50 Beyond Bake Sale Fundraising Ideas

T-Shirt Fundraiser - Design a special t-shirt that you can have printed for an affordable bulk rate and then sell them for a profit. The profits, of course, go to your fundraising efforts and supporters will get their own exclusive t-shirt to commemorate their generosity.
Craft Fair - Either ask for donations from local artisans that can be sold to raise money or rent out spaces at a craft fair to local artisans and ask them to donate a percentage of all sales to the efforts. Supporters can always donate, even without purchase, too.
Cookbook Fundraiser - Ask individuals to donate secret family recipes or family favorites to create an exclusive cookbook of recipes. Sell it for a profit!
Used Book Sale - Ask people to donate their gently used books and sell them for a profit. Libraries use this to make room for new books, so why can't your organization use this idea, too?
Garage Sale - Put on a large-scale garage sale. Have organizers bring items they would sell at a garage sale and then invite the community to browse and buy.
Art Sale - Create art that you can sell at an art sale. This works especially well for schools where parents will be motivated to buy their child's creation!
Services - Make a list of services your organization could offer in exchange for donations. If each person donated one service — from manual labor tasks to things like teaching a music lesson or running errands, you could have a very successful fundraiser!
Coupon Book - Put together your own unique coupon book that offers local discounts to participating restaurants, activities, shops and more. Sell the coupon books and raise money for your cause.
Coffee Mugs - Everyone loves coffee! Plus, coffee mugs are surprisingly cheap to have made. Emblazon them with a fun quote for your good cause and sell them for up to $20 each.
Bags - Many cities have "bring your own grocery bag" laws now. Buy reusable bags in bulk and ask kids at your school or members of your organization to paint them. Then, sell them to raise money!
Gift Cards - Partner with a website that offers fundraising through gift cards. Similar to a school fundraiser, supporters would buy gift cards at face value and the website will automatically route a percentage of the cost to your cause.
Clothing Sale - Have participants bring clothes they were going to donate. Set up a shop that sells the clothes and donates proceeds. You can either set prices or ask shoppers to donate what they feel is fair.

Gala - Go big or go home with a major donor fundraiser, such as a gala. Choose a theme, add great food, music and even a silent auction to round out your soiree. Genius Tip: Need theme ideas? Check out these fundraising gala theme ideas.
Carnival - Put together a full-on carnival. Rent carnival games and rides and sell tickets to enter. Genius Tip: You can even raise money through these festival game ideas for fundraising.
Battle of the Bands - Find local bands willing to play a battle of the bands or even charge a small participation fee. Sell tickets to attend this exclusive concert, assemble a panel of judges, and invite local food trucks to offer snacks (and donate a portion of proceeds) — then watch the notes fly.
Marathon - An ambitious fundraiser, but a successful one. Organize a marathon. Add a theme to make it unique, sell t-shirts for added profits and include local corporations to participate in exchange for company promotion.
Golf Tournament - Arrange for a local golf course to donate a portion of proceeds from supporters who participate in a golf tournament. How informal or formal is up to you and what you think your donors would prefer.
Museum Dinner Party - Museums are already set up to create awe, so why not utilize those spaces for a dinner party your supporters will never forget? Work with a local museum to design an event where you can sell tickets to support your cause.
A Play - Work with a theater house to design a special performance that will give proceeds to your cause. Sell tickets, programs and concessions. This one will take some time, particularly if you are using volunteers for acting, rather than hired actors. But the end result is a great evening all will remember.
Bowling for Bucks - Partner with a bowling alley to rent a section of lanes, or even the entire facility, and sign up teams. You can either collect donations per person, per team, or whatever people would like to donate in exchange for participation.
Expert Clinic - Ask local experts in a variety of fields to donate time to a fundraising effort that will offer expert advice for a donation. This gives experts great marketing (as well as a positive local image), allows people who attend to get expert advice they may not have been able to obtain otherwise and raises money for a good cause.