61 Unique Fundraising Event Ideas for Charity

Are you looking for unique fundraising ideas for charity? Then you’re in luck because we’ve compiled a long list of them right here.

We’ve also linked to more detailed explanations of each idea in case one of them catches your eye.

This guide will cover…

• Contests
• Entertainment
• Auctions
• Sports
• Social
• Food and drinks
• Musical
• Alternative

There’s something for every occasion and cause, so let’s dive right into it.

Contest fundraising ideas

Contests are always a fun way to bring out people’s competitive nature. And regardless of who wins the contest, the cause will always win some donations.

1. Trivia night

You can use trivia night themes such as Jeopardy! or Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?

2. Pub quiz

Pub quizzes are a staple in British free houses, so why not add a charitable element to them?

3. Scavenger hunt

Scavenger or treasure hunts are a great fundraising idea for younger audiences.

4. Rubber duck race

A rubber duck race is a silly but very entertaining fundraising idea if you’re near a channel or river.

5. Guessing game

One of the most common guessing games is the classic jelly beans in a jar.

6. Bingo night

Like pub quizzes, bingo is a very British pastime and works well with fundraising.

7. Board game contest

Create a board game tournament with prizes and charge contestants an entry fee.

8. Video game tournament

If board games feel a bit outdated, you can easily arrange a video game tournament instead.

9. Pie throwing contest

Find a volunteer pie target and sell some ammunition to participating pie throwers.

10. Casino night

Even gambling addicts can participate with a clean conscience as the proceeds go to charity.

Entertainment fundraising ideas

Musicians, actors, and comedians often participate in fundraising events. Why not capitalise on that and put on an entertainment fundraising event of your own?

1. Comedy show

Everyone loves having a bubble, and plenty of comedians will be happy to do a set for charity.

2. Film screening

Put on a classic flick, or pick a film that relates to the theme of your charitable cause.

3. Pantomime

Pantomimes are a great way to involve younger audiences. Oh, and he’s behind you.

4. Theatre play

A theatre play is a more ambitious fundraising idea but can be very spectacular.

5. Dancing lessons

If you’re a dancing instructor, why not donate the proceed from a class to charity?

Auction fundraising ideas

1. Silent auction

Silent auctions are one of the classic fundraising ideas that don’t even require an auctioneer.

2. Art auction

If you know some local artist, ask them to donate a piece to your fundraising auction.

3. Date auction

Not only will you raise money for a cause, but you could also become a certified matchmaker.

Sports fundraising ideas

Sports events are a great idea for fundraising if the weather allows for it. Even so, we’ve also got some indoor options for you below.

1. Marathon

Marathons are another classic option when it comes to raising funds for a charity.

2. Olympic games

You don’t have to build a new stadium but can easily put on a mini Olympics for charity.

3. Fitness classes

As with dance classes, you can organise a fitness class and donate the proceeds to charity.

4. 5-aside football tournament

5-aside football games already take place after hours, so use it as an opportunity to raise funds.

5. Races

You have plenty of options when it comes to races: egg races, stiletto races, sack races, and so on.

6. Darts tournament

A darts tournament is perhaps one of the cheapest and easiest fundraising events to set up.

7. Obstacle course

If you have access to a large space, you can organise an obstacle course for charity.

8. Walk-a-thon

The more relaxed version of a marathon can still be a fun day out for all generations.

9. Spin-a-thon

A spin-a-thon is spinning (on an exercise bike), but with a competitive element.

10. Dodgeball tournament

If throwing pies sounds too messy, you can opt for a dodgeball competition.

11. Dance marathon

Dance marathons will require some creativity on the contestants’ part…because they can go on for a long time.

12. Arm wrestling contest

An old-fashioned arm wrestling contest is an even cheaper option than a darts tournament.

13. Bowling tournament

Partner up with a bowling centre and have participants battle in our on the lanes.

13. Mini Golf tournament

Mini golf is a great fundraising event for when the weather is a bit warmer outside.

14. Pool tournament

Organise a pool tournament at a local bar and donate £1 for every ball that gets knocked in.

Social fundraising ideas

A fundraising event can be as simple as a social gathering. You always have the option to spice things up a little, however.

1. Gala

Galas are a great way to network and attract bigger donors to a charitable cause.

2. Carnival

Carnivals can be a great way to combine live entertainment with a fun day out.

3. Themed party

A themed party is a top fundraising idea.

You can choose whatever theme you want for this incredible party, just make sure that it’s family friendly if you plan on inviting families with kids to your big bash.

4. Field day

If one sports idea isn’t enough, you can combine several of them into a field day.

5. Pool party

Pool parties can be a fun and alternative way for people to mingle and socialise.

Food and drinks fundraising ideas

There is a whole range of culinary fundraising ideas that you can make use of.

1. Cook-off

A cook-off is not only a fun competition but will produce very delicious results as well.

2. Sip-and-paint

Combine wine tasting and craft sessions to create an alternative fundraising event.

3. Pizza bingo

Similar to sip-and-paint, a pizza bingo night combines a traditional bingo night with unlimited pizza.

4. Cooking class

If you’re already organising cooking classes, use this as your main fundraising event idea.

5. Wine tasting

Wine tasting events (blindfold or not) can also be used as a fundraising idea.

6. Healthy eating class

If your charitable cause involves healthy eating, why not put on a class where you teach just that?

7. Breakfast networking

Breakfasts are underrated as a place to network and socialise. Combine with a raffle for extra points.

8. Bake-a-thon

The British bake-off is popular for a reason. Organise your own bake-off or bake-a-thon.

9. Community barbecue

Organise a community barbecue (remember vegan options) and donate the proceeds to charity.

10. Cocktail party

If you’re running a bar, restaurant, or hotel, you can’t go wrong with hosting a cocktail party.

11. Celebrity lunch

Similar to a date auction, you can recruit a celebrity to have lunch with a donor to your charity.

12. Murder mystery dinner

If a dinner party is not enough, why not add a bit of murderous mystery to spice things up?

Raffle fundraising ideas

Raffles have been part of fundraising for a long time. Everyone loves the chance to win a prize, so get your tickets ready and draw the winner!

1. Basket raffle bingo

This idea combines traditional bingo and raffle into a new game where the prizes are different goodie baskets.

2. Balloon raffle

Instead of drawing a number for a bag, why not put them inside balloons you can pop?

3. Reverse raffle

Switch it around with a reverse raffle. The winning ticket is the last one you draw rather than the first one.

Musical fundraising ideas

Music events are a great way to raise funds but are not limited to just live band gigs. Here are some alternatives you can use for your next event.

1. Talent show

A talent show will always be interesting because you don’t know who will come up with what.

2. Live concert

Live concerts can involve either unsigned acts or famous ones — if you can get them on board.

3. Sing-a-thon

Sing-a-thons are an excellent idea if you can round up participants with strong pipes on them.

4. Karaoke night

Get a microphone, a stage, a sound system, and you’re ready to roll out a karaoke night.

5. Battle of the bands

This event is common among underground music acts and can be a great fundraising event.

6. Lip sync contest

Give James Corden some competition by putting on your own lip sync battle contest.

Alternative fundraising ideas

If none of the above ideas are your jam, we’ve got a few more for you here.

1. Car smash

Do you have an old car no one cares about? Charge people to smash it up and donate the proceeds to a cause.

2. Car wash

You can also do the exact opposite of smashing a car. Wash them and donate the profits to charity.

3. Water balloon fight

Finally, we have a water balloon fight. Not recommended for winter, but great as a summer fundraiser.

Conclusion

Phew, that was a lot! Hopefully, you’ve found some inspiration in these 61 unique fundraising ideas for charity.

If you’ve got some ideas of your own, we’d love to hear about them in the comments below.

Good luck with your next fundraising event!