15 Fun & Easy Summer Fundraising Ideas

This idea does not need much in terms of resources. Use donated BBQ equipment in a yard, parking lot, or field. Then, ask for food donations from local grocery stores. Charge a small entry fee or sell food tickets to make the most of this summer fundraiser idea. You could incorporate some other fun elements into this event, such as a hot dog-eating contest.

As far as sporting events go, walk-a-thons are an easy event to get the local community involved in. Participants ask donors to sponsor them per mile completed, and the rest is up to them. You can create a public leaderboard on your fundraising pages to up the competition, and then post updates on social media to boost donations.

Why not host an awards ceremony on the final day of the walk-a-thon? Include plenty of fundraising activities, such as a raffle, to raise extra funds. Make sure to have a backup, indoor location just in case the weather does not cooperate.

Nothing says summer fundraising like a water balloon fundraiser. This can be a standalone activity or part of a bigger field day for maximum effect. Charge a small fee per balloon and for refreshments during this activity to bring in more money for your cause and get community members involved. Remember to get a team together for a clean-up effort after the event is over.

Host a scavenger hunt in your local area. This is a perfect summertime event and allows you to make to most of local parks. Make up your own scavenger hunt, or enlist a local company to create one for you. Ask teams to pay a small donation to take part. You could even create t-shirts for participants to wear to help spread the word about your fundraiser while they are on the hunt.

As far as fundraising event ideas go, you can’t beat an old-school field day. Activities could include a fun run, cornhole toss, and egg-and-spoon race. Even better if you host it in your local high school grounds.

Charge an entry fee or by race itself. Sell refreshments and snacks to increase donations. You could even hire a food truck to make it even more delicious.

Outdoor yoga classes, boot camps, and pilates are ideal summer donation ideas. Team up with local instructors, who may even donate their time for free. Charge a small fee to take part, and make sure there are donation buckets for people to donate further on the day.

Movie nights are easy to plan and execute. Like most other summer fundraisers, these rely on a combination of donated equipment, tickets, and refreshment sales. Choose a classic film and even hire some local entertainment acts to make the most of the night. You could even combine it with a movie-themed trivia night to make the most of the event space.

This combines the best aspects of competition and baked goods. Tickets can be sold for participation and, of course, the sale of baked goods.

Who doesn’t love an excuse to visit the beach (or pool if a beach is too far)? This is best paired with sporting events, such as volleyball competitions or water polo, which will give people a variety of activities to participate in over the course of the day.

This is a popular summer fundraiser idea because of its simplicity. Partner with a local church, school, or other social organization that can donate a location for the day. Charge entry to the car wash and encourage donations online by sharing images and videos on social media.

This fundraising idea is like a field day, but is slightly more physically challenging. Funds can be raised from ticket sales and refreshment sales, like most summer fundraisers. Host it in your local park or high school field, as you’ll need a lot of room.

This is a great way to bring the local community closer, and all it involves is some blankets and open space. You can encourage people to bring their own food or charge a small entry fee and provide the food for everyone.

What’s not to love about an ice cream social? Gather your community and supporters in a local park and serve up delicious ice cream. You can partner with a local food truck or ice cream vendor to supply the ice cream. Negotiate for a percentage of the proceeds to be donated. Make sure you combine other fundraising activities to boost donations.

Like many good outdoor fundraising ideas, this one incorporates even more people into an activity-filled day with competitions, lemonade, and snack stands. This makes it a perfect way to increase your fundraising efforts.

A talent show is a brilliant way to get the local community together to raise money for a good cause. Charge a registration fee for participants and an entry fee for attendees. Speak to local businesses to secure prizes as incentives for people to take part in the show.