The best autumn fundraising ideas

Autumn colours and chilly weather doesn’t mean you have to put your fundraising plans on ice. Instead, wrap up warm and celebrate the changing seasons with our community events.

 

Here are our top themed ideas to kick-start not only the fall season, but the school year.

 

 

Thanksgiving cheer

 

Take a leaf from the Americans and Canadians. Host a Thanksgiving celebration with a drive to raise food, used clothing, or charity shop items.

 

For those charities with an extra decorative streak, use digital icons on the campaign’s website. Label the themed icons with supporters’ names to showcase contributions.

 

Use Canva to create your own bespoke images – think fall coloured leaves.

 

 

Fall sweater party

 

Copy and paste events from Christmas. Instead of a Christmas Sweater donation drive, send e-invitations for an autumn sweater party. Ask audiences to post their best themed jumpers on social media, along with your fundraising link. Using the charity social media accounts, remember to like, shout out to, and re-post supporter content.

 

 

Kick-off runs for the season

 

Remember that there’s a whole host of charity runs held in the fall. For those hosting their own, fall is the perfect season leading up to the big race. The Manchester Half Marathon, The London Landmarks Half Marathon, and the TCS London Marathon are all major events to look forward to. Fundraise beyond the sport by hosting a series of practice runs – normally these charge by membership or participation.

 

 

Back-to-school drive

 

With school back in session, charities can work to engage younger audiences. Ideas for back-to-school includes hosting a fundraising non-uniform day or sporting event.

 

To really get the school colours on show, create teams by year or house for competitive spirit.

 

 

Haunted House

 

Charities with properties can really up the ante when it comes to festive events. Invite local community members to tour your ‘haunted’ house for an entry fee. Don’t forget about digital here – record content during the preparation, during and after the event. Make it an annual tradition.

 

 

Apple bobbing contest

 

Bramley, Braeburn, and Royal Gala are all welcome. Host an apple bobbing contest with a couple of British varieties and a large water basin. Fundraise by inviting participants to bob for apples or to name the varieties.

 

To go viral, post an entire package of instructions. Include charity branded flags and bunting for organisers to advertise.

 

 

Oktoberfest pub crawl

 

Just because you aren’t in Germany doesn’t mean you can’t hold your own beer-oriented event. Host a charity pub crawl in the neighbourhood. For some extra autumn spice, fancy dress is a must – lederhosen is iconic.

 

To get started, decide on how you’ll collect funds – by participation or solicitation. Then map out your pub destinations and start your fundraising drive. Remember, don’t forget to arrange for a donation page.

 

For tech charities, take your payment device with you. Audiences can simply tap and pay.

 

 

Movember

 

Jump on the Movember bandwagon. Whether it’s for the Movember charity or for your own cause, a moustache or beard is a ticklish way to raise funds. To really engage audiences, have a senior charity member offer to go without shaving.

 

Document the process on social media and challenge audiences to donate.

 

 

Pumpkin carving contest

 

Arrange a hybrid pumpkin carving contest over the course of October. Ask families to carve a friendly or ghoulish face into a pumpkin. Post photos online or send them in for judging.

 

Charge for each submission, with donations going to cause. To be extra ambitious, ask friendly corporates to donate a final pumpkin prize.

 

 

Pumpkin smash-a-thon

 

Recycle unused squash or pumpkin with a smash-a-thon. Ask local grocers and supermarkets for unsellable marrow, pumpkin or fall vegetable. Have your audiences swing by with donations in hand for a smashing good time.

 

 

Bake with The Great British Bake Off

 

Capture national interest from the television show and pair that with a baking event. With the TV series announcing its kick-off date, invite audiences online and staff to participate in their own baking contest.

 

Add in weekly themes like cookies, bread, and pastry week to stir-up competition. To fundraise, create a team of contestants and run the challenge like the show. Allow teams to fundraise towards winning the charity bake-off prize.

 

 

Bonfire Night (Guy Fawkes)

 

Host a bonfire night. Re-enact one of the UK’s most storied nights by organising a bonfire night with fireworks. To raise funds, charge audiences for viewing pleasure.

 

Alternatively get creative with fireworks. Allow participating supporters to release fireworks in your charity’s name and fundraise for cause. Don’t forget to set up online donation pages.