25 Holiday Fundraising Ideas for Non-Profits

Holiday Parties

No matter the denomination, everyone loves a good holiday celebration. Why not organize one this year as a fundraiser for your non-profit group or club? Here are a few ideas to get your holiday party fundraiser off the ground.

1. Ugly Sweater – Have an ugly sweater party with a $10 entrance fee and give a prize for the ugliest sweater (as voted upon by the guests).
2. Silent Auction – With a little work on your part to get great donations, a silent auction can raise a lot of funds to help you start off next year right.
3. Raffle – Sell raffle tickets for one to three big-ticket items a few weeks before the big party. You’ll be surprised at how far a couple of dollars from everyone can stretch.
4. Craft Fair – If you have some crafty types in your group, organize them in a hall or the school and advertise the fair, perhaps with 10% of profits going to your non-profit.
5. Gala – Try something fancy and fun for adults only. Get a five-piece band and a hall donated for the cause and dance the night away.
6. Dinner – If you can justify the food cost or get a portion donated, having a catered dinner is a fun way to get together with your peers during the holidays while raising funds.
7. Photos with Santa – It’s a tradition for many, but standing in line at the mall is not everyone’s idea of fun. Have the jolliest member of your group dress up as the big guy and charge $5 for children to sit with him or her.
8. Holiday Games – There are plenty of holiday games to choose from, “Name that Tune” or “Squirt the Menorah” make for great fun at a party with a $5 entrance fee.

Sell Something

Whether it’s warm hot chocolate at the school basketball game or holiday wreaths for home decor, people are simply more apt to giving when they get something in return. Here are some ideas for items to sell as a holiday fundraiser.

1. Gift Wrapping Services – Wrapping gifts is time-consuming. Hop on YouTube and learn how to wrap gifts like a pro, then offer up your services for a small fee. Trust us, they will come.
2. Holiday Wreaths – These beautiful decorations are never cheap, so why not make some from scratch and reap all of the profits for your organization?
3. Christmas Tree Skirts – This is another easy craft which everyone can use. Hop on the web and find out how to make a beautiful tree skirt, then sell them for around $15, or about double your cost for materials.
4. Ornaments – If you can make or buy a quality ornament that represents your organization, people would love to show off the fact that they are a supporter.
5. Bake Sale – Something about the holidays makes our sweet tooth that much sweeter, which is why a bake sale would be an excellent option for a quick and easy fundraiser.
6. Gift Baskets – Contact local organizations and fill gift baskets, maybe with a couple of different themes – one for him, one for her, and one for kids. Sell them at around double your cost.
7. Concessions – Take over the concession stand at the local Christmas parade or high school basketball game. Make sure you have a sign showing that all proceeds go to your organization, and perhaps have it announced to the crowd.
8. Warm Drinks – Cold days and nights call for warm drinks. Egg nog, hot chocolate or apple cider are great to sell anywhere outdoors, such as the local tree farm where families will be picking up their tree.

Other Fundraising Events

Not up for the traditional event or sales fundraiser? Here are a few out-of-the-box ideas to help your non-profit start next year on the right foot.

1. Simply Year End Donations – Just ask. Whether via mailer or a booth at the mall, people are more likely to give at the end of the year.
2. Polar Bear Plunge – If your local lake or river hasn’t frozen over, host a Polar Bear Plunge and charge for entries.
3. Donor’s Name on a Star – Ask for donations in a public place like a store, and have the cashier write the donor’s name on cutout of a star, wreath or other holiday symbol and hang it for all to see.
4. Caroling – Gather your group and rehearse a few songs, then dress in your warmest and head out into the neighborhood to bring joy to each household. Have a decorated donation bucket out in front of the group.
5. Run/Walk – Work off the turkey, ham and stuffing that comes with the holidays by hosting a run or walk. You’re sure to get plenty of participants if they know it’s for their health and a good cause at the same time.
6. Halftime Shootout – Sell tickets for a halftime shootout at the local high school or college basketball game. Two lucky winners will have the chance to shoot three balls from half court. You’ll want to get a local business to sponsor an awesome prize. They will benefit from the publicity and the possibility of the prize being won is pretty slim.
7. How Many Candies – Choose a popular office building or school and allow people to guess how many holiday candies are in a jar for $1. Use about one-quarter of the earnings as the prize.
8. When Will the First Snow Fly? – If you live in an area where it snows but it hasn’t snowed yet, host a contest where the winner who guesses the closest date to the first snowfall of 2 inches or more wins a prize.
9. Jar at a Store – Choose a favorite local store and ask them to put a jar at the checkout. Decorate the jar with an enticing story about your organization and be sure to state that every little bit helps your cause. Customers will throw their extra change in the jar.

Photo Credit (in order of appearance): Betsy Weber | United States Navy | Dano | GoToVan