Unique & Fun Summer Fundraising Ideas

Posted by Ella Jacques on 6 March 2023

Wondering if summer is the right season for your next fundraising project? Find out why it may just be the best time of the year to fundraise, and read our top 6 unique summer fundraising ideas to inspire your next event!

Why is summer a great fundraising season?

Summer is the ideal season to kickstart your fundraising efforts for a number of reasons. One is that it’s much easier to get people to join your event on a lovely summer’s day, compared to a bleak winter one! The nicer weather also provides ample opportunity for lots of outdoor fundraising fun too, and more opportunity for potential donors to join you. 

People also tend to have more free time in the summer months, due to school holidays and longer days, which makes it more likely they’ll show up to your fundraising event or project. 

There is even some research to suggest people are more generous in the warmer, brighter months due to increased happiness! 

Longer days, more free time, happier donors and nice weather – the summer season certainly works in your favor!

6 Fun & Unique Summer Fundraising Ideas

So you’ve decided summer is the fundraising season for you. But what sort of fundraising ideas can you do in the warmer months? Here’s a selection of our favorite unique ideas below!

1. Community water balloon fight

Let’s kick off our list with something a little different, that both kids and adults alike can enjoy!

Organizing a community water balloon fight fundraiser can be a fun and exciting way to raise money for a good cause. 

To get started, choose a location, such as a park or school field, and set a date and time for the event. Just make sure you get permission to run your event before you start promoting it! 

Organise a set of volunteers to help with announcing safety precautions to all participants, setting up, handing out balloons, filling up water stations, and of course, cleaning up afterwards. You may want to ask participants to wear safety goggles and other protective equipment to keep them safe on the day.

To raise funds for your event, you could charge a set fee for participants, sell food and drinks at the event, or even offer raffle prizes. 

It’s certainly a fun and unique way to bring people together to raise money for a good cause, one that attendees are unlikely to ever forget!

2. Sponsored garden camping

Fancy swapping the comfort of your warm bed for the great outdoors, well, your back garden? Sponsored camping is a great way to raise funds, whilst enjoying a different challenge. 

The more nights you camp out, the more likely you’ll get donors – we’ve seen fundraisers go a whole week, and even had friends join them. Summer lends itself well because at least you’re guaranteed a warmer climate, rain showers or not! 

Another way to maximise fundraising impact and donor potential is to organise a whole group or school class to camp out in their gardens on the same night or weekend. Infact, imagine getting the whole community involved! Not only will you create a fun shared experience for people to enjoy, but you could end up raising some serious money for your cause.

3. Community sandcastle competition

This one is ideal for those close to the shoreline! A sandcastle competition is another fun outdoor fundraiser, ideal for the summer months, and one that creates a fun day for the local community.

Firstly, find a stretch of beach and designate that as the competition area. Ask your local council for permission or join forces with a local business with their own land, and host it there.

To help with judging the sandcastles, you may want to set a specific theme too. You’ll also need volunteer judges and volunteers to help you clean up afterwards.

There are two great ways to raise donations for your community sandcastle competition. You could charge a fee for entering the competition itself, and also charge admission for those who want to view the sandcastles. 

We love this family-friendly fundraising idea!

4. Outdoor film-a-thon

Create an epic fundraising event for your friends or local community by hosting an outdoor film-a-thon! 

Choose an outdoor space to host your film-a-thon such as a community centre field, ideally one which is close to an indoor space in case the weather takes a turn!  

Hire a large outdoor screen and choose a theme. You could opt for cult classics or make it romance themed – it’s your call! 

When promoting your event, ask attendees to bring their own blankets and bean bags so they can enjoy the experience in comfort.

Host your event as pay-as-you-feel, or create a set admission fee. You could also raise further funds by selling snacks for attendees – you can’t watch a movie without popcorn right!?

5. Outdoor silent auction fundraiser

Ready to create an outdoor silent auction fundraiser that’s as fun as it is effective?

First, gather auction items. Ask local businesses and individuals to donate things like art, jewellery, vacations, or even experiences. Givergy has an incredible selection of auction items and experiences you can choose from too. Make sure to let donors know how their contributions will support your cause and give them a big thank you (consider tagging them in social media posts as this will also help to promote the event!). 

The next step is to choose and set up the auction area. Make it colourful, well-organized, and easy to navigate. Display all your items, and make sure everyone can see them clearly.

Use social media, flyers, and local media outlets to let everyone know about your auction. Don’t forget to highlight some of the best items up for grabs. Make sure to provide info about your cause too, so you can get people excited about making a difference. 

You’ll need the help of plenty of volunteers to make your event run without a hitch. Everything from setting up to registration to checkout and keeping track of all donated items.

When the auction starts, have attendees browse the items and write down their bids. Make sure to announce the winning bidders with a big, fun flourish at the end of the auction. And remember to thank everyone for their contributions and to announce how much has been raised for your amazing cause.

6. Abseiling challenge

Abseiling is an exciting and thrilling activity that can be used as a unique way to raise money for a charitable cause. 

The first step in planning this summer fundraiser is to find a location that is suitable for abseiling. Look for a high building or cliff that is safe and accessible. Make sure you obtain the necessary permits and permissions from the owner of the building or the local authorities.

Next, create your volunteer dream team! You’ll need people to help with logistics, registration, and safety. Make sure you hire a professional abseiling instructor too, to teach participants the proper techniques and safety procedures.

To raise funds, you could set a fixed registration fee for participants, as well as asking them to get donations from their friends and family for your cause.

You may also want to provide food, music, and other entertainment on the day, both to keep everyone energized and engaged but also to gather more donations from any  onlookers attending.

Get fundraising this summer!

Hopefully you’re even more excited for the summer season to come around with these fun and unique summer fundraising ideas. If you try out any of these ideas, don’t forget to let us know by sharing photos or videos and tagging us on social media. We’d love to help you spread the word about your fundraising success.

Ella Jacques

Global Client Services Manager at Givergy

Ella heads up the global Fundraising & Events team. A key part of Givergy’s growth for four years, Ella has a passion for event planning and ensuring her and her teams’ clients exceed their fundraising targets. Furthermore, Ella’s exposure to some of the highest-profile fundraising events gives her a unique insight into the newest and most innovative way in which charities are engaging with their audiences.