As part of the launch of the new IG Voluntary Community Hub the team here at Inside Government had a brainstorm and came up with a list of 101 great fundraising ideas that we hope will help the voluntary sector community reach their fundraising goals.
Most charities rely on regular fundraisers from individuals and communities working to reach a fundraising goal. Whether it be a test of their sporting prowess, showing off a special skill, helping out neighbours or doing something completely out there, there are plenty of ideas you can try out for your charity’s next big fundraiser.
Here are IG Voluntary’s 101 fundraising ideas to meet your next fundraising target:
- Sports and Exercise
- Skills and Creativity
- Fun and Entertainment
- Selling and Fundraisers
- Services in the Community
- In the Workplace or at School
- Extreme
Sports and Exercise Fundraising Ideas
- A marathon or fun run
- A walk-a-thon
- A dance-a-thon
- A flash-mob
- Endurance test
- 5k/10k + Challenge
- World record attempt
- Dodgeball contest
- Ping pong tournament
- A sponsored match or game
- Recreate the Olympics or World Cup
- Sports day
- Water fight
Skills and Creativity Fundraising Ideas
- A bake-off
- A dinner party
- A life drawing session
- Pottery class
- Create your own repair shop
- Upcycle old furnishings
- Instrument class
- Become a magician
- Share your skills for donations
- Face painting
- Sell a poem
- Sponsored tutoring
- Photo exhibition
Fun and Entertainment Fundraising Ideas
- A karaoke night
- A street sing-a-long
- Open mic night
- A pub quiz
- Put on a show
- Wine tasting night
- Bingo night
- Talent show
- Band night
- Movie night
- Fashion show
- Video game tournament
- Recreate your favourite quiz show
- Pet show
- Dog grooming
- Cocktail night
- Escape room
- Games night
- Murder mystery
Fundraiser Fundraising Ideas
- Charity auction
- Jumble sale
- Tombola
- Lucky dip
- Community raffle
- Guess the name
- Guess the number
- Name the animal or building
- Cake sale
- Flower sale
- Seedling sale
- Gift wrapping
- Lemonade stand
- Coupon books for local businesses
In the Community Fundraising Ideas
An inspirational example showcasing the power of volunteers and the community is the Royal Voluntary Services' work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here more about their work from their CEO, Catherine Johnston CBE here: The Charity leading Britain’s Biggest Volunteer Mobilisation since WW2
- A litter-pick
- A sponsored paint
- Gardening for your neighbours
- Planting trees
- Packing shopping bags
- Picking up goods for neighbours
- A car wash
- Renovating or building in the community
- DIY for your neighbours
- A local kids club
- Coffee morning
- Yoga class
- Street party
- Treasure hunt
- Outdoor cinema
- A barn dance
- Community fete
- Form a choir
- Nature trail
In the Workplace or at School Fundraising Ideas
- Role reversal day
- Dress down day
- Fancy dress
- Walk or run to school or work
- Kids versus adults sports day
- Swearbox (at work)
- Cliché bingo
- Sweepstake
- Everything pink!
- Tug of war
- A spelling bee
- A chess tournament
- A read-a-thon
- Ugly sweater day
- Sponsored silence
Extreme Fundraising Ideas
- A ‘versus food’ competition
- A spice challenge
- Hair shave
- A 24 hour challenge
- An ice bath
- Skydive
- Climb a mountain
- Cycle across a country
The 101 ideas we've listed should give you enough inspiration to select one, get everyone involved and start raising money to reach your fundraising goals. However, in the voluntary sector, this is just one area which you need to focus on. From loneliness to the quality of care in education, IG Voluntary has a variety of current events you can attend to learn more about each initiative.
We hope you enjoyed this list and hope that it gave you some inspiration for your next fundraising campaign.
This piece is one of many we will be providing in the coming months as part of the IG Voluntary Community Hub. We offer sector-leading policy events, leading best practice content and thought pieces from across the sector, IG Voluntary is here to support voluntary leaders and professionals improve outcomes and maximise the impact of all charities and NGOs.
