Are fundraisers getting more complicated these days? Budget is always a big factor when planning an event, but you shouldn’t need to spend a fortune to launch an unforgettable fundraiser.
Fortunately, there are plenty of easy-to-organize fundraisers that don’t require a hefty budget, allowing you to raise both fun and funds.
At Sickeningevents we’ve worked with various nonprofits and charities, from food banks to animal shelters, so we understand the need for a strong return on investment (ROI) for your efforts.
In this article, we’ll share our top fundraiser ideas to keep your audience engaged and bring in donations without long preparation times.
Easy Fundraiser Ideas for Different Organizations
For Charitable Organizations
Creating a successful fundraiser doesn’t have to be time-consuming, but it does require creativity and strategic planning.
Charitable organizations, like Black Girls Vote, use innovative and low-cost ideas such as ‘cocktails and convHERsation’ to generate high ROI and spread awareness about important causes in their local community.
By tapping into your existing network of donors, volunteers, and community partners, you can raise funds and create hype around your brand, attracting a larger audience.
- Virtual Talent Show
- Cost: 💰
- ROI: 🤑🤑🤑
- Prep time: 💪
Have you ever wanted to bring back the days of performing for talent scouts (aka your parents)? Now you can. Invite talent from your email list for a one-night-only virtual talent show. Set a time limit for acts, create an online event, and organize volunteer judges.
Use a clever pricing model to reach your fundraising goals, like Ramon C. Cortines School of VAPA, which hosted a donation-based talent show. Create social media polls to show which acts are receiving the most donations to boost engagement and raise more money.
Low-cost tip: Charge a participation fee for performers and a small fee for virtual audience access, just like tickets for an in-person event.
- Poolside Movie Screening
- Cost: 💰💰💰
- ROI: 🤑🤑🤑
- Prep time: 💪💪💪
Combine floating on an inflatable flamingo, sipping frozen margaritas, munching on pizza, and watching a classic film on a projector screen. Promote it as a ‘family-friendly poolside movie experience’ and hire food trucks for classic snacks. Sell fun accessories to enhance the theme.
Low-cost tip: Use a natural outdoor setting like a lake or beach to save on venue rental. Hire a screen and projector from a local film store and theme it around the outdoor setting.
- Mystery Box Raffle
- Cost: 💰💰
- ROI: 🤑🤑
- Prep time: 💪💪
Mystery box raffles are exciting and unpredictable. Fill boxes with items that appeal to your audience, like exercise gear, wellness products, or themed items. Use social media to promote and increase perceived value by using terms like “exclusive” and “unique.”
Low-cost tip: Partner with local businesses to donate items in exchange for promotion, saving on costs.
For Educational Organizations
Successful fundraising for educational nonprofits requires understanding your audience’s interests and values. Use an event marketing platform like Sickeningevents for real-time data reports on attendee purchasing behavior.
- Book Sale with a Twist
- Cost: 💰
- ROI: 🤑🤑
- Prep time: 💪💪
Organize a ‘book swap’ where attendees exchange books with others. Combine it with a bake sale and hot chocolate stall to create a cozy atmosphere.
Low-cost tip: Host the event at a university or library and charge a small entrance fee. Partner with local businesses for refreshment donations.
- Community Cookbook
- Cost: 💰
- ROI: 🤑🤑🤑
- Prep time: 💪💪
Engage community members by creating a cookbook with residents’ recipes. Promote it on social media and charge for the cookbook.
Low-cost tip: Ask for recipe submissions as a volunteering opportunity and give credit in the book.
- Student Art Auction
- Cost: 💰
- ROI: 🤑🤑
- Prep time: 💪💪
Showcase students’ creativity through an art auction. Gather artwork, set up a showroom, and encourage bidding.
Low-cost tip: Set a minimum bid price for each artwork to maximize ROI.
For Environmental Organizations
Environmental fundraisers can be simple yet effective, like the Desert Institute’s sunset hikes in Joshua Tree National Park.
- Foster Plant Event
- Cost: 💰💰
- ROI: 🤑🤑🤑
- Prep time: 💪💪
Attendees can adopt and personalize baby plants. Set up planting stations and provide resources on plant care.
Low-cost tip: Use a Polaroid camera to capture photos of attendees with their plants and charge a small fee.
- Beach Clean-up Sausage Sizzle
- Cost: 💰
- ROI: 🤑
- Prep time: 💪💪
Organize a beach clean-up followed by a BBQ.
Low-cost tip: Host at a location with public BBQs or encourage participants to bring their own to save on costs.
For Health Organizations
With a focus on mental and physical wellness, consider these easy health fundraiser ideas.
- Silent Retreat
- Cost: 💰
- ROI: 🤑🤑
- Prep time: 💪
Host a one-day meditation retreat or a silent retreat in a park.
Low-cost tip: Encourage attendees to bring their own mats and create a silent zone with a large sign.
- Virtual Dance-a-thon
- Cost: 💰
- ROI: 🤑🤑🤑
- Prep time: 💪
Organize a virtual dance-a-thon with a social media hashtag. Use apps like Dance Fight for dance battles and public voting.
Low-cost tip: Leverage social media for promotion and engagement.
For Arts and Culture Organizations
Think outside the box to capture attention and support local artists.
- Book Reading
- Cost: 💰💰
- ROI: 🤑🤑
- Prep time: 💪
Partner with a bookstore and bar for a cozy book-reading session.
Low-cost tip: Invite attendees to buy a book and take turns reading aloud.
- Art Walk
- Cost: 💰
- ROI: 🤑🤑🤑
- Prep time: 💪
Organize a guided art walk through local museums and galleries.
Low-cost tip: Use an ‘open call’ policy for local artists to apply and donate a portion of proceeds.
Easy Fundraisers Don’t Need to Break the Bank
Good fundraisers don’t need a huge budget. At Sickeningevents we help event creators simplify the registration process, marketing strategy, and data reporting to make fundraising easy and affordable.
Connect with potential attendees searching for events like yours and expand your reach to increase your ROI with Sickeningevents.