Looking for great ideas for hot summer fundraisers? Here are our top summer fundraising ideas:
SUMMER FUNDRAISING EVENTS
All year long we look forward to the fun of summer. The possibilities are endless for fun summer fundraising events. Here are some of the best summer fundraising events and activities.
Car Wash
This tried-and-true fundraiser is a natural choice for summer since groups of just about all sizes can run a profitable car wash. Make yours even more profitable by checking out these car wash fundraising tips
Barbecue
Summer and hot dogs go hand in hand, and with hot dogs being one of the most economical barbecue choices, they’re the perfect menu item for a summer barbecue fundraiser.
Block Party or Day in the Park
Buck up your barbecue with a full-on block party or Day in the Park! This one takes a little bit of extra planning, and is perfect for community organizations that are known among local residents, and have a team of volunteers to help out. Learn more about using a block party as a fundraising event
Just-for-Fun Game
Sports like baseball, football and basketball are lots of fun in the summer, and also a great way to raise funds. Organize fun games like parents vs. kids, girls vs. boys, etc, and charge a small fee to join a team, or allow people to join in with a donation amount of their choice.
Bike-A-Thon
Or any “thon” that gets your group outside and enjoying the summer weather (walk-a-thon, dance-a-thon, etc). Learn more about “thon” fundraisers >>
Yard Sale
A yard sale is a great way to clear the clutter, and raise lots of money. It does take some pre-planning though. Check out this article for great yard sale fundraiser tips & ideas
Pool Party
If you have the resources (a pool for starters, and also proper supervision if you’re working with children), a pool party is an awesome fundraiser idea for summer! Sell snacks, raffle off prizes, and set up carnival-type games like a ring toss!
Water Balloon Fight
Find a large open space in your community, like a park or field, and organize the biggest water balloon fight anyone has ever seen! You can either charge per water balloon, or make it a team sport where people pay a team fee to enter.
Concert in the Park
A concert takes a lot of planning, but if you have the resources it can be a huge success. Put together a showcase of local talent for your concert. Many local bands will play for free because it’s a great opportunity for them to display their talents, and this is especially popular if you’re working with kids and teens!
Ice Cream Fundraisers
Okay, we know ice cream melts, but who doesn’t love ice cream on a hot summer day? Check out these ice cream event fundraisers from Step by Step Fundraising.
For any outdoor fundraising event, be sure to keep these summer safety tips in mind.
GREEN FUNDRAISING IDEAS
Many green fundraisers involve being outside and enjoying all that nature has to offer.
Check out these 3 green fundraising ideas, including a community cleanup, a green motion marathon, and an adopt-a-tree fundraiser, and of course, if no other groups are doing it, why not start a can and bottle drive fundraiser in your community?
SUMMER FUNDRAISING PRODUCTS
In the summer, chocolate and other popular fundraising products can get sticky, messy, and melty. Here are some other popular fundraising products that can withstand the heat of summer.
Beef Jerky
Beef jerky is becoming more popular as a fundraising product. Jack Link’s is the top beef jerky fundraiser, and is especially popular for football, baseball, and basketball teams. It’s also great because it’s easy to sell at concessions and sports facilities. Get some tips on the best beef jerky fundraiser.
Lollipops
Nothing sells faster than lollipops, especially at sporting events, community get-togethers, and other fun summer activities.
They’re also inexpensive, easy to carry and won’t melt on a hot day.
Gift Cards
Gift cards are a great fundraising idea for any time of year, and in the summer your supporters will be happy to support a fundraiser that gets them out enjoying the summer evenings at restaurant patios. A restaurant gift card fundraiser is a perfect way to let your supporters enjoy outdoor dining while getting a $50 meal for just $20.
Scratch Cards
A Scratch Card fundraiser is a way for your group to ask for donations, while giving something in return. Since there is no food involved, this program can be used any time of the year. Perfect for summer sports, especially with the new personalization option that lets your group print its own photo on the front of the card – a great way to show team spirit and show off your team at their best!
ONLINE FUNDRAISING
You’ll especially love fundraising online in the summer because most online fundraisers are so quick and easy that you’ll be set up in a matter of minutes, which means more time for yourself to enjoy the sunny days of summer! Online fundraisers are also perfect if your group members or supporters are traveling on summer vacations and you need something that can work right across the country.
A great one to try out is eFundraising. It’s fast, FREE and easy. eFundraising lets you set up your own online magazine store and invite supporters from coast to coast, and all they do is buy or renew subscriptions for magazines they are probably already buying – and they will save money too!
Find more great online fundraising ideas >>
Looking for more fun and easy summer fundraisers?