Whether you want to increase your income or raise funds for a specific project, success is within reach. We have a variety of best fundraising ideas to help you reach your monetary objectives.
From general fundraising concepts to ideas for youth groups, discover effective ways to accomplish your goals.
#1 Car Wash
Organize a car wash in a central location (with permission), such as a parking lot or school grounds. Announce on your church's social media and website and spread the news through word-of-mouth.
Set a reasonable donation amount of $10 per car and ensure you have all the necessary supplies like soap, sponges, and hoses. For an extra fee, consider offering additional services like interior cleaning or windshield polishing.
#2 Bake Sale
A bake sale fundraiser always stays in style. To pull it off, gather talented bakers of your congregation and create a variety of irresistible treats. Spread the word through social media, local schools, and community centers.
Set up an appealing display, offer pre-orders, and even host a bake-off competition for added excitement. Let the sweet aroma of generosity fill the air and watch your funds roll in.
#3 Raffle
Collaborate with local electronic, toy, or furniture stores and request them to donate their products for the church’s raffle.
You can offer these products as a prize to the raffle winner. This is a creative way to raise funds and also promote the local stores through your event.
You can learn more about online raffles here.
#4 Yard Sale
A yard sale is a timeless and effective idea for a fundraiser. Youth groups can use the collective generosity of the community by organizing a sale where donated items find new homes. They can actively engage in sorting, pricing, and promoting the items.
Together, they can turn secondhand treasures into first-class opportunities and raise funds along the run.
#5 Trivia Night
Trivia night can be an exciting and engaging event where the youth group can participate in different game rounds. As a congregation, you can collaborate with local businesses to sponsor the event and charge the attendees an entry fee to raise funds.
#6 Community Cleanup
Organize local cleanup events for young volunteers to rally support from their communities and seek donations or sponsorships to fund their noble cause.
The act of cleaning up together will strengthen teamwork, raise awareness about environmental issues, and generate much-needed funds to support the youth group's initiatives.
#7 Craft Fair
Start by securing a suitable venue and gathering a diverse range of craft vendors from the youth group. And to get more traffic, promote the fair through social media, local flyers, and word-of-mouth.
This can be a great occasion for the creative ones to put their skills to use and also generate funds along the way.
#8 Holiday Gift-Wrapping
If you’re looking to raise funds for the church, then tapping into the holiday spirit can be the perfect time to make the cash roll in. That’s when people are in the mood for giving, so you can organize a gift-wrapping station for the youth group.
Set up the station with colorful papers, ribbons, and tags. Encourage volunteers from your youth group to offer their wrapping skills in exchange for donations.
#9 Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts are a creative way to rally youth groups and raise funds. Start by creating a themed hunt with riddles and clues. Choose a location, set a date, and promote the event on social media and the church website.
Encourage participants to form teams, set entry fees, and offer prizes for winners. Don't forget to include local businesses as clue sponsors to get more community involvement.
#10 DIY Workshops
Gather a team of creative members from the youth group to lead DIY workshops while ensuring all necessary materials are provided. They can conduct workshops to make arts and crafts, do woodwork, or whatever’s trending.
Amplify your impact by collaborating with sponsors and hosting these inspiring workshops at vibrant community centers.
#11 Game Night
Harness the power of creativity and strategic thinking to implement the best fundraising ideas.
Bring together your youth group to organize a variety of games like trivia, charades, and board games. Encourage participants to donate a small fee per game, with proceeds going toward your noble cause.
#12 Service Auction
Organize a peaceful event where attendees can bid on services like babysitting, lawn care, tutoring, and more offered by the youth group. The highest bidders get to avail of the services, and you can use the proceeds for a noble cause.
#13 Themed Dinner Night
You can organize a themed dinner night in collaboration with a local restaurant. Request them to make cuisines based on different themes inspired by favorite movies, eras, or cultures. The attendees can purchase the dishes for a price, helping the youth group reach its fundraising goal.
Discover the power of storytelling and how it can be leveraged as one of the best fundraising ideas to connect with donors.
#14 Plant Sale
Team up with a local nursery to gather a variety of potted plants, colorful flowers, and herbs. Advertise the plant sale through social media, school bulletins, and local community boards to attract customers.
Assign tasks to enthusiastic youth volunteers to organize the event smoothly and make it a blossoming success.
#15 Fashion Show
Collaborate with local fashion boutiques and put youth group volunteers to task to organize an unforgettable event. With innovative themes, professional choreography, and ticket sales at the fashion show, you will captivate audiences while generating funds for a noble cause.
#16 Photo Booth
Set up a designated area inside the church or outside (with permission) with fun props, a vibrant backdrop, and a camera or smartphone. Charge a small fee per photo or offer package deals to maximize donations.
#17 Talent Workshops
Organize a talent workshop for youth groups to showcase their unique talents, such as singing, dancing, or painting. Arrange a venue, promote the event locally, and sell tickets to raise funds.
#18 Cook-off
Gather aspiring young chefs from the congregation, set up cooking stations, and let the culinary creativity flow. Charge an entry fee for participants and spectators, and offer prizes for the tastiest dishes.
#19 Charity Run
Gather athletic youth group volunteers for the run, choose a scenic route, set a fundraising goal, and create a buzz through social media.
#20 Dodgeball Tournament
Organize a thrilling dodgeball tournament by setting up teams, securing a venue, and promoting the event. Encourage participants to seek sponsorships and raise funds by charging an entry fee.
#21 Eat for a Cause
To pull off Eat for a Cause, partner with local food vendors to sponsor the event, plan a bake sale, or organize a community potluck where participants bring a dish to share. Combine delicious food with a purpose, and watch your funds soar.
#22 Candle Sale
Start by selecting a variety of scented candles that appeal to diverse tastes. Partner with local candle makers or suppliers who offer competitive prices.
Motivate youth group members to promote the candle sale within their social circles, including friends, family, and neighbors, and make the funds roll in.
#23 Pie Fights
Organize a safe and messy pie fight, where participants can purchase pies to throw at their friends, leaders, or even local celebrities. Set up sponsorships, sell tickets, and offer prizes to boost participation and maximize the fundraising potential.
#24 Karaoke Night
Karaoke Night is a fun fundraising idea for youth groups that combines entertainment and community engagement. Start by securing a venue with audiovisual equipment, creating a diverse song list, and charging an entry fee.
#25 Face Painting
Face painting is a popular fundraising activity for youth groups. Here's how to organize it: gather your team, set up colorful stations, charge a small fee per face, and don't forget to promote your event on social media and through local partnerships.
This will bring in more people and help reach the fundraising goal.
#26 Silent Auction
To organize a silent auction, gather unique items and experiences for bidding. Create a visually appealing display at the venue, set bidding sheets, and establish clear guidelines.
Encourage friendly competition, provide a designated checkout area, and announce winners with gratitude.
#27 Dance-a-thon
A dance-a-thon is a high-energy fundraising event where youth groups can boogie their way to success. Simply pick a lively venue, gather enthusiastic participants through social media posts, set a donation goal, and let the music do the magic.
Dance, fundraise, and make a lasting impact together.
#28 Fitness Challenge
Fitness challenges are a great way to incorporate health and philanthropy. Engage youth groups in a day-long event featuring fun-filled activities like relay races, obstacle courses, and group workouts. Make them gather sponsors, track their progress, and seek pledges for each milestone achieved.
#29 Food Truck
For the food truck event, choose a location with maximum foot traffic, partner with diverse vendors, and promote it on social media. Make the youth group do the leg work by sorting, packing, and selling meals.
Stay ahead of the curve by staying updated with the best fundraising ideas in the ever-evolving landscape.
#30 Spa Day
Team up with a local salon and request them to offer spa services like massages, mani-pedi, haircuts, facials, and waxing. Spread the word through social media, bulletin boards, and word of mouth. Make the youth group bring in their friends, and family neighbors to raise good funds.
#31 Clothing Swap
Clothing swap fundraisers are not only fun but also promote sustainable fashion. Here's how you can organize one: invite participants to bring gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories.
Set up attractive stalls categorized by sizes or styles, making the youth showcase their fashion creativity. Charge a nominal entry fee or request donations, and witness both funds and eco-consciousness soar.
#32 Outdoor Adventure
For this, you can plan outdoor adventures like hikes, bikeathons, and scavenger hunts to raise funds for youth groups. Partner with local businesses, adventure companies, and sports enthusiasts to make a bigger impact.
#33 Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
This is a great strategy for youth groups to raise funds while fostering a sense of empowerment and engagement. Pull off a successful peer-to-peer campaign by encouraging participants to create personal fundraising pages, promoting the cause through social media, providing incentives, and offering support throughout the process.
Sign up with BetterWorld for a smooth and streamlined peer-to-peer fundraising experience.
#34 Talent Development Workshop
Like a DIY workshop, you can also organize a talent development workshop. You can team up with skilled professionals and request them to offer skills development workshops for participants. They can help them refine their resumes, prepare for interviews and learn other technical skills to land jobs.
#35 Personalized Merchandise
Plan this event by offering custom-designed t-shirts, hoodies, and accessories featuring your church’s logo or artwork. You can take it up a notch by setting up a design contest, involving members in the creative process, and promoting the products online and at local events to maximize the impact.
#36 Cookbook Sale
Organize a cookbook sale that contains delicious recipes from youth group members. Collect diverse recipes, design an appealing layout, and take drool-worthy food photos. Promote through social media and local channels, host a launch event, involve youth, and explore partnerships for wider distribution. Maximize sales with bundles, limited editions, and online platforms.
#37 Charity Concert
A charity concert is an amazing fundraising event for youth groups. To organize one, choose a theme, find a suitable venue, gather talented young performers, and promote the event on social media and in the community. Let the power of music bring people together to support a worthy cause.
#38 Recycling Drive
To pull it off, ask the participants to collect recyclables like bottles, cans, and paper products from their neighborhoods. Set up drop-off points, spread the word through social media, and reward top collectors with exciting prizes.
Partner with eco-friendly brands to sponsor the drive.
#39 Pet Adoption Event
Gather local animal shelters and rescue organizations to bring adorable furry friends to your venue. Use social media, posters, and word-of-mouth to spread the word about the pet adoption event.
Encourage young volunteers to assist with event logistics, pet handling, interacting with potential adopters, and helping your furry friends find a permanent home.
#40 Charity Calendar
A charity calendar not only serves as a practical item but also creates an emotional connection with supporters. Take powerful images of your youth group engaged in community service or creatively showcase artwork, and sell the calendars to raise funds for your church.
#41 Social Media Challenges
Host different social media challenges around your cause and dedicate hashtags to make the challenges more interactive.
Make the youth volunteers handle the designing, copywriting, and social media management for the challenge and encourage viewers to participate.
At the end of each post, add a cta asking for donations for your cause and see the funds roll in.
#42 Rent a Youth
Connect with local businesses or community members who can 'rent' young volunteers for various tasks like yard work, cleaning, or tutoring. It's a win-win: supporters get help, and your youth group raises funds while learning valuable skills and making a difference.
#43 Charity Car Rally
Start by selecting a scenic route and determining checkpoints. Create teams and encourage participants to gather sponsors. Promote the event through social media, local communities, and schools.
Set clear rules, arrange for safety measures, and provide participants with fundraising materials.
First, choose a fun place for your event. Then, plan games and competitions that parents and kids can enjoy. Include activities that promote teamwork, like crafts or sports, to bring parents and children closer.
Encourage people to donate or gather pledges to help your cause, making the fundraiser meaningful and unforgettable.
#45 Tutoring Services
Tutoring helps students do well in school and lets your youth group raise money. Get volunteers who are good at subjects, charge fair prices, and offer different subjects to help everyone facing academic difficulties and raise funds.
#46 Social Entrepreneurship
Social entrepreneurship is a great way for youth groups to raise money. It's all about using business ideas to solve social problems. By starting creative projects, they can make a positive impact on issues like poverty, education, and the environment.
#47 Health and Wellness Fair
Organize a health fair to raise money and promote a healthy lifestyle. You can have fun activities like fitness challenges, nutrition workshops, and wellness booths. People can learn about health and support their cause by donating, sponsoring, or paying to participate.
#48 Noisy Sunday
Noisy Sunday is a fun church fundraiser that can be done multiple times a year. It's simple: your Sunday school students run around the church aisles with cans and jars of change, making lots of noise.
The goal is to encourage everyone in the service to donate money to fill up the cans and make the noise go away. Just let your congregation know in advance, so they can bring change and bills to fill the noisy cans.
#49 Guest Speaker Events
Guest speaker events are a great way to raise money for your youth group. When you invite keynote speakers to share their thoughts and experiences, you create an interesting event that attracts attendees.
You can make money by charging a fee for admission or asking for donations. These events also give people a chance to meet and support each other in the community.
#50 Sports Camp
If you’re looking to combine fitness and fun while raising funds for your youth group, consider hosting a sports camp. Connect local athletes, coaches, and community members to volunteer their time and expertise.
Offer a range of sports activities, provide quality instruction, and promote participation through registrations and sponsorships.
#51 Online Fundraising Campaign
To organize a successful online fundraising campaign, involve the youth group to do the following:
- Make them create an interesting website and use social media to promote it.
- Next, hold virtual events and collaborate with influencers to get more attention.
- Send emails to people to tell them about your campaign.
- It's important to tell stories and make the campaign fun with games.
- Working together with others is helpful too.
- Finally, try different ways for people to donate money so you can reach your fundraising goals and keep supporters engaged.
#52 Coin Change in a Bottle
Encourage the congregants to start collecting spare change in a dedicated bottle. Make eye-catching labels or decorations for the bottle, highlighting the cause. Watch as those pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters add up, making a significant impact on your fundraising goals.
#53 Lemonade Stand
Lemonade stands have stood the test of time as a timeless and efficient method for youth groups to raise funds. Motivate members to work together and establish stands at bustling community events or nearby parks. Introduce different varieties, such as strawberry or lavender-infused to make it more appealing and raise funds this way.
#54 Basket Auction
A basket auction is a great way for youth groups to raise funds. It's all about creativity and generosity. Basically, they make baskets with assorted items or experiences, and then people bid on their favorites.
#55 Cinnamon Rolls Sale
Cinnamon rolls are yummy treats that can help youth groups raise money. To do this, make them set up a cinnamon roll sale and tempt supporters with their amazing smell and taste. Offer different flavors, take advance orders, and suggest buying in bulk for schools, events, and workplaces.
Final Thoughts
The best fundraising ideas are not just about money — they also foster community, teamwork, and important life skills. By implementing these ideas and adapting to specific needs, you can create impactful campaigns that strengthen your youth group and achieve your fundraising goals.
