The best winter fundraising ideas

New Year, new opportunities for fundraising. Below we look at some of the greatest winter fundraising ideas, with polar plunges, ice skating, winter balls, and so much more.

 

Let’s start with a plunge.

 

 

Polar plunge

 

Supermodels, celebrities, distant friends, and bold relatives are diving headfirst into freezing waters for charity. To get the event right, check out Polar Bear Challenges. The online resource deals with different swimming abilities and suitable apparel (or lack thereof). Make sure that the fundraising team has set up a page for donations ahead of the event.

 

 

Winter goodies sale

 

Put a spin on the office bake sale. Winter goodies bring cheer to the office during the colder months. To add that fundraising oomph, suggest that audiences use your theme. For those creative digital minds, branded charity ware counts for a lot. Take a leaf from grassroots branding. Make banners and table decorations available for download. 

 

 

New Year resolutions

 

Kick old habits with fresh resolutions. Not only can charities suggest ways to help those with a list of to-dos, but feel free to add volunteering to it. In addition to helping with resourcing, resolutions can also be a fundraising challenge. One idea is to provide a monetary goal to work towards.

 

 

Get fit competition

 

The gym is in full swing in January. Mount a fitness challenge with activities every day during the first few months of the year. For inspiration, check out RED January. The charity focuses on improving health and wellbeing through physical activities. There’s also a fundraising element for their partner charity Sport in Mind. Participants fundraise while getting in shape.    

 

 

Slim down competition

 

Closely related to getting fit, many audiences are motivated to reduce the inches around their waist. No better way to do it than for charity. To keep this challenge going, weight loss or inches should count towards the goal. For fundraising, employers may wish to play their part by matching pound for pound. Check out Scanprobe’s corporate challenge where staff raised money for their chosen charity.

 

 

Food drive

 

With the holidays over, there’s no time that’s more urgent. Food banks and homelessness charities carry the biggest brunt of the weather when providing for families. 2023 will be particularly difficult because of fuel prices and inflation. A food drive helps ease that strain. Ask audiences to donate unused holiday foods, gift cards, and non-perishable items.

 

 

Winter ball

 

The party goes on. Selling tickets to a winter ball keeps the holiday spirit going and is an event to look forward to. Charities can arrange winter balls until the springtime. Love Rara’s winter charity ball is exemplary. The small company is hosting an event in February 2023, marking the tenth anniversary of operations. The annual celebration raises funds for local charities Charlie’s House, We Too, and Logan’s Fund.

 

 

Scavenger hunt

 

Especially poignant for those with a larger office property, estate, or grounds, scavenger hunts are a fun family outing. The event can be indoors or outdoors. For those really looking for a challenge, include cryptic clues rather than straightforward hunting. Fundraise by selling tickets.

 

 

Ice skating

 

DIY ice skating rinks work wonders to connect local communities. For charities, there’s little maintenance involved and much of the work can be done by volunteers. To fundraise, sell tickets or hold competitions on ice. Recently featured in the news, Telford community members raised money by skating for Children with Cancer.

 

 

Winter wanderland

 

For nature enthusiasts, the ‘wanderlands’ concept includes lighted walks and wildlife spotting excursions. For organisations in town, lead a stroll through a historic centre with pubs on the way. Rural charities can easily organise walks at dawn or dusk to take advantage of waking fauna. For ideas, check out Coventry UK’s Window Wanderland 2022. The Council organised a night out showcasing resident window displays. 

 

 

Toy drive

 

Post-holiday glut, audiences may have lots of items they don’t need. From children’s toys to adult items, that’s a lot of stuff to donate. Pair that with a New Year’s clear-out, and charities have an opportunity to stock up. Use the new gear to refill shelves in retail outlets or for charity purpose.

 

 

Guided tours and walks

 

Start by writing a guide of the local area, town, or village. Decide whether the context is humorous or historical – a theme is deal. This will help establish who is going to come along to the walks. Once the draft is complete, select a group of friendly volunteers or audiences who will go on the ‘test’ walk. Gather feedback from them and refine the tour. For elements on how to run the tour, review the Check Front tourism resource here.