Oh! How we all remember the days of the dreaded historical “2020 lockdown” – where we were all forced to find human connection through technology and some kind of small screen.
Well folks, those days are gladly behind us and we can finally get back to enjoying one another, #IRL (in real life).
That means, in-person fundraising events are back!
(We know that just put a smile on your face – as it did ours.)
Time to raise money, raise funds and throw the fundraising event of the year! Or maybe something small and simple. Whether your fundraising efforts are for nonprofit organizations, local businesses, or charities you care about, we have fundraising events that will knock your socks off!
So grab every single local supporter you know and give the people what they want – meaningful connection while supporting a great cause!
Think this sounds great but don’t have the money to put a lavish event together?
Well, good news just keeps coming your way!
Not every fundraiser has to be a fancy gala dinner. We’ve got some great ideas that you can whip up with very little effort and even less pocket change.
- Activate Peer to Peer fundraising
- Sell Raffle tickets
- Host a Silent Auction
- You name it…let’s get into it!
These creative fundraising ideas provide the fun and the bonding. Your guests provide the donations for a cause they all care about. And just because they are quick and easy doesn’t mean you have to skimp on creativity. Absolutely not. In fact, it is quite the opposite.
Please enjoy these original, out of the box, (and frankly unusual) fundraisers that grab everyone’s attention!
Continue reading for step-by-step instructions for 4 unique fundraising ideas so that will wow your supporters, giving them a memorable story to tell (in person, at your next in-person event)!
#1. Outdoor Film Festival
A perfect fundraising ideas for nonprofits as who does not love a great movie?
And there is only one thing better than a movie night under the stars, and that’s an entire series of movie nights under the stars!
Unique fundraising ideas like this give your supporters an exciting event to look forward to. But remember, your fundraising campaigns should offer an easy way to schedule something on your events calendar so that your organization has a steady stream of funds to count on for the entire summer.
For example, you have the option to screen a movie outdoors once a month during warmer months, or indoors when it’s chilly. Alternatively, depending on interest and availability, you can screen a film…whenever your heart desires!
The most cost-effective way to pull this fundraising campaign off:
- Prepare. Rent a projection screen and set it up in a grassy outdoor space, like a community park or the grounds of your local art museum.
- Promote. Advertise and sell tickets (i.e. $20 per person or $50 per family) through an online fundraising platform so you don’t have to worry about paper tickets.
- Pick a film. The hardest part will also be the most fun part: deciding which movies to screen! You can opt for family friendly classics or, if you have film buffs in your constituency, why not show unusual, independent films lauded by the likes of the Sundance or Cannes Film Festivals?Ask your supporters to bring comfy blankets, low chairs, and picnic items to enjoy during the film.
- Spice it up. Make the festival extra buzzy by running exciting raffles in the weeks leading up to the first film night, final film night, or even every film night!Give away Hollywood-themed gifts, like cult movie posters and signed memorabilia, or a picnic basket complete with popcorn. Announce the winner right before the movie starts!
- Bonus step: Nothing lights up a movie-goer’s face like soft-serve ice cream and popcorn! To make some extra cash, rent a portable soft-serve ice cream machine and popcorn maker for the night.And why not get a local business involved? It is always a great idea to have a local restaurant pull up with their food truck and set up shop during your event.Get creative with your local community and even consider getting a corporate sponsor for your event. This will help raise money, raise awareness and raise community.
#2. Dog-Walk-a-Thon
Next to family and friends, whom do your donors spend the most time with? Their beloved furry four-legged friends! That’s why at least one of the most unique fundraising ideas for nonprofits should involve Fido, with a Dog-Walk-a-Thon! Raising money has never been cuter, fluffier or friendlier than this!
Here’s how to make this fundraising event happen:
- Research. First, scope out walking trails in your area, whether that’s in the woods, near a river, a dog-friendly nature preserve, or just a big park. Check all the regulations regarding pooches: are dogs allowed in the area?If so, do they need to be leashed at all times? Is there an off-leash dog area? Are there limits on group sizes? You can find a handy list of dog-friendly hiking trails across the United States here, but it’s a good idea to check out the rules in your local trails and parks, too!
- Plan. Decide how you want to organize your walk. A fun walk-a-thon can add encouragement with supporters collecting pledges for how many minutes, hours, or miles they, and their dog, walk, run or hike!Or you can host a big, informal get together for your supporters and their furry friends, in which case you can charge participants or ask for a minimum donation (i.e. $20).
- Promote. Advertise your Dog-Walk-a-Thon on all your social media pages, your favorite online advertising platform, your nonprofit website, and your newsletter. Talk about to your fellow board members, call your friends and family. Use peer to peer to really get the word out there.
Here’s what to include:
- Show impact. Explain briefly to your supporters how all their donations or pledges will support your cause. Place your mission statement and proposed use of funds on your fundraising page.
- Make it shareable. Find a fundraising solution that has easy social sharing options for your fundraising pages. Encourage supporters to share your fundraising event and you can even ask donors to share funny pics of their pups to get everyone in the mood!
- Include logistics. Be sure to clearly state the date, time, and location of your fundraising event. Remind donors and community members to bring essentials, like water bowls, leashes, treats, and poo bags.
- On the day. Tie up your fundraising strategy with a sweet bow. Consider offering cute “doggie bags” to walkers that include dog treats, a dog toy, and info about your organization and fundraising goal.Instead of boring brochures or flyers, you can save paper and look super modern by including a QR code on the doggie bags for raising funds. Your supporters can scan them with their mobile phones to be taken straight to your website or donation pages, so they can donate on the spot! Don’t forget to take tons of photos!
#3. Tropical Paradise Party
Nothing says relaxation like the white sandy beaches and aquamarine waters of a beautiful island paradise.
For an innovative twist on the traditional fundraiser gala, take a break from a stuffy black-tie atmosphere by hosting a casual party with a beachy, tropical theme. This is the perfect fundraising idea for raising money while everyone lets their hair down!
Your nonprofit can recreate the island atmosphere for your donors with a fundraising event filled with flower necklaces, fruity drinks, and that by-the-ocean vibe.
4 Easy step to bring this to life:
- Plan it. Find a venue that’s either on a beach or has an outdoor swimming pool. An indoor pool will do in a pinch! Tip: check out your local Airbnb listings—the platform offers plenty of party-friendly homes with swimming pools! You can recreate your beach theme in a local community center, town hall or at a local business space. Or, if the weather and your geography allows for it (if you are in sunny Florida for example), you could host an actual beach event.This is the perfect fundraising ideas for nonprofits that have a beach in their near reach and the sun on their side! You can invite local businesses to sponsor and attend the event with different food and drink items, sound and entertainment.
- Decorate it. Book a live band that will play light-hearted jams all night long and decorate with palm leaves, tropical flowers, and seashells. Plan to serve fruity drinks (little pink umbrellas are a must!) and light snacks like pineapple chunks, mango salsa, and shrimp cocktail.
- Add perks. Jazz up your Tropical Paradise Party and make extra cash with a beach-themed fundraising auction. Prizes can be anything from seashell-encrusted candles all the way to a major beach getaway!
Whether you choose to host this on a real or faux beach, you can sell raffle tickets, auction off items or add additional fundraising activities to your event like a A-Thon(who can build the biggest sandcastle, perhaps?)
This will surely keep your donors engaged and having the time of their beachy lives!
#4. Paint and Wine Outdoor Workshop
Not everyone is sporty and not everyone loves to party (we think ;)). Sometimes you need to slow it down for those charity fundraising ideas that cater to your art and wine lovers.
With one of the most unique fundraising ideas, you can delight all those artsy types in your community by hosting an outdoor painting workshop. It’s super easy to set up and donors get the chance to channel their inner Monet while getting some fresh air and supporting your nonprofit.
If you’re thinking that your donors are not exactly painting masters, don’t worry! Painting classes are a blast even if your artistic repertoire has never grown beyond stick figures. With the right instructor, it’s easy to create a one-of-a-kind artwork your donors will be proud to hang in their living rooms.
The “paint and sip” industry, which targets adults between 20 and 64, has grown in popularity across the United States as an enjoyable and unique leisure activity. Why not capitalize on the trend and support your mission at the same time?
If the event is a hit, you can even make it a monthly fundraising event to raise funds while building lifelong relationships and community!
Perfect for women’s groups, families, and fun dates, here’s how to set up a painting workshop:
- Find an artist. Get in touch with an artist. The first order of business is to find an art instructor. If nobody pops up from your network, reach out to your local art institute, speak to the owner of a local art gallery, or just post a call on social media calling for all artists for your fundraising event.Strive to find someone with both artistic talent and solid teaching experience. After all, most of your supporters are likely to have limited art skills and will need a lot of patient guidance to make the class fun!
- Figure out the logistics. Find an outdoor space, pick a date, and get an alcohol license. Whether it’s a local park, a donors’ backyard, or the botanical garden in your area, do your best to select a date that’s unlikely to get rained out! Just in case of bad weather, it’s smart to have an indoor Plan B.
P.S. If you intend to offer alcoholic beverages, you’ll have to apply for a one-day alcohol and entertainment license with your state—nonprofits can generally apply for any type of alcohol license, just be sure to purchase only from approved sellers.
- Gather supplies. Communicate with your chosen art instructor about what materials will make more sense. Will they show your donors how to paint with watercolors? Acrylics?Depending on the artist’s advice, gather enough paint, paintbrushes, and canvases for a class of, say, 15-20 students. If you have more folks sign up, you can always host multiple classes in one day, or have a series of classes!
While easels for each attendee can get pricey, try getting in touch with a local art school or university. They may be willing to donate supplies for a good cause, especially if you thank them on your social media channels.
- Sell tickets and advertise. Promote your painting class and sell tickets on an online fundraising platform. Don’t forget to introduce your art instructor to your donors and to let them know that you’ll provide all the necessary painting materials. Remind supporters that they get to leave with their very own masterpiece!
- Enjoy the day. As your supporters let their creative juices flow, play relaxing tunes and offer light refreshments (a glass of wine for a suggested donation of $5, for example). Ask artists if it’s okay to snap pics of their works in progress to share on your social media account with a catchy hashtag, like #paintforgood23.
- Livestream it. For all your supporters who can’t make it in person, offer livestreaming of the event. Donors can sign up for the class for a reduced fee or a suggested donation and collect their own art supplies beforehand.On the day of the class, they can follow along from their living rooms, local park, or front porch. Encourage your at-home artists to share pictures of their masterpieces, too, so you can include them on your social media channels.
Creative Fundraisers For All Seasons and Reasons
There you have it! Unique and quirky fundraising ideas that will help you and your nonprofit organization stay true to your mission, while also keeping your donors and volunteers (two and four-legged alike) engaged and bonding!
Now we know what your final thought is. How can you possibly pull these off? The icing on this cake of a blog is RallyUp! This is an easy-to-use online fundraising platform that will help your nonprofit plan and promote innovative fundraisers like these your donors will go barking mad over.
