100+ Unique Fundraising Ideas to Inspire Your Next Event

Every year, it seems like the pressure to come up with fresh and exciting fundraising ideas intensifies.

Whether you’re a charity, sporting club, school, or business, finding new ways to engage your supporters and raise money can feel like a daunting task.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of using the same tired events or activities, but doing so risks losing the enthusiasm and participation that are so crucial to successful fundraising.

A recent study from the Nonprofit Fundraising Institute revealed that 61% of fundraisers believe the biggest challenge they face is coming up with innovative ideas that resonate with their audience.

The study found that the most successful campaigns are the ones that tap into creativity and relevance, engaging supporters with new experiences while staying true to the mission.

In this blog, we’ve gathered a range of unique, fun, and easy fundraising ideas that will help you plan your next successful event.

From charity auctions to community sports days, you’ll find inspiration to energise your supporters and raise funds for your cause.

Whether you're looking to host an in-person event or a virtual fundraiser, we've got you covered with a variety of options that will keep your community excited and engaged.

Ready to get started? Let’s dive into the creative world of fundraising!

What is Fundraising?

Fundraising is the process of collecting money to support a cause, organisation, or initiative.

Whether it’s for a local community project, a charitable organisation, or a personal cause, fundraising involves engaging donors through events, campaigns, or online platforms to gather financial support.

In 2022, charitable donations in New Zealand reached over $926 million, showcasing the growing importance of fundraising initiatives in driving societal impact.

With the rise of digital tools, online platforms like TryBooking have made it easier than ever to streamline donations, ticketing, and event management, ensuring a seamless experience for organisers and donors alike. You can choose to create an event or setup a online giving page, check out our blog to find the best one for you.

How is Fundraising Important?

Fundraising is vital for not-for-profit organisations like schools, sports clubs, and community clubs.

It’s not just about raising money, it’s about fostering relationships, increasing awareness, and engaging communities.

The importance of fundraising lies in its ability to:

1. Provide Financial Support: Funds raised can help organisations cover operational costs, launch new projects, or support ongoing initiatives. For example, successful fundraising can fund community development projects, sponsor underprivileged students, or support medical research.
2. Raise Awareness: Fundraisers create visibility for the cause, encouraging more people to get involved. Charity fundraising events, like fun runs or bake sales, can attract local media coverage, spreading the word to a wider audience.
3. Build Community: Events like trivia nights or community gardening days bring people together, fostering a sense of unity and purpose.

Why Are Fundraising Events Popular?

Fundraising events are effective because they combine social interaction with giving.

For example:

• A charity dinner can mix entertainment with donations.
• A school carnival can raise funds while creating fun memories.

Online platforms like TryBooking further enhance these events by offering features like online ticketing, donation options, and customised event pages, making it easier for organisers to manage their events efficiently.

These tools also allow donors to contribute online, ensuring accessibility and convenience.

100+ Unique Fundraising Ideas

Here’s a curated list of creative and effective fundraising ideas tailored for different groups.

These suggestions cater to diverse interests and capabilities, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your next event.

Charities

Unique Ideas:

• Virtual Walkathon: Participants use an app or device to track their steps over a designated period (e.g., a month). They get sponsored per mile, with progress shared on social media to encourage donations.
• Pet Costume Parade: Pet owners dress up their pets for a parade in a local park or online event. You can charge an entry fee for pets, as well as offer prizes for the best costume, judged by participants or spectators.
• Mystery Auction: Auction off "mystery boxes" or items with no details given. This creates excitement and anticipation, as participants bid without knowing exactly what they’re getting, keeping the atmosphere lively.
• Charity Dinner Party: Host an elegant or themed dinner party, with local chefs or volunteers preparing the meal. Attendees pay for a seat, and all proceeds go to the cause. You could also auction off unique experiences or local items during the event.
• Crowd-Sourced Art Auction: Organise a collaborative art project where different artists contribute to a piece, such as a mural or sculpture, and auction it off to the highest bidder. This brings together a variety of local artists, showcasing community talent.

Fun Ideas:

• Karaoke Night: Rent a local venue or host an karaoke event. Charge an entry fee or let participants pay to sing their favourite songs. You could also sell food and drinks or hold a talent contest alongside.
• Comedy Show: Partner with local comedians or comedy clubs to host a laughter-filled evening. Ticket sales and a portion of bar sales go towards the charity, and you could add a donation booth during the event for extra contributions.
• Escape Room Challenge: Set up a temporary escape room at a venue or host a virtual escape room event. Participants pay to solve puzzles and "escape" within a time limit, with all proceeds going to charity.
• Flash Mob Fundraiser: Organise a surprise flash mob in a public space with donations accepted before, during, or after the performance. The event can be a fun and unexpected way to engage the community.
• Lip Sync Battle: Have participants pick their favourite songs and compete in a lip sync performance. Audience members pay to watch, vote, or even get in on the action. Offer a prize for the best performance and encourage social media sharing to boost awareness.

Easy Ideas:

• Coin Drive: Encourage your supporters to collect their loose change for a month. You can set up coin collection stations at local businesses or community events. A simple "fill the jar" campaign can result in significant contributions. You can also take card sales through TryBooking box office app using your phone.
• Charity Raffle: Gather donated items, such as gift cards, experiences, or local goods, and sell raffle tickets. Draw winners live to build excitement, and ensure all proceeds go directly to the cause.
• Book Sale: Ask for book donations from your community, then host a pop-up book sale. This is particularly effective for schools, libraries, or community organisations where there’s a wealth of pre-loved books available.
• Online Auction: Use a platform like eBay or a dedicated auction site to sell donated goods. With social media promotion, this can easily reach a global audience.
• “Gratitude Wall" Fundraiser: Create a physical or virtual wall where donors pay a small fee to post messages of appreciation or tribute. It’s a heartfelt and easy way for people to express gratitude while supporting your charity, fostering community spirit with minimal effort.

Sporting Clubs

Unique Ideas:

• Sports Memorabilia Auction: Collect signed jerseys, balls, or other items from athletes and auction them off. You could also reach out to famous sports figures for special donations.
• Athletic Skill Workshops: Invite local athletes or coaches to teach skills workshops. These can range from basic techniques to more advanced training, and participants pay a fee to learn from professionals.
• Fantasy League Fundraiser: Set up a fantasy sports league where participants pay to enter, with the winner receiving a prize while a portion of the entry fees goes toward the club. This works particularly well in sports like football, cricket, or basketball.
• Celebrity Match: Organise a friendly game featuring local sports celebrities, coaches, or well-known figures from the community. Charge an entry fee for spectators, and offer VIP experiences for those willing to contribute more.
• Obstacle Course Race: Design an obstacle course that participants can race through, either as individuals or in teams. Offer a fee to enter, and have prizes for the fastest or most creative racers.

Fun Ideas:

• Sports Trivia Night: Host a trivia night at a local pub or online, with questions focusing on sports teams, players, and history. Charge a fee per team to enter, and offer prizes for the winners.
• Ultimate Sports Challenge Day: Host a day with fun sports challenges like penalty shootouts and relay races. Charge an entry fee and offer prizes for winners. It's a fun way to engage the community and raise funds!
• Dodgeball Tournament: Host a dodgeball competition where teams of friends, family, or colleagues pay to enter. Offer trophies or medals to the winning teams.
• Coach for a Day: Where participants bid for the chance to take over as the team’s coach for a training session or game. It’s a fun, interactive way to engage fans while raising funds for the club.
• Sports Video Game Tournament: Organise a competition with a popular sports video game, like FIFA or NBA2K. Participants can pay an entry fee, and the event can be streamed online to increase engagement.

Easy Ideas:

• Sausage Sizzle: Set up a BBQ or sausage sizzle at a local sporting event or match. It’s an easy way to raise funds, especially if the community is attending.
• Jersey Day: Ask members to wear their favourite team jerseys in exchange for a small donation. This can be done on a designated day at practice or during a game.
• Parent vs. Kids: Parents and children face off in a fun game. Ask for donations from participants and spectators. Offer a prize for the winning team, making it an exciting and interactive event for all ages.
• Code vs Code: Host an event with another local club to compete in an agreed match the uses a combination of their and your clubs codes. Charge spectators a fee and run a sausage sizzle alongside it to bring in extra donations.
• Trophy Auction: Auction off old or surplus trophies, medals, and awards from previous events. Many people are happy to have a piece of history, especially if it's related to the local community.

Schools

Unique Ideas:

• STEAM Fair: Create a fair showcasing students' projects in science, technology, engineering, arts, and maths. Charge a small entry fee for visitors, and offer booths where students present their work.
• Parents vs Teachers: Host a sports day where teachers compete against parents in a fun, low-pressure games like relay races, tug-of-war, or soccer. Charge a small fee for participation or spectating, with all proceeds going to the school.
• Classroom Escape Room Challenge: Organise where each class competes in a timed puzzle-solving race to "escape" their classroom. Parents and students can donate to participate, and the winning class receives a fun prize or extra recess time.
• Teachers' Talent Show: Host an teachers showcase hidden talents or take on fun challenges, like singing, dancing, or comedy skits. Students and parents can buy tickets to attend or vote for their favourite performances with donations.
• Flashback Day: Plan a day where students and staff dress up in retro or vintage outfits from a specific decade (e.g., the ‘80s or ‘90s). Charge an donation fee for those participating in the dress-up, and host a themed event with music, games, and activities from that era.

Fun Ideas:

• Petting Zoo on Campus: Set up a petting zoo or animal experience day with farm animals or exotic creatures. Charge admission for students and families to interact with the animals, and offer snacks and photo ops.
• Teacher Swap Day: Organise a day where students bid for the chance to have a teacher swap classes with them for a period. The highest bidder gets to teach their class for a fun twist, and the money raised goes to the school.
• Human Bowling: Set up a giant inflatable bowling lane where students roll giant inflatable "bowling balls" to knock down pins. Charge a fee to play, and offer prizes for high scores.
• Around the World Food Fair: Host a food fair where different classes or student groups represent different countries and offer traditional foods. Charge an donation fee or sell food tickets for a taste of various global cuisines.
• Talent Show: Organise a school-wide talent show where students can perform acts for an audience. Offer prizes for the best performances and sell tickets for entry.

Easy Ideas:

• Gold Coin Donation Days: Encourage students to donate a small amount, like a gold coin, in exchange for participating in a dress-up day or casual clothing day.
• School Bake Sale: Organise a bake-off where parents and students contribute baked goods. You can sell the treats during school events or in the community. Check out our how to guide on school bake sales.
• Read-a-Thon: Have students pledge to read a certain number of books or pages over a period of time. They can then collect sponsorships from friends and family.
• Mango Fundraiser: Get students to sell fresh grown local mangoes to their family and friends, with the proceeds going back to their school.
• Classroom Competitions: Host friendly competitions between classes, such as spelling bees or trivia challenges, and charge a fee to enter or participate.

Businesses Raising Funds For Charity

Unique Ideas:

• Corporate Match Challenge: Invite companies to match their employees’ donations. This could be a one-day event where businesses pledge to donate the same amount as their employees for the day.
• Desk Drop Donations: Employees pay to decorate or prank a colleague’s desk with fun or silly decorations. This can be part of a larger campaign where employees contribute to a charity fund.
• Charity Auction with Company Perks: Host an auction where employees, customers, or business partners bid on exclusive company experiences, such as a lunch with the CEO, a reserved parking space, or a day off. All proceeds go to the chosen charity.
• "Dress for a Cause" Day: Encourage employees to pay a small fee to dress casually or in themed outfits for the day. The money raised from participation fees can be donated to a charity, and employees can vote on which cause to support.
• Corporate Golf Tournament: Host a golf tournament where employees, clients, and business partners can participate and raise funds through entry fees, sponsorships, and silent auctions. The proceeds go to the chosen charity or cause.

Fun Ideas:

• Business Cooking Class: Host a cooking class or culinary experience where employees or local chefs teach participants how to prepare delicious dishes. Charge a fee to attend, and donate the proceeds to a selected charity or cause
• Office Olympics: Organise a fun and light-hearted "Office Olympics" event where employees compete in quirky challenges, like chair races or paper airplane contests. Charge an entry fee, and offer sponsorships for each event.
• Office Bake-Off: Host a baking competition where employees bring in their best creations. Others pay to vote for the winner, and treats are sold to raise money.
• Fitness Challenge: Organise a fitness challenge, like a steps or miles challenge, where participants pledge to walk, run, or cycle a certain distance. Employees, customers, or business partners can sponsor participants, and the total funds raised go to charity.
• Employee Talent Show: Organise a talent show where employees showcase their skills, from singing and dancing to comedy acts or magic tricks. Charge an entry fee for attendees and let participants raise sponsorships for their acts, donating all funds to charity.

Easy Ideas:

• Casual Fridays: Employees donate to dress casually one day a week. This can be done with a set fee per person or as part of a larger charity drive.
• Coffee Mornings: Host a morning tea or coffee session in the office, with a donation jar placed on the counter. Employees contribute for their coffee or tea, and the proceeds go to charity.
• Volunteer Day with Pledge Sponsorships: Offer employees a paid day off to volunteer for a charitable cause, and encourage clients or customers to sponsor them. The funds raised from sponsorships can be donated to the cause being supported by the volunteer work.
• Walk-a-thon Challenge: Set up a company-wide walkathon where employees track their steps or miles, with donations pledged for each mile walked.
• Office "Pet Day" Fundraiser: Encourage employees to bring their pets to work for a day, with a small donation required for each pet. The business can also host a pet costume contest, pet photoshoots, or pet-related games, with all funds raised going to a charitable cause.

Community Clubs

Unique Ideas:

• Outdoor Cinema: Set up an outdoor movie screening in a park, with ticket sales and food stalls to raise funds. You could also offer VIP experiences like blanket rentals or premium seating for a higher price.
• Community Cookbook: Collect recipes from local families and community members, and publish them in a cookbook. You can sell the cookbooks, with all proceeds benefiting a local cause.
• Yard Sale Marathon: Coordinate a community-wide yard sale event, where multiple homes participate. Charge a fee for participating or offer a "market day" where people can browse all the sales in one area.
• Block Party: Host a block party where the community can come together to enjoy food, music, and entertainment. Charge an entry fee or sell tickets for food, drinks, and activities.
• Neighbourhood Cook-Off: Host a cook-off where community members compete to make the best dish, whether it’s BBQ, desserts, or a specific cuisine. Charge an entry fee for participants and allow attendees to purchase tickets to sample and vote on their favourites.

Fun Ideas:

• Community Talent Show: Organise a talent show where locals can showcase their skills, such as singing, dancing, comedy, or poetry. Charge an entry fee for performers and spectators, and offer prizes donated by local businesses.
• Dance-a-Thon: Host a dance marathon where people pledge to dance for a certain amount of time in exchange for donations. You could get local businesses to sponsor participants.
• Local History Tours: Partner with a local historian or tour guide to offer guided tours of historic areas in the community. Charge a small fee for each participant, and provide a chance to learn more about the area's heritage.
• Community Art Auction: Invite local artists to donate their work for an auction, where community members can bid on original art, crafts, or handmade goods. Proceeds from the auction go to support the club and its activities.
• Community Sports Day: Plan a day of fun activities like sack races, tug-of-war, and team sports. Charge a fee to participate, and offer prizes for winners.

Easy Ideas:

• Neighbourhood Clean-Up: Organise a local clean-up event where people can volunteer their time to clean up streets, parks, or beaches. Encourage a donation per person for supplies and as a show of support.
• Pie Toss: Set up a booth where people can pay to throw pies at local "celebrities" or community leaders, such as teachers, council members, or business owners.
• Community Photo Contest: Invite local photographers (or amateur enthusiasts) to submit their best photos of the community, nature, or local events. Charge a submission fee and host an exhibition where attendees can vote on their favourite photos, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the club.
• Clothing Drive: Ask for donations of gently used clothing, then sell or distribute the clothes to people in need. You can also host a clothing swap, where people donate and then pick out new items.
• Board Game Tournament: Organise a board game or card game tournament where participants pay an entry fee to compete. Offer fun prizes for the winners and make the event family-friendly to encourage broader participation.

Individually Raising Money for a Cause

Unique Ideas:

• Virtual Cooking Classes: Share your culinary skills by hosting online cooking classes, with participants donating to join. You could focus on specific cuisines or healthy recipes, and have a live cooking session.
• 72-Hour Challenge: Take on a personal challenge, such as staying awake for 72 hours. Seek sponsorships for each hour or milestone you complete, with all funds going to the cause.
• Achieve a Guinness World Record: Choose a record you want to beat, get donations from people in you community as support to your cause or charity.
• Charity Concert: Organise a live concert or performance where you or local musicians perform. Just book a local venue or use your own home and you can charge for tickets or ask for donations during the event.
• Rent-a-Friend Service: Offer "rent-a-friend" services where people can hire you (or a group of friends) for a day of activities like hiking, cooking, or just hanging out. The twist is that all proceeds from the bookings go directly to your cause, and people get the chance to bond while supporting a good cause.

Fun Ideas:

• Themed Costume Run: Organise a fun run where participants dress up according to a theme. You can charge a registration fee through TryBooking and encourage participants to get sponsors for their costumes.
• Virtual Gaming Marathon: If you're a gamer, stream a marathon session where people can donate to support your gaming efforts. Encourage friends and family to sponsor your time spent playing.
• "Living Statue" Fundraiser: Dress up as a living statue and stand in a public place for a set period of time. Passersby can donate to interact with you, take photos, or ask questions. This unique form of performance art draws attention and creates a memorable experience while raising funds for your cause.
• Online Quiz Night: Host a virtual quiz or trivia night, and charge a small entry fee for participants. Offer prizes for the winners and fun incentives throughout the event.
• "Pay to Destroy" Event: Let donors smash or destroy something you own (safely, of course!)—like a watermelon, a piece of outdated tech, or even plates—either in person or virtually. The bigger the donation, the bigger the destruction privilege. This cathartic and entertaining event can draw a lot of attention!

Easy Ideas:

• Crowdfunding Campaign: Set up a crowdfunding page on platforms like GoFundMe or Kickstarter. Share your story with friends, family, and social media followers to raise funds for your cause. You can keep people updated on your progress with regular posts to stay engaged.
• "The Human Canvas" Fundraiser: Allow donors to paint or draw on your clothing, skin (with safe body paint), or a large wearable canvas. Each donation buys a small section of your "canvas," resulting in a unique, collaborative piece of art by the end of the event.
• Personalised Roast Night: Host a live or virtual event where friends and family can pay to "roast" you in good fun. Have a night of humour and personal anecdotes (gathered with permission) to create a memorable and light-hearted experience, with all proceeds going to your cause.
• Online Yard Sale: Clear out your home and sell unused items online. Set up an online shop on Facebook Marketplace or eBay and donate the proceeds to your cause. This is an easy way to declutter while raising money.
• Social Media Challenge: Start a challenge on social media where friends and followers can donate a small amount to participate. For example, a "10,000 Steps a Day" challenge where people donate for each step or every day they complete the challenge.

Extra Creative Fundraising Ideas

Unique Ideas:

• Reverse Raffle: Unlike traditional raffles where the first ticket drawn wins, in a reverse raffle, the last ticket drawn is the winner! This adds suspense and excitement, and people are often willing to pay more for the chance to be the last ticket standing.
• Mystery Box Raffle: Create a set of mystery boxes with fun, quirky, or valuable items inside (some could have sentimental value). Sell raffle tickets for a chance to win one, with the contents revealed during a live-streamed unboxing event.
• "Pay What You Want" Pop-Up Café: Set up a temporary café where customers can pay whatever they feel the meal or drink is worth. All proceeds go to charity, and it adds a fun twist to a typical dining experience.
• Secret Menu Night: Partner with a local restaurant or café to create a "secret menu" for one night only, with proceeds going to your cause. Promote it through word of mouth or social media, making it an exclusive and mysterious event for patrons to discover.

Fun Ideas:

• Silent Disco for Charity: Rent headphones and host a silent disco where everyone dances to the same music, but no one hears it except the wearers of the headphones. Charge entry and provide different music genres, making it an event that’s both unique and fun.
• Pet Parade and Fashion Show: Organise a pet parade where pets can show off their best outfits. People can enter their pets for a fee, and you can even include prizes for categories like "Most Creative Outfit" or "Best Pet & Owner Duo."
• Murder Mystery Dinner: Host a themed dinner where attendees must solve a “murder” mystery during the event. Sell tickets to the dinner and incorporate interactive drama that keeps guests engaged while raising funds for your cause.
• Glow-in-the-Dark Fun Run: Organise a night-time charity run where participants wear glow-in-the-dark accessories. Charge a registration fee and sell glow-in-the-dark gear, creating a visually stunning event that’s perfect for social media sharing.

Easy Ideas:

• Swap Shop: Host a community swap shop where people can bring gently used items to exchange with others. Charge a small entry fee or donation to participate. It’s a sustainable and fun way to gather a crowd while supporting a good cause.
• Epic Puzzle Challenge: Take on solving a giant jigsaw puzzle (e.g., 10,000+ pieces) or a Rubik's Cube marathon. People can sponsor individual pieces or time spent solving, and progress can be live-streamed for supporters.
• "Swap-a-Skill" Fundraiser: Ask for donations in exchange for teaching a skill you’re good at or learning a skill from someone else. For example, you could teach basic cooking, dance, or photography while learning something new yourself, and document the entire process for your audience.
• Time Capsule Subscription: Create a time capsule where donors contribute items or notes for a future opening event. Offer “premium slots” for larger contributions, like video messages or creative submissions, and host a big unveiling party years later.

Tips for Running a Successful Fundraiser

Running a successful fundraiser requires careful planning, strategy, and engagement.

Here are some expanded tips to ensure your fundraiser reaches its full potential:

1. Set Clear Goals:

It’s important to define a specific fundraising target and communicate it clearly to participants.

Whether your goal is to raise a certain amount of money, attract a set number of attendees, or increase awareness for your cause, having clear objectives helps create a sense of urgency and focus.

Make sure your supporters know how their contributions will make a difference, and keep them updated on progress throughout the event.

A compelling goal can inspire action and rally people to get involved.

2. Plan Early:

The earlier you start planning, the better your event will be.

Give yourself ample time to organise all aspects of the fundraiser, from securing a venue (if applicable) to finalising logistics like ticketing, catering, or volunteers.

Planning well in advance also allows you to fine-tune your marketing strategy and make adjustments as needed.

The more time you have, the less likely you are to face last-minute hiccups that could affect the success of your event.

3. Leverage Technology:

In today’s digital world, technology can streamline your fundraising efforts.

Use platforms like TryBooking for efficient ticketing, registrations, and online donations.

This makes it easy for your supporters to participate and gives you a simple way to track contributions and attendance.

You can also set up virtual fundraising pages, allowing people to donate online or share your event with others.

Social media tools, event apps, and email marketing platforms can also help amplify your efforts and keep your audience engaged.

4. Promote Effectively:

Your event won’t be successful if no one knows about it, so make sure to get the word out.

Promote your fundraiser across multiple channels, including social media, email, community networks, and even word of mouth.

Create compelling posts, visuals, and videos that clearly explain the purpose of the fundraiser and the impact of donations.

Don’t forget to use event-specific hashtags, tag relevant partners or influencers, and encourage participants to share and invite others. The more visibility you generate, the greater the turnout.

5. Engage Participants:

Engaging your participants is key to creating a successful and memorable experience.

Encourage attendees to become advocates for your cause by sharing their involvement on social media, bringing friends, or even volunteering to help with the event.

You can also create a sense of community by providing regular updates on the event’s progress and showing appreciation for their support.

The more connected people feel to your cause, the more likely they are to donate or encourage others to get involved.

6. Offer Incentives:

People are more likely to donate if they feel appreciated or motivated by rewards.

Offer incentives such as prizes for top fundraisers, shoutouts on social media, or special recognition for large donations.

You can also create tiered reward systems, where the more someone donates, the bigger the reward or recognition they receive.

For example, anyone who donates over a certain amount could receive a special thank-you gift, or the top fundraiser might win a special experience like a dinner with a local celebrity.

Incentives create friendly competition and provide an extra nudge for people to give.

Conclusion

Fundraising events are a powerful way to raise money, build community, and create memorable experiences.

With these 100 unique ideas, your next event is bound to be impactful and enjoyable.

For more tips on event & fundraiser planning check out our 125 Event Ideas or planning tips for charity events

Platforms like TryBooking simplify the process, allowing you to focus on what truly matters, making a difference.

Which of these fundraising ideas will you try for your next event?