Whether you’re supporting a local charity, school, or community project, fundraising doesn’t have to be expensive to be effective.
We got you covered with over 50 cheap and cheerful fundraising ideas. Dive in to find the best traditional, animal, school, and sporting fundraising ideas that will help you raise funds and have fun along the way!
Cheap traditional fundraising ideas
Cheap school fundraising ideas
Cheap animal fundraising ideas
Cheap Sale Fundraising Ideas
1. Bake Sale
Host a bake sale featuring a variety of homemade goodies such as biscuits, cakes, pies, and pastries. Encourage community members to contribute their favourite recipes and create themed bake sales for holidays or seasons. This classic fundraiser requires minimal investment and can be very profitable with proper promotion and community involvement.
2. Car Boot Sale
Gather unwanted items from around your home and set up a stall at a local car boot sale. Encourage friends, family, and neighbours to donate items they no longer need. This event can be held in a large parking lot or open field, and it’s a great way to recycle while raising funds.
3. Jumble Sale
Organise a jumble sale where people can buy second-hand items at low prices. Encourage community members to donate clothes, toys, books, and household items they no longer need. Advertise the event in local newspapers, community boards, and social media to attract a large crowd.
4. Book Sale
Collect second-hand books from friends, family, and community members and sell them at a book sale event. Set up in a local community centre or school and advertise to attract book lovers. Consider offering a special deal, such as a bag of books for a set price.
5. Plant Sale
Sell plants and seedlings at a local market or community event. Ask local gardeners and nurseries to donate plants or grow your own from seeds. Promote the sale in advance to attract gardening enthusiasts and offer advice on plant care to boost sales.
6. Garage Sale
Host a garage sale where people can buy second-hand items. Advertise in local newspapers, community boards, and social media to attract buyers. This is a great way to declutter and raise funds simultaneously.
Cheap Traditional Fundraising Ideas
7. Charity Quiz Night
Organise a quiz night at a local pub or community hall. Charge an entry fee for teams to participate and sell refreshments such as drinks and snacks. Consider offering a prize for the winning team and perhaps a raffle or auction to increase funds.
8. Coffee Morning
Host a coffee morning where attendees can enjoy hot drinks, cakes, and pastries in exchange for a donation. Partner with a local coffee shop for supplies or ask volunteers to donate baked goods. It’s a relaxed way to bring people together and raise money.
9. Charity Auction
Host an auction where people can bid on items or services donated by local businesses and community members. This could include gift baskets, experiences, or professional services. Promote the auction widely to ensure a good turnout and consider adding entertainment to the event to make it more engaging.
10. Craft Fair
Host a craft fair where local artisans can sell their handmade goods. Charge vendors for table space and charge a small entry fee for attendees. This event can be held indoors or outdoors and provides a platform for local talent while raising funds.
11. Talent Show
Organise a talent show where participants pay an entry fee to showcase their talents, and spectators buy tickets to watch. Include a variety of acts, such as singing, dancing, comedy, and magic. Offer prizes for the best performances and sell refreshments during the event.
12. Bingo Night
Host a bingo night at a community centre or hall. Charge an entry fee for bingo cards and offer prizes for winning games. Sell refreshments and snacks to boost funds and create a fun, social atmosphere.
13. Silent Auction
Hold a silent auction with donated items and services. Attendees write down their bids on a sheet of paper, and the highest bid at the end of the auction wins. This format allows for a relaxed and enjoyable fundraising event.
Cheap School Fundraising Ideas
14. Dress Down Day
Organise a dress-down day where pupils and teachers donate to wear casual clothes instead of uniforms. This is a simple and effective way to raise funds, as everyone enjoys a break from the usual dress code.
15. Movie Night
Set up a movie screening in a community hall or school auditorium. Charge an entry fee and sell popcorn, drinks, and snacks. Choose family-friendly movies to attract a wide audience and create a cosy atmosphere with comfortable seating and decorations.
16. Face Painting
Offer face painting at a local event or fair. Recruit talented artists from the school community to volunteer their time and charge a fee for each face painted. This is a popular activity for children and can attract a lot of attention.
17. Penny Wars
Set up jars for each class and encourage pupils to fill them with pennies. The class with the most pennies at the end of the competition wins a prize. This fun and competitive fundraiser encourages teamwork and school spirit.
18. Spelling Bee
Organise a spelling bee competition and charge an entry fee for participants and spectators. Offer prizes for the winners and sell refreshments during the event. This can be an educational and entertaining way to raise funds.
19. School Disco
Host a themed school disco and sell tickets in advance. Decorate the venue according to the theme and offer refreshments for an additional cost. Hire a DJ or use a sound system to play popular music and create a fun atmosphere.
20. Read-a-thon
Encourage students to get sponsorships for reading a certain number of books or pages over a set period. Track their progress and offer prizes for the top readers. This fundraiser promotes literacy and a love of reading while raising money.
21. Holiday Fair
Organise a holiday fair with games, crafts, and seasonal treats. Charge admission and sell tickets for activities. Include a variety of attractions, such as a Santa’s grotto, holiday-themed games, and craft stalls, to appeal to all ages.
22. Classroom Challenge
Set up fun challenges or competitions between classrooms, with each class raising money to participate. These challenges could include sports, academic contests, or creative projects. Offer prizes for the winning class and celebrate their achievements.
23. Art Show
Display pupils’ artwork in a gallery setting and invite parents and community members to view and purchase the art. Charge an entry fee and offer refreshments. This is a great way to showcase students’ talents and raise funds for the school.
24. Parent-Teacher Sports Game
Organise a sports game between parents and teachers, charging admission and selling refreshments. This fun and friendly competition can build school spirit and provide entertainment for the whole community.
25. School Merchandise
Create and sell school-branded merchandise like t-shirts, hoodies, and water bottles. Design unique and appealing items that students and parents will want to buy. Promote the merchandise at school events and online to boost sales.
Cheap Animal Fundraising Ideas
26. Sponsored Dog Walk
Get participants to collect sponsorships for a dog walk. Choose a scenic route and provide water and rest stops along the way. Offer prizes for the top fundraisers to encourage participation.
27. Pet Show
Organise a pet show with various categories such as cutest pet, best trick, and best costume. Charge an entry fee for participants and offer prizes for the winners. This fun and engaging event can attract pet owners and animal lovers alike.
28. Animal-Themed Craft Fair
Organise a craft fair featuring items for pets and pet lovers. Charge vendors for table space and charge a small entry fee for attendees. This event can showcase local artisans and attract a pet-loving audience.
29. Pet First Aid Workshop
Offer a pet first aid workshop and charge a participation fee. Provide training on basic first aid techniques for pets and offer a certificate of completion. This is a valuable service that can attract many pet owners.
30. Pet Calendar
Create and sell a calendar featuring photos of local pets. Hold a photo contest to select the images and promote the calendar to the community. This can be a popular item and a great way to raise funds.
31. Pet Washing Station
Set up a pet washing station at a local park or event and charge a fee. Provide all the necessary supplies and recruit volunteers to help wash the pets. This is a practical service that can attract many pet owners.
32. Pet Costume Contest
Host a pet costume contest with an entry fee and a prize for the best costume. Encourage creativity and promote the event to attract a large crowd. This can be a fun and entertaining way to raise funds.
Cheap Activity Fundraising Ideas
33. Sports Day
Organise a community sports day with entry fees for participants. Include a variety of activities such as races, relays, and team sports. Offer prizes for the winners and sell refreshments to boost funds.
34. Charity Football Match
Host a charity football match with teams paying to enter and spectators buying tickets. Promote the event widely to attract a large crowd and offer entertainment and refreshments to enhance the experience.
35. Dance Marathon
Host a dance marathon event where participants get sponsored for each hour they dance. Provide music, refreshments, and entertainment to keep participants motivated. Offer prizes for the top dancers and fundraisers.
36. Car Wash
Set up a car wash in a busy area. Charge a fee per car and recruit volunteers to help wash the cars. Promote the event widely to attract many customers and provide efficient service.
37. Treasure Hunt
Organise a treasure hunt with an entry fee and prizes for the winners. Create clues and hide them around a local area or park. Promote the event to attract families and groups of friends.
38. Sports Tournament
Host a sports tournament with entry fees for teams. Include a variety of sports such as football, basketball, and volleyball. Offer prizes for the winning teams and sell refreshments to boost funds.
39. Fitness Class
Organise a fitness class such as yoga, Zumba, or aerobics with a participation fee. Hire a professional instructor and provide a comfortable and safe environment for the class. Promote the event widely to attract participants.
40. Charity Swim
Organise a sponsored swim event. Participants can gather sponsorships for each lap they complete. Provide a safe and comfortable environment for the swim and offer prizes for the top fundraisers.
41. Golf Tournament
Host a charity golf tournament with entry fees. Choose a local golf course and promote the event widely to attract participants. Offer prizes for the top golfers and sell refreshments to boost funds.
42. Charity Run
Organise a charity run event where participants collect sponsorships. Choose a scenic route and provide water and rest stops along the way. Offer prizes for the top runners and fundraisers. Promote the event widely to attract many participants.
43. Obstacle Course
Set up an obstacle course event and charge an entry fee. Create a challenging and fun course with a variety of obstacles. Offer prizes for the top performers and promote the event widely to attract participants.
Free Fundraising Ideas
44. Raffle
Sell raffle tickets for a chance to win prizes donated by local businesses. Prizes could range from gift certificates and merchandise to experiences and services. Draw the raffle at a public event to build excitement and sell more tickets.
45. Dog Walking Service
Offer a dog walking service for a donation. Recruit volunteers to walk dogs in the local community and promote the service to busy pet owners. This is a great way to provide a needed service while raising funds.
46. Pet Photo Competition
Organise a photo competition where people submit photos of their pets for a fee. Offer prizes for the best photos and display the entries at a local event or online. This can be a fun and creative way to engage the community.
47. Bike Ride
Host a sponsored bike ride event. Choose a scenic route with rest stops along the way. Encourage participants to collect sponsorships.
48. Social Media Challenge
Create a social media challenge that encourages people to participate and donate. For example, you could start a fitness challenge, cooking challenge, or art challenge. Participants can post their videos or photos using a specific hashtag and nominate others to join in.
49. Virtual Workshops or Classes
Offer virtual workshops or classes on topics you’re knowledgeable about. This could be anything from cooking lessons and craft tutorials to fitness classes and language lessons. Use a free video conferencing platform to host the sessions and promote them through social media and email. Instead of charging a fee, ask participants to make a donation to your cause.
50. Crowdfunding Campaign
Set up a crowdfunding campaign on a free platform like GoodHub. Create a compelling story about why you are raising funds and what the money will be used for. Share the campaign widely through social media, email, and word of mouth. Encourage supporters to share the campaign with their networks to reach a broader audience.
Fundraising Made Easy with GoodHub
At GoodHub, you have all the control of creating your fundraiser. t is one of the few online fundraising platforms that allows you to run and manage ticketed events:
- Create as many ticket types as you like.
- Set the price for each ticket type.
- Choose to offer a discount code or volume discount.
- Choose the quantity available – the amount bought and available are clearly displayed on your page.
- Choose whether to invite a donation, too.
So, if you’d like to make a difference today, come join us in our mission to give better. To register your charity or non-profit, or to donate or fundraise for a worthy cause, just hop onto the GoodHub platform or get in touch with one of our friendly support team members.
Fundraising Made Easy with GoodHub
At GoodHub, we aim to provide you with a fundraising platform that redefines what it means to give.