Eight nights. Endless opportunities to connect with your supporters. Hanukkah gift giving is more than a tradition – it’s a chance for your organization to inspire support in a way that feels personal and joyful. Here’s how to do it well.
Join the fundraising movement! Join the fundraising movement!Hanukkah (or Chanukah) is all about light and giving. Whether it’s lighting candles, giving gifts to family, or showing generosity to your community, this eight-night celebration offers plenty of opportunities to do something meaningful.
For Jewish nonprofits, synagogues, chabad centers, and schools, Hanukkah is more than another date on the calendar – it’s a valuable moment to bring your supporters closer, tell your story, and invite them to give in a way that feels joyful and rooted in tradition.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to lean into Hanukkah gift giving to inspire donations, engage your community, and turn tradition into real impact this December.
Traditionally, Hanukkah wasn’t a big gift-giving holiday. People celebrated by lighting the menorah, spinning the dreidel, and sharing meals together. But over the years, especially in North America, giving gifts has become a regular part of Hanukkah – particularly for kids.
These days, many families give a small gift each night. Think books, chocolate gelt, puzzles, socks, and games. Some even dedicate one night to giving back instead of giving to each other.
This shift opens a door for nonprofits or organizations like yours – it’s a chance to connect giving with celebration in a way that feels natural and heartfelt. And for many Jewish families, that connection isn’t anything new. It’s already grounded in tzedakah (charity).
Giving to others is at the heart of Jewish life, and Hanukkah is certainly no exception. Tzedakah is a divine commandment, and many families make a point to donate during Jewish holidays.
It’s common to see Jewish schools run Hanukkah toy drives, synagogues collect canned goods, or nonprofits launch a year-end appeal with a Hanukkah twist. So whether your organization focuses on education, hunger relief, the arts, or mental health, Hanukkah can be a powerful moment to ask for support.
For example, we love how Chabad of Bristol uses their Donorbox-powered form to encourage supporters to “give the gift of warmth and happiness” this Chanukah.
Your community is already in the mindset of giving – the key is offering a way to make that giving feel personal and impactful.
Here are six ideas to help you do just that.
A raffle is a fun and effective way to raise funds during Hanukkah – especially if you tie the prizes to local businesses or Jewish traditions.
Sell tickets to your raffle using Donorbox Events, making it easy for your community to buy entries with their preferred payment method. Keep the pricing simple (e.g., $5 per ticket), and let people donate extra if they wish.
For example, Kol HaEmek in California runs an annual Hanukkah raffle with a range of exciting prizes:
Sell Tickets With Donorbox Events This Hanukkah
More and more families are choosing to donate a portion of their Hanukkah gift budget to charitable causes. You can meet that moment by launching a themed donation campaign.
Create a Hanukkah-inspired donation page – include your story, the impact of a single donation, and suggested amounts (like $18, $36, or $72) that feel symbolically significant. Frame it as a way to dedicate one night of Hanukkah to someone else’s joy, safety, or dignity.
Hanukkah brings people together – and it’s a perfect moment to channel that energy into doing something good. Instead of asking for direct charity Hanukkah gifts, ask supporters to dedicate their time.
Some ideas for volunteer activities include:
Even if it’s just for a few hours, a volunteer day can help you build a stronger relationship with supporters, which is essential for successful stewardship.
Use the Donorbox Live™ app to turn any tablet or smartphone into a giving kiosk to encourage in-person giving at your volunteer day. It’s an effective way to inspire cashless donations when people are feeling most connected to your cause.
Raise More In Person with Donorbox Live™
Gift drives are a classic way to encourage giving during Hanukkah – and partnering with a synagogue, school, or Jewish-owned business can help your organization reach more people and collect more donations.
Focus your drive around items that feel connected to Hanukkah or winter:
Try to make it as easy as possible for people to get involved:
This sort of drive builds community, makes giving feel tangible, and can be easily adapted to fit your organization’s size and capacity this Chanukah.
Public menorah lightings are a beloved part of Hanukkah in many communities. They’re often some of the busiest, most visible events of the season!
Whether you’re setting up downtown, in a park, or outside your synagogue, this is a fantastic opportunity to welcome people in and invite giving in a way that feels organic.
You could send volunteers into the crowd with Donorbox Live™ Mobile running on Android smartphones or iPhones to collect donations quickly and cashlessly. This works especially well in fast-moving, open-air settings where putting up a standing kiosk might be tricky.
Pro tip: Asking your volunteers to wear signs or badges saying “Tap to give this Hanukkah” or “Support your local Jewish community” will help break the ice.
Hosting a gala or dinner will create a prime setting for Hanukkah fundraising! Guests are engaged, the atmosphere is festive, and people are generally open to giving.
Use Donorbox Events to sell unlimited ticket types, manage RSVPs, and collect guest info (like dietary restrictions). Plus, add donation options directly to your ticket form to encourage giving off the bat.
Bonus resource: Looking for more inspiration beyond Hanukkah? Check out our blog on Jewish fundraising ideas.
Hanukkah reminds us that even a small flame can push back the darkness. For Jewish nonprofits, it’s a unique chance to invite generosity that feels rooted in tradition, not pressure.
Whether you’re hosting a public menorah lighting, running a raffle, or collecting donations online, there are plenty of ways to turn Hanukkah gift giving into something that supports your mission and strengthens your community.
Donorbox makes it easy to bring your Hanukkah campaign to life – we’ve got all the tools you need to collect donations in person or online, host an event, or engage with donors (and more). Learn about all our innovative features here.
Or, sign up for free today! And be sure to check out our Nonprofit Blog for more fundraising ideas and strategies.
Fern is a journalist-turned-editor with 8 years of writing experience, now using that skill set to help nonprofits share their stories and connect with donors. Along with her editorial work, Fern volunteers with animal welfare organizations and has spent years fostering and rehabilitating rescue parrots.
Join the fundraising movement! Join the fundraising movement!
