25 Simple Fundraising Ideas for Nonprofits: Creative Ways to Engage Your Community

Posted by Jordan Morris on 14 March 2025

Successful online fundraising is at the heart of every nonprofit’s mission. Finding the best online fundraising ideas that keep donors engaged can be a challenge, but with the right approach, your nonprofit can stand out and maximize donations. But with so many organizations competing for donor attention, finding original, engaging, and easy-to-implement ideas is crucial.

At Givergy, we specialize in online fundraising by offering innovative digital solutions for silent auctions, raffles, and virtual events. If you’re searching for the best online fundraising ideas, this guide will provide inspiration for engaging and effective ways to raise money. Whether you’re planning a live event or an online campaign, these 25 unique fundraising ideas will help your nonprofit raise more while strengthening community engagement.

Exciting Silent Auction Ideas to Wow Your Supporters

Silent auctions are a fantastic way to create excitement while raising significant funds. Here are five high-impact and unique auction ideas:

1. Ultimate Staycation Experience

Instead of a traditional weekend getaway, offer a curated staycation package. Include a boutique hotel stay, dinner at a top-rated local restaurant, a spa day, and a personalized city tour.

2. Private Dining & Movie Night

Auction an exclusive at-home chef-cooked dinner experience followed by a private outdoor movie screening, complete with a projector, popcorn, and cozy blankets.

3. ‘Adopt-a-Star’ & Planetarium Tour

Give the winner the chance to name a star, paired with a guided planetarium tour or private astronomy session for a unique, educational experience.

4. Behind-the-Scenes Sports Access

Offer an exclusive locker room tour, training session, or VIP tickets for a local sports team, giving fans an inside look at their favourite teams.

5. Hot Air Balloon or Helicopter Adventure

Provide an unforgettable experience with aerial sightseeing tours, ideal for thrill-seekers and those looking for a unique perspective on their city.

Creative Raffle Ideas That Keep Supporters Coming Back

Raffles create excitement and encourage broader participation. Here are five standout raffle ideas:

6. Mystery Travel Adventure

Partner with a travel agency to offer a mystery weekend trip, where the winner only learns their destination right before departure!

7. Ultimate VIP Concert or Festival Passes

Offer backstage passes or front-row tickets to a major concert, festival, or theatre production to make your raffle highly desirable.

8. Subscription Box for a Year

A year-long subscription to a popular service (meal kits, wine clubs, book boxes, or wellness products) ensures ongoing enjoyment for the winner.

9. ‘Bucket List’ Experience

Secure a unique adventure, such as a scuba diving lesson, skydiving session, race car driving, or horseback riding tour, to appeal to adventure lovers.

10. Personalized VIP Shopping Spree

Provide a personal stylist and shopping experience at a luxury department store, complete with a generous gift card.

 Quick & Fun Fundraising Ideas to Boost Donations

Need quick and simple fundraising events? These 15 creative ideas will help you get started:

11. Virtual Quiz Night

Host a themed trivia event and charge entry fees. Engage attendees with fun categories like pop culture, sports, or nonprofit-specific topics.

12. Community Yard Sale

Ask supporters to donate unwanted items and host a charity yard sale. This raises funds while promoting sustainability.

13. Home or Office Cleaning Services

Partner with a cleaning company to offer professional services as a raffle or auction prize.

14. DIY Craft Workshops

Host a creative workshop (painting, pottery, or candle-making) where attendees pay to participate and take home their creations.

15. Fitness Challenge Event

Encourage supporters to raise funds through sponsored physical challenges such as running, cycling, or obstacle races.

16. Community Fun Day

Organize games, food stalls, and entertainment to bring people together while raising funds.

17. Photography Sessions

Offer professional photoshoots for families or individuals as auction or raffle items.

18. Outdoor Movie Night

Set up a large screen in a park, charge entry fees, and sell concessions to maximize revenue.

19. Holiday Gift-Wrapping Station

Provide gift-wrapping services at shopping malls during the festive season in exchange for donations.

20. Crowdfunding Campaign

Launch an online crowdfunding campaign for specific projects and share compelling stories to drive donations.

21. Bake Sale

A timeless favourite, selling homemade baked goods is a simple yet effective fundraising method.

22. Skill-Sharing Workshops

Bring in experts to teach valuable skills like social media marketing, photography, or personal finance in exchange for donations.

23. Charity Car Wash

Recruit volunteers and set up a car wash event where all proceeds go to your nonprofit.

24. Local Celebrity Meet-and-Greet

Offer fans the chance to meet a local influencer, sports star, or celebrity through an auction or raffle.

25. Charity Concert or Talent Show

Organize a live performance showcasing local artists and sell tickets to boost fundraising.

 Why choose Givergy as your fundraising partner?

Givergy makes fundraising effortless with an innovative digital platform that helps nonprofits maximize donations while engaging supporters. Whether you’re hosting a silent auction, a raffle, or a virtual event, our tools provide:

✔ Easy participation – Mobile bidding, online donations, and user-friendly ticketing options.

✔ Greater reach – Expand fundraising efforts beyond local communities through digital solutions.

✔ Seamless management – Handle ticketing, payment processing, and donor engagement in one place.

✔ Higher revenue – Proven strategies and support to help nonprofits raise more.

With over $1 billion raised globally, Givergy has helped countless organizations implement the best online fundraising ideas to achieve their goals. Our platform ensures seamless online fundraising experiences, making it easier than ever to engage donors and maximize contributions. Get started today and take your fundraising efforts to the next level!

Jordan Morris

Givergy

Jordan joined Givergy after studying Politics with International Relations at the University of York. He has over two years experience within the charity sector working as a face-to-face fundraiser and as a constituency campaigner. After experiencing the sector from within and knowing first-hand the impact digital solutions can make to fundraising strategies, Jordan is now dedicated to innovating the way charities fundraise to ensure they maximise returns from every fundraising campaign.