The Best Fundraising Ideas – 200 Creative Ways to Raise More in 2026

The Best Fundraising Ideas – 200 Creative Ways to Raise More in 2026

The fundraising landscape is evolving fast. Donors expect better experiences, supporters want flexibility, and organisations need ideas that work both online and in person. To help you raise more in 2026, we’ve created a list of 200 creative fundraising ideas, carefully grouped by audience so you can quickly find ideas that suit your supporters, mission, and goals.

School, College & Education Fundraising Ideas

1. Sponsored Fun Run
   Students collect donations based on laps completed or distance covered during a school-wide run.
2. Non-Uniform Day
   Pupils donate to wear their own clothes for the day instead of school uniform.
3. Read-a-Thon Challenge
   Students gather pledges for the number of pages or books they read over a set period.
4. Teacher Dare Fundraiser
   Donations unlock fun challenges for teachers, such as silly outfits or surprise performances.
5. School Talent Showcase
   Charge entry or sell tickets to a performance night featuring student talent.
6. Bake Sale With Online Pre-Orders
   Families pre-order baked goods online to reduce waste and increase sales.
7. Class vs Class Coin Challenge
   Friendly competition encourages students to raise the most spare change.
8. School Quiz Night
   Families pay to enter teams in a school-hosted trivia evening.
9. Sponsored Silence
   Students raise funds by staying silent for an agreed amount of time.
10. Art Auction of Student Work
    Frame and auction artwork created by students to parents and supporters.
11. Sports Day Sponsorship
    Donors sponsor students for participation rather than winning.
12. Guess the Number Jar
    Participants pay to guess the number of items in a jar for a prize.
13. Uniform Swap Sale
    Sell donated school uniforms to families at affordable prices.
14. Movie Night at School
    Sell tickets, snacks, and refreshments for an evening screening.
15. Sponsored Coding or STEM Challenge
    Students raise funds while completing educational challenges.
16. Book Swap Fundraiser
    Small donations allow students to exchange books with one another.
17. Car Wash Weekend
    Students wash cars for donations at a school-hosted event.
18. Principal for the Day Auction
    Auction the chance to shadow or “be” the headteacher for a day.
19. School Garden Plant Sale
    Sell plants grown by students to families and neighbours.
20. Themed Dress-Up Week
    Each day has a theme with a small donation to participate.
21. Sponsored Walk to School Day
    Encourage walking while raising sponsorship funds.
22. Puzzle or Escape Room Challenge
    Students pay to solve themed puzzles in teams.
23. Lunchtime Games Tournament
    Small entry fees unlock competitive games during breaks.
24. School Cookbook Sale
    Compile family recipes into a printed or digital cookbook.
25. Graduation Memory Auction
    Auction reserved seating, photo packages, or keepsakes.

Individual & Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Ideas

26. Personal Fitness Challenge
    Supporters raise funds by setting and completing fitness goals such as running, cycling, or strength training.
27. Virtual Marathon or Walk
    Participants complete distances on their own schedule while collecting sponsorship digitally.
28. Step Count Challenge
    Fundraisers track daily steps using apps and raise money per milestone reached.
29. Sponsored Skill-Learning Challenge
    Supporters learn a new skill in 30 days and fundraise by sharing progress updates.
30. Sponsored Creative Project
    Fundraise while writing, painting, filming, or producing a creative outcome.
31. Sponsored Digital Detox
    Participants raise funds by avoiding social media or screens for a set period.
32. “Give Up a Habit” Fundraiser
    Supporters donate the money saved from temporarily giving up a habit or luxury.
33. Sponsored Lifestyle Change
    Fundraisers commit to healthier or more sustainable routines while collecting donations.
34. Sponsored Creativity Marathon
    Participants create continuously over a fixed time period to unlock sponsorship.
35. Sponsored Knowledge Challenge
    Supporters raise funds by learning and demonstrating new knowledge or expertise.
36. Sponsored Time Commitment Challenge
    Participants fundraise by committing a set number of hours to a goal or cause.
37. Virtual Endurance Event
    Long-distance or time-based challenges completed remotely with online tracking.
38. Sponsored Challenge Series
    Multiple small challenges spread over weeks to maintain momentum and engagement.

Milestones, Celebrations & Personal Moments

39. Birthday Donation Campaign
    Individuals ask friends and family to donate instead of giving gifts.
40. Personal Milestone Fundraiser
    Tie donations to weddings, anniversaries, retirements, or major life events.
41. Birthday or Milestone Fundraiser
    Celebrate a personal moment by inviting donations in place of presents.
42. Peer-to-Peer Holiday Appeal
    Supporters fundraise during seasonal moments when generosity is highest.
43. Legacy Giving Awareness Campaign
    Encourage long-term impact by sharing stories and guidance around leaving a future gift.
44. Personal “Why I Give” Campaign
    Fundraisers share their personal connection to the cause to inspire donations.
45. Personal Impact Story Campaign
    Supporters explain how the cause matters to them and the difference donations make.
46. Personal Thank-You Video Campaign
    Donors receive personalised video messages as appreciation for their support.
47. Personal Thank-You Campaign
    Fundraisers offer tailored acknowledgements such as messages or shoutouts.
48. One-Day Donation Blitz
    Focus all outreach on a single, high-energy fundraising day.
49. Personal Goal Thermometer Campaign
    Public progress trackers motivate donors to help reach a visible target.
50. Personal Challenge Fundraising Page
    Supporters centralise their story, updates, and donation link on one page.
51. Monthly Giving Pledge Drive
    Individuals commit to small recurring donations for long-term impact.
52. Monthly Giving Ambassador Drive
    Supporters actively encourage others to sign up for ongoing giving.

Digital, Social & Online Fundraising

53. Social Media Giving Challenge
    Encourage followers to donate and tag friends to continue the chain.
54. Social Media Takeover Fundraiser
    Supporters use their platforms for a day to promote the cause.
55. Community Facebook Fundraiser
    Use social tools to reach personal networks with built-in donation features.
56. Peer-Led Email Campaign
    Supporters send personalised fundraising emails to friends and colleagues.
57. Personal Email Appeal
    One-to-one email outreach explaining why the cause matters personally.
58. Online Raffle Ticket Sales
    Individuals sell raffle tickets digitally to their networks.
59. Digital Raffle Sales by Supporters
    Peer fundraisers distribute ticket links and track sales online.
60. Livestream Fundraising Event
    Raise money during gaming, music, or creative livestreams.
61. Virtual Dinner Party
    Guests donate to attend an online social event.
62. Virtual Dinner Party Fundraiser
    Hosts bring people together digitally with a suggested donation.
63. Virtual Workshop Host
    Teach a skill online with paid access supporting the cause.
64. Peer-Led Fundraising Webinar
    Supporters host educational sessions and donate proceeds.
65. Personal Auction Page
    Auction personal services, items, or experiences online.

Team, Network & Collective Peer Fundraising

66. Peer-to-Peer Leaderboard Campaign
    Encourage friendly competition by ranking fundraisers publicly.
67. Peer-to-Peer Team Campaign
    Groups fundraise together under a shared target.
68. Peer-Led Fundraising Month
    Supporters commit to sustained fundraising over a full month.
69. Peer-Led Holiday Appeal
    Teams fundraise together during seasonal giving periods.
70. Peer-Led Challenge Campaign
    Groups complete shared challenges to unlock donations.
71. “Donate Your Hour” Campaign
    Supporters donate the value of an hour of work or time.
72. Peer Network Giving Drive
    Fundraisers activate professional or social networks.
73. Sponsored Time-Based Group Challenge
    Teams raise funds by collectively logging hours or activity.
74. Group Goal Thermometer Campaign
    Shared progress visuals encourage collaboration and urgency.
75. Peer Fundraising Ambassador Programme
    Supporters fundraise year-round as champions for the cause.

Community & Local Fundraising Ideas

76. Community Fun Day Event
    Host an all-ages event with games, food, and entertainment, charging entry or activity fees.
77. Charity Quiz Night
    Teams pay to participate in a trivia event hosted at a local venue or online.
78. Neighbourhood Garage Sale
    Residents donate items to sell collectively, with all proceeds supporting the cause.
79. Community Walkathon
    Participants raise sponsorship for walking together through local routes.
80. Local Business Raffle
    Businesses donate prizes, gaining exposure while supporting fundraising.
81. Outdoor Movie Night
    Sell tickets and refreshments for an open-air screening.
82. Seasonal Community Festival
    Tie fundraising to holidays or seasonal celebrations with themed activities.
83. Community Art Exhibition
    Showcase and sell artwork created by local artists.
84. Charity Bingo Evening
    Sell bingo cards and host multiple rounds to raise funds.
85. Food Truck Fundraising Event
    Partner with vendors who donate a portion of sales.
86. Community Sports Tournament
    Teams pay entry fees to compete in friendly matches.
87. Sponsored Community Clean-Up
    Participants raise funds while improving shared spaces.
88. Pop-Up Charity Shop
    Create a temporary retail space for donated goods.
89. Guided Local History Tour
    Charge for informative walking tours led by volunteers.
90. Community Cookbook Sale
    Compile recipes from locals into a digital or printed book.
91. Charity Karaoke Night
    Participants donate to sing or request songs.
92. Pet Parade or Show
    Charge entry fees for pets and owners to participate.
93. Community Craft Market
    Vendors pay stall fees to sell handmade items.
94. Seasonal Plant or Flower Sale
    Sell plants grown or donated by supporters.
95. Open Mic or Performance Night
    Charge entry for live performances by local talent.
96. Community Photography Contest
    Charge entry fees and allow donations to vote.
97. Charity Pub Crawl
    Participants pay to join a guided route of venues.
98. Neighbourhood Scavenger Hunt
    Teams pay to solve clues and challenges around the area.
99. Community Auction Event
    Auction donated items and experiences to local bidders.
100. Local Partnership Giving Campaign
     Businesses encourage customers to donate at checkout.

 Healthcare, Hospital & Wellbeing Fundraising Ideas

101. Sponsored Walk for Health
     Supporters walk together or remotely to raise funds and awareness.
102. Yoga or Fitness Marathon
     Participants pay to join extended wellness sessions.
103. Virtual Wellbeing Challenge
     Track habits such as steps, sleep, or mindfulness digitally.
104. Patient Storytelling Campaign
     Share patient experiences to highlight impact and encourage donations.
105. Hospital Charity Gala
     Formal event with ticket sales, auctions, and sponsorship.
106. Staff-Led Bake Sale Series
     Departments take turns hosting bake sales.
107. Educational Health Webinar
     Charge for access to expert-led online sessions.
108. In-Memory Giving Campaign
     Supporters donate in honour of loved ones.
109. Themed Scrubs or Uniform Day
     Staff donate to wear themed attire.
110. Community Health Fair
     Vendors pay to attend while visitors donate.
111. Steps for Recovery Challenge
     Participants raise sponsorship for activity milestones.
112. Virtual Candle Lighting Event
     Symbolic online moment encouraging donations.
113. Wellbeing Subscription Appeal
     Monthly donors receive wellness content or updates.
114. Hospital Garden Sponsorship
     Donors fund specific areas or features.
115. Spin or Cycle-a-Thon
     Participants pay to join high-energy fitness sessions.
116. Patient Art Sale
     Sell artwork created during recovery or therapy.
117. Matched Giving Appeal
     Highlight employer matching to increase donation value.
118. Online Donor Recognition Wall
     Publicly acknowledge supporters digitally.
119. Healthcare Podcast Fundraiser
     Secure sponsorship or listener donations.
120. Sponsored Sleep Challenge
     Raise awareness and funds around rest and recovery.
121. Medical-Themed Quiz Night
     Entertaining trivia event tied to healthcare topics.
122. Virtual Hospital Behind-the-Scenes Tour
     Offer exclusive digital access for donors.
123. Seasonal Hospital Appeal
     Target key giving periods with focused messaging.
124. Care Package Sponsorship Program
     Donors fund specific patient support kits.
125. Healthcare Ambassador Fundraising Program
     Supporters fundraise year-round on behalf of the hospital.

Digital, Hybrid & Innovation-Led Fundraising Ideas

126. Online Charity Auction
     Run a fully digital auction featuring items, experiences, or prizes supporters can bid on from anywhere, extending reach beyond physical events.
127. Virtual Raffle Campaign
     Sell raffle tickets online with automated draws, making participation easy for remote supporters.
128. Livestream Concert Fundraiser
     Host live music online and encourage viewers to donate during the stream.
129. Digital Giving Day
     Create urgency by focusing all marketing and donations into a single 24-hour online appeal.
130. Peer-to-Peer Crowdfunding Campaign
     Empower supporters to create personal fundraising pages and share them with their networks.
131. Digital Collectibles or Limited Downloads
     Offer exclusive digital artwork, templates, or content in exchange for donations.
132. Virtual Escape Room Event
     Charge teams to solve puzzles together online within a set time limit.
133. Social Media Challenge Fundraiser
     Encourage supporters to complete and share challenges while asking their audience to donate.
134. Hybrid Gala Event
     Combine an in-person gala with livestreamed speeches, auctions, and donation moments.
135. Mobile-First Donation Campaign
     Optimise fundraising pages for mobile users to capture spontaneous donations.
136. Gamified Giving Campaign
     Use progress bars, levels, or milestones to make donating more interactive and engaging.
137. Influencer-Led Fundraising Push
     Partner with content creators who promote your campaign to their followers.
138. Personalised Donation Appeals
     Use donor data to tailor messages based on interests or past giving behaviour.
139. Virtual Wine or Tasting Experience
     Ship tasting kits to participants and host the experience online.
140. Online Trivia Tournament
     Teams pay to enter competitive quizzes hosted virtually.
141. Donation Matching Countdown
     Promote limited-time matching gifts to double the impact of donations.
142. Digital Wall of Thanks
     Publicly recognise donors online with names, messages, or virtual badges.
143. Virtual Sponsored Challenge Series
     Run a sequence of small challenges over several weeks to sustain momentum.
144. Online Advent or Countdown Calendar
     Unlock daily content, prizes, or stories in exchange for donations.
145. Hybrid Auction & Raffle Night
     Run both digital auctions and raffles simultaneously to maximise income streams.
146. Livestream Q&A With Experts
     Charge for access to live conversations with specialists or inspiring speakers.
147. Digital Memory Book Fundraiser
     Invite supporters to submit memories or messages for inclusion in an online book.
148. Online Creative Workshops
     Host paid virtual sessions such as photography, writing, or art classes.
149. Virtual “Around the World” Challenge
     Track collective distance or activity to symbolically reach global landmarks.
150. Interactive Fundraising Microsite
     Create a dedicated campaign hub featuring stories, progress updates, and donation tools.
151. Community Messaging Group Appeals
     Use WhatsApp or private social groups to share updates and donation links.
152. Subscription-Based Giving Campaign
     Encourage supporters to commit to small, recurring monthly donations.
153. Online Art Gallery Sale
     Display and sell artwork digitally, allowing supporters to browse at their own pace.
154. Virtual Pub Quiz League
     Run a multi-week quiz competition with league tables and entry fees.
155. Short-Form Video Fundraising Challenge
     Leverage platforms like TikTok or Instagram Reels to encourage bite-sized donations.
156. Hybrid Conference Fundraiser
     Add a fundraising element to industry events through ticket upgrades or auctions.
157. Digital Time Capsule Campaign
     Invite donors to submit messages or predictions to be revealed in the future.
158. Online Photo Competition
     Charge entry fees and let the public vote through donations.
159. Virtual Volunteering Sponsorship
     Supporters donate to sponsor hours of online volunteering or mentoring.
160. Donation-Triggered Content Unlocks
     Release videos, stories, or resources once fundraising targets are reached.
161. Online Mystery or Puzzle Event
     Sell tickets to an interactive digital mystery participants solve together.
162. Digital Scratchcard Fundraiser
     Offer instant-win digital scratchcards with prizes and donation entry.
163. Virtual Team-Building Event
     Sell corporate packages for online games or challenges that support your cause.
164. Charity Streaming Marathon
     Creators livestream continuously over several hours or days to raise funds.
165. Online Cooking Class Fundraiser
     Charge for access to live or recorded cooking sessions with chefs or supporters.
166. Digital Seasonal Giving Appeal
     Run targeted online campaigns tied to holidays or key moments.
167. Hybrid Community Fair
     Offer both physical stalls and digital fundraising elements like online auctions.
168. Virtual Sponsored Silence
     Participants commit to staying silent online for a set time while fundraising.
169. Donation Heatmap Campaign
     Visually show where donations are coming from to encourage friendly competition.
170. Online Music Battle
     Artists perform virtually and supporters donate to vote for their favourite.
171. Digital Fitness League
     Participants log workouts online and compete in teams.
172. Hybrid Awards Ceremony
     Sell tickets to both in-person and livestream audiences.
173. Virtual Art Jam
     Artists collaborate live online while viewers donate to support the cause.
174. Digital Giving Tree
     Each donation adds a leaf or ornament to a virtual tree.
175. Online Language Learning Fundraiser
     Charge for short courses or conversation sessions hosted digitally.
176. Virtual Open Day Event
     Offer behind-the-scenes digital access with optional donations.
177. Donation-Powered Polls
     Let donors influence decisions or outcomes through paid voting.
178. Digital Gratitude Campaign
     Encourage giving by highlighting stories of appreciation and impact.
179. Virtual Escape Challenge Series
     Run episodic escape room challenges that unlock weekly.
180. Hybrid Fun Run Event
     Allow participants to join in person or virtually from anywhere.
181. Online Debate or Panel Night
     Sell tickets to live digital discussions on topical issues.
182. Virtual Book Club Fundraiser
     Charge membership fees to join guided online reading groups.
183. Digital Countdown Appeal
     Build urgency with daily progress updates toward a final goal.
184. Online Auction Week
     Release new auction items each day to sustain interest.
185. Virtual Mindfulness Sessions
     Offer guided meditation or wellbeing classes for donations.
186. Donation-Driven Leaderboards
     Publicly track top fundraisers or teams to encourage competition.
187. Hybrid Community Challenge
     Combine online tracking with offline participation.
188. Online Speed Networking Event
     Charge for structured digital networking with a charitable twist.
189. Digital Sponsorship Wall
     Allow donors to sponsor virtual spaces or campaign elements.
190. Virtual Choir or Music Project
     Supporters submit recordings combined into a digital performance.
191. Hybrid Food Festival
     Mix physical tastings with online fundraising and voting.
192. Online Fashion Show
     Stream runway events and sell featured items or tickets.
193. Digital Memory Map Campaign
     Supporters pin stories or dedications to locations online.
194. Virtual Volunteer Day
     Promote and fundraise around remote volunteering efforts.
195. Donation-Triggered Giveaways
     Unlock prizes when collective donation milestones are hit.
196. Hybrid Sports Viewing Party
     Charge entry for live or virtual watch-along events.
197. Online Escape Series
     Offer recurring digital challenges with season passes.
198. Digital Legacy Giving Campaign
     Use online storytelling to promote long-term planned gifts.
199. Virtual Global Challenge
     Unite supporters worldwide around a shared fundraising goal.
200. Year-Long Digital Fundraising Hub
     Create a central online space that houses multiple campaigns throughout the year.

Find out more!

With so many ways to fundraise, the most successful campaigns in 2026 will be the ones that match the right idea to the right audience. Whether you’re planning a school fundraiser, running a peer-to-peer challenge, hosting a community event, or launching a fully digital campaign, the ideas in this guide are designed to help you raise more, engage supporters for longer, and future-proof your fundraising.

The key isn’t doing everything, it’s choosing ideas that align with your mission, your supporters, and the moments in the year that matter most. Test, adapt, and build on what works, and don’t be afraid to combine online and in-person fundraising to maximise reach and revenue.

Ready to bring your fundraising ideas to life?

With Givergy, you can power auctions, raffles, peer-to-peer fundraising, ticketing, and digital giving. All in one place. Our tools are built to help fundraisers run smoother campaigns, engage supporters effortlessly, and ultimately raise more for the causes that matter.

Explore Givergy’s fundraising tools and start planning your most successful year yet.