Fundraising activities can take your nonprofit event to the next level. Not only do they help you raise more funds, but they are often exciting for your attendees. And keeping event guests happy is always a plus (and often results in even more funds donated)!
Let’s just say they put the “fun” back in “fundraising”!
Read on for more about fundraising activities and discover ten creative fundraising activity ideas to use at your next nonprofit event.
What is a Fundraising Activity?
We consider fundraising activities to be any component of an event or campaign with the primary goal of, well, raising funds.
Some fundraising activities can be hosted as standalone events. They often, however, have the most success when they are a part of a larger effort.
Why Should my Event Include Fundraising Activities?
When considering if your event needs a fundraising activity (or two), first look at the goals of your event. If fundraising is a key objective, then you may want to add fundraising activities!
Straightforward event fundraising tactics such as speeches, networking with key donors, and donation kiosks are certainly effective. Fundraising activities, however, can be even more successful.
That’s because donors feel like they are getting something in return for their contribution. Whether it’s an exciting experience or a chance at winning a great prize, your event guests will relish the opportunity to both have fun and feel good about giving back.
Tip from the Playbook: Setting goals should be the very first step in your nonprofit event planning process. These goals will help you decide whether a fundraising activity will be a good fit at your next event. Learn more about how to successfully set event goals in this blog.
10 Fundraising Activities to Level Up Your Next Event
These fundraising activities are perfect for two things: getting your event guests engaged and getting them to donate more critical funds.
Live Auction
A live auction can be an exciting addition to your event. Collect highly sought items and experiences – think autographed baseballs, VIP concert tickets, or dream vacations – and auction them off to the highest bidder.
You will need to plan time during your event program to host the live auction. You’ll also need an auctioneer as well as paddles or a live auction software to allow guests to submit their bids.
Silent Auction
Similar to a live auction, silent auctions also center around your guests bidding on their favorite items. Unlike a live auction, however, silent auctions are one of the fundraising activities that don’t need to take up much space in your program.
Set up a number of auction items in a designated space at your venue. Direct guests to visit the items throughout the event, placing bids on their favorites. Whoever has the highest bid at a set time wins the item in exchange for a donation in the amount that they bid!
Silent auctions can be run with a simple pen-and-paper system. Place a bidding sheet in front of each item and manually collect and record them at the deadline. Or, utilize silent auction software to allow guests (or even those not in attendance) to submit and pay for their bids via mobile devices.
Raffle Baskets or Prizes
If you like the idea of an auction but want to avoid the risk that some items may not receive a bid (therefore losing out on donations), consider raffle baskets or prizes instead. Raffles are also typically more accessible, as donors can spend a smaller amount and still have a chance to win a great prize.
Like a silent auction, display various themed raffle baskets or prizes for your guests. Instead of bidding on each item with a promised donation, guests purchase a number of raffle tickets. To “bid” on an item, they place a raffle ticket (or several) in a designated box.
Before the end of the event, hold a drawing for each raffle item. The ticket you draw wins!
Sell raffle tickets individually, in sets, or both. Many organizations offer one price for an individual ticket and a discounted price for a set, such as one ticket for $10 or five tickets for $45. Have some items of higher value? Offer separate tickets at a higher cost just for those items.
Tip from the Playbook: When offering fundraising activities with auction or raffle prizes, promote the items in advance via email and social media. This builds excitement for the event and ensures your guests come ready to bid on their favorites!
50/50 Raffle Tickets
Not interested in sourcing and planning out baskets and other items for auctions or raffles? One of the easiest fundraising activities is a 50/50 raffle.
Guests simply purchase raffle tickets at a set price. The winner of the raffle drawing receives 50 percent of the total raffle ticket revenue, with the remaining 50 percent going to the nonprofit as a donation.
Like with raffle baskets, you can sell a single ticket for one price and a set at a per-ticket discount. Add another layer of fun by selling an arm’s length of tickets for a set price – the ticket purchaser receives a string of tickets as long as their arm!
Mulligans
This easy fundraising activity idea is perfect for golf fundraisers and trivia nights. Attendees simply make a donation in exchange for a mulligan.
In a game of golf, donors use a mulligan to get a second chance after a poor shot is made. For trivia nights, provide donors with a mulligan sticker (or set of stickers). When they aren’t confident in their answer to a question, they can place a mulligan sticker on their answer sheet for guaranteed points.
Grab Bags
One of the most versatile fundraising activities is a grab bag fundraiser. In exchange for a set donation, donors choose a mystery bag filled with surprises.
Fill bags or envelopes with items that will appeal to your target audience. The goal is to offer surprises valued at the same price or higher than the set donation.
For family-friendly games, include themed sticker packs, temporary tattoos, books, or small toys. Looking for something more geared for adults? Include gift cards, coupons, or even themed accessories to wear at the event.
Balloon Pop
Similar to a grab bag fundraising activity, a balloon pop fundraiser gives guests the chance to make a donation in exchange for an item of equal or greater value.
To set up your balloon pop, collect gift cards or certificates to popular stores and restaurants. Before blowing up each balloon, insert the gift card. At your event, donors simply pop a balloon of their choosing to win the gift card inside!
If you don’t want to use balloons, create a punch wall instead.
Lucky Duck Pull
An even cuter take on the grab bag fundraiser is a lucky duck pull! This child-friendly fundraising activity is the perfect addition to a carnival-themed fundraiser or even a community event.
Grab a bunch of rubber duckies and a plastic pool filled with water. Write a number on the bottom of each duck. And gather a bunch of small prizes divided amongst numbered baskets.
During the event, parents make a donation and let their children choose a duck. They are then able to pick a prize from the basket with the corresponding number.
We do recommend keeping the donation amount for this one pretty small. But it is an excellent way to introduce children to the idea of giving back from a young age!
Wine Pull
While the lucky duck pull is ideal for children, this fundraising activity is strictly for grown-ups!
Hosting a wine pull at your next fundraising event is an easy way to bring in more donations. Gather wine bottles of varying values and wrap them up in a way no one can see the labels. For a set donation (often the value of the lowest-priced bottle), donors blindly pick a bottle to take home!
This same idea can be applied to liquor, beer, or even non-alcoholic beverages, so pick what’s best for your audience. We do, however, recommend first checking with your venue and local laws regarding alcohol sales and giveaways.
Scavenger Hunt
This is one of the fundraising activities that requires a bit more planning, but a scavenger hunt can be very engaging for your donors.
Ideal for events hosted at your nonprofit’s physical location, such as at an animal shelter, in a nature center, or on camp grounds, use a scavenger hunt to raise funds and teach donors about your mission.
Craft a set of clues that will send paying participants all over your venue or location. This essentially allows donors to go on a self-guided tour, using a punch card to show that they visited each stop.
If space is limited, create a photo scavenger hunt. Your list might include taking a selfie with your executive director, grabbing a photo of your logo, and finding three different items related to your mission.
Guests make a donation to participate in your scavenger hunt. Whoever finishes the hunt first wins a highly-coveted prize! Offer prizes for second and third place to encourage more participation.
Tip from the Playbook: No matter which fundraising activity you choose, help out your bottom line by seeking sponsors. Encourage individuals and businesses to sponsor an entire activity (a local wine store may provide bottles for a wine pull). Or, ask them to donate auction items, game prizes, gift cards, or raffle baskets.
Start Planning Your Fundraising Activities
Now that your creative juices are flowing, it’s time to choose the fundraising activities that best fit your nonprofit and your events. Consider things like your mission, the event’s theme, budget, and venue, and your target audience.
For example, if your event is planned around a holiday or awareness day like Earth Day or International Day of Persons with Disabilities, design the activity to fit this celebration.
No matter which fundraising activity idea you choose, use it to engage your guests and bring in critical donations.
Looking for more fundraising ideas and advice? Reach out to the consultants at MVP Advisors. We’re here to provide an extra hand to teams and nonprofits of all sizes.