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Nov 22, 20233 min read

50 Unique and Exciting Fundraising Ideas to Energize Your Nonprofit's Mission

Updated: Dec 1, 2023


50 Unique and Exciting Fundraising Ideas to Energize Your Nonprofit's Mission

Are you ready to take your nonprofit's fundraising efforts to the next level? We've compiled an extensive list of 50 unique and exciting fundraising ideas to inspire your supporters and ignite passion for your cause. From classic events to virtual initiatives, and even strategies for doubling donations, there's something for every nonprofit looking to make a difference.


Classic Fundraising Events


Charity Run/Walk:

Encourage participants to gather sponsors for every mile or lap completed.


A group of people signing up to participate in a charity run or walk fundraising event


Silent Auction:

Collect donated items from local businesses and organize an event where people can bid on them.


A woman participating in a silent auction fundraising event, holding up a numbered paddle.


Themed Gala:

Host an elegant evening with a theme related to your cause.


A silver masquerade mask sits on top of a table at a themed fundraiser event


Bake Sale:

Get volunteers to bake and sell delicious treats.


A bake sale fundraising event, featuring a box of cookies on a table with a sign.


Car Wash:

Set up a team to wash cars for donations.


A man is participating in a car wash fundraising event, diligently washing a car with a sponge.


Dance-a-thon:

Participants gather pledges for dancing for a set amount of time.


A group of people participating in a dance-a-thon fundraising event in front of a blue wall.


Art Show:

Showcase and sell artwork created by local artists.


A painting of a countryside road, created by a local artist for an art show fundraising event.


Trivia Night:

Host a trivia competition and charge an entry fee.


A person writing the word "trivia" on a piece of paper for a trivia night fundraising event.

Garage Sale:

Collect items from supporters and organize a sale.


A garage sale

Community Potluck:

Encourage community members to bring dishes to share, with donations going to the cause.


People participating in a community potluck fundraising event, each holding a plate of food.

Virtual Fundraising Ideas


Online Auction:

Host an auction on a dedicated website or through social media.


An older couple participating in an online auction to help raise funds for a cause

Virtual Talent Show:

Allow people to showcase their talents via video submissions.


A man participating in a virtual talent show fundraising event holds a sign: 'Show Your Talent

Zoom Workout Classes:

Offer virtual fitness classes with proceeds going to the cause.


A woman on a yoga mat, uses a laptop, participates in Zoom workout class to raise funds for a cause.

Online Art Workshop:

Organize virtual art classes with a professional artist.


A woman with a camera participates in an online art workshop to help raise funds for a cause.

Virtual 5K:

Participants run on their own and share their results online.


A woman participates in a virtual 5k event on a treadmill to help raise funds for a cause.

Livestream Gaming Event:

Partner with gamers to raise funds through live streaming.


A man participates in a livestream gaming event to help raise funds for a cause.

Digital Cookbook:

Collect and sell a digital cookbook featuring recipes from supporters.


A woman holding an iPad showcasing a digital cookbook fundraiser to raise funds for a worthy cause.

Virtual Wine Tasting:

Partner with a local winery for a virtual tasting event.


A person participating in a virtual wine-tasting event to help raise funds for a cause.

Zoom Book Club:

Host a virtual book club, with participants making a donation to join.


A man holding a book in front of his laptop participating in a virtual book club meeting

Online Photography Contest:

Collect entries and charge a fee for participation.


A dog is participating in an online photography event to help raise funds for a cause.


Unique and Creative Fundraising Ideas


Escape Room Challenge:

Partner with an escape room and charge teams to participate.


A group of people participating in an escape room challenge to help raise funds for a cause.

Pet Photo Calendar:

Create a calendar featuring photos of supporters' pets.


A pet calendar with a picture of a cat, available for sale to help raise funds for a nonprofit.

Balloon Pop Fundraiser:

Fill balloons with notes, some indicating a special prize.


A balloon-popping event to help raise funds for a nonprofit.

Mystery Dinner Party:

Host a dinner where guests solve a mystery.


A book featuring a mystery dinner party event to help raise funds for a nonprofit.

Plant Sale:

Sell potted plants and flowers donated by local nurseries.


A plant sale event with a variety of plants for sale to help raise funds for a nonprofit.

Rent-A-Student:

Students offer services like yard work, dog walking, or tutoring.


A student being tutored by another student

Letter Writing Campaign:

Encourage supporters to write letters to raise funds.


A pen writing "dear" on paper, letter-writing campaign event to help raise funds for a nonprofit.

Themed Costume Party:

Host a costume party with a theme related to your cause.


A themed costume party event with a woman in Christmas clothes to help raise funds for a nonprofit.

DIY Craft Kits:

Sell kits for crafting projects that supporters can do at home.


DIY craft kits for sale to help raise funds for a nonprofit.

Treasure Hunt:

Organize a city-wide or virtual treasure hunt.


A group of people participating in a treasure hunt to help raise funds for a nonprofit.

Matching Gift and Double-the-Donation Ideas

Corporate Matching Program:

Partner with businesses that match employee donations.


A group of people participating in a corporate matching program to help raise funds for a nonprofit.

Employee Payroll Deductions:

Work with companies to set up automatic payroll deductions.


Hands with a pen participating in employee payroll deduction to help raise funds for a nonprofit.

Matching Gift Challenge:

Secure a pledge from a donor to match funds raised within a specific timeframe.


Hands holding up the word pledge during a matching gift challenge to help get funds for a nonprofit.

Donation Matching Day:

Designate a day where all donations are matched.


Volunteers participating in a Donation Matching Day event to help raise funds for a nonprofit.

Sponsor-a-thon:

Encourage businesses to sponsor participants in a fundraising event.


Encourage businesses to participate in a sponsor-a-thon event to help raise funds for a nonprofit.

Matching Gift Gala:

Host a gala with a matching gift component.


A decorated table with a wine bottle and people sitting at tables at the gala

Double-the-Donation Drive:

Promote a limited-time opportunity for donors to double their impact.


Double-the Donation Thanksgiving Food Drive orange can says your donation helps families in need

Matching Gift Mondays:

Highlight matching gifts every Monday to boost weekly donations.


Someone holding a pen writing on a pad that says "Dear Monday, Let's do this!"

Matching Donation Challenge:

Secure a grant that challenges donors to match the amount.


Hands giving matching donations

Matched Social Media Campaign:

Partner with influencers to promote a campaign with a matching donation.


A social media influencer promoting a campaign for matching donations

Community Engagement Fundraising Ideas


Neighborhood Block Party:

Host a community gathering with games, food, and fundraising.


A mixed group of people participating in a neighborhood block party

Community Mural Project:

Create a mural with sections sponsored by donors.


A man walking past another man on the sidewalk painting a mural on a building

Senior Prom for a Cause:

Organize a prom-themed event for seniors, with proceeds benefiting the cause.


A senior prom with girls and boys dancing fundraising for a cause

Fitness Challenge:

Challenge community members to achieve fitness goals for donations.


3 men and 2 women waiting for the fitness challenge

Local Celebrity Auction:

Auction off opportunities to spend time with local celebrities.


A local celebrity couple smiling while participating in the local celebrity auction

Storytelling Night:

Invite community members to share their stories, charging an entry fee.



A cup of coffee and a napkin beside it that says "We are made of stories"

Scavenger Hunt:

Plan a community-wide scavenger hunt, charging teams or individuals to participate. Incorporate clues related to your cause.



Elders on a scavenger hunt

Subscription Boxes:

Create subscription boxes filled with curated items related to your cause. Subscribers can sign up for monthly deliveries, and a portion of the proceeds goes to your organization.



A donation box with clothes inside of it

Crowdfunding Campaigns:

Launch a crowdfunding campaign on platforms like Kickstarter or GoFundMe, allowing the community to contribute to specific projects or initiatives.



People crowding a stack of coins

Peer-to-Peer Fundraising:

Empower supporters to create their own fundraising pages and reach out to their networks for donations on your behalf.



A hand with the peer-to-peer symbol on top of it

These are just some unique and exciting fundraising ideas to get you going. What are some other unique and exciting fundraising ideas you can come up with to energize your nonprofit's mission?

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