25 All-Time Best Fundraising Ideas

Exploring the 25 Best Fundraising Ideas of All Time!

Welcome, fundraising champions! At the Fundraising Directory, we know just how crucial innovative fundraising is for Australian schools and clubs. In this article, we’ve rounded up the 25 best fundraising ideas that have stood the test of time. From harnessing children’s artwork to hosting fun runs and raffles, these strategies are tried-and-true ways to rally your community and support your goals.

But here’s the secret sauce: combining these ideas can take your fundraising to the next level. For example, one clever school paired a student discount with Twilight markets and raked in over $5,000! And let’s not forget, raffles can be seamlessly integrated into nearly any event to boost your fundraising efforts. Dive in and explore how you can mix and match these ideas for your next big campaign!

1. Children’s Art Work

Incorporating children’s artwork into fundraising products is a winning formula – lasting memories are made, special gifts are created and money is generated for worthy causes. Kids just get so proud to see their creations made into something special. The speciality fundraising companies will send you the art paper and instructions, and all you need to do is get the cherubs to work their magic! This type of fundraiser can also work well for photos.

Who can help you:

Crazy Camel: Personalised Calendars and Family Planners, Greeting Cards, iPhone Cases, Notebooks, Diaries, Sketch Pads, Pillowcases and Tea Towels using children’s artwork made into a high quality products that will be cherished for years to come. Photos can also be used.
www.crazycamel.com.au | request more information | 1800 141 239

Expressions: Create quality tea towels, bags or aprons printed with your group’s own artwork, drawings or handprints. Expressions’ fundraisers are a proven success. Everything you need is provided with no upfront costs.
www.expressions.com.au | request more information | 1300 855 509

Pictureproducts: Turning nearly 3 million children’s drawings and photos into melamine Pictureplates since 1977, kids and parents love a Pictureproducts fundraiser. Wide range of add-on products available to maximise your profits.
www.pictureproducts.com.au | request more information | 1300 130 574

Helpful articles:

• Class Canvas Auctions
• Turning Kid’s Art into Fundraising Dollars
• Tea towels as fundraisers
• Children’s artistic memories you can eat off

2. Fetes

Fetes are a timeless fundraiser – and for many schools and clubs, the largest fundraiser that they run.

Who can help you:

Mr Showbags: Mr Showbags has been delighting children throughout the country for ten years now with Australia’s original and best showbags.
www.mrshowbags.com.au | request more information |1300 677 469

Showbags.com.au: Are you a school, organisation or group looking to fundraise? Showbags.com.au are the perfect solution, as we cater for all types of fundraising and events!
www.showbags.com.au | request more information | 03 9368 4600

Krispy Kreme Fundraising: The idea of Krispy Kreme FUN-draising is to give your group the chance to raise some extra cash by selling the world’s most popular doughnuts. Our Fundraising Kit makes it easy as we have everything you need to get fundraising! Our doughnuts make a delicious and easy stall for your fete!
www.fundraising.krispykreme.com.au | request more information 

Bakers Delight Easter Fete Stall: Why not incorporate our delicious Hot Cross Buns at your Easter events? At Bakers Delight, we believe in the power of community and the joy of giving back. Our commitment goes beyond just baking delicious products; we're dedicated to supporting schools, clubs and community groups in reaching their fundraising goals. 
www.bakersdelight.com.au | request more information 

We can! We have a comprehensive set of fete resources that have come to be known as ‘Fete in a Box’ within our member resources. It’s the ultimate resource for organisers of community events! We have put together over a hundred ‘how-to’ guides, templates, links and downloads to make your job as easy as it possibly can be! And the best part is… it’s all free!

Helpful articles:

• Fete Countdown Series

3. Fun Runs

Who doesn’t love seeing their kids get involved in an active fundraiser, and with the help of the interwebs, grandma in Scotland can now jump on and support little Johnny! Fun runs can be made even more fun with a splash of colour!

Who can help you:

Australian Fundraising – School Run 4 Fun: Put the fun back into fundraising with Australian Fundraising’s full turn-key School Run 4 Fun programs! We offer Australia’s best fundraising ideas and promise to make your next fundraiser easy to organise, simple to run and a fundraising success. Discover how you can host a stress-free, exciting and high-profit fundraiser with Australian Fundraising.
www.australianfundraising.com.au | request more information | 1300 133 022

Helpful articles:

• The ‘Colour’ Fun Run Phenomenon

4. Engraved Pavers

Engraved bricks and pavers are a personal favourite of mine – I’m a sucker for symbols.  They are perfect fundraisers for building campaigns or events celebrating milestones.  No building project should be taken on without looking first at whether you can enrich the project with engraved bricks, pavers and murals. A great fundraising opportunity as well as a meaningful way of connecting communities.

Who can help you:

 Signature Engraving: Provide permanent recognition of donors who support your next fundraiser with engraved bricks and pavers. No upfront cost, no risk, no minimum order. Proven Australia wide.
www.signature-engraving.com.au | request more information | 1800 074 289

Design a Brick: At Design a Brick, we’re all about supporting your community.  Our quality range of long lasting engraved brick and paver products are designed to support your fundraising needs, and also provide a permanent symbol of gratitude to all who partake in contributing to local fundraising initiatives.
www.designabrick.com.au | request more information | 1300 652 541

Helpful articles:

• Outdoor Learning Spaces – turning dreams into reality
• Student Art Installation

5. Cookbooks

Cookbooks are often seen on bestseller lists, so why not create your own best seller for your school or club?  It’s easy to publish your own cookbook, complete with high-quality printing and a professional finish and photos.

Who can help you:

Published Authors: We help schools and other groups professionally publish their own premium quality cookbooks. Our new approach is so simple and eliminates most of your work usually needed to create a cookbook! Prices from just $2.99 per cookbook and NO upfront costs (minimum print run = 100 books).
www.publishedauthors.com.au | request more information | 0402 743 558

Create Cookbooks: Our aim is to help schools and organisations publish bookstore-quality printed cookbooks at the best possible price, and to provide top-class customer service. Books are printed in Australia, and for large bulk orders, you have the option of printing offshore or in Australia depending on your budget and timeline. There is no minimum print run. Print a book for as little as $2.56 each including shipping and GST. Depending what plan you chose upon sign up, this is refunded when you go to print. There are no hidden fees.
www.createcookbooks.com | request more information 

Schoolyard Stories: At Schoolyard Stories we publish storybooks, cookbooks & yearbooks created by the students of your school or club. Get children excited about reading, writing, illustrating & healthy eating…create a book!
www.schoolyardstories.com.au | request more information | (03) 9527 6606

Helpful articles:

• Cookbook Fundraising Turned Up a Notch
• Technology makes fundraising cookbooks a whiz

6. Branded Products

Branded products are not just the domain of the big charities these days. Smaller runs of products can be customised at affordable prices to reflect your school or club’s branding or event. It can be a very successful fundraiser as well as a way to connect with your supporters.

Who can help you

Wine Experience: Fundraise with Australia’s leading retailer of quality cleanskin wines. We can customise labels with your logo, letterhead, drawing or any text you’d like.

www.wineexperience.com.au| request more information |1300 554 435

Helpful articles

• Promotional Products in Fundraising

7. Mother’s Day (and Father’s Day) Stalls

Mothers (and Fathers) Day Stalls have become staples in school fundraising, and another of those amazing win-win-win fundraisers. Schools raise money, kids get so excited about choosing their own gift, and parents win because the price point of the gifts is so affordable!

Who can help you

Jolly Soles: Jolly Soles is an Australian family owned business that provides boxes of socks as a fundraiser for your school, sporting club, charity or community event.
www.jollysoles.com.au | request more information | 08 8725 175

Bite Size FUNraising: You can use our delicious Bite Size biscuits as part of your Mother's Day or Father's Day stall. Either on their own or as part of a pamper package. For every box you raise over $28 profit. 
www.bitesizegroup.com| request more information | 02 9728 0000

Helpful articles:

• Top 10 Tips for running a Mothers Day Stall
• Wrapping paper for Mothers Day Stalls
• Advice from our community on running a Mother’s Day stall

8. Showbags

A classic fundraiser and not just for fetes! Try a showbag drive timed around your local Show Day! Also, check out the low-priced novelties to use as token incentive prizes for all of your fundraising drives, sideshow games and trivia nights.

Who can help you

Mr Showbags: Mr Showbags has been delighting children throughout the country for ten years now with Australia’s original and best showbags.
www.mrshowbags.com.au | request more information |1300 677 469

Showbags.com.au: Are you a school, organisation or group looking to fundraise? Showbags.com.au are the perfect solution, as we cater for all types of fundraising and events!
www.showbags.com.au | request more information | 03 9368 4600

Helpful articles:

• Showbag Drive Fundraiser

9. Movie Nights

A movie night is a fantastic way to bring your community together and raise funds at the same time and often times you’ll attract support from friends in your community as well.  You can hire a cinema, earn profits from the sale of movie tickets or even set up an outdoor movie theatre for a nighttime fundraising event.

Who can help you

 Roadshow Public Performance Licensing: Roadshow PPL is your one-stop-shop for all your movie fundraising enquiries.
www.roadshowppl.com.au | request more information | (02) 9552 8685

Helpful articles:

• Movie Night Fundraiser

10. 5 Cent Drive

Pretty much everyone has a handful of 5 cent pieces just hanging around at home.  Why not give those lonely coins a purpose and run a 5 cent drive at your school.  Each class competes to see who can raise the most and the drive can run anywhere from a couple of weeks to a whole term.

Reward the winning class with a pizza party or whatever you think will tickle their fancy.  Your best results will come from making your cause known – whether it be upgrading technology or purchasing playground equipment – if people know what they are contributing to, they are more likely to participate.  If you want to boost your results, don’t limit your request to 5 cent pieces and call it a “Loose change challenge”.

Helpful articles:

• 5 Cent Drives.

11. Environmental Fundraiser

There is a growing trend to try and make events ‘greener’ and more environmentally friendly. Sometimes it only takes a few little changes which can often be easier than you’d think.

Where children are involved in the fundraising, the more they relate to the cause, the more powerful your fundraiser will be. 

Options include a no-waste lunchbox (or drink bottle) fundraiser, or a tree-planting fundraiser that will have a real impact for the environment.

Helpful articles:

• Eco-friendly Fundraising Ideas

12. Tea Towels

Tea Towel fundraisers provide an excellent opportunity to get the kids involved and are actually not just limited to tea towels.  Suppliers will often have the option of customising canvas bags or aprons as well and any of these products produce wonderful gifts that are not only practical but a keepsake for parents. These fundraisers can be run at any time of the year and used to commemorate school, club or community group special anniversaries or events.

Who can help you

Expressions: Create quality tea towels, bags or aprons printed with your group’s own artwork, drawings or handprints. Expressions’ fundraisers are a proven success. Everything you need is provided with no upfront costs.
www.expressions.com.au | request more information | 1300 855 509

Crazy Camel: Run a tea towel fundraiser using children’s artwork and create a practical gift which will be cherished for years to come. Photos can also be used.
www.crazycamel.com.au | request more information | 1800 141 239

Helpful articles:

• Tea towels as fundraisers

13. Sponsorship

Finding sponsors can be key to help you reach your fundraising goals by filling the gaps and sharing the costs of an event. It can be challenging but if you’re successful it can make a big difference to your end result.  Sponsorship is an ideal opportunity for local businesses to promote themselves to an audience that they may not have otherwise reached or indeed their target audience.

There are many ways to find sponsors: grants are available through many avenues and amounts will vary depending on the source, good old door to door visits – this can be a particularly useful method if you have the time and it can be harder for them to say when they’re face to face, emailing a sponsorship proposal is a much more time efficient but you will need to follow up, advertise for sponsors in your own newsletters or social media – you may be surprised at the resources you can find in your own backyard.

Helpful articles:

• Where to find sponsorship and donations
• Sponsorship 101
• Sign up to be a member of the Fundraising Whisperer's Toolbox (it’s free!) to access example sponsorship proposals and letters

14. Product Drives

An ever-increasing range of products is available for drives, from the popular chocolate drive to biscuits and beyond! With reputable suppliers who have been in the fundraising game long term, the choice is huge and you can be rewarded with great profits.

Who can help you

Krispy Kreme Fundraising: The idea of Krispy Kreme FUN-draising is to give your group the chance to raise some extra cash by selling the world’s most popular doughnuts. Our Fundraising Kit makes it easy as we have everything you need to get fundraising!
www.fundraising.krispykreme.com.au | request more information

Bakers Delight Easter Fundraising: Raise some dough for your school, club or community group with Bakers Delight’s delicious Hot Cross Buns! At Bakers Delight, we believe in the power of community and the joy of giving back. Our commitment goes beyond just baking delicious products; we're dedicated to supporting schools, clubs and community groups in reaching their fundraising goals. 
www.bakersdelight.com.au | request more information 

Jolly Soles: Jolly Soles is an Australian family owned business that provides boxes of socks as a fundraiser for your school, sporting club, charity or community event.
www.jollysoles.com.au | request more information | 08 8725 175

Bite Size FUNraising: Be part of the most fun, delicious, and profitable fundraising in Australia. Share 15 packs of happiness with family and friends to raise money for your school, sporting club or organisation. For every box you raise over $28 profit.
www.bitesizegroup.com| request more information | 02 9728 0000

The Entertainment App: For almost 30 years, schools, charities, clubs and community groups of all kinds have reached their fundraising goals with Entertainment. The Entertainment Book, Australia’s original fundraiser, is now an easy-to-use app and is here to take your fundraising game to the next level! 
www.entertainment.com| request more information | 1300 159 707

NATPAT Fundraising: With NATPAT, your community gets access to our popular products – from BuzzPatch mosquito repellent to Zen stickers for calm – at an exclusive discount, lower than on our website. Plus, we give back a massive 50% of all proceeds directly to your cause, with zero cost to join!
www.raise.natpat.com/pages/fundraising | request more information 

Billy G’s Gourmet Cookie Dough: An outstanding home baking product that all the family will love getting involved in. No money upfront.
www.australianfundraising.com.au | request more information | 1800 657 489

Helpful articles:

• Children’s role in fundraising
• Common Sense Guide to Fundraising with Chocolates

15. Raffles

Raffles are the ‘go to’ for fundraising.  They are easy to run and can either be run on their own or incorporated into just about any other fundraising event as an add-on fundraiser.  People are usually happy to shell out a few dollars on raffle tickets to support a good cause. The key to a successful raffle is to sell your tickets as far and wide as possible.  It also helps to have a great prize (hopefully a donated one!).  Put a flyer together with a photo or description of the prize so that people can see what they are in the running for and away you go!  Advertise your raffle tickets in newsletters, community notice boards and social media to increase your reach.  There are also online providers who can run your raffle for you if you don’t have the time or the volunteers. You can also design and print your own tickets online to personalise them to your needs.

Raffles are classified by all Australian States and Territories as ‘gaming’ and, alongside casinos and licensed clubs, raffles are subject to regulation designed to protect the consumer, and the people conducting the gaming. Before you run a raffle it’s of the utmost importance that you check your state’s regulatory body raffle rules to avoid accidentally breaking any gaming laws. Check them here.

Helpful articles:

• Raffle Ticket Sales
• Raffle Rules per State

16. Free Dress Days

All sorts of organisations have ‘dress down day’, ‘free dress day’, ‘mufty day’, or ‘casual Friday’. There a staple fundraiser purely because all the organisers have to do is make sure they get their message out before the day and remember to collect the money.

There are heaps of variations on the usual idea of paying to come in your clothes of choice. Add a theme e.g. Book Character during Book Week or racegoer on Melbourne Cup Day or link free dress day to the lead-up of school fete preparations and ask children to bring a specific item needed for the fete (such as can of drink or cake mix) in exchange for free dress. This is a great way to increase your fete donations!

Workplaces have adopted the dress down day as a charity fundraiser, wearing jeans or a colour or pyjamas, according to charity theming. Some schools also run free dress days to support a charity or cause that they are passionate about and it’s a great life lesson to teach our kids to give back when they can. Get the students involved by asking the student council to nominate their cause for the donations to go to.

Who can help you

Jolly Soles: Jolly Soles is an Australian family owned business that provides boxes of socks as a fundraiser for your school, sporting club, charity or community event.
www.jollysoles.com.au | request more information | 08 8725 175

Helpful articles:

• Rebel for a Cause Day
• Fun Bell Friday

17. Discos

Discos can be a big source of revenue for any school. For primary schools it is generally best to run two discos – one for the junior school early in the evening, followed by one for higher grades. Charge a reasonable entry fee and make extra money from ancillary sales – glow sticks and LED products, soft drinks or bottled water and some food.

High school audiences can be more demanding: get the student leaders involved in planning a theme or music. Parent volunteers are always needed for refreshments, cloakroom and security. As a general rule, children do not leave the hall during the disco and must be collected by an adult. 

Helpful articles:

• Sign up to be a member of the Fundraising Whisperer's Toolbox (it’s free!) to access: How to Run a Successful School Disco
• Running a Silent Disco
• Halloween Disco

18. Socks

You can never have too many socks. It’s a proven fact! Ok, maybe it’s just a good guess, but sock fundraisers have been around for a while. The old way was an order-form sock drive, but these days you can do a carry pack fundraiser! Sock drives are proving popular not only with schools, but groups like scouts and sporting groups.

Who can help you

Jolly Soles: Jolly Soles is an Australian family owned business that provides boxes of socks as a fundraiser for your school, sporting club, charity or community event.
www.jollysoles.com.au | request more information | 08 8725 175

Helpful articles:

• Fun stall games – What’s in the sock

19. Sausage Sizzles

Sausages sizzles are extremely popular as fundraisers and it doesn’t matter what the time of year, you can’t go past a sausage and onion on bread.  They are also extremely versatile – whether it be for a school function, sports day, school disco, game day at your local sports club or even a Bunnings community BBQ.  They are relatively low cost, easy to run and can be quite profitable.

Make sure you have current public liability and familiarise yourself with Safe Food Handling regulations.  Try combining your sausage sizzle with add-on fundraisers such as a raffle, cake/bake sale and/or a coffee cart to boost your revenue.

Helpful articles:

• What should we charge for sausage sizzle and bacon and egg rolls?
• Sausage Sizzles - Organising your BBQ fundraiser 

20. Art Shows

The Art Show is an increasingly popular fundraiser – where an entire class will create a combined work of art to auction off at a fete or other fundraising function.

It is a great idea to have good quality photos of the art taken also – they can be turned into other products such as gift cards to be ordered at the event to maximise your fundraising and also the enjoyment of participating families.

Who can help you

Expressions: Create quality tea towels, bags or aprons printed with your group’s own artwork, drawings or handprints. Expressions’ fundraisers are a proven success. Everything you need is provided with no upfront costs.
www.expressions.com.au | request more information | 1300 855 509

Crazy Camel: Personalised Calendars and Family Planners, Greeting Cards, iPhone Cases, Notebooks, Diaries, Sketch Pads, Pillowcases and Tea Towels using children’s artwork made into a high quality products that will be cherished for years to come. Photos can also be used.
www.crazycamel.com.au | request more information | 1800 141 239

Helpful articles:

• Turning Kids’ Art into Fundraising dollars
• Art Show and Auction

21. Cookie Dough and Biscuits

Biscuit and cookie dough drives are very simple to run and usually don’t include any upfront costs. They use order forms or are online which means they have pre-payments so organisers do not need to chase outstanding money. Combined with a quality product that is easy to sell, Cookie and Biscuit Dough has proven to be a successful fundraiser and is perfect all year-round for all types of groups.

Who can help you

Billy G’s Cookie Dough: Dough-licious and profitable fundraising is here with Billy G’s Gourmet Cookie Dough Fundraiser! Perfect for any size school, kindergarten, group or club, Billy G’s Gourmet Cookie Dough is Australia’s easiest and most popular cashless, online fundraiser! 
www.australianfundraising.com.au| request more information | 1300 133 022

Bite Size FUNraising: Be part of the most fun, delicious, and profitable fundraising in Australia. Share 15 packs of happiness with family and friends to raise money for your school, sporting club or organisation. For every box you raise over $28 profit.
www.bitesizegroup.com| request more information | 02 9728 0000

Helpful articles:

• Biscuit and Cookie Dough

22. Picture Plates

Kids love to draw and paint – what better way to get them involved in your group’s fundraising and encourage sales to parents and loved ones than to put their artwork on a practical melamine plate.  All art materials are supplied and you can even have your logo pre-printed on the plates.  Some suppliers offer add-on products such as mugs, phone cases, calendars and water bottles to increase your profits.

As children’s artwork make excellent gifts, plan product drive fundraisers ahead of Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or Christmas to maximise sales. These fundraisers work particularly well for Kindergartens and primary schools.

Who can help you

Pictureproducts: Turning nearly 3 million children’s drawings and photos into melamine Pictureplates since 1977, kids and parents love a Pictureproducts fundraiser. Wide range of add-on products available to maximise your profits.
www.pictureproducts.com.au | request more information | 1300 130 574

Helpful articles:

• Children’s artistic memories you can eat off

23. Trivia Nights

A trivia night can put the ‘fun’ into fundraising. It’s a great excuse to get your community together, have some laughs and raise those all-important funds.  You can opt for a themed night, for example, 80’s trivia questions only with the option of fancy dress and best dressed prizes.  Themes are only limited by your imagination but of course, they are not essential.

Having a great MC makes for a great night.  Sponsorship and prize donations will increase your profits so make sure you ask!  Run raffles through the night and have a selection of games that people can pay to participate in – lucky squares, coin toss, head and tails, handbag scavenger hunt, balloon relays, who am I? and the list goes on.

‘Cheating’ can be a very profitable and fun activity for trivia nights if presented in the right way. Cheating involves being able to ‘buy’ correct answers or certain advantages in activities throughout the evening. The ability to ‘cheat’ needs to be declared (and promoted!) up front. Everyone needs to fully understand the rules and how they can participate.

Helpful articles:

• A Trivia night could be the answer to school fundraising
• Trivia Night Activities: selling ‘cheats’
• Trivia Night Activities: Coin Slide
• Download: Trivia Night Run Sheet

24. Passive Fundraising

I call it background fundraising, others call it passive fundraising, and they involve a benefit to your organisation when somebody purchases or takes some other desired action (eg test drives a certain car). These loyalty programs require a one-time sign-up, communicating the offer to your families and the occasional reminder in your newsletters or via email. They are ongoing and can provide handy extra income.  You can be signed up to any number at the one time.

Who can help you

The Entertainment App: For almost 30 years, schools, charities, clubs and community groups of all kinds have reached their fundraising goals with Entertainment.

The Entertainment Book, Australia’s original fundraiser, is now an easy-to-use app and is here to take your fundraising game to the next level! 
www.entertainment.com| request more information | 1300 159 707

Helpful articles:

• ‘Background’ or ‘Passive’ Fundraising

25. Cake Stalls

Cake stalls or bake sales are a ‘must have’ for fetes or fairs and they can generate surprisingly large profits. They are low cost and easy to run and set up.  All you need is the generous donations from your community of cakes, muffins, biscuits, slices, chocolate crackles and so on. Use the time of year to your advantage – Easter, Halloween, Christmas – and include items that incorporate your theme.

Cake stalls appeal to a wide audience particularly if you have plenty of variety and you can combine your cake stall with a sausage sizzle or coffee cart to draw more people in. Make sure that your audience knows what you are raising money for by creating signs as well as talking to your customers – they are more likely to buy when they have a reason.

Who can help you

Krispy Kreme Fundraising: The idea of Krispy Kreme FUN-draising is to give your group the chance to raise some extra cash by selling the world’s most popular doughnuts. Our Fundraising Kit makes it easy as we have everything you need to get fundraising!
www.fundraising.krispykreme.com.au | request more information 

Bite Size FUNraising: Be part of the most fun, delicious, and profitable fundraising in Australia. Share 15 packs of happiness with family and friends to raise money for your school, sporting club or organisation. For every box you raise over $28 profit.
www.bitesizegroup.com| request more information | 02 9728 0000

Helpful articles:

• Cake Stall Ideas
• Create-a-Cupcake Stand
• Cake Poems for Cake Stall Donations
• 101 Fete Stall Ideas Megaguide (You can find this mega guide in our Fundraising Whisperer's Toolbox. It's free to join! You can register  here.)