At some point in our life, we will just come across a fundraising event and well, this time it’s us planning it!
If you are struggling to think of charity fundraising ideas, I GOT YOU.
I put together this list of 50 fundraising ideas that are actually fun and engaging (I promise!).
Some are quick and easy, others are a bit more involved, but all of them have worked for real people raising real money.
Whether you’re helping your kid’s school, supporting your favorite charity, or just trying to do some good in the world, there’s something here that’ll fit perfectly with your style.
So yea, save this blog post for reference later and keep reading now <3 Hope you find some good ones!
1. Pie-in-the-Face
Need I say more?! This one is pure, messy fun.
People pay to vote for which a teacher or a boss gets a pie smashed in their face. Seriously, it’s impossible that this idea isn’t welcomed.
You can even auction off the chance to be the one who throws the pie! Just so fun!
I hosted one last summer and lemme tell you, people kept asking me when will be the next one coming – works like a charm!
2. Car Wash
Alright this one is a classic but hey, that just works.
Get a team together with sponges and soap, and drivers are always happy to donate for a clean car.
It’s active, fun, and provides a service people ACTUALLY need.
Sometimes the practical ideas like this are the ones that truly raise a lot of money <3
3. Comedy Night
If you want to support your local comedian, do a collaboration with them and sell tickets for a night of laughs!
You can make extra cash by selling snacks and drinks during the show.
Everyone loves a fun night out, especially when it’s for a good cause!
4. Bake Sale
That’s one of the cliche one but I mean – who can resist homemade cookies and brownies?
Volunteers bake the goods, and you sell them for a sweet profit.
The low cost of ingredients means the profit margin is really great.
Take brownie as an example – the pricing can be as low as $0.30 per batch for a simple brownie homemade mix so the margin can be HUGE!
Never underestimate how much you can earn from selling food!
5. Garage Sale
My another favorite – Garage sale! This is all about turning clutter into cash.
Get everyone to donate items they don’t need anymore.
Then, you sell it all in one big, epic sale—it’s eco-friendly and raises money easily!
From the Garage sale I’ve joined, I saw people donating 3D printer, coffee machine and even Gucci handbag.
You never know what you can get from the Garage sale – and that’s the fun part of it! <3
6. Lemonade Stand
The OG of fundraisers!
It’s simple, effective, and perfect for a hot day.
Set up in a busy spot and watch people come for a cool, refreshing drink.
This idea is just perfect when you have the kids and teens joining, they LOVE it!
7. Popcorn Sale
The amazing smell itself is a powerful marketing tool.
Sell bags at events, games, or even pre-sell tins.
It’s a cheap snack that people are always in the mood for.
And again, the cost of making popcorn is ridiculously low but you can sell it at quite a decent pricing!
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8. Raffle
This can be a HUGE money-maker, especially if you get prizes donated!
Sell tickets for a chance to win anything from a gift basket to a big-ticket item. People love a low-risk gamble.
9. Coffee Morning
If you want to fulfill both the socializing and fundraising purposes, a cozy, casual coffee get-together just work wonders!
Charge a small entry fee for coffee, tea, and pastries.
It’s a quieter, simpler event that’s great for community bonding.
10. Yard Sale
Just like a garage sale, but outside!
It’s a perfect way to attract neighbors and passersby on a sunny weekend.
You can actually sell the brownies there as well to boost the margin!
11. Holiday Gift Wrapping
Set up a booth at a mall during the holiday rush! Christmas is definitely the golden timing for this!
Believe it or not, some shoppers are thrilled to pay a small fee to have their gifts wrapped beautifully.
You just need volunteers, paper, and ribbons!
12. Trivia Night
Charge teams an entry fee to compete in a fun trivia contest! You will be surprised the popularity of a good quiz game night!
You can make it themed to attract more people.
Boost earnings by selling food and drinks throughout the night.
13. Pet Photo Contest
The truth is, pet owners love showing off their furry babes!
You can have people enter their pets by making a small donation.
You could even offer professional photo packages for an extra fee.
14. Silent Auction
Auction can always bring in some serious cash.
Send email to all the big companies to get them donate big-ticket items like hotel staycation packages or electronics.
People write down bids, and the highest bidder at the end wins!
15. Sports Tournament
Another classic fundraising idea that works like a charm – sports tournament!
Organize a basketball, soccer, or volleyball tourney.
Charge teams a fee to enter and crown a champion!
And again, you can also make money from spectator tickets and a concession stand.
These days, pickle ball is such a hit so I highly recommend you try that out!
16. Movie Night
Host an outdoor screening or rent a local hall.
Sell tickets for entry and make your real money from popcorn, candy, and soda sales.
It’s a fun and cozy community event!
17. Board Game Night
Charge a small entry fee for people to come and play from a library of games.
Sell pizza and drinks alongside it for extra funds.
18. Craft Sale
Give local artisans a platform to sell their handmade goods.
You can charge vendors for a table space or take a small cut of their sales.
Attendees get unique items, and you raise money – win win!
19. Lip Sync Battle
Alright, it’s time to get creative! We’re talking about this is pure, hilarious entertainment – lip sync battle!
Contestants pay to perform, and you sell tickets for an audience to watch and vote.
The drama and bad singing are all part of the fun!
Believe it or not, people are happy to pay for drama!
20. Photo Booth Fundraiser
Rent a fun photo booth or make a DIY backdrop.
Charge people a few dollars for a strip of photos. That being said, please make sure the booth is aesthetic and Instagrammable.
At events like dances, this is always a huge hit.
21. Dinner Party
Host a fancy sit-down meal or a fun themed potluck.
Sell tickets for a catered event or have people pay to taste and vote on different dishes. Ask people to dress up slightly and makes them feel like a special night out <3
22. T-Shirt Sale
Design a cool t-shirt that people actually want to wear.
Take pre-orders to gauge interest and avoid leftover stock.
The profit on each shirt can be really solid!
From my experience, the one with relatable message like “More Espresso, Less Depresso” (For the coffee lovers!) always work.
23. Potluck Fundraiser
This takes the pressure off you to cook all the food!
Again, charge an entry fee for people to come and taste a variety of dishes.
You can even have a “people’s choice” award for the best dish to keep things engaging.
Thanksgiving is the perfect timing to do this fundraiser – people are naturally in the mood for this.
24. Pancake Breakfast
When it comes to a family and kids friendly fundraising event, a pancake breakfast can be a good idea.
For a set ticket price, people get a delicious, all-you-can-eat breakfast.
25. Obstacle Course
If you are feeling hardcore- think a mini, fun version of those tough mudder races!
Charge teams or individuals to run through a challenging but silly course.
Trust me, all these competitive people will pay for the fun and the bragging rights!
26. Chili Cook-Off
Get amateur chefs to compete for the title of best chili.
Charge contestants an entry fee and sell tasting kits to the public. It’s a delicious and interactive event!
Of course, that can be everything from Pistachio to pizza!
27. Bike-a-Thon
Just like a walk-a-thon, but on wheels!
Participants get sponsors to pledge money for every mile they bike.
Plus, it’s just wholesome to promote fitness like this!
28. Ice Cream Social
Okay this is one of my favorite – a perfect fundraiser for a summer day.
Buy ice cream in bulk and sell sundaes with fun toppings.
It’s a simple, sweet, and universally loved treat.
29. DIY Craft Workshop
Partner with a local artist to teach a class.
Some of the popular theme these days are soap making, crochet and flower arrangement!
Charge a fee that covers materials and a profit for your cause.
People love leaving with something they made themselves – it just feels special<3
30. Karaoke Night
Rent a karaoke machine and host a night of singing.
Charge an entry fee and make extra by selling “skip the line” passes. It’s always a crowd-pleaser.
31. Balloon Release
I personally think this is such a smart last-minute fundraising idea – sell numbered balloons for a set price!
At the event, you release them, and the person whose balloon travels the farthest wins a prize.
That being said, if you choose to release the balloon, please check and follow the district rules.
Some local councils have specific rules, and it is crucial to check for any local restrictions before proceeding.
32. Dance-a-Thon
When it comes to a 100% good vibe activity – well, music and dance!
Participants get pledges for every hour they stay on the dance floor.
It’s a high-energy event where you can also sell snacks and drinks to keep everyone going!
33. Virtual Cooking Class
A great modern idea! Partner with a chef for an online class.
You sell tickets for the link, and everyone has fun cooking the same dish from home <3
Low effort but a lot of fun!
34. Talent Show
Showcase the hidden talents in your neighborhood!
Charge performers a small fee and sell tickets to their friends and family.
It’s a feel-good event that highlights local skills.
35. Pajama Day Fundraiser
This one is super easy for a school or office.
People donate to get the privilege of wearing their comfiest pajamas all day.
It’s a simple “buy-out” that requires almost no effort.
36. Walk-a-Thon
A timeless fundraiser where participants get sponsors for walking a certain distance and touch the grass!
It promotes health and is inclusive for all ages and abilities.
37. Food Truck Fundraiser
Partner with a few popular local food trucks.
Think all the yummy food and snacks like hot dogs and Cinnamon rolls!
It draws a big crowd with minimal work for you.
38. Fitness Class Fundraiser
A local gym will often host a special class where all proceeds go to you.
Their members get a great workout, and you raise funds without organizing the activity.
A fancy Pilates class can be a surprisingly good idea!
39. Charity Yard Games
Host a tournament of giant Jenga or cornhole.
Charge teams to enter and have a fun, relaxed day outdoors. Add music and food to complete the vibe.
40. Scavenger Hunt
If you are reading to get hands dirty, organize something large scale like Scavenger Hunt!
This is a super engaging team activity.
Charge teams to follow clues around your town.
Make it more exciting by having them take funny photos or videos as proof.
41. Silent Disco
Instead of loudspeakers, everyone wears wireless headphones.
It looks hilarious from the outside and is a unique experience people will pay to try.
Sell tickets and drinks to boost profits <3
42. Charity Concert
Book local bands for a night of music.
Sell tickets and pack the venue—live music always draws a crowd. The bigger the band, the more you can charge.
43. Virtual Bingo
If you want something low effort, host a bingo night over Zoom!
I tried it and it works!
Sell digital bingo cards and have a fun, energetic caller. The prizes can be donated gift cards or buffet coupons, making it very profitable.
44. Pet Parade
A super cute event for any animal-loving community.
Charge a small entry fee for people to show off their dressed-up pets.
Have different categories and prizes for the most creative.
45. Costume Contest
Perfect for Halloween or any theme!
Charge an entry fee for people to show off their best costumes. Have judges or audience applause pick the winners.
46. Book Sale
Collect donated books from your community.
Then, hold a massive sale where everything is priced to sell. Book lovers will spend hours browsing and buying.
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47. Art Sale
Showcase and sell work from local artists or students.
You can take a commission on each piece sold. It supports local talent while raising money.
48. Face Painting Booth
Set up a booth at a fair or school event.
For just a few bucks, kids can get a fun design painted on their face.
The cost of supplies is ridiculously low, so this idea is very profitable!
49. Board Game Café
Charge a cover fee for people to come in and play from a large library of games all day.
Selling coffee, tea, and snacks adds to the revenue and creates a cool café vibe.
50. Balloon Pop Raffle
Fill a board with numbered balloons.
People buy a ticket that corresponds to a balloon.
You pop them to reveal the winning numbers inside for prizes—the suspense is a big draw and people really get excited about uncertainty like this!
FINAL THOUGHTS:
So there you go my loves – the 50 Charity Fundraising Ideas!
Which one is your favourite?! I’d really love to know!
For more charity and fundraising fashion, check out these blog posts down below – see you there loves!
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