Fundraising doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. Whether you’re organizing an event for a school, nonprofit, sports team, or community group, there are plenty of easy fundraising ideas that can help you meet your goals without requiring extensive planning or resources. These simple yet effective strategies can be implemented quickly and still generate great results.

How To Make Easy Fundraising Ideas

Here are some of the best easy fundraising ideas to consider for your next campaign.

1. Bake Sale

A bake sale is a classic and simple way to raise money. Community members donate baked goods, which can then be sold at events, schools, or local markets. It’s easy to organize and doesn’t require much upfront cost.

How to make it work:

• Ask volunteers to bake cookies, cakes, brownies, and other treats.
• Set up a stand at a high-traffic area such as a school, community center, or local event.
• Offer a variety of items to appeal to different tastes and dietary preferences.

2. Car Wash

A car wash is an easy and effective fundraising option, especially for schools, sports teams, or youth groups. All you need are volunteers, a good location, and some basic supplies.

How to make it work:

• Choose a busy location with high visibility, such as a school parking lot or community center.
• Promote the event in advance with signs, social media posts, and flyers.
• Charge a fixed price or offer a “donation-based” payment option.

3. 50/50 Raffle

A 50/50 raffle is one of the easiest fundraising ideas, requiring minimal effort and no upfront cost. Participants buy raffle tickets, and the prize is half of the total money raised, while the other half goes to your cause.

How to make it work:

• Sell raffle tickets at events, in the community, or online.
• Offer multiple chances to win by drawing tickets at various times throughout an event.
• Announce the winner publicly and give them half of the proceeds while the rest supports your cause.

4. Online Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is a powerful and easy way to raise money, especially when reaching a large audience online. Platforms like GoFundMe, Fundly, or Classy allow individuals and organizations to set up campaigns and collect donations from friends, family, and supporters.

How to make it work:

• Set up a campaign on a crowdfunding platform with a clear goal and story.
• Share the campaign on social media, via email, and through word-of-mouth to reach potential donors.
• Provide updates and thank donors regularly to maintain engagement.

5. Penny Wars

Penny wars are a fun and competitive fundraising activity ideal for schools or offices. Teams or groups compete to collect the most pennies, with silver coins and bills used to “sabotage” other teams by subtracting from their total.

How to make it work:

• Set up jars for each team in a central location.
• Encourage people to donate pennies to their own jar and place silver coins or bills in opponents’ jars to reduce their score.
• Offer a prize for the team with the highest net total.

6. T-Shirt Fundraiser

Selling custom t-shirts is an easy way to raise funds and create something tangible for donors to show their support. You can use platforms like Bonfire or Custom Ink to design and sell shirts online without any upfront cost.

How to make it work:

• Design a custom t-shirt that reflects your cause or organization.
• Promote the t-shirt sale on social media, through email newsletters, and at events.
• Set a fundraising goal and encourage supporters to buy and wear the shirts.

7. Restaurant Fundraising Night

Partner with a local restaurant for a fundraising night where a percentage of sales is donated to your cause. This is a simple way to raise funds while encouraging supporters to dine out and enjoy a meal together.

How to make it work:

• Approach local restaurants and ask if they’ll host a fundraising night.
• Promote the event to your supporters, encouraging them to dine out on the specified date.
• Ensure the restaurant provides clear instructions on how to allocate the donations based on sales.

8. Coin Drive

A coin drive is one of the easiest fundraising ideas and can be done over an extended period. Simply set up coin collection jars in schools, workplaces, or community centers, and encourage people to donate their spare change.

How to make it work:

• Place labeled jars in high-traffic areas with information about the cause.
• Promote the coin drive regularly to remind people to donate their change.
• Offer a small incentive, such as a prize for the person or group who donates the most.

Conclusion

These easy fundraising ideas offer a variety of simple yet effective ways to raise money for any cause. From bake sales and car washes to online crowdfunding and trivia nights, each idea requires minimal resources and planning while still delivering excellent results. By choosing one of these easy options, you can engage your supporters, reach your fundraising goals, and have fun in the process.