{"id":5851,"date":"2019-03-22T00:44:36","date_gmt":"2019-03-22T07:44:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/donorbox.org\/nonprofit-blog\/?p=5851"},"modified":"2026-11-10T06:36:31","modified_gmt":"2026-11-10T14:36:31","slug":"fundraising-event-ideas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/donorbox.org\/nonprofit-blog\/fundraising-event-ideas","title":{"rendered":"16 Nonprofit Fundraising Event Ideas To Inspire Your Event Strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the right fundraising event ideas, you can create inspiring experiences, connect with supporters, and generate revenue through ticket sales. Using event marketing to drive your fundraising strategy is a sure way to bring in the needed funds for your nonprofit organization<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Donorbox Events<\/a> <\/strong>is a robust event ticketing solution. Create online event pages, set ticket-buying deadlines, add unlimited ticket tiers, promote grouped ticket options like gala tables with ticket packages, add tax deductibility for each tier, accept additional donations, embed the form on your website, and more.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Here are the 16 most efficient fundraising event ideas to raise<\/a> more money and engage your attendees.<\/p>\n

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16 Effective Fundraising Event Ideas for Nonprofits<\/h2>\n

We’ve put together a list of 16 creative fundraising event ideas for nonprofits to inspire your event strategy<\/a>. From events designed for all ages to fitness challenges, there is something for everyone to choose from in this list of effective nonprofit event fundraisers.<\/p>\n

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1. Run or Walk<\/h3>\n

Starting with the basics. Walkathons<\/a>, runs<\/a>, bike races and other similar, active fundraisers are some of the most lucrative event fundraisers out there.<\/p>\n

Walks and runs are exceptional at capitalizing on massive networks of supporters<\/a> to raise money. With these events, participants usually ask their networks to give a certain amount based on the total number of miles completed. You can have your participants set up their own fundraising pages and raise funds by reaching out to their networks with peer-to-peer fundraising<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

TELL<\/a> made it easy for anyone to fundraise on their behalf with a button right on their peer-to-peer page. They let their participants choose which activity they wanted to do, meaning there is something for everyone!<\/p>\n

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Launch Your Peer-to-Peer Campaign<\/span><\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n

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2. Obstacle Course<\/h3>\n

To make a standard race more interesting, organize an obstacle course. Obstacle courses are much more exciting and rewarding for those who take part in them, and this tends to increase participation and raise more funds.<\/p>\n

Design a race that includes obstacles like rope and wall climbing, walking on a beam, bag races, running through sprinklers or pools of soapy water, climbing stairs, dodging water balloons filled with paint, mud pits, jumping through tires, and more.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

You can manage the obstacle course in a few ways. Set a minimum raise for each team to participate or charge participants individually. Don’t forget to prepare a prize for the winning team!<\/p>\n

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3. Movie Night<\/h3>\n

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Cozy and effective \u2013 movie nights. Movie nights can be adapted to suit the varying needs of many different nonprofits out there. Start by choosing the movie \u2013 a classic or a new release generally works well (choose a seasonal one, if appropriate). Then, proceed to fill in the movie license applications.<\/p>\n

Choose the right space for your screening. Whether you organize the event in the cinema or you put up a screen and speakers in another location (e.g. a school<\/a> or a park), make sure your space is adequately prepared and set up.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Charge for entry and raise even more funds by selling popcorn, candy, and drinks.<\/p>\n

Bonus resource: <\/strong>Learn how to host a successful movie night fundraiser in our blog post<\/a>!<\/p>\n

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4. Barbecue<\/h3>\n

A barbecue is a great fundraising idea to attract a big crowd. There are several ways to go about raising funds at this family-friendly fundraiser: selling barbecue plates (“for here” and “to go”), selling barbecue sauces and drinks, organizing raffles<\/a> and auctions, and more.<\/p>\n

To utilize the fundraising potential of barbecues, organize activities that will entertain both kids<\/a> and adults.<\/p>\n

Reach out to local butchers, grocery stores, markets, farmers, and restaurants, and ask them to donate food, condiments, and buns in exchange for promoting their business at your barbecue. Make sure there are options for everyone. Source vegetarian and vegan hamburgers and hot dogs, vegetables, and gluten-free buns. And don’t forget to consider food safety!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Recruit volunteers<\/a> to regularly monitor the area and pick up tables, chairs, barbecues, and trash.<\/p>\n

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5. Alumni Networking Event<\/h3>\n

Raising money for your fraternity or sorority<\/a>? Or trying to think of a fun way to bring people together to support your mission?<\/p>\n

Hosting an alumni networking event helps people with similar interests and backgrounds connect. It’s a great professional opportunity for them \u2013 and it’s a great fundraising opportunity for your organization.<\/p>\n

Provide food and drinks, and sell tickets to your event. See how the American University of Rome<\/a> set up their event page on Donorbox Events. We love that they included all the necessary information \u2013 along with a warm welcome \u2013 on their Events page!<\/p>\n

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Build Your Events Page <\/span><\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n

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6. Live Artist Event<\/h3>\n

Add some pizazz to your fundraising with live art! Think live music, artists working in real-time, performances, and anything else to add artsy flair to your event.<\/p>\n

Pair the live artist event with a gala dinner<\/a> or an auction. The live artistry will entertain your guests and encourage them to have fun and mingle.<\/p>\n

Pro tip: <\/strong>Raise funds by selling the art pieces being made or art services being offered or let guests make donations in their own time. A donation kiosk<\/a> is the perfect fundraising tool for an event like this. Learn how the Donorbox Live™\u00a0 app turns a tablet or smartphone into a powerful donation magnet in this blog post<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ramp up support at your event with\u00a0Donorbox Live Display. <\/strong>Compatible with any large screen or TV, publicly celebrate live donations to your linked campaign and instantly recognize donors with on-screen animations during live and virtual events. Plus, the built-in profanity filter keeps shoutouts and comments positive. Donors simply scan the QR code on screen to complete their gift. The dynamic goal meter automatically updates with every donation, building momentum and social proof.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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7. Dance Class<\/h3>\n

Dance<\/a> classes are popular with people of all ages. Reach out to several dance instructors in your area and see if one of them would like to donate their services for a class benefiting your organization.<\/p>\n

Then, promote the event on your social media<\/a> channels and in your community. Charge a fee for attending the class and raise some funds while everyone’s having fun!<\/p>\n

Alternatively, ask a local workout spot to host an exercise class (e.g., spinning or hot yoga) and help promote your fundraiser. Charge an extra fee for entrance to this special one-time class.<\/p>\n

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8. Coffee and Cupcakes<\/h3>\n

This great fundraising idea is sure to be a hit. Set up a coffee and cupcake stand in a busy area (e.g. campus, the business district in your town, or a busy street) in the early morning hours. Make sure the information about your nonprofit organization and your fundraising campaign are clearly visible.<\/p>\n

Sell hot coffee and delicious cupcakes, and keep the profit for your organization. To get the most out of this fundraiser, get a local caf\u00e9 to donate free or discounted coffee and cupcakes to your cause. Have volunteers serve the coffee and cupcakes.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Check out our blog post<\/a> on how to raise more with a nonprofit point-of-sale system.<\/p>\n

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9. Cook-Offs<\/h3>\n

A nonprofit fundraising classic \u2013 cook-offs are fun and engaging! They are entertaining, cater to a wide audience, and have a relatively high return on investment.<\/p>\n

Pick a theme (e.g. chili, ramen, bolognese) and plenty of willing participants. Bonus points if the theme somehow relates to your cause! Charge a small entrance fee and sell tickets<\/a> to raise funds.<\/p>\n

Pro tip: <\/strong>To make the event even more enticing to potential attendees, recruit local chefs or food connoisseurs to attend or judge the competition. You can also get the local chef to host a class in his kitchen (or rent one) and end the lesson with a lively and intimate group dinner.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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10. Theater for a Cause<\/h3>\n

Partner with a local theater and have them put on a special fundraising performance<\/a>. This is a win-win fundraiser! You get to raise funds, your donors get to see a theater performance, and the theater builds its brand image and attracts a new audience.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, ask the theater to donate part of the profits from a special performance. If you don’t have a local theater or you think your audience would prefer something different, try planning a “cinema for a cause” screening at the local cinema. Follow the same approach to raise funds.<\/p>\n

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11. Guided Tour<\/h3>\n

For the knowledge buffs amongst your donors, host a tour of local historical places and noteworthy landmarks. Recruit someone knowledgeable in history to lead the tour for you. If you’re organizing the tour in spring\/summer<\/a>, a guided tour outside (touring the landmarks) could be a good option for your nonprofit. If the weather isn’t on your side, organize the tour within a museum or a gallery.<\/p>\n

You can also organize a guided tour in nature (e.g. a mushroom tour or medicinal herbs tour), an “alternative city tour” (showcasing street art, different subcultures, etc.), or any other tour that you think would be of interest to your donors and supporters.<\/p>\n

Sell tickets to raise funds, the way this organization<\/a> did for their historic homes tour.<\/p>\n

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Sign Up For Free<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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12. Personal Challenge<\/h3>\n

Get creative with this peer-to-peer fundraiser<\/a>. There are countless challenges your supporters can perform to raise money for your nonprofit. Challenges are fun and engaging, making them one of the most effective creative nonprofit event ideas.<\/p>\n

Personal challenges can be anything from a vow of silence for 24 hours, cutting or dying hair, fitness challenges, adventure challenges (e.g. skydiving or bungee jumping), not spending any money for a whole day, or going offline for a week.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Personal challenges bring awareness to your cause in an inventive way and their return on investment is high.<\/p>\n

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13. Pet Show<\/h3>\n

This fundraising event is a phenomenal way to get everyone involved, including four-legged friends. First, choose which kinds of pets you will allow in your show. Then find an appropriate location to host everyone. Outdoors locations will work best for dogs, whereas indoor locations are better for cats.<\/p>\n

Consider holding the event in the spring<\/a> or fall<\/a> when the weather is neither too hot nor too cold. This is an especially great idea if your organization is an animal shelter!<\/p>\n

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14. “Break the World Record” Party<\/h3>\n

With this unusual fundraising event, you are guaranteed to raise money for your cause. Look through various world records and find one your organization \u2013 and your supporters \u2013 can break!<\/p>\n

Whether you choose “Most Items Kicked Off People’s Heads in One Minute,” “Most Ice Cream Scoops Balanced on a Cone,” or “Most People Getting a Face Massage” \u2013 fun is a given!<\/p>\n

Depending on which record you choose to break (and how many people will join), make sure you find an appropriate location. Ensure there are good music and food and invite local media to cover the event.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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15. Trivia Night<\/h3>\n

Trivia<\/a> tournaments are relatively easy to pull off. All you need is a venue, a host, and some interesting questions. Try framing your trivia categories around your cause so that your tournament is both entertaining and educational. To spice it up, arrange a seated dinner or organize a raffle.<\/p>\n

Charge for entry (charge per person or team), and raise additional funds by selling food and drinks. During the evening, make a number of donation appeals.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Discover more ways to raise money in our trivia night fundraisers blog post<\/a>!<\/p>\n

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16. Grab a Box<\/h3>\n

This is a fundraising event<\/a> with a lot of potential. Get multiple boxes and fill them with a variety of items \u2013 ranging from affordable and going all the way to luxury items.<\/p>\n

To get the most out of this fundraiser, get out there and network! Have businesses donate items and experiences (e.g. trips, vouchers, perfumes, clothes, bags, and more). Go to the dollar store and purchase some inexpensive items to add more to the boxes, too.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Charge a flat fee per box. No one should know what they\u2019re getting! The participants will be excited to potentially get their hands on some of the more expensive items for a less expensive purchase price.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>Sell and Manage Tickets Online with Donorbox Events<\/h2>\n

Donorbox\u00a0Events<\/a> is a simple-to-use, comprehensive event ticketing platform, designed specifically to assist organizations in selling and managing fundraising event tickets. You can issue tickets with the tax-deductible value mentioned and ask purchasers to share any specific information that might be helpful for you using custom questions. You can even let them donate to your nonprofit right from your event page.<\/p>\n

Allow ticket purchasers to assign tickets to individual attendees, with supporter records created for each attendee. And, guest check-in, ticket verification, and attendance tracking are made seamless \u2013 simply enter or scan the unique numerical code or QR code on each ticket, and you’re good to go.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Ticket and receipt delivery is automatic, too, saving your team valuable time. Learn how to create an event-ticketing form on Donorbox in this guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Watch this video to see this platform in action:<\/p>\n