100 Fundraising Ideas For Any Cause

Choosing the right fundraising ideas for your team, school or cause can be a daunting task. There are so many options and ideally, you want to choose one that helps raise as much money as possible, while still being fun and engaging for your team members. Fundraisers are often most successful if optimally timed for an event or time of year. But what does that mean, and what fundraiser should you choose? Here at FlipGive, we see hundreds of teams and causes raising a lot of money for things they need all year round. We’ve compiled a list of our favorites, plus some information on just how much you can raise, when you should plan your fundraiser, and how much time it will take you to plan your event. Each idea is rated on it's cost ($ meaning low cost and $$$ meaning high cost), and difficulty (1 being easiest, 5 being hardest). Interested in a specific type of fundraising idea? Use the links below to help you navigate.

1. School Fundraising Ideas
2. Sports and Competition Fundraising Ideas
3. Food Fundraising Ideas
4. Shopping Fundraising Ideas
5. Active Fundraising Ideas
6. Events Fundraising Ideas
7. Classic Fundraising Ideas

School Friendly Fundraising Ideas

Every school, class, and club can always use some extra funds to reach and exceed their goals. Below are fundraising ideas that often see good results in the classroom.

1.Back To School Fundraiser

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $$
• Difficulty level: 4
• Bonus cash back: Earn up to 10% cash back when you create your back to school packages through a FlipGive campaign.

Check your schools supply requirements for back to school, and put together packages that you sell to parents.
Read more about Back to School fundraisers >

 

2. Indigo Fundraiser

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: 15% cash back on eGift cards and 3% cash back on direct purchases.

Communities and schools have had amazing success raising money with Indigo. School supplies and books are always in demand, and this fundraiser is always popular during back to school season. When you create a FlipGive campaign, any Indigo gift card you purchase instantly gets you 15% cash back (regional restrictions apply). Supporters can choose from hundreds of notebooks, novels, supplies, and home decor that all help your fundraiser get to its goal.
Read more about fundraising with Indigo>

 

3. Dress Up Days

• How it raises money: donations
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: Earn up to 25% cash back on prizes for the best costume.

Dress up fundraisers work best for schools, where participants can fundraise by wearing crazy outfits and asking for donations from classmates. FlipGive helps make this even easier with an easy to manage donations page in the team dashboard.
Read more about Dress Up Day fundraisers>

 

4. Duct Tape Fundraiser

• How it raises money: donations
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: Earn up to 10% cash back from Amazon if you purchase your duct tape through a FlipGive campaign page.

A duct tape fundraiser enlists the help of one very willing participant. This can be done in conjunction with a thermometer fundraiser. Once a certain amount is raised, a volunteer will be duct taped to a wall for a certain period of time. This kind of fundraiser works great for schools. Imagine seeing the Principal taped to a goal post?!?!
Read more about duct tape fundraisers >

 

5. Gift-o-Gram Fundraiser

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: Purchase the necessary items for your gift-o-gram from Walmart or Jet.com for up to 3% cash back.

Gift-o-grams are an adorable alternative to candy-grams during the holiday season. Have little gift that supporters can choose from, and have cards they can attach to their gifts. This fundraiser works best at schools, where students can purchase gifts for their friends. It’s also much easier to facilitate delivery.
Read more about Gift-o-Gram fundraisers >

 

6. Thermometer Fundraiser

• How it raises money: donations
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: None

A thermometer fundraiser is a no-plans-necessary kind of fundraiser. Simply set a goal and fill up the thermometer as supporters donate. Keep the thermometer somewhere that is easily seen by your team, school, or community to keep them motivated.
Read more about Thermometer fundraisers >

7. Talent Show Fundraiser

• How it raises money: ticket sales
• Cost: $$
• Difficulty level: 4
• Bonus cash back: Earn cash back on supplies you need for your talent show, like refreshments or electronics.

Talent shows are a great fundraising idea because they are often pretty low cost. Hold auditions for students at your school or community members, and sell tickets to the show. Make sure you allot for flyers and other advertising in your fundraising budget.
Read more about talent show fundraisers >

 

8. Used Book Sale

• How it raises money: general sales, donations
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 2
• Bonus cash back: No cash back for this fundraiser, but it's a great way to get the school year started.

Used book sales are a quick and easy fundraiser to host. Have members of your team or community bring books to donate, with proceeds going to your team or cause. This kind of fundraiser works really well at the beginning of the school year, when parents and students are looking to buy used books for classes.
Read more about used book fundraisers >

 

9. Prom Dress Drive

• How it raises money: entry fee, general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 3
• Bonus cash back: Because this is a donation drive, there is no available cash back, but it's an amazing way to raise money for your team or cause!

Have members of your community or school donate their old formal wear for your prom dress drive. Charge participants an entry fee, or a fee to purchase a dress, with proceeds going to your team or cause.
Read more about prom dress drives>

 

10. Babysitting Fundraiser

• How it raises money: donations, general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 3
• Bonus cash back: None

Get kids in your community to donate babysitting time to help raise money for your cause or team.
Read more about babysitting fundraisers>

 

11. Jellybean Jar Fundraiser

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: Earn cash back on jellybeans and the jar when you shop through a FlipGive campaign.

Perfect for elementary school fundraising, this is also a great opportunity to be a learning experience for kids, involving the power of math. Encourage people to pay a ticket per guess, and then afterwards explain ways that you can get close the right right answer using some secret strategies. A Jellybean Jar Fundraiser is a perfect complement to other bigger events. Read more about jellybean jar fundraisers >

 

12. Chores Auction

• How it raises money: donations, general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: None

A chores auction is a fun fundraiser to host with your team. This kind of fundraiser works best with smaller organizations or teams. Supporters bid on chores team members promise to fulfill. It’s a great and simple way to raise money.
Read more about chores auctions >

 

Sports and Competition Fundraising Ideas

Few things can help raise funds better than something that gets the competitive juices flowing. Add sports into the mix and you get an even wider audience to get involved and have fun. The following are ideas that are either affiliated with specific sport fundraising or have a competitive element.

 

13. Baseball Tournament Fundraiser

• How it raises money: entry fee, donations
• Cost: $$
• Difficulty level: 4
• Bonus cash back: Earn 10% cash back when you make your tournament shirts at Allied shirts, up to 2% cash back from Walmart, and up to 10% cash back from Amazon.ca.

Baseball tournaments are one of the best ways to fundraise. This kind of fundraiser is best in the summer, so that good weather is guaranteed, and friends and family can come watch teams play. Baseball tournaments are also a great place to hold supporting fundraising events, like a bbq or a raffle. Each team that partakes has to raise a minimum amount to participate, and this usually includes food and a team t-shirt of some kind, so make sure you factor that in to your budget!
Read more about baseball tournament fundraisers >

 

14. Basketball Tournament Fundraiser

• How it raises money: entry fee, donations
• Cost: $$
• Difficulty level: 4
• Bonus cash back: Earn 10% cash back when you make your tournament shirts at Allied shirts.

Basketball tournaments are a great way to fundraise for your team or community. It doesn’t even have to include players on your school team. Encourage participants to sign up with their friends. Each team has to raise a certain amount to qualify for the tournament, with proceeds going to the cause of your choice.
Read more about basketball tournament fundraisers >

 

15. Social Media Challenge Fundraiser

• How it raises money: donations
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: To make it easy for your supporters to donate to your team or cause, direct them to a FlipGive campaign so that they can easily donate online.

A social media fundraising challenge is both an extremely simple and very difficult endeavour. To start a viral challenge fundraiser, come up with something that supporters can participate in and share. One of the most popular ones that everyone will remember is the “Ice Bucket” challenge for ALS. From here, it’s crucial to make it clear within the post where to potentially donate. It can be difficult to get this kind of fundraiser off the ground but the more clever your challenge is - don’t forget humor! - the better the chance at success, and when that comes, the funds raised can be wild. Make sure to spread the word across your networks, and prompt friends and family to participate.
Read more about social media fundraisers >

 

16. Soccer Tournament Fundraiser

• How it raises money: entry fee, donations
• Cost: $$
• Difficulty level: 4
• Bonus cash back: Earn 10% cash back when you make your tournament shirts at Allied shirts, up to 2% cash back from Walmart, and up to 10% cash back from Amazon.ca.

Soccer tournaments are a great event for kids. You can hold a soccer tournament during soccer season, or anytime during the summer to raise money for your team or cause. You can also hold secondary fundraisers during the soccer tournament, like a refreshment stand or 50/50 raffle.
Read more about soccer tournament fundraisers>

 

17. Bowling Tournament Fundraiser

• How it raises money: entry fee, donations
• Cost: $$$
• Difficulty level: 5
• Bonus cash back: If you plan on ordering food for your fundraiser, you could earn up to 10% cash back using egift cards.

Bowling tournaments are a great way to fundraise, especially because teams can involve the entire family! Participants form teams are required to raise a minimum amount to participate. It’s great if you can supply prizes for the winning teams, but for this kind of fundraiser, it’s not absolutely necessary.
Read more about bowling tournament fundraisers>

 

18. Golf Tournament Fundraiser

• How it raises money: entry fee, donations
• Cost: $$$
• Difficulty level: 5
• Bonus cash back: Use your FlipGive campaign page to make it easier for supporters to make online donations, and earn up to 25% cash back when you purchase items for your fundraiser through a FlipGive campaign page.

As far as fundraisers go, golf tournaments are on the higher end when it comes to effort, cost, and time. The good thing about golf tournament fundraisers is that they usually raise more money than other athletic tournaments, however, you should be ready to take on some initial costs. Make sure that you have a network of volunteers who can help with the tournament planning, and setup/take down the day of. For this kind of fundraiser, it’s key to be extremely organized.
Read more about golf tournament fundraisers >

 

19. Trivia Night Fundraiser

• How it raises money: entry fee
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 2
• Bonus cash back: If you're hosting your trivia night at a school or a home, you can earn up to 10% cash back on refreshments for your event.

Trivia nights are a great way to raise money. Charge an entry fee to participate, and have a trophy for the winning team. This kind of fundraiser can be on absolutely any topic, but it’s more fun if it’s in line with the kind of organization you are trying to raise money for.
Read more about trivia night fundraisers>

 

20. Olympic Games Fundraiser

• How it raises money: entry fee
• Cost: $$
• Difficulty level: 4
• Bonus cash back: Purchase prizes for the winning teams and earn cash back.

Teams who participate in this fundraiser need to raise a minimum amount of money to participate. Games can be anything from track races to baseball games, and winning teams compete in a final game for a grand prize.
Read more about olympic games fundraisers>

 

21. Color War Fundraiser

• How it raises money: entry fee
• Cost: $$$
• Difficulty level: 4
• Bonus cash back: Earn cash back on team shirts, food, and prizes.

Color wars are super fun fundraisers, but require a lot of planning, and don’t really work without a substantial amount of participants. Color war works best for schools. Divide the school into four teams and plan competitive activities throughout the day.
Read more about color war fundraisers>

 

22. Moms vs. Dads Tournament

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $$
• Difficulty level: 4
• Bonus cash back: Get 10% cash back on custom tees for your tournament.

A moms vs. dads tournament is a hilarious way to raise money, especially if you’re raising money for a sports team. Turn the tables and have the parents compete against each other with their kids cheering them on! Read more about moms vs. dads tournaments>

23. Community Skate Fundraiser

• How it raises money: entry fee
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 3
• Bonus cash back: None

Talk to your local hockey arena and ask if proceeds from a weekday free skate could contribute to your cause. Try and go for a day where the rink isn't super busy. The arena will have a full house, and you'll make money for your cause, it's a win-win. Read more about community skate fundraisers>

 

24. Rent An Athlete Fundraiser

• How it raises money: volunteers, donations
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 2
• Bonus cash back: No cash back on this fundraiser, but it's still a great way to raise money for your team!

To help raise money for athletic teams, host a rent-an-athlete fundraiser. Participants bid on an athlete and that athlete is at the service of the highest bidder for an agreed upon duration of time (usually one day).
Read more about rent an athlete fundraisers>

 

25. Games Night Tournament

• How it raises money: entry fee
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 3
• Bonus cash back: Earn cash back on games for your tournament.

Reach out to community members to bring their favorite games and host a board game tournament. This is a simple and inexpensive fundraising idea, and can be put together quickly. Charge an entry fee for participants, and have refreshments available for sale to raise even more money.
Read more about games night fundraisers>

 

26. Photo Contest

• How it raises money: entry fee
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: Purchase your prizes through a FlipGive campaign to earn cash back.

Charge applicants an entry fee to participate in a photo contest of your choosing. This is an easy fundraiser to put together, but usually only works if there is a prize to be won that makes the entry fee worthwhile. Make sure that you factor prizing into your budget when hosting this fundraiser.
Read more about photo contest fundraisers>

 

27. Obstacle Course

• How it raises money: entry fee, donations
• Cost: $$
• Difficulty level: 3
• Bonus cash back: Earn cash back from online grocers when you purchase BBQ items through a FlipGive campaign page.

Obstacle course fundraisers are so much fun for participants. You can conduct this fundraiser in a number of ways. Individuals can pay an entry fee and compete for a prize, or teams need to fundraise a certain amount in order to compete. Either way, this is a fundraiser that takes quite a bit of planning, but you can also run a bbq at the same time in order to raise even more.
Read more about obstacle course fundraisers>

 

28. Fantasy Football Fundraiser

• How it raises money: entry fee
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 3
• Bonus cash back: No cash back on this one, but it's a super fun way to raise money with your team.

Run a fantasy football fundraiser with your team or school, with proceeds contributing to your cause or team.
Read more about fantasy football fundraisers>

 

29. Super Bowl Party Fundraiser

• How it raises money: entry fee, general sales
• Cost: $$
• Difficulty level: 4
• Bonus cash back: Earn cash back from online grocers when you purchase your party items through a FlipGive campaign page.

Super bowl party fundraisers are a great way to raise money. If you have a campaign with FlipGive, you can earn up to 25% cash back on food and decor for the party, earning your team money before you even start! Have the Super Bowl party in a big auditorium (if you have access) or a place where supporters can watch on a big screen. You can charge a flat fee for entry and food, or simply charge an entry fee and have snacks and drinks available for purchase.
Read more about Super Bowl fundraisers>

 

30. Ping Pong Tournament

• How it raises money: entry fee, ticket sales
• Cost: $$
• Difficulty level: 3
• Bonus cash back: None

A ping pong tournament is a really fun way to raise money since participants don’t necessarily need to have any athletic ability to partake. Charge teams an entry fee for the competition to raise funds. You can also sell tickets to the competition to earn even more money.
Read more about ping pong tournament fundraisers >

 

31. Dodgeball Tournament

• How it raises money: entry fee, ticket sales
• Cost: $$
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: Earn 10% cash back when you make your tournament shirts at Allied shirts.

A dodgeball tournament is an amazing way to raise money for your team or cause. Participants must create teams and raise a minimum amount in order to participate. Make sure that you factor in uniforms when deciding on this number, and participants of any athletic tournament usually expect to be outfitted. Sell tickets to the tournament to raise even more money. Read more about dodgeball tournament fundraisers >

 

32. First Pitch Auction

• How it raises money: auction, general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: None

Auction off the first pitch at your baseball games in order to raise money for your team. This works especially well at championship games, or the first game of the season.
Read more about first pitch auctions >

 

Food Fundraising Ideas

Raising money through people’s stomachs is tried and true - bake sale anyone? - but nowadays there are more food fundraising ideas than ever to take advantage of.

33. Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

• How it raises money: entry fee, general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 2
• Bonus cash back: Get up to 10% cash back when you purchase items for your pancake breakfast from Amazon.ca

Pancake breakfast fundraisers are a super fun way to raise money! Ask your school’s cafeteria if you can use their space in the morning, and host a pancake breakfast for your team or community fundraiser. A pancake breakfast is simple to orchestrate, and everyone can help or participate. It’s usually best to host this at the beginning of the season to drum up excitement. To help encourage supporters, have a thermometer showing how much you have raised during the pancake fundraiser. Read more pancake breakfast fundraisers>

 

34. Baking Contest Fundraiser

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 2
• Bonus cash back: Purchase your supplies through your FlipGive campaign and earn up to 10% cash back on baking supplies

A baking contest is such a fun way to raise money! Teams pay an entry fee to compete, and have to create an item (cookies, a cake) without a recipe. The final product is judged by attendees, and the winner receives a prize. Read more baking content fundraisers >

 

35. Chocolate Fundraiser

How it raises money: general sales

• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 2
• Bonus cash back: Earn up to 3% cash back when you purchase your chocolate at Purdy's or up to 2% cash back when you purchase your chocolate at WalMart.

Chocolate fundraisers are a great idea around Valentine's and Christmas. Everyone has gifts they need to get, and gift baskets they need to fill, and why not with chocolate that helps your cause earn money! Schools and teams can sell their chocolate in the lunchroom or after practice, and it’s also a great idea to give parents some chocolate to take to their place of work to help fundraising efforts. Bonus? When you buy your chocolate though FlipGive, you’ll earn more cash back on every bar. Sweet deal right?
Read more about chocolate fundraisers>

 

36. BBQ Fundraiser

• How it raises money: general sales, entry fee
• Cost: $$
• Difficulty level: 4
• Bonus cash back: Earn up to 10% cash back on groceries for your BBQ!

BBQ fundraisers are simple and easy to conduct. They work great after baseball soccer games in the summer, or during any kind of outdoor tournament. Bonus? If you have a FlipGive campaign page, you can earn cash back on all of the items you need to purchase for the BBQ.
Read more about BBQ fundraisers >

 

37. Ice Cream Social Fundraiser

• How it raises money: general sales, entry fee
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 2
• Bonus cash back: Earn up to 10% cash back on groceries for your ice cream social.

Ice cream socials are another super easy and inexpensive fundraising idea. Pick up an assortment of ice cream flavours from your local grocery store, and have fun topping options so that participants can make their own sundaes! The simplest way to host this kind of fundraiser is to collect at the door. Once supporters have paid they each receive a cup that they can fill with anything they would like. Make sure to have some volunteers helping with scooping and cleanup or this fundraiser could get messy.
Read more about ice cream social fundraisers>

 

38. Community Picnic Fundraiser

• How it raises money: general sales, entry fee
• Cost: $$
• Difficulty level: 5
• Bonus cash back: Earn up to 10% cash back on groceries for the picnic

Community picnics are a great fundraising idea! Make it simple and enlist the help of community members to bring items, and charge participants an entry fee. If you want to make it a little more interesting, pre-make picnic baskets, and sell them as a package for participants.
Read more about community picnic fundraisers>

 

39. Donut Sale

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: No cash back on donuts, but you can still earn cash back on coffee and other refreshments at your donut sale.

A donut sale is a simple and easy way to raise money. Talk to your local bakery and ask if you can get a discounted rate on baked goods, and use the profits to help your fundraiser.
Read more about donut sale fundraisers>

 

40. Popcorn Sale

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: Earn 5% cash back when you purchase your popcorn from The Popcorn Factory.

Sell popcorn during lunchtime at school, or during a sporting event or game to raise money for your team or school.
Read more about popcorn fundraisers>

 

41. Candy Cane Fundraiser

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 2
• Bonus cash back: Earn cash back from online grocers when you purchase your candy canes through a FlipGive campaign page.

Candy Cane fundraisers are a staple for the holiday season. People love sending and receiving them, and it’s super simple to conduct. Make sure you have cards attached to the candy canes, so supporters can write messages to their recipients. This kind of fundraiser works best at school, or for a community event where you have the opportunity to both sell the candy canes and give them out.
Read more about candy cane fundraisers>

42. Coffee Pop Up

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: Earn cash back from online grocers when you purchase your coffee through a FlipGive campaign page.

A coffee pop up is a great fundraiser to hold on a college campus or high school campus. Purchase to go cups and have coffee and hot chocolate available for sale in the morning.
Read more about coffee pop up fundraisers>

 

43. Grocery Bagging

• How it raises money: donations
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 2
• Bonus cash back: None

Grocery bagging is a fun way to get your team involved in raising money. Get in contact with your local grocery store, and see if they would be willing to partner with you for a fundraising event. Let your community know when you’re volunteers will be bagging groceries, so that they can shop that day and show their support.
Read more about grocery fundraisers >

 

44. Pizza Fundraiser

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: Earn up to 5% cash back on your pizza order.

A pizza fundraiser is a super simple and effective fundraiser. Purchase pizza, and sell for a couple dollars per slice during lunch at school, or have pizza for sale after a game.
Read more about pizza fundraisers>

 

45. Cookie Fundraiser

• How it raises money: general sales, entry fee
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: Get 10% cash back when you order your cookies through a FlipGive campaign.

A cookie fundraiser is a fun way to raise money for your team or cause. Simply sell cookies, or have a toppings station available so that supporters can decorate their cookies. Bonus? If you have a FlipGive campaign page, you can earn cash back on your cookie sales.
Read more about cookie fundraisers >

 

46. Cheesecake Factory Fundraiser

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: Earn 2% cash back on eGift cards for The Cheesecake Factory.

Earn cash back when you raise money with Cheesecake Factory eGift cards. This is a super simple fundraiser to run, when you have a FlipGive campaign, supporters can purchase anytime, and you can share through your social channels. Read more about Cheesecake Factory fundraisers>

 

47. Panera Fundraiser

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: Earn 2% cash back on eGift cards for Panera.

Raise money on your FlipGive campaign by encouraging your supporters to purchase Panera eGift cards. Your supporters get the full value of their gift card, and your team gets cash back for their cause.
Read more about fundraising with Panera >

 

48. Sushi Making Class

• How it raises money: entry fee
• Cost: $$
• Difficulty level: 4
• Bonus cash back: Earn up to 10% cash back when you purchase items for your lemonade stand from online grocers.

Purchase ingredients and host a sushi making class for your community or team. You’ll need rolling mats, a clean and sanitized space, and a rice cooker. Make sure that all of the components needed to make the sushi are ready beforehand, and have gloves available for participants.
Read more about sushi class fundraisers>

 

49. Hot Chocolate Sale

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: Earn up to 10% cash back when you purchase items for your hot chocolate sale from online grocers.

A hot chocolate fundraiser is especially successful during the winter months. Have hot chocolate available during the game or at the beginning of the school day and charge supporters per cup.
Read more about hot chocolate fundraisers >

 

50. Ultimate Dining Card Fundraiser

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: Earn 10% cash back on eGift cards for The Ultimate Dining Card.

Restaurant.com eGift cards are a great option for fundraising because they can be applied to many different restaurants. There’s something for everyone, and your team gets 10% cash back on every purchase.
Read more about ultimate dining card fundraisers>

 

51. Lunch and Learn

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $$
• Difficulty level: 3
• Bonus cash back: Earn up to 10% cash back when you order your lunch through a FlipGive campaign page.

A lunch and learn is a great school fundraiser. Find a parent or community member who has a valuable skill to teach. Anything from computer coding to sewing, and host a lunch and learn. Charge an entry fee per participant.
Read more about lunch and learn fundraisers >

 

Shopping Fundraising Ideas

Everybody loves shopping! These ideas are perfect for everyone, as you can buy things you’d already want to buy but contribute to a good cause too.

52. Gift Card Fundraiser

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: Earn up to 15% cash back on eGift cards if you have FlipGive campaign

Gift card fundraisers are probably one of the easiest fundraisers to run. People have been partnering with local restaurants and shops for years to great effect. But nothing compares to the scale available now online. Sign up for FlipGive account and share your page with members of your team, community, or school. Supporters of your fundraiser can buy gift cards in $25, $50, or $100 amounts, and you earn cash back automatically for your fundraiser. This is great as a year-round fundraising tactic, or a way to raise money at another fundraising event like a book swap. Have community members who aren’t Internet savvy? Have a list where supporters can write down their email addresses and pay for their gift cards, and send them out at the end of your fundraiser.
Read more about Gift card fundraising >

 

53. Custom Shoes Fundraiser

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 3
• Bonus cash back: Get up to 10% cash back on every pair of Nike's.

Custom shoes fundraisers are great to do during holidays, basketball season, or back-to-school time. When you create a FlipGive campaign page, you receive 15% back on every single purchase made from Nike, but having a custom Nike fundraiser makes it more fun! You can match the shoes to your school or team’s colors, or let supporters customize their own!
Read more about custom shoes fundraising>

 

54. Birthday Card Fundraiser

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level:
• Bonus cash back: Earn 1% cash back from Shutterfly.

Birthday card fundraisers are a great fundraising idea. There are companies, like Shutterfly, who will print custom cards that can include the logo of your team or school. You can order the birthday cards in advance, or you can take orders and have the card delivered to your supporters door!
Read more about birthday card fundraisers >

 

55. Holiday Card Fundraiser

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 3
• Bonus cash back: Earn 1% cash back when ordering cards from Shutterfly.

Holiday card fundraisers are popular and easy to carry out. You can customize your Holiday cards and sell them at pre-holiday events like Christmas assemblies at school, holiday plays or pageants, and holiday parties. Sell in bundles to raise even more for your team or school.
Read more about fundraising with holiday cards>

56. Jewelry Sale Fundraiser

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $$
• Difficulty level: 4
• Bonus cash back: Earn up to 12% cash back when you purchase your jewelry through a Flipgive campaign page.

A jewelry sale is a great fundraiser to hold before Valentine’s Day or Christmas. Talk to members of your community who work at retailers and see if they would be able to donate a portion of sales you make to your team or cause. You can also create an account on FlipGive, and pick a catalogue of items that supporters can order. Your team will receive cash back on each purchase, and your supporters get the full value of their items!
Read more about jewelry sale fundraisers>

 

57. Gift Wrapping Services

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: Earn cash back on your wrapping paper purchase.

Gift wrapping services are a simple and effective way to raise money. Make sure you go over how to properly wrap with your volunteers before the fundraiser begins, and charge supporters for wrapping based on the size of the gift. This kind of fundraiser can run the entire holiday season. Read more about gift wrap fundraisers>

 

58. Custom Calendar Fundraiser

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 3
• Bonus cash back: Earn 1% cash back on your custom calendars from Shutterfly.

Custom calendars are a great January fundraiser. The calendars can include special dates during the year that aren’t on regular calendars, and you can even add the birthdays of your team members. Read more about calendar fundraisers>

 

59. Valentine's Fundraiser

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 2
• Bonus cash back: Earn up to 10% cash back when you shop for chocolate, cookies, and gifts through a FlipGive campaign.

Valentine’s fundraisers are super simple to conduct. You can do a chocolate fundraiser, a candy gram fundraiser, or sell flowers. When you have a FlipGive campaign page, any of these items earns you cash back for your team, cause, or school.
Read more about valentine’s day fundraisers >

 

60. Under Armour Fundraiser

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: Encourage your team to shop at Under Armour through your campaign page.

An Under Armour fundraiser can get your team up to 10% cash back if you have a FlipGive fundraising page. This kind of fundraiser is especially successful for sports teams. Start the campaign at the beginning of your season for best results. Read more about Under Armour fundraisers>

 

61. Sports Equipment Swap

• How it raises money: donations
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: None

Participants in a sports equipment swap pay a small entry fee and bring their old sports equipment. The equipment is then traded with other participants. This works best for teams that are in the same category, but you can also host one that is community wide.
Read more about sports equipment swap fundraisers>

 

62. Nike Fundraiser

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: Encourage your team to shop at Nike through your campaign page.

Nike products are a great way to raise money for your team. If you have a campaign on FlipGive, each pair of shoes sold gets your team or cause 10-15% cash back. Read more about Nike fundraisers>

 

63. Community Yard Sale

• How it raises money: donations, general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 3
• Bonus cash back: None

Community yard sales are an amazing fundraising idea for any school or team. Have tables available for participants to set up their wares, and charge an entry fee. Participants can also donate what they make at the yard sale to help your cause. Read more about community yard sale fundraising >

 

64. Mystery Box Fundraiser

• How it raises money: entry fee, general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 2
• Bonus cash back: Earn cash back on items that you put inside your mystery box.

A mystery box fundraiser can be done two ways. Either, participants purchase mystery gift boxes without knowing what’s inside, or you have a mystery box and participants buy entries to guess what’s inside. Either way, this is a super simple and fun fundraiser for your team or cause.
Read more about mystery box fundraisers>

 

65. Flower Sale Fundraiser

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 2
• Bonus cash back: Earn up to 10% cash back when you purchase your flowers through a FlipGive campaign.

Flower sales work great around Mother’s Day or the holiday season. Sell bouquets for mom or wreaths for Christmas through FlipGive and earn cash back on every purchase. It’s a super simple way to raise money, and you don’t have to worry about storage or delivery.
Read more about flower fundraisers>

 

Active Fundraising Ideas

Raise funds while staying active. In a time when we’re worried about kids laying around too much, active fundraising ideas are good for the body and the cause.

66. Swim-A-Thon

• How it raises money: entry fee, donations
• Cost: $$
• Difficulty level: 4
• Bonus cash back: None

Swim-a-thon fundraisers work best for summer camps and swim teams and can be hosted two ways. Supporters can sponsor participants, or participants can pay an entry fee to swim as many laps as they can. The winner of the contest receives a prize.
Read more about swim-a-thon fundraising>

 

67. Walk-A-Thon Fundraiser

• How it raises money: entry fee, donations
• Cost: $$$
• Difficulty level: 4
• Bonus cash back: Earn cash back on refreshments for participants and t-shirts for your event.

A walk-a-thon is a great way to raise a ton of money for your team or cause, however, it is one of the more labor intensive fundraising endeavours. Make sure you have a team of volunteers to help with the planning, and the proper permits if necessary. Participants have to raise a certain amount of money in order to participate. Walk-A-Thons can be as short as 1km but are more typically 5km, and they can be combined with other fundraisers, like a bbq.
Read more about walk-a-thon fundraising>

 

68. 5k Fundraiser

• How it raises money: entry fee, donations
• Cost: $$$
• Difficulty level: 4
• Bonus cash back: Earn cash back on refreshments for participants.

Host a 5k run fundraiser. This kind of fundraiser can be informal, but make sure that you map out your running route and let your city know what’s happening, you may require permits for this. You can also combine this fundraiser with a bbq for participants or family and friends waiting at the finish line.
Read more about 5k fundraisers >

 

69. Easter Egg Hunt

• How it raises money: entry fee
• Cost: $$
• Difficulty level: 4
• Bonus cash back: Earn cash back on decorations for your easter eggs, plus sweet treats with Walmart.

Easter egg hunts are a great fundraiser for kids. What kid doesn’t love the Easter Bunny? Charge an entry fee for the hunt, and assign point values to each egg (the harder it is to find, the more points).
Read more about easter fundraisers>

 

70. Dance-A-Thon

• How it raises money: entry fee, donations
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 3
• Bonus cash back: Earn cash back on refreshments for the dance teams.

A dance-a-thon is a great way to raise money for your team or school, especially if you are raising money for a dance or cheer team! Charge an entry fee for participants, and if you want to make the event even better, surprise your fundraiser attendees with a choreographed dance from your team.
Read more about dance-a-thon fundraisers>

 

71. Fitness Class Fundraiser

• How it raises money: entry fee, ticket sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 2
• Bonus cash back: None

Host a fitness class where supporters pay to participate. If you have access to a gymnasium, you can raise hundreds of dollars in just a couple of hours.
Read more about fitness class fundraisers>

 

72. Zumba-Thon

• How it raises money: donations
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 4
• Bonus cash back: None

A Zumba-thon is a really popular way to host a fundraiser. Supporters pledge funds to support volunteers who dance the day away. It’s an awesome team building exercise as well as a way to raise money for your team or cause.
Read more about Zumba-thon fundraisers >

 

73. Scavenger Hunt Fundraiser

• How it raises money: entry fee, donations
• Cost: $$
• Difficulty level: 4
• Bonus cash back: Earn cash back on items you need for your scavenger hunt participants, like team shirts from Allied Shirts, and eGift card prizes.

Scavenger hunts can be done in or outdoors, and what participants need to find can me landmarks or actual physical items. For younger kids, it’s best to host your fundraiser inside, or with a leader for each group. You can hide items in designated locations, adding up to a grand prize.
Read more about scavenger hunt fundraisers >

 

Events Fundraising Ideas

Event fundraisers are often the most work as well as some of the highest costs to get off the ground. But with the proper coordination, a good fundraising event can bring in everything from small donations to donations that are truly game changing.

74. Team Party Fundraiser

• How it raises money: entry fee, general sales
• Cost: $$
• Difficulty level: 2
• Bonus cash back: up to 10% cash back when you purchase party items through FlipGive.

Team parties aren’t just a great way to raise money, they’re a way for you and your team or organization to bond. There are a few ways you can raise money with a team party. Hosting at a restaurant that is available on FlipGive gets you 10% cash back at places like Buffalo Wild Wings and Applebees. You can also charge admission to your team party, or ask guests to bring a donation of their choice. Team parties can be hosted anywhere, even parks or outdoor spaces, so you and your team can raise even more.
Read more about fundraising with a team party>

 

75. Pool Party

• How it raises money: entry fee
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 2
• Bonus cash back: Earn up to 25% cash back on items for your fundraiser.

Charge participants to attend your pool party. You can also charge for food and drinks at your party.

 

76. Kids Clothing Swap

• How it raises money: entry fee, donations, general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 2
• Bonus cash back: None

Kids grow out of clothing all the time, take advantage of it by hosting a kids clothing drive for your community. Participants pay an entry fee and bring their gently used kids clothes and can trade with other parents.
Read more about kids clothing swaps>

 

77. At The Movies Fundraiser

• How it raises money: ticket sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 3
• Bonus cash back: Earn up to 10% cash back on any food sales that are part of the event.

Speak to your local movie theatre and see if they will donate one theater and sell tickets for a show, with proceeds going to your cause or team. If you’re lucky, you may also be able to sell special items at the concession stand and split the profits with the theater as well, meaning added profits for the event.
Read more about movie theater fundraisers>

 

78. Spring Cleaning Drive

• How it raises money: general sales, donations
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 3
• Bonus cash back: None

You can run a spring cleaning drive a few ways. Supporters can pay volunteers to help them do their spring cleaning at home, or you can have supporters donate things they don’t need, and host a yard sale.
Read more about spring cleaning fundraisers>

 

79. Museum Night Fundraiser

• How it raises money: ticket sales
• Cost: $$$
• Difficulty level: 5
• Bonus cash back: None

A museum night fundraiser is a big undertaking, so get ready to assemble a committee. Talk to your local museums and see if they would be willing to donate the proceeds of their ticket sales during a designated period of time.
Read more about museum night fundraisers >

 

80. Host A Concert

• How it raises money: ticket sales, donations
• Cost: $$$
• Difficulty level: 5
• Bonus cash back: Earn cash back on refreshment sales at your event.

Hosting a concert is a big undertaking for any fundraising committee, but it yields huge returns. Make sure that you choose a kind of music that appeals to the audience you want to sell tickets to. This kind of fundraiser needs to be planned well in advance, and make sure that the artist you have performing is willing to donate their time. For an extra boost, auction off meet and greets with the musician.
Read more about fundraiser concerts>

 

81. Recycling Drive

• How it raises money: donations
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 2
• Bonus cash back: None

Have participants in your fundraiser bring in all of their bottles and periodically take them to recycling centres. It’s a completely free fundraiser, and you’d be surprised how much you can raise! Read more about recycling drive fundraising>

 

82. Photo Booth Fundraiser

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 4
• Bonus cash back: Earn cash back on props for your photo booth, and prints for your photos.

A photo booth fundraiser is a super fun and easy way to raise money. Print props at home and have a photo booth available at an event you’re hosting, and charge for prints, with proceeds going to your team or cause.
Read more about photo booth fundraisers >

 

83. Cold Water Plunge

• How it raises money: donations
• Cost: $$
• Difficulty level: 3
• Bonus cash back: Earn cash back on "Take the plunge" custom tees for your participants.

Get outdoors in the winter with a cold plunge challenge. Make sure that you have medical professionals on hand for this kind of fundraiser, and that participants sign a release waiver.
Read more about cold water plunge fundraisers>

 

84. T-shirt Drive

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 3
• Bonus cash back: No cash back for this campaign, but it's still a great way to raise money for your team or cause.

Call on your community to donate their old band and collectible t-shirts and other gear. Charge per item to raise money for your team or cause.
Read more about T-shirt drive fundraisers >

 

85. Reverse Raffle Fundraiser

• How it raises money: ticket sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: Earn cash back on prizes for your reverse raffle.

Reverse raffles are a great spin for your fundraiser. Instead of drawing the winners, the last tickets that are left in the raffle bucket win the grand prize.
Read more about reverse raffle fundraisers>

 

86. Parent's Night Out Fundraiser

• How it raises money: entry fee, general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 3
• Bonus cash back: Earn up to 10% cash back on takeout dinner for your kids and their babysitters.

A parents night fundraiser is an amazing fundraising opportunity! Have volunteers babysit kids on your team or your community, and host a parents night out. This can be anything from a movie night to a wine tasting, and parents pay a fee for the evening and the babysitting. This is a great fundraising opportunity for community centres, camps, and schools.
Read more about parent’s night out fundraisers >

 

87. Movie Night Fundraiser

• How it raises money: entry fee, ticket sales
• Cost: $$
• Difficulty level: 2
• Bonus cash back: Purchase items you need for your fundraiser, like popcorn, and you could earn an extra 10% cash back for your cause or team.

Movie nights are a great fundraising opportunity for schools. Host a classic movie night in the auditorium and include popcorn in the price of a ticket! This fundraiser is especially successful during Halloween and Christmas, because you can show themed movies. You can even rent a projector for your fundraiser for free from most local libraries.
Read more about movie night fundraisers>

 

Classic Fundraising Ideas

Some ways of fundraising never go out of style. Here are some of FlipGive’s favorites that have stood the test of time, both for fun and in effectiveness.

88. Car Wash

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: Earn up to 10% cash back when you purchase your cleaning supplies on Amazon.ca.

Host a community car wash to raise money for your team or school. This is a great fundraising idea for the late spring, when most people are in spring-clean mode.
Read more about car wash fundraisers>

 

89. Art Sale

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $$
• Difficulty level: 3
• Bonus cash back: Make prints on on Shutterfly for up to 2% cash back.

Reach out to local artists and ask if they would donate prints to sell for your team or cause. If you don’t want to assume risk, take orders on each print and fill them at the end of your fundraiser. Read more about fundraising with art sales >

 

90. Craft Fair Fundraiser

• How it raises money: general sales, entry fee
• Cost: $$
• Difficulty level: 5
• Bonus cash back: If you want to host a craft session prior to the craft fair, you could earn up to 2% cash back on art supplies from Michaels.

Craft fairs are a great way to engage your entire community, and a fun way to raise money! Rally your community to create something for the fair, you can even host a craft session where your community makes the items that will be sold at the fair. This type of fundraiser does take quite a bit of planning, especially if you want to make most of the items before the fair, it’s also an especially effective fundraising event for the arts.
Read more about craft fair fundraisers>

 

91. Face Painting Fundraiser

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: Earn cash back on face paint when you buy from Michael's.

Face painting is a great supplementary fundraiser to have at a craft fair or a bbq. If your fundraiser is for a sports team, keep with the theme and use the team colors in your designs!
Read more about face painting fundraising >

 

92. Family Fun Day

• How it raises money: ticket sales, general sales
• Cost: $$
• Difficulty level: 5
• Bonus cash back: Earn cash back on tickets for your outing.

A family fun day is a great way to involve the entire community in a fundraising event. A family fun day can be anything from a picnic to relay races, to a day trip. Get your team or community committee together and pick an activity that makes sense for your organization.
Read more about family fun day fundraisers >

 

93. Telethon

• How it raises money: donations
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 4
• Bonus cash back: None

Telethons are a classic fundraising endeavour. Traditionally, phones were set up, and volunteers call potential donors. Volunteers can now use their cell phones to make the calls, so it’s a lot less labour intensive.
Read more about fundraising with telethons>

94. Halloween Haunted House

• How it raises money: ticket sales
• Cost: $$$
• Difficulty level: 5
• Bonus cash back: Earn cash back when you buy decorations for your haunted house through a FlipGive campaign page.

A Halloween haunted house is not for the faint of heart! The great thing about a fundraiser like this is it can actually run the entire week of Halloween, with participants paying to enter. This kind of fundraiser requires a lot of upfront investment, so if your budget is very tight, this might not be the best fundraising option for you.
Read more about fundraising with a haunted house>

 

95. Live Auction

• How it raises money: entry fee, general sales
• Cost: $$$
• Difficulty level: 4
• Bonus cash back: Purchase products for your silent auction through a FlipGive campaign page to earn up to 25% cash back.

A live auction is a big undertaking for any fundraiser. Organizers have to make sure that there are enough quality items to drum up excitement for supporters. Approach local businesses in your area and see if they would be interested in donating to help your cause. Live auctions are usually reserved for big ticket items. If your team or cause doesn’t have access to this, a silent auction is a great option too.
Read more about live auctions>

 

96. Raffle Fundraiser

• How it raises money: ticket sales
• Cost: $$
• Difficulty level: 3
• Bonus cash back: If you purchase any raffle items through a FlipGive campaign page, you could get up to 25% cash back on top of funds raised from the auction.

Raffle tickets are a great way to fundraise because the timeline and prizing are extremely flexible. Don’t have a lot of big prizes? Volunteers can donate their time or services in order to help fundraise. You can also ask local businesses or restaurants to donate gift certificates in order to incentivize people to purchase tickets. The best part about a raffle? You can cater the timeline to suit your needs. Have a big event and want to raise some extra money, a one day raffle can help. We’ve also seen fundraising raffles that are super successful with a longer buying period and bigger prizes.
Read more about raffle fundraisers>

 

97. 50/50 Raffle Fundraiser

• How it raises money: ticket sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: No bonus cash back on this fundraiser, but it's still a quick and easy way to raise money.

A 50/50 raffle is one of the easiest ways to host a fundraiser. Participants buy raffle tickets, and the proceeds are split 50% to the cause of your choice, and 50% to the raffle winner. 50/50 raffles can be done all year round and can run for as long as your team or organization wants.
Read more about 50/50 raffles >

 

98. Silent Auction Fundraiser

• How it raises money: general sales, donations
• Cost: $$$
• Difficulty level: 4
• Bonus cash back: Earn cash back on items you need for your auction, like clipboards, pens, or purchase items for your fundraiser through a FlipGive campaign page.

A silent auction is a great way to raise money for your team or cause. Approach community members and local business owners to donate items for silent auction baskets that can be auctioned off. These kinds of fundraisers are often a more high-brow event, but they don’t have to be! You can host a silent auction anywhere, just make sure that you have volunteers available to track bids.
Read more about silent auctions >

 

99. Bingo Fundraiser

• How it raises money: entry fee, donations
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 2
• Bonus cash back: Purchasing things like blotters and snacks for your bingo fundraiser through a FlipGive campaign page would earn your fundraiser up to 10% in extra cash back.

Bingo fundraisers are a great option if you’re looking to raise money without breaking the bank. There are often community organizations that will lend you the balls for free, and cards can be printed from a home computer. Find out which local businesses would be interested in sponsoring or donating prizes to your event, and charge participants an entry fee for unlimited games, or a price per game. To add even more incentive for participants to donate, have a thermometer or goal meter at your event so that participants will be more motivated to help you reach your goal.
Read more about bing fundraisers>

 

100. Lemonade Stand Fundraiser

• How it raises money: general sales
• Cost: $
• Difficulty level: 1
• Bonus cash back: Earn up to 10% cash back when you purchase items for your lemonade stand from online grocers.

There’s a reason why a lemonade stand has been a fundraising idea for decades. A lemonade stand fundraiser is a great idea for summer sports games, or lunch breaks at school. This works especially well during the summer, when the weather is hot and supporters get thirsty!
Read more about lemonade fundraisers >

 

Additional Fundraising Resources:

Still not finding something that excites you? FlipGive has coaches that can help, and making an account is free and easy for earning cash back for your team or cause. Create a FlipGive campaign page here. FlipGive gives teams excellent opportunities to shop and earn cash back, peer to peer fundraising campaigns, and taking all their funding efforts digital.