Why Quick Fundraising Ideas?

Oftentimes, individuals and organizations alike need some quick fundraising ideas to get the ball rolling on a longer-term campaign, get through a mid-campaign hump, or for an emergency situation. The ideas also need to be engaging enough to get people involved, and quickly. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of 10 quick fundraising ideas that are sure to rally people to raise money for your nonprofit and have fun while doing it.

1. Host a Charity Golf Tournament!

Dream Tank USA and our partners have helped over 8,000 golf events raise more than $30 million through on-course entertainment and fundraising. It’s appealing to a large audience and providing a fun and unique experience that will help your donor associate your organization with a good time.

2. Yard Sale Fundraiser

Collect gently worn clothes, home goods, or collectibles and host a yard sale. If you have valuable items like first-edition books or signed collector’s items, you can hold an auction for the top-tier items at the end of the day. In addition to opening up donations to your staff, supporters, and collective networks reach out to local celebrities or philanthropists for those high-ticket items.

To generate buzz around the event, take pictures of the items and post them on social media. You never know who could see a social post and you might just find your next corporate sponsor while drumming up excitement around the event.

3. Breakfast in Bed

Ask local businesses to donate breakfast staples like muffins, fruit, bagels, and coffee. Next, have supporters and their networks place orders and then enlist volunteers to deliver the goods. Create a menu that demonstrates impact so your supporters know what their donation provides. For example, a $20 donation gets you a bagel and coffee delivered and pays for a student’s school lunch for a month.

Customize the event to your mission by including a thank you card with each order, bringing a rescue pet along for delivery, or even delivering meals to your beneficiaries instead of supporters.

4. Scavenger Hunt

Organize a scavenger hunt and send participants running all around town. You can stick to the classic scavenger hunt where people have to find and collect items or you could go digital and have individuals or teams simply take a picture of an item or location. Each person or team will need a camera, pen and paper (to write their names to prove they aren’t using a fake photo), and a garbage bag.

Charge a registration fee in advance and offer a headstart or hints in exchange for donations on the day of the hunt. Assign bonus points for the individual or team who collects the most trash and recyclables as they explore your city.

5. Donate for Talent

Crowdsource entertainment with this quick fundraising idea and put on a talent show. This event can be as high-end or as lowkey as you’d like, so decide on your vibe right off the bat. Are you simply looking to provide supporters with a fun night while also expanding your reach? Get a permit and hold the talent show in a local park. If your organization wants to establish a cornerstone fundraising event then kick it up a notch. Hold auditions for the show, request that performers fundraise, and ask a local theater to host.

In addition to an entry fee, attendees can donate to cast votes. Ask local vendors to provide prizes and create different award categories for supporters to vote on.

6. Tie-Dye Party

T-shirts that promote your cause are a classic fundraising incentive, but you can take this nonprofit fundraising idea a step further and host a “create your own T-shirt” get-together. Charge an entrance fee, offer to tie-dye personal items for a donation, or enlist local artists to create custom pieces to sell.

Keep costs low by offering white T-shirts and tie-dye materials so that participants can create their own masterpiece on a budget. Since making T-shirts isn’t a time-consuming activity so prepare some other family-friendly games, crafts, or activities for the event.

7. Give It Up

To demonstrate how the smallest donation can make a difference, ask fundraisers to give up a daily beverage or meal and donate the money they would have spent to a worthwhile cause instead. Provide supporters with data showcasing the impact of $5, $10, $20 donations. Then encourage them to share their activity on social media and ask their networks to take action too.

Intensify the appeal by asking supporters to participate for a certain number of days or encouraging them to meet a personal fundraising goal.

8. Bike Relay Race

Take a tried and true fundraising idea—the traditional bike race—and turn it into a team-oriented activity. Set up a relay style race with prizes for the teams that place.

9. Film Fundraising

Since everyone has a camera in their pocket and a platform to reach the masses, any moment can be captured on film and shared with the world. Host an amateur film festival and have participants enter their own productions. You can even turn it into a contest, where attendees can give $5 in order to cast votes for their favorite films. Leading up to the contest, create an email series with tips to show supporters how to create an impactful video.

10. Hairless Fundraisers

Participants pledge to shave their heads (or long-lasting beards) to raise money.

11. Trash Art Auction

This quick fundraising idea isn’t just for eco-artists, but for all creative types. Enlist local artists to create some avant-garde masterpieces out of recyclables or other waste products, and auction off the pieces. You can also collect recyclable materials and hold a contest to see which attendee can make the most impressive creation.