offer an opportunity for continued giving.

Keep participation voluntary and realistic for each household’s financial situation.

36. Organize a sponsored reading challenge

A reading challenge is a good fundraising idea for schools and family-oriented organizations.

Participants set a reading goal and ask supporters to sponsor their effort.

Real example: MS Ireland’s MS Readathon invites readers to set goals and raise funds while reading throughout November.

Best for: Schools, libraries, families, book clubs, and educational nonprofits.

Effort: Medium | Cost: Low | Revenue: One-time donations

How to get started: Choose a reading period, create participation materials, and provide a simple way for families to collect donations.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Celebrate both reading progress and fundraising results. Explain the mission in language children can understand.

37. Host a stair-climbing fundraiser

A stair climb can turn a familiar location into a memorable fundraising experience.

Participants climb stairs in a building, stadium, or other venue while raising money for a cause.

Real example: The American Lung Association’s Fight For Air Climb features stair-climbing events that support lung health.

Best for: Health organizations, fitness groups, workplace teams, and first responders.

Effort: High | Cost: High | Revenue: One-time donations

How to get started: Work with a suitable venue and experienced event partners. Establish safety, accessibility, and participation requirements.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Recognize individual and team achievements and invite participants to support future programs.

38. Organize a charity cycling event

Cycling fundraisers bring together people who enjoy physical challenges and want to support a meaningful cause.

Participants typically raise money before completing an organized ride.

Real example: The National MS Society’s Bike MS connects cycling events with fundraising for MS research and services.

Best for: Organizations with cycling communities, experienced event teams, and corporate partners.

Effort: High | Cost: High | Revenue: One-time donations

How to get started: Partner with an established cycling event or club before organizing a large event yourself.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Share rider results, thank sponsors, and connect participants to updates about the mission.

39. Fundraise through a team endurance challenge

Endurance events can create strong bonds between participants while raising money for a cause.

Team challenges also give people a shared reason to recruit sponsors.

Real example: Oxfam Trailwalker Korea challenges teams to complete a long-distance trek and meet fundraising goals.

Best for: Outdoor communities, workplace teams, and established fundraising organizations.

Effort: High | Cost: High | Revenue: One-time donations

How to get started: Start by recruiting teams to participate in an existing event. If you plan to organize your own, account for route planning, accessibility, safety, and volunteer support.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Celebrate team accomplishments and give participants a way to remain engaged with the cause.

40. Create a social media nomination challenge

Social challenges can spread when participants invite their own friends to take part.

The activity should be simple enough to explain and easy for others to repeat.

Real example: The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge became a widely recognized fundraising and awareness campaign in 2014 through participant videos and personal nominations.

Best for: Organizations with active supporters who enjoy sharing content online.

Effort: Medium | Cost: Low | Revenue: One-time donations

How to get started: Choose one safe, accessible activity connected to your mission. Make the donation link easy to find and provide clear instructions.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Thank participants and welcome supporters who want to learn more.

Don’t build your fundraising plan around the expectation that a challenge will go viral.

School, workplace, and business fundraising ideas

Schools, employers, and local businesses can help nonprofits reach people who might not otherwise hear about their work.

The best partnerships make participation easy and give everyone a clear understanding of how the fundraiser supports the mission.

41. Hold a festive workplace dress-up day

A themed dress-up day gives schools and workplaces a simple way to raise money together.

Participants wear something connected to the theme and make a donation.

Real example: Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day encourages schools, workplaces, and families to wear festive sweaters and contribute.

Best for: Schools, office teams, community groups, and youth organizations.

Effort: Low | Cost: Low | Revenue: One-time donations

How to get started: Choose a date and theme. Give participating groups promotional materials, a suggested donation, and an easy way to contribute.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Share the results with participating organizations and offer ideas for supporting future campaigns.

42. Organize a school dress-down day

Many schools already have a natural community of students, parents, and teachers.

A dress-down day can provide a simple way for that community to support a charitable cause.

Real example: St Hilda’s School participated in a Jeans for Genes fundraiser, inviting students to wear jeans and make donations.

Best for: Schools, parent groups, and education-related charities.

Effort: Low | Cost: Low | Revenue: One-time donations

How to get started: Work with school leadership to choose a date and explain the cause. Make participation easy and inclusive.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Thank the school and give families a short impact update.

Students should never feel pressured to donate or be excluded because their families cannot contribute.

43. Sell handmade items at a community market

If your supporters enjoy making things, consider helping them sell their work to support your mission.

An existing market can be easier to manage than organizing a separate event.

Real example: charity: water’s Tiny Heroes highlights brothers Hudson and Curren Graves, who sold painted notecards and hosted activities at a farmers market. The organization reports they raised $6,300.

Best for: Families, youth groups, art communities, and local nonprofits.

Effort: Medium | Cost: Low | Revenue: One-time sales proceeds

How to get started: Recruit volunteers with creative skills and partner with a community market. Keep inventory and pricing simple.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Thank buyers, organizers, and volunteers. Share how the money will support the mission.

44. Add fundraising to an existing holiday tradition

Sometimes you don’t need to create a new event.

You can connect giving to something people already do each year.

Real example: Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF invites families and children to collect donations as part of Halloween activities.

Best for: Schools, family ministries, community nonprofits, and youth organizations.

Effort: Low | Cost: Low | Revenue: One-time seasonal donations

How to get started: Identify a familiar holiday or community tradition and offer a simple way to participate.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Report the collective impact and invite participating families to learn more about the mission.

45. Partner with a restaurant for a fundraising day

Local restaurants can become valuable fundraising partners.

Some businesses may agree to donate a portion of qualifying sales or support a dedicated fundraising day.

Real example: Jersey Mike’s Day of Giving has included partnerships with organizations such as Four Diamonds, with participating restaurants contributing sales to local charities.

Best for: Community nonprofits, schools, youth organizations, and local service providers.

Effort: Medium | Cost: Low | Revenue: One-time business contributions

How to get started: Approach a restaurant with a clear cause and promotional plan. Agree in writing on the donation calculation, participating locations, and campaign dates.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Thank the business publicly and share the results with customers and supporters.

Make sure your promotions accurately explain how purchases contribute.

46. Invite customers to round up purchases

Small contributions can add up when many customers participate.

A checkout round-up campaign allows shoppers to add a small amount to their purchase in support of a nonprofit.

Real example: Feeding America’s Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign has worked with Walmart and Sam’s Club to offer customer giving opportunities, including checkout round-ups.

Best for: Nonprofits with retail partners and organizations building corporate relationships.

Effort: High | Cost: Low upfront, depending on the partnership | Revenue: Repeated customer contributions

How to get started: Approach a local retailer about a limited campaign. Explain the mission and determine how donations will be collected, transferred, and reported.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Report the combined impact and give customers an optional way to learn more.

Repeated transactions are not the same as recurring donor commitments.

47. Sell a partner-produced cookbook

A cookbook fundraiser can work well when a business partner already has the ability to produce, market, and distribute the product.

This reduces the need for your nonprofit to manage inventory.

Real example: Ronald McDonald House Charities of El Paso describes a partnership in which Dillard’s donates profits from an annual Southern Living cookbook to participating chapters.

Best for: Family-service organizations, community nonprofits, and nonprofits with retail connections.

Effort: Medium | Cost: Low with an established production partner | Revenue: One-time product sales

How to get started: Find a business with an existing product that could support your cause. Clarify the amount donated from each purchase.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Thank the partner and show how the proceeds helped your organization.

48. Collect recyclable materials for fundraising

Recycling fundraisers can encourage participation from schools, workplaces, and community groups.

The financial return may be modest, but the activity can give new supporters an easy way to get involved.

Real example: Ronald McDonald House Charities of El Paso collects aluminum pop tabs and applies recycling proceeds to its programs.

Best for: Schools, workplace teams, youth groups, and community nonprofits.

Effort: Medium | Cost: Low | Revenue: Proceeds from repeated collections

How to get started: Identify materials with a reliable local recycling market. Set collection locations and explain what items are accepted.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Report the actual proceeds and invite participating groups to explore other ways to help.

Make sure the expected return justifies the collection and transportation work.

49. Accept donated vehicles

Vehicle donations can provide another giving option for supporters who have a car or other eligible vehicle they no longer need.

Most nonprofits will need an experienced processing partner to manage the transaction.

Real example: KUT’s vehicle donation program supports public radio. In its reporting, KUT described receiving hundreds of vehicle donations annually.

Best for: Established nonprofits with broad community awareness and access to reputable processing partners.

Effort: Medium | Cost: Low upfront with a processing partner | Revenue: One-time noncash gifts converted to proceeds

How to get started: Research vehicle-donation partners and compare their fees, processes, and reporting.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Thank donors, provide the appropriate documentation, and explain how proceeds support your mission.

Be careful with tax-deduction claims. A donor’s deduction may depend on the vehicle, sale, and applicable tax rules.

50. Sell mission-branded merchandise

Merchandise gives supporters another way to participate in your mission.

It can also create opportunities for visibility when people wear or use products connected to your organization.

Real example: Penn State’s THON sells official merchandise and receives royalties from licensed vendors producing organization-related products.

Best for: Organizations with established supporter communities, student groups, and recognizable campaigns.

Effort: Medium | Cost: Medium | Revenue: One-time product sales

How to get started: Start with a small product selection. Consider preorders or fulfillment partners to reduce unsold inventory.

Don’t forget the follow-up: Thank buyers and connect the purchase to the mission.

Pay attention to net proceeds. Selling merchandise creates expenses that traditional donations may not.

How to turn a fundraising idea into a successful campaign

After reading 50 ideas, you might still be wondering where to begin.

Here’s what I’d recommend.

Don’t try five new fundraising ideas at once.

Choose one. Get it working. Learn from it. Then decide whether to repeat it, expand it, or try something different.

I’d focus on five steps.

Step 1: Set one clear goal

Decide what success looks like before building the campaign.

Are you trying to raise $10,000? Recruit 50 new monthly donors? Reconnect with 100 people who haven’t given recently? Or introduce your nonprofit to a new community?

Those goals require different approaches.

If the goal is new donor acquisition, a peer-to-peer campaign might be useful.

If the goal is predictable revenue, you might prioritize monthly giving.

And if you want to reconnect with previous supporters, you may not need a new fundraising event at all.

You may need a better reason to reach out.

Step 2: Start with the people you can already reach

Before spending money on advertising or recruiting new audiences, look at your existing relationships.

Consider your current donors, volunteers, event attendees, board members, and previous campaign participants.

Which groups have shown interest in this type of activity?

Who might be willing to participate or help recruit others?

Start with the people most likely to care.

This doesn’t mean sending every campaign to your entire database. Segment your outreach so people receive information that’s relevant to their relationship with your organization.

Step 3: Make participation easy

Your supporters are busy.

They should be able to understand your fundraiser quickly.

Explain what you’re doing, why it matters, how someone can participate, and what will happen next.

Make sure your donation page works on mobile devices and that payment instructions are clear.

If someone has to search for the donation link or figure out how the fundraiser works, you’re creating unnecessary obstacles.

Step 4: Plan your follow-up before launching

This is the step I’d encourage every nonprofit to spend more time on.

It’s easy to focus on the campaign launch, event, or donation goal.

But what happens when someone gives?

What if a person attends your event and wants to learn more? What if someone makes their first donation? What if a longtime donor returns after several years?

Those people shouldn’t all receive the same message.

Consider a simple follow-up plan:

These are suggested relationship steps, not a fixed contact schedule. Use each person’s preferences and appropriate permissions to guide outreach.

Your fundraising campaign shouldn’t end when someone gives.

It should create an opportunity to build a stronger relationship.

Step 5: Measure more than dollars raised

Revenue matters, of course.

But the amount you raise during one campaign doesn’t tell the whole story.

I recommend looking at four additional measures.

Net proceeds: How much money did your organization keep after paying campaign expenses?

New donors: How many people gave to your organization for the first time?

Staff effort: How much time did your team spend planning and managing the campaign?

Donor retention: How many people continued supporting your mission after the initial campaign?

You may discover that a smaller campaign produces less immediate revenue but introduces more people who become ongoing supporters.

Or you might find that an event raises a meaningful amount of money but requires more staff time than your organization can afford.

Both findings can help you make better decisions.

For greater clarity, compare campaigns over time using consistent definitions. A donation that arrives during a campaign isn’t necessarily caused by that campaign.

How EverRaise can help your nonprofit follow up with more supporters

Here’s something I’ve seen throughout my career working with nonprofit teams.

Most organizations don’t struggle because they lack fundraising ideas.

They struggle because they don’t have enough time to execute those ideas and keep up with every relationship afterward.

You have donors to thank, past supporters to reconnect with, event invitations to send, and people who have requested information.

Then there’s the work behind each campaign. Cleaning contact lists, writing messages, identifying audiences, and coordinating communication.

For a small team, that work adds up quickly.

It’s one of the reasons we built EverRaise.

EverRaise is an AI engagement team for relationship-driven organizations. It helps nonprofits build better campaigns, reach more supporters, and follow up more consistently without adding more manual work.

Your team can use EverRaise to support donor engagement through AI voice, SMS, email, and campaign workflows.

It also helps with contact validation and data hygiene so you can prepare cleaner contact lists before outreach begins.

For example, after a fundraising event, your team might use EverRaise to help:

• Prepare the appropriate attendee and donor lists.

• Build a thank-you and follow-up campaign.

• Share relevant event results through approved communication channels.

• Invite interested supporters to learn about monthly giving.

• Identify people who want a personal conversation with your staff.

Your team remains responsible for reviewing campaigns, selecting audiences, honoring communication preferences, securing required permissions, making appropriate disclosures, and deciding when personal attention is needed.

The goal isn’t to replace the relationships your team has built.

It’s to give your team more capacity to maintain them.

Because the real opportunity isn’t simply reaching more people.

It’s staying connected to the people who already care about your mission.

See how EverRaise works and book a demo.

Frequently asked questions about nonprofit fundraising ideas

What are the easiest fundraising ideas for small nonprofits?

Birthday fundraisers, community coffee gatherings, lemonade stands, school dress-down days, and simple personal challenges can be good starting points.

These activities often require less upfront spending and event coordination than large galas or endurance events.

The easiest option depends on the audience you can already reach and the resources available to your team.

What fundraising ideas have the lowest cost?

Online birthday campaigns, personal milestone fundraisers, donor participation challenges, and some peer-to-peer fundraisers can have relatively low upfront costs.

You may still need to account for staff time, payment processing fees, and software expenses.

What fundraising ideas raise the most money?

There isn’t one fundraising idea that produces the highest return for every organization.

Large events and established giving days can generate significant revenue, but they may also require considerable investment.

A smaller campaign with lower costs and strong donor retention may produce better long-term value.

Compare net proceeds, staff time, donor acquisition, and continued giving rather than looking only at gross revenue.

How can a nonprofit raise money online?

Nonprofits can use online donation pages, crowdfunding campaigns, giving days, peer-to-peer fundraising, livestreams, digital auctions, and monthly giving programs.

Start with a clear goal and an audience that has a reason to care.

Then make the donation process simple and plan how you’ll communicate with supporters afterward.

How often should nonprofits run fundraising campaigns?

There’s no single schedule that works for every organization.

A nonprofit might run several small digital campaigns each year alongside one major annual event. Another might focus on monthly giving and a few seasonal appeals.

The right schedule depends on your fundraising goals, team capacity, and supporters’ communication preferences.

How do you get donors to give again after a fundraiser?

Start by thanking them.

Then share an update that shows what their gift helped make possible.

Over time, give supporters relevant opportunities to learn, participate, volunteer, or give again.

Not every communication needs to contain another donation request.

Consistent, meaningful engagement gives people reasons to remain connected to your organization.

Final thoughts: Choose a fundraiser you can sustain

You don’t need to try all 50 of these ideas.

You probably don’t even need to try five.

Start with one that makes sense for your mission, your audience, and your team’s capacity.

Run it well. Thank the people who participate. Share the results. Then think about what should happen next.

A fundraising campaign can bring in money today.

But the relationship you build with a supporter can continue long after the campaign ends.

That’s what I’d encourage you to focus on.

Engagement drives retention. Retention drives revenue.

The best fundraising idea isn’t necessarily the most creative one.

It’s the one your team can execute well and use to build lasting relationships.