A-Z of brilliant fundraising ideas for charity

Fundraising is an essential part of the charity sector.

 

The funds raised help charities find more supporters, raise greater awareness, reach more service users, and provide better services. And events are a great way to raise funds. According to an Enthuse report, for example, over half (53%) of charities expected to see income growth from fundraising events. 

 

Small community fundraising events, such as bake-offs and pub quizzes, were the most commonly planned fundraising activity in 2024, planned by 78% of charities polled by Enthuse. People still love non-school uniform days, bake sales, and sporting tournaments.

 

But more innovative fundraising ideas are growing increasingly attractive: poetry slams, duvet days, hackathons, raffles, cheese tasting, and high-end dog washes are all receiving renewed attention.

 

You need to make a splash. You need to ensure you pick the right idea to amplify your cause and raise the necessary funds. So, without further ado, below is an A-Z of fundraising ideas.

 

 

A – B – C – D – E – F – G – H – I – J – K – L – M – N – O – P – Q – R – S – T – U – V – W – X – Y – Z

 

 

Fundraising ideas for charity 

 

A

 

Animal calendar 

 

Plenty of services online can turn pictures into a calendar, including Team Calendars and Ask Print.  You simply set a price for the calendars – think realistically, set an achievable sales target, and balance against expenditure. Then comes the important part: marketing. Animals are incredibly popular on social media – now is your time to capitalise on that trend.

 

Publish images and captions on all relevant social platforms, ensuring that you give information about your charity and highlight that the calendars would make perfect gifts. Perhaps put captions in the voices of the pets, for added adorableness, then sell via your website or in local stores – depending on the extent of your audience.  

 

 

Animal cards

 

You don’t need to be an expert to create charity cards. You need only initiative and exceptionally cute animals. You could feature your most photogenic felines, or cheeky canines, or other animals that are likely to make people coo. Go cute. Cute sells, especially on social media. 

 

Use the back of the card to give information about the animal’s life, along with information about how your chosen charity supports its communities – raising funds and awareness at the same time.  Plenty of companies will create bespoke cards for charities. You can work on the design, but many companies can support that, too. You can sell the cards on your charity website – if you have one – or alternatively sell them locally, in accepting stores or by setting up a stall. 

 

 

Animal discovery day 

 

This idea can take various forms. If you are fundraising for animal shelters, or places supporting sick or injured animals, you could hold an open day to let visitors find out about the animals. You could explain the journey each animal has taken and show how funds would help.  

 

Another option is to take people around local wildlife areas, which is particularly popular if you are supporting conservationist charities. Discuss the wildlife that can be found in various environments, giving attendees a special tour. Explain how individuals can protect and support local ecosystems. And, importantly, explain how donations can help to achieve those tasks.   

 

Discovery days could take the form of pond-dipping expeditions, nature trails, forest or mountain walks, or lake, canal, or riverside strolls. Ask volunteers to brush up on their knowledge, invite local businesses to offer drinks or food at the start, and make it truly your own.

 

 

Arm wrestling 

 

Remember that time you arm wrestled your friend to prove your strength? Remember how, on reflection, that it was pretty sad and a huge waste of time? Remember how, in many ways, you both lost? Well, why not do it again? But this time – let your embarrassment raise vital funds.

 

It is the easiest option on our list and perfect for workplaces. Pick names out of a hat, or just allows participants to choose who they take on (both willing, of course). Or you can do winner stays on again, which increases the stakes and, likewise, the prestige. Charge to enter, or charge per challenge. You can do it all, very quickly, raising funds for charities over your lunchbreak.

 

 

Art attack 

 

Run an art competition in local schools, community centres, youth clubs, churches, or communal spaces, and ask kids to submit their paintings, drawings, sculptures, and other masterpieces. If you really want to challenge, pick a theme for the event. 

 

Have someone judge the competitors, offering various prizes for the painters that took part. Make the paintings come to life with an exhibition for contributor. Hang up art and offer fancy canapes and the like.  Consider auctioning the pieces, with all proceeds going to charity. You can do that in-person, with a gavel and some fast talking, or you can host a virtual auction.

 

 

B

 

Battle of the beards 

 

Grow out your beard for an extended period of time and compete to see who looks the most like a Viking. Pick a time frame, perhaps a month, maybe a year for the more adventurous.  If you’re working often with clients, the latter option may not be the best idea, as clients typically do not like to be surrounded by several Rasputin lookalikes.  

 

In recent years, the battle of the beards has led to popular offshoots. Movember is a good example, which has raised millions for men’s mental health through the simple growth of the moustache. Start your own version, or simply piggy-back and get involved in Movember.

 

 

Beat the goalie 

 

Find someone that you don’t like and make them go in goal. Tell them its for charity, so they can’t really refuse. Then charge people per shot and offer prizes for people who score three or five penalties in a row, depending on the quality of the goalkeeper.  

 

Make it last for a few hours, so you raise lots of money and annoy the goalkeeper that you do not particularly like. Alternatively, change the person in the goal so everyone has a chance to kick a ball at someone they don’t particularly like. Consider offering prizes for the best penalties, the best celebrations, the best outfit, the best goalkeeper, and so on.  

 

 

Bring and buy 

 

An easy one. Simple ask people to bring in something to sell that they no longer want. It could be unwanted books, DVDs, watches, toys, or whatever else.  

 

Put on the event as a one-off or a regular event in a communal space. You could, for example, have a stall after school once per month to sell all you have accumulated. 

 

 

Buddy run 

 

The buddy run is essentially the fun run, only more fun because a dog, cat, hamster, cheetah accompanies you. The buddy run could be a small event, with just person and pet, asking friends to donate and perhaps watch while you and your buddy run, say, 5km.

 

Alternatively, you could set up a buddy run and involve as many people and animals as possible. Think of it like a Noah’s Ark situation, but with more humans and more dogs (or pets) and in a park. Noah’s Park, basically.

 

 

C

 

Charity boxing

 

Take inspiration from the White Collar Boxing and host an event. Ensure you have the right equipment – provide helmets, gum shields, the necessary professional trainers and support, and so on – then just get two people to punch each other over and over again...for charity.  

 

Create nicknames for the boxers – Barry the Bruiser, for example, or Barry the Bus Driver – and give each bout a title – such as The Battle of the Barrys. Perhaps approach a local boxing gym to host the event, or even just a community centre. Charge for the cost of entrance and allow people to make low-odd bets with excesses going to charity.

 

And, as with so many of the above options, enlist local vendors and ask them to provide food and drink to support a worthy cause. Pop QR codes ringside, obviously, and then enjoy the fun and frolics of an amateur boxing match.

 

 

Christmas jumper day

 

It’s a classic. We all have one jumper that raises eyebrows. Perhaps a family member knitted you a snowman with a creepy orange nose several years ago and you don’t have the heart not to wear it. Perhaps you have one arm stretching to the floor, while the other resembles a vest. Perhaps you have all of the above. It’s time to embrace your sartorial strangeness – for charity.  

 

Christmas Jumper Day ’tis the least wonderful time of the year, but it can raise money for people who need support. For those without cruel but well-meaning family members, any high street store will sell an odd-looking jumper that you can buy. But remember: the nicest option is the least likely to raise money. Embarrassing jumpers, ones that look the worst, are the best.   

 

 

Climbing

 

Do not simply climb anything. Take the Shard, for example. Do not climb that. Instead, rent a climbing wall or team up with a local climbing gym and hold (safe and secure) races to the top, time challenges, quirky challenges, and so on. 

 

You can ask people to pay to enter, pay per climb, or simply ask for voluntary donations. You can offer prizes to the quickest climbers and, as ever, make the day an event with snacks and refreshments and raffles and whatever else.

 

 

D

 

Dog grooming

 

Similar to the dog wash, but a little fancier. Lots of animal shelters have some options for dog grooming, which keeps residents in good shape. Why not use that service to raise some extra funds? Why not attract the local community and ensure their pets look their best? 

 

Dog grooming is an art, not a science, and, as with all art, not many people know what they are doing. So have an expert on hand to make sure the dogs remain happy and content.  Ask for donations based on the grooming provided or ask people to donate whatever they feel comfortable donating. Offer free services for any dogs that really need the help, especially if owners are not able to meet your prices. It’s best to be charitable at charity fundraising events.

 

And remember, fundraising with animals is about supporting animals, your community, and your charity. Do not lose sight of one while trying to support the other. 

 

 

Dog show

 

Sort of like Crufts, but obviously nothing like Crufts. Embrace the madness. Ensure dog owners and dog admirers have fun. And, most importantly, make sure the dogs are happy. Charge a small fee to enter the competition and provide some small dog-sized rosettes for the winners.

 

Ask local businesses to sponsor the event, with proceeds going to the charity, or perhaps just ask them to participate, with stalls and drinks and whatever else you might need.   

 

Ask viewers to donate with QR codes or text-to-donate, perhaps even pulling out the old-fashioned tin-bucket, and use socials to spread information about your chosen charity. And, above all else, ensure you and our canine friends have fun!

 

 

Dog wash

 

There are plenty of reasons to wash a dog and fundraising is one of them. Bathing our canine friends is often a joyless task, one that the owner avoids wherever possible. That’s where you can help. Volunteer to do the joyless task in exchange for donations. All you need is some easy-to-find grooming equipment, which could include: a bucket, an old brush, small tub (for the braver among you), sprayer, soap, towels, and nice-smelling oils (for the fancier among you).  

 

Then just wash hundreds, if not thousands, if not millions, of dogs. Save the world, one clean dog at a time. You could perform the dog wash as a one-off event – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – or make it a regular occurrence.  You could sell tea, coffee, and cake to dog owners while they wait for their dogs to dry – and raise a little more money. 

 

  

Donate your skills

 

Sell your skills. If your manager can play the piano or ukulele, sell that. Even if they play badly, perhaps especially if they play badly, you’ll surely make some money. Ask your team whether they have any hidden talents and auction each of them – sell your origami, cookery, or any other skills.  

 

 

Duvet days

 

We end with our favourite. Host a raffle, selling hundreds of tickets internally, and offer the most exceptional prize. Yes, the lucky winner gets to have a day off work, without any repercussions, just to lounge around under the duvet, watching their favourite TV programmes.  

 

Obviously the raffle should include everyone and obviously it should be signed off by line managers and HR first. Charities could also offer other prizes in a similar vein, such as an hour extra in bed, an summer afternoon in the sun, or some extended lunch breaks.

 

 

E

 

Easter Egg hunt

 

Ask shops to donate chocolate and ask vendors to serve food and drink. Get older kids to hide the eggs so that you do not have to, offering payment in the form of chocolate. Then ask younger kids to start hunting. Make the hunt an event by adding loads of other fun activities, including face-painting, raffles, and other village fete-style games, like the one where you fish for a duck.

 

 

F

 

Facepainting

 

Pay not to have your face painted, but to paint faces. 

 

Yes, auction off all (willing) colleagues’ faces and let havoc commence. Employees can bid on friends (or enemies) in the office and paint their faces however they so choose. Ask the office to supply the equipment, bid on faces for charity, and, as ever, do not be inappropriate.  

 

 

Fancy dress

 

The limits of fancy dress are endless. We suggest themes – and not normal ones. Find something interesting, like ‘guess the inventor’. Or better still, choose ’characters that hide in plain sight’ so that seven of your colleagues come to work dressed as Wally of Where’s Wally? fame. 

 

Or pick a theme that marries with your organisation. So, for example, if you are a publishing house, you could come as your favourite characters from books. If you are a sports clubs, come as the athletic superheroes from your childhood. 

 

An important point: always ensure fancy dress remains respectful. Pick an appropriate theme and enjoy the fun. Be creative, not stupid. No one wants HR to join the party.   

 

 

Fun Run

 

It is a classic for a reason. The Fun Run offers charities the chance to bolster their fundraising while also promoting fitness in your community. And it’s easy to arrange. All you need is a park, permission, and some people to take part.  

 

Enlist local vendors to provide food and drink to spectators. Perhaps set up a drinks table, like in marathons, and ask local sponsors to supply the drinks.  

 

A golden rule of effective fundraising events is to encourage the weird, the whacky, the frivolous, and the funny. Invite runners in costumes, runners with pets, runners as pairs, runners running backwards, runners in pyjamas, and so on. 

Ensure the race is accessible, so everyone has the chance to take part.

 

 

G

 

Game night

 

Game night is the most basic of all fundraising nights. For the physical game night, simply get some board games together, ask for donations for entrance fees, then sell soft drinks on the night. You could ask for kids and adults to get involved, so find games that both find enjoyable.  

 

For older kids, you could rent arcade games or find classic consoles and put on a retro games night. Get the classics, from Donkey Kong to Mario Kart, and put on various challenges and competitions to keep spirits high. 

 

Remote virtual games nights are even simpler. Pick an appropriate game online, perhaps using an app, find some kids and parents who want to play, join together for an evening on Zoom or another videoconferencing platform, and ask for donations.  Alternatively, you could go full Gaming for Good, streaming yourself playing and asking viewers to donate money. 

 

 

Gaming for Good

 

Charities are increasingly using Gaming for Good initiatives to link up with gamers to raise funds and promote good causes. Gaming for Good usually relies on people streaming, with viewers opting to donate while they interact on platforms such as Twitch. 

 

Gaming for Good fundraisers rely only on spreading the message, asking people to join, and asking for donations. Remember, though, that Gaming for Good is about putting on a show, interacting with viewers, perhaps making them laugh or cry.

 

 

H

 

Hackathon

 

Hackathon is the portmanteau of the words hack and marathon. The term refers to events where computer programmers and others co-operate to solve real-world problems. To throw a hackathon, start by establishing a theme and ensure that theme resonates with your target audience. You could then identify key stakeholders who will sponsor the event, adding funds, and offer incentives to show that they will benefit, either through the hacking or through promotion. 

 

Decide whether you want to organise an internal hackathon, depending on exclusive expertise, or open it up to the public. Then you just need to host the event. Begin by defining the objectives, giving the hackers all necessary information, and perhaps splitting into teams to work on projects. Then you can begin. You can ask for money during the event, too, to add to the sponsored funds. 

 

At the end, consider offering some prizes and sharing success on your socials.

 

 

I

 

Ironman

 

Ironman combines fitness, endurance, and community engagement. Ask participants to pay an entry fee for running, or cycling, or swimming the event, then ask each to raise some money from people sponsoring. The joy of Ironman is that people will donate because it sounds like an absurd idea, something they’d never do, way above the 5km that most of our colleagues attempt.

 

Organisers, as ever, can raise some additional funds through selling refreshments, asking businesses to sponsor the event, and through myriad other unique methods of fundraising.

 

 

J

 

Jumble sale

 

Jumbles sales are a fun and exciting way to fundraise. Ask your local community to donate the many things they don’t want – and, if willing, the things they do want. You’ll typically expect clothes, books, toys, household items, anything that can be sold at a moderately low price.

 

Then let chaos reign. Jumble sales are best held in community centres, school halls, or even outdoors in parks or on streets. Get some volunteers to help: world-leading salespeople, bouncers, anyone who can force people to spend more than they otherwise might. The joy of the jumble sale is that it raises huge funds, but also helps to recycle and reuse second-hand items.

 

You might be thinking that jumble sale is an Americanism. You might be thinking ‘car boot sale’ is a more accurate description. You’d be right. But do you have a fundraiser that begins with J?

 

 

K

 

Karaoke night

 

Karaoke nights depend on people paying a small fee to sing their favourite songs, with proceeds going to a chosen charity. Invite people who hog the stage. Start early and make it last longer than any audience member would like. Offer prizes for the best song, worst song, most needy singer, most improved, and any other category. Offer people the chance to pay to stop someone singing.

 

As ever, drinks, food, and merchandise sales can boost fundraising. Karaoke nights encourage people of all ages to get involved, whether by singing, cheering on others, booing people all night, throwing items on stage, walking out in an act of protest, creating life-long friendships/rifts, and so on, creating a fun, inclusive atmosphere for raising money.

 

 

Knit-a-thon

 

A knit-a-thon might not be a good idea. But it begins with K. Participants gather for a marathon knitting sessions, which is sort of like a real marathon but with less physical exertion. So better, overall. Sponsors can pledge donations based on the number of items completed or the hours spent knitting. Items can be sold at the end to raise additional funds.  

 

Organising a knit-a-thon requires a venue, such as a community hall or local café, where knitters can gather for an extended period. Participants often bring their own materials, though some mor generous organisers provide yarn and needles. Refreshments and breaks add to the social atmosphere, making it a pleasant experience for all involved.

 

 

L

 

Lemonade stand

 

It is a classic and it raises money for charity. Choose your location, preferably somewhere where people walk, preferably somewhere away from other shops, supermarkets, and other lemonade stands. Then, as when life gives you lemons, make some lemonade.

 

There are loads of great recipes online, but you don’t need them. Just do lemon, sugar, water, and mix. Simple as that. Consider adding some treats, too. Bake some brownies or cakes, perhaps throw in some shop-bought chocolates and charge excess. Make sure your stand looks great and perhaps consider advertising on Facebook and other places to bring in local customers.

 

 

M

 

Murder mystery

 

A murder mystery dinner is engaging and entertaining and likely scary enough to force people to spend money. Guests pay a hiked-up price for a ticket to enjoy a themed meal, while trying to solve a fictional crime. Each attendee receives a character role, complete with backstory, look, motifs and personality traits, creating an immersive experience. As the evening unfolds, clues are revealed, and participants work together to uncover the culprit among them.

 

Organising a murder mystery dinner requires careful planning, including selecting a compelling theme and script, arranging a suitable venue, and providing catering. Costumes can enhance the atmosphere, encouraging guests to dress as their characters. Or, if you’re clever, you can Google some pre-existing ideas online and save everyone time.

 

 

N

 

Non-school uniform day

 

The key to non-school uniform day is to not wear your uniform. Seems obvious. But some of us have suffered. To raise extra money on non-school uniform day, ask kids to indulge the art of fancy dress and ask friends for a donation.  Remember the funnier the costume, the more money you’ll raise. No one wants to donate to someone in Levi’s, or even Superman or Wonder Woman, but a human-sized chicken or traffic cone could significantly increase your funds.  

 

 

O

 

Open mic night

 

An open mic night is a dynamic fundraising event that brings together the best – and more importantly the worst – performers to an interested – or disinterested – audience. Ask for a small fee for participants to showcase talents, whether it’s singing, poetry, comedy, tap dancing, impressions, an extended bout of silence, or whatever other talents people may (not) have.

 

Cafés and bars are always open to the idea, especially if based in a community the charity supports. Create flyers and boost on social media. And remember to provide snacks and drinks during the event and consider a raffle or an auction. Consider prizes for the best and worst acts.

 

 

P

 

Pay-per-view

 

Team up with your local pub, clubhouse, or community centre and charge a fee for people to watch a sporting occasion. Add fundraising challenges on top. Consider competitions, pub games, and other playful options that can raise funds.  Or, alternatively, ask friends to boycott the pay-per-view and donate the money to charity instead, as Premier League fans did in 2020.  

 

 

Pet photoshoot

 

We all know certain pets love the attention. Social media is awash with evidence of people who think their cats, and dogs, and tortoises, are more handsome than yours. You can capitalise on their self-involvement and make money for your charity. Host a pet photo shoot. Hire a professional photographer – you can likely find one willing to offer charity discounts – or perhaps just find someone with a decent camera and force them to wear more flamboyant clothes. 

 

Set up a shoot with a backdrop like a desert island, or a police station, or anything that matches your chosen vibe. If you are able, have interchangeable options. If the pets are willing, have quick accessories to hand. Make it adorable. Then all you need to do is sell the pictures, either as prints or  online – posting pictures on socials and asking for a donation.

 

 

Polar Bear Plunge

 

To paraphrase the Beatles, all you need is ice water. The Polar Bear Plunge is a fun-packed event that encourages fundraisers to jump into the freezing cold depths of literally any small body of water. Take inspiration from previous plungers, such as the good folks at St Albans Sub Aqua Club and find somewhere cold and safe – not the Thames, for example – and just dive right in, literally.  

 

Fancy dress is popular among plungers. Elves, Stormtroopers, Hippies, and Princesses have all plunged, once upon a time. Or perhaps opt to stay on brand and dress as a penguin or Arnold Schwarzenegger’s iconic Mr Freeze. Serve hot dogs to people who may be dressed as hot dogs. Add drinks, maybe some hot chocolate, and provide blankets to plungers. Place QR codes around, so that people can donate while they’re trembling or laughing at other people trembling.

 

 

Q

 

Quiz night

 

Quiz nights are one of the more boring fundraisers. But nothing else begins with Q. Pick a venue, probably a pub, and promote through socials and word-of-mouth, perhaps sticking signs up in bathrooms as pubs have suddenly started doing. Consider a theme, but don’t make the theme too niche: no one actually wants to go to a Monty Python quiz night. They’re lying.

 

Participants form teams and pay an entry fee to compete. Prizes should be offered to the top team, perhaps the best team name. And, as ever, sell refreshments, food, and all the rest of it, and perhaps ask local businesses to sponsor the event.

 

 

R

 

Raffle

 

Raffles have proved one of the most popular fundraising ideas of recent years. Popularity stems from ease. You can just ask businesses, or individuals, to donate prizes that will attract ticket buyers. These typically include gift baskets, vouchers, or holidays (if you’re very lucky).

 

Promote the raffle with flyers, on social media, in the windows of the businesses that donate prizes, and son on. Sell tickets to every possible person, with all proceeds going to charity. Then set a date for drawing the winners – and announce the winners live, boosting engagement.

 

You can do virtual raffles, too, which follows almost the exact same process, just on Zoom. If in-person, you can provide some food and drink and give attendees an opportunity to donate a little more, if possible.  QR codes spread around the venue are always a good way to achieve that.

 

See our article: How to host a raffle

 

 

S

 

Slam dunk

 

Find some basketball courts, recruit local stars to act as judges, put on your best trainers, and start jumping. Consider creating distinct categories for dunks and remember to remain inclusive, with options for free throws and lay-ups. Charge for entry to each category and offer prizes. Prizes might include worn and signed Jordan 1s with the sole from his second season with the Chicago Bulls, currently estimated at around $800k. Or, if you’d rather, a basketball is always nice.  

 

 

Sponsored silence

 

Ask friends, people on socials, family, and whoever else to sponsor you for a length of silence. You could even take part in a team-wide sponsored silence. If you do so, consider picking a day when you are not all stuck in meetings, particularly with clients. Clients tend to like talking.  

 

If there are only internal meetings, get creative and find ways around them, using tech to support the silence. People who talk too much are particularly good at raising money for sponsored silences, as people don’t believe you can keep quiet. If you’re wondering whether you’re that sort of person, you are. So redeem yourself with a sponsored silence!

 

 

Sponsor an animal

 

We know people who have sponsored hundreds of animals, evidenced by the piles of cuddly toys gathered around bedrooms across the world. Sponsoring an animal is a fun, selfless, and simple way to make a difference and support a charity.  Many charities offer updates and send photos showing how your chosen animals are getting along. Sponsors can follow their animals through their lives, knowing that your donation made a difference.   

 

 

Swear or sorry jars

 

This is the long-term fundraising solution to end all long-term fundraising solutions. It goes on forever. Two of the most popular options are swear jars and sorry jars, but you can really use the fundraising device to mould behaviour in any way you like.

 

We are not suggesting you manipulate colleagues, but fundraising provides a nice incentive. You could ask for a donation each time someone hums or sings a song that the office loathes. You could have a jar for each time someone leaves the lid off the coffee. It’s entirely up to you.  

 

 

Sweepstake at work

 

Remember the Euros? When was football heading in our general direction? The sweepstake provides a lot of fun – and it does not need to always revolve around football. You could have sweepstakes on the number of sweets in a certain jar, the time it would take bragging Barry from Sales to run 100m, the number of mouthfuls it takes to finish an out-of-date cake, and so on.  

 

Remember to ask everyone to donate when entering the sweepstake. And, as ever, try to provide some information about your cause. Every fundraising event, however silly, however small, is an opportunity to create a lifelong donor.  

 

 

Stair climbing competition

 

Stair climbing fundraisers are a good opportunity to slyly raise lots of money. Consider, for example, asking family and friends and loved ones to donate a certain amount per stair. 1p per stair seems reasonable, for example. 

 

A bit of training, however, and you can trick the people you love into massive donations. The greatest vertical height climbing in 12 hours, for example, was achieved by Christian Riedl, who climbed Tower 185 in Frankfurt 71 times, with each ascent comprising of 988. In total, he climbed 70148 steps. At 1p per stair, you could raise seven hundred pounds, per person.

 

 

T

 

Teddy Bear’s Picnic

 

If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure to raise some cash. The Teddy Bear’s Picnic is a great excuse to get out in the sun, make your favourite sandwiches, socialise, and drink too much tea. You can go on a bear hunt, too, but remember that in Britain, bears are increasingly rare. 

 

Still, you could adopt the same methods as the Easter Egg hunt, only using cuddly toys. Grab the teddies and hide them safely, then go with the kids to find the bears. Read the children a book at the end and maybe even sing the song we all know and love over some lovely food and drink.  

 

 

Tennis fundraiser

 

There are lots of ways to host a tennis competition. Consider round-robin tennis matches with singles or doubles teams, or knockout competitions if you can get enough people, charging all participants for the entrance fee.  

 

Or perhaps do winner stays on, with every challenger donating a set fee to charity. Offer prizes to the winners, such as tickets to Wimbledon or perhaps a tennis racket. Put QR codes on the courts so that spectators can donate and sell refreshments, with all proceeds going to charity. 

 

 

Treasure hunt

 

A treasure hunt should preferably take place on a treasure island and should involve pirates. If you’re unable to find a treasure island or pirates, then just do it in the local park, or town hall, or anywhere else where you can get permission at a low cost. 

 

Ask people to donate to join. And, as ever, pop some additional fundraising options around with QR codes, numbers for text-to-donate, and even tin buckets. Perhaps get the people holding the buckets to dress as pirates.

 

 

U

 

Uniform Day…for teachers

 

Encourage your teachers to put on your school uniform for charity. That might require some needlework, perhaps some creativity, but the teacher can set a fundraising goal and promise to broadly embarrass themselves if that goal is met. It’s basically a reversal of the usual, giving power to the students. Because, as The Who famously said, the kids are alright.  

 

 

V

 

Virtual auction

 

The auction is a classic of the virtual fundraising genre, by which we mean it’s been quite popular for about two years. Hosting a virtual auction requires three essential ingredients: a host, an audience, and some ridiculous things to sell.  

 

For a host, that’s you. For the audience, you’ll need to create a buzz on socials or through other marketing and pick a platform, such as eBay for Charity, Donate, or Givergy. Then find something to sell and pick the right price, asking stakeholders or volunteers or donors. Think outside the box. You do not simply have to sell some really nice TV, or a bracelet, or other typical items that people could buy themselves. Choose instead experience days, funny items, and sentimental items. 

 

Or go even further. Sell an ‘evening with the host’ or even a 1:1 lesson in [insert something you can do moderately well]. If your manager can play the EastEnders theme song on piano, sell a 1:1 piano lesson with your manager. People love the ridiculous and you should embrace that.  

 

 

Virtual bingo

 

You were thinking of an idea but couldn’t quite remember what it was? Then we came along and wrote the idea that you were thinking? And you said to yourself: Bingo!  

 

Yes, bingo. Virtual bingo nights are a fun way to appeal to all demographics. It’s easy, cheap, and you can do it all over Zoom. You can even personalise the night, creating a printable bingo sheet tailored to your audience, which could raise awareness or simply add to the fun.   

 

Cup of tea (number three) sorted. We had to Google that, so you’re welcome. 

 

 

Virtual cheese tasting

 

Enough of dancing and music, let’s talk about culture and by culture, I mean cheese.  

 

There are various options when it comes to cheese tasting. The first is to find an expert, offer tickets to a select group of cheese enthusiasts, host a tasting night, and promote active interaction and discussion. You can include some deliverable cheese as part of the ticket.  

 

Alternatively, ask as many people as possible and split every into rooms and let chaos reign. Tell everyone what cheese to buy, add some wine, and add a donation button. Put on some little cheese-eating contests, maybe a dare or two, and ask for donations throughout the event.  

 

 

Virtual karaoke

 

Virtual karaoke is like a virtual singing contest, just without the talent. The virtual karaoke is actually really simple. You could download a dedicated Karaoke app, or simply fundraise via Zoom. The latter is the easiest option – and likely to increase your general reach. 

 

To host karaoke over Zoom, gather an audience, ask them to send requests to the host, find their songs on YouTube, share their screen when it’s their turn, make sure everyone else is muted, and then let them sing their embarrassing little hearts out. 

 

If you want to go further, if you absolutely must, then you could turn karaoke into a sort of Eurovision song contest, asking singers to represent a particular country. 

 

You can simply ask people to donate, leaving the fundraising button on Zoom. Beautiful voices will likely raise lots of funds and terrible voices will likely raise even more. 

 

 

Virtual murder mystery

 

Who knew you could do a whodunnit on Zoom? Virtual mystery events are a great way to raise funds. And, unlike most of other events, they include blood and murder, so could be particularly fun around Halloween. You can host the event on a livestream platform or on Zoom and give people a narrative or an interactive experience, depending on your approach.

 

There are loads of options to check out online, with some favourites including the classy black noir, the more graphic Zombie Cannibal Asylum, or the Ghost Ship Murder Mysteries. Find one that you like or take inspiration and create your own! 

 

You have two options for tickets. One is to create a page using an online donation platform and simply ask for donations, which can work for certain events. Alternatively, you could ticket the event. For charities, the Light subscription plan includes unlimited free events, unlimited users and guests, and e-ticketing. Or check out Yapsody, or TicketTailor as other great options. 

 

If the thought of dictating a ticket price is not your style, Eventbrite’s donation tickets might be for you. By creating an event on Eventbrite and choosing the ‘donation ticket type’, attendees can choose the amount they want to pay, instead of a set price.

 

 

W

 

Writing anthology

 

Encourage budding Shakespeares to write short stories, comic strips, poems, whatever else, and collate them into an anthology. Design a cover and reach out to local businesses that might help you produce them for free – or at discounted rates.  

 

You can showcase the anthology at an event, encourage people to buy drinks and food from local vendors. Perhaps even ask the students if they’d like to read passages and witness the first readings of prospective literary geniuses.

 

 

X

 

Xmas market

 

An Xmas market is a neat way to find a fundraiser beginning with X. To organise a successful Xmas market, secure a suitable venue, such as a community centre or outdoor space, perhaps even a street, and invite local businesses, groups, and charities to set up stalls.

 

Aim for loads of different types of cuisines and drinks, as well as classics of the Xmas market genre: candle shops, soap stalls, decoration vendors, and so on. The best Xmas markets might offer live music and activities for the children. The very best, the cream of the Xmas market crop, will host workshops or demonstrations, such as wreath-making or cookie decorating.

 

 

Y

 

Yoga with animals

 

Do you know your Downward Dog from your Cobra? Have you done the Swan, the Camel, and the Butterfly? Why not include actual animals in your yoga and raise funds, too?  Maybe don’t bring an actual Cobra because it’ll actually kill you, and probably not a Swan because the Queen will likely kill you, and I’m not sure where you’d get a Camel, so just bring your dog…and breathe. 

 

Get a group of you and livestream the event to confused viewers. Add a donation button because watching animals watching humans perform animal shapes must be worth a tenner. Or charge participants, because doing animal shapes in front of animals is worth money, too, apparently. 

 

Alternatively, team up with a local animal shelter or petting zoo. Ask them to provide some animals, invite people to do yoga, and raise awareness about their cause during your meditations. You could help a good cause, confuse a dog, and find nirvana – then have lunch.

 

 

Z

 

Zombie walk

 

Last, and probably least, the zombie walk, a fundraising idea with the sole virtue of starting with Z. Zombie walks are apparently fun and creative events that involve dressing up as zombies, complete with make-up and outfits, and just sort of walking around in a sort of parade.

 

Apparently, you can ask people to pay money to attend, all of which will go to charity. The zombie walk requires careful planning, such as permits, choosing a safe route, effective promotion, explaining the concept over and over, and providing water and food to the so-called zombies.

 

Successful zombie walks incorporate music, stalls, and activities like face painting to enhance the experience and attract more attendees.