{"id":10503,"date":"2023-08-09T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-09T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pro-migration.local\/blog\/21-creative-fall-fundraising-ideas\/"},"modified":"2025-06-13T10:51:43","modified_gmt":"2025-06-13T17:51:43","slug":"fall-fundraiser-ideas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gofundme.to\/__proxy\/pro.gofundme.com\/c\/blog\/fall-fundraiser-ideas\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Creative Fall Fundraiser Ideas"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fall is the time for getting together to celebrate abundance and gratitude, whether around a fire, dinner table, or football field.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With so many popular activities, autumn is a\u00a0<\/span>perfect time<\/span>\u00a0for your\u00a0<\/span>nonprofit<\/span>\u00a0to host a special event that takes you closer to your annual\u00a0<\/span>fundraising goal<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To get your creative juices flowing, we\u2019ve organized a list of top fall\u00a0<\/span>fundraising activities<\/span>\u00a0for supporters of all ages. And once you\u2019re finished here, these<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>77 fundraising event ideas<\/a>\u00a0are a great next stop in your reading journey.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Pumpkin-Carving Contest<\/h2>\n

There\u2019s no better symbol of the\u00a0<\/span>fall season<\/span>\u00a0than the pumpkin. For your\u00a0<\/span>pumpkin-carving contest<\/span>\u00a0event, encourage attendees to contribute a registration fee or commit to a fundraising minimum to earn their spot in the competition. Partner with local farmers for pumpkins or ask guests to \u201cbring your own pumpkin (BYOP).\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A great example is the annual\u00a0<\/span>GUTS pumpkin-carving competition<\/a>\u00a0that raises money to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation through a\u00a0<\/span>silent auction<\/a>\u00a0with food, drink, and merchandise sales. GUTS also asks for\u00a0<\/span>online donations<\/span>\u00a0from those who can\u2019t attend.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Halloween or Thanksgiving Run\/Walk<\/h2>\n

A well-organized run\/walk could be your most successful event of the year. Raise money for your organization with a spooktacular<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>5K charity run<\/a>\u00a0or turkey trot (a well-established Thanksgiving Day tradition for those of us not on kitchen duty).<\/span><\/p>\n

You can also easily organize a virtual 5K with an\u00a0<\/span>online\u00a0<\/span>fundraising platform<\/a>. Ask participants to register to run a certain distance by themselves or with other participants, usually in exchange for a\u00a0<\/span>T-shirt<\/span>\u00a0or finisher\u2019s medal. This is a great way to scale the impact of an\u00a0<\/span>in-person<\/span>\u00a0event and give your supporters the option to participate no matter where they are.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Harvest Dinner<\/h2>\n

Organizing a dinner at a\u00a0<\/span>local restaurant<\/span>\u00a0to bring people together for an evening of conversation and connection is another great way to fundraise. Serve a sample of beverages from a local brewery or liven things up with a local musician. Then, sell tickets for a seat at the table and attract\u00a0<\/span>corporate sponsorships<\/a> by offering to promote their brands on event swag, your\u00a0<\/span>donation site<\/a>, and registration pages.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Emilio Nares Foundation does a great job promoting these perks to potential sponsors on its<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Harvest for Hope event page.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. House Party<\/h2>\n

A house party can be a great way to interact with your supporters face-to-face and show them how much your\u00a0<\/span>nonprofit<\/span>\u00a0appreciates their dedication.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not only is this great for<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>donor stewardship<\/a>, but it can also serve as an opportunity to showcase your\u00a0<\/span>nonprofit<\/span>\u2019s work. Host a costume party, set up a\u00a0<\/span>haunted house<\/span>, or organize a potluck with seasonal food. And for a donation, sell tickets, snacks, and\u00a0<\/span>refreshments<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Elevate the party (or any other event on the list) by adding a\u00a0<\/span>costume contest<\/span>, especially if you host the event near\u00a0<\/span>Halloween<\/span>. Then, invite people to dress up in their favorite costume, assign judges, and have them pick from a list of categories, like spookiest or funniest costume.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Chili Cook-Off<\/h2>\n

Selling tickets to cook-off competitors and attendees who want to sample the chili is another fundraising home run. Appeal to local chefs to register for the competition or form a judging panel. Corporate sponsors could also join the panel. Just don\u2019t forget to ask attendees to cast votes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Along with the traditional awards for categories like \u201cspiciest,\u201d \u201cbest vegetarian,\u201d and \u201ctop overall chili,\u201d include creative options for desserts or side dishes. Be sure to engage all attendees with\u00a0<\/span>family-friendly<\/span>\u00a0games, booths, and\u00a0<\/span>refreshments<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Pie-Eating Contest<\/h2>\n

L<\/span>ocal bakeries can donate pies (pumpkin pies are abundant this\u00a0<\/span>time of year<\/span>) in exchange for publicity in your marketing, print promotions, and\u00a0<\/span>online fundraising page<\/span>. Recruit a volunteer emcee to amp the crowd and ask participants to start a peer-to-<\/span>peer fundraising campaign<\/span>\u00a0or donate a minimum gift amount for entry.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can combine this event with another seasonal favorite by hosting a <\/span>bake sale<\/span>. Raise more funds by selling baked goods while the spectators watch the pie-eating contest.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Giant Pumpkin Regatta<\/h2>\n

Believe it or not, you can have contestants race in giant, hollowed-out pumpkins for a prize\u2014no kidding. Get supporters to create teams, raise donations for their entry, then have a representative from each team race enormous pumpkin boats. Be sure to take plenty of photos to post on your\u00a0<\/span>nonprofit\u2019s social media<\/a>\u00a0channels.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to the pumpkin race, host a festival at a\u00a0<\/span>pumpkin patch<\/span>\u00a0with crafts, activities, and concessions. This is a great way to involve\u00a0<\/span>community members<\/span>\u00a0and raise local awareness for your\u00a0<\/span>good cause<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Need an example of what a Giant Pumpkin Regatta looks like? Check out the annual\u00a0<\/span>West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta<\/a>\u00a0event hosted in the city of Portland, Oregon, for inspiration.<\/span><\/p>\n

8. Fall Festival<\/h2>\n

If you want to host a fall fundraiser that attracts large numbers of supporters, organize a harvest festival for awareness and donations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Charge a\u00a0<\/span>small fee<\/span>\u00a0for admission and booth space to vendors. Then, ask for\u00a0<\/span>sponsorships<\/span>\u00a0from\u00a0<\/span>local businesses<\/span>\u00a0in exchange for brand promotion on event\u00a0<\/span>T-shirts<\/span>, merchandise, or co-branding the festival name.<\/span><\/p>\n

If your city already hosts a festival, contact the festival officials to form a partnership, or rent a booth and design an activity related to your cause to engage the crowd where you can solicit donations.<\/span><\/p>\n

9. Football Tournament<\/h2>\n

With football season underway, fall is a great time to host a\u00a0<\/span>nonprofit<\/span>\u00a0football tournament. Invite participants to start a team and recruit friends, then tap into their networks to raise a designated amount to compete.<\/span><\/p>\n

Expand your event\u2019s potential by creating multiple divisions for groups of supporters. For example, participants can register for the competitive, casual, or kids division. Then, encourage teams to make their jerseys to show off their creativity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This is also the\u00a0<\/span>perfect time<\/span>\u00a0for\u00a0<\/span>community members<\/span>\u00a0to\u00a0<\/span>tailgate<\/span>\u00a0before and after the tournament. You could grill hot dogs and hamburgers to sell and project televised\u00a0<\/span>football games<\/span>\u00a0on an outdoor big screen.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to the competition on the field, teams can compete to raise the most money in a\u00a0<\/span>crowdfunding<\/span>\u00a0campaign. Create a\u00a0<\/span>donation page<\/span>\u00a0for each team where they can ask their supporters to donate money for your\u00a0<\/span>good cause<\/span>. For inspiration, check out this list of\u00a0<\/span>football fundraising ideas<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

10. Orchard Walk or Hike<\/h2>\n

You can also partner with a local orchard and sell tickets for an apple-picking walk. Tickets could include a tour of the farm, a bag of fresh fruit, and an event\u00a0<\/span>T-shirt<\/span>. Consider hosting an apple-themed breakfast and a\u00a0<\/span>raffle<\/span>\u00a0at your event as well. These\u00a0<\/span>raffle ideas<\/a> can help take participants\u2019 experiences to the next level.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t have access to a local orchard, fall is also a\u00a0<\/span>great opportunity<\/span>\u00a0to host an outdoor hike. Organize an afternoon adventure and ask participants to register ahead of time. Then, provide goodie bags and travel guides with local trails. Weekends during the\u00a0<\/span>holiday season<\/span> book quickly, so reach out to supporters with a save-the-date email in advance.<\/span><\/p>\n

11. Grape Stomp or Winery Tour<\/h2>\n

\u2018Tis the season to stain your feet purple. Pair up with a nearby winery and charge a small\u00a0<\/span>entry fee<\/span>\u00a0for a tasting and a spot in a grape-stomping competition.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the Sonoma County Harvest Fair, host of the annual World Championship Grape Stomp, the contest consists of teams of two. While one team member uses their feet to squish grapes in a barrel, the other assists in flowing the juice into a jug. The first team to fill their jug is the winner.<\/span><\/p>\n

This\u00a0<\/span>fundraising event<\/span>\u00a0is a great example of a fall<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>peer-to-peer fundraiser<\/a>\u00a0because it\u2019s fun for participants and onlookers alike. Remember to empower participants to leverage their network for donations and ask stompers to fundraise a minimum amount for entry.<\/span><\/p>\n

12. Back-to-School Pancake Breakfast<\/h2>\n

Does your organization work to help children or education programs? If you want to run a<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>school fundraiser<\/a>, serve up some pumpkin-flavored flapjacks to raise money for your\u00a0<\/span>good cause<\/span>\u00a0and celebrate the\u00a0<\/span>back-to-school<\/span>\u00a0season.<\/span><\/p>\n

Partner with a local\u00a0<\/span>high school<\/span>\u00a0for a venue. Ask local grocers and farmers to donate ingredients and materials. Then, rally your volunteers or students to act as chefs.<\/span><\/p>\n

13. Movie Night or Backyard Theater<\/h2>\n

How about hosting a double feature\u00a0<\/span>movie-night<\/span>\u00a0screening at a local theater, drive-in, or\u00a0<\/span>DIY<\/span>\u00a0film screening at your venue with donated equipment, like a projector and big screen? The fall favorites movie list is endless.<\/span><\/p>\n