Our top 10 fundraising ideas

If you’re trying to raise money for a great cause but you’re out of inspiration, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Whether it’s for a local charity, school PTA, community group, or workplace challenge, coming up with fundraising ideas that are fresh, fun and effective can be trickier than it sounds.

But good news – it doesn’t need to be! With a little imagination (and this blog), you’ll be overflowing with charity fundraising ideas that are creative, achievable and suited to all kinds of budgets and audiences.

From quick one-off events to full-blown campaigns, these top 10 fundraising ideas have been tried, tested and proven to deliver results – and most importantly, they’re a laugh to take part in, too.

Make a change; make a difference.

1 – Fundraising ideas that get everyone involved

Let’s start with the crowd-pleasers. These kinds of fundraising suggestions work brilliantly because they bring people together around a common goal. Whether it’s a community hall, a school gym or a workplace breakout space, you can host these anywhere with just a bit of planning.

Quiz nights are always a hit. Go classic pub quiz or pick a fun theme – TV shows, movie soundtracks, or even local trivia. Charge a small entry fee per team, throw in a few silly prizes, and you’re on your way. You could even rent tables, chairs, and glassware from Event Hire UK to give your quiz night a polished edge.

Another one that works across all age groups is bingo. It’s easy to set up, easy to play, and always gets competitive in the best way. You can go old-school or modern with musical bingo – where players tick off songs instead of numbers.

Want to go bigger? Combine your quiz with a raffle or a tombola to raise more money on the night. These are the kind of fundraising activities for work or school that don’t feel like hard work – they’re genuinely fun and they keep people coming back each year.

2 – Food-based fundraising ideas

If there’s one universal truth, it’s this: people love food. That’s why ideas to raise money for charity involving something tasty are usually a guaranteed win.

Bake sales are the obvious go-to, especially in schools or office settings. But why not switch it up with a bake-off challenge? Get people to enter their best bake, then ask attendees to vote with their money. Think “cake meets competition” with a charity twist.

Other ideas include potluck lunches where everyone brings a dish and makes a donation to join. Or host a “global food day” where people prepare dishes from different countries to sell at a lunchtime market. These kinds of charity event ideas for work are brilliant for celebrating culture while raising money.

If you’re planning something bigger – like an after-work tasting evening or supper club – you can hire glassware, crockery and serving equipment from Event Hire UK for a professional finish. This is especially useful if you’re holding a one-off event in a space that doesn’t come fully equipped.

3 – Quirky fundraising ideas that grab attention

Sometimes, the more unusual the idea, the more donations you get. People love novelty – especially when it comes with a laugh. So if you’re after quirky fundraising ideas that cut through the noise, think big, bold, and a bit silly.

Try a sponsored “don’t laugh” challenge where participants have to watch funny videos or face off with comedians without cracking a smile. Or a “mystery box” raffle where entrants don’t know what prize they’re getting until the end. You’d be amazed how well these things work.

We’ve also seen “rent-a-colleague” auctions, where staff bid to have their manager do their job for an hour. For hilarious fundraising ideas, it’s hard to beat.

Want to really stand out? Go for a themed day at work or school – pyjama day, superhero dress-up, or “bad hair day.” These fundraising ideas for kids work just as well in adult settings with a sense of humour.

4 – Cheap fundraising ideas that still raise big money

You don’t need loads of money to make money. In fact, some of the most effective cheap fundraising ideas are the simplest. And because they cost so little to run, more of the donations go straight to the cause.

Try a second-hand book or clothing sale using donated items. All you need is a few tables and a well-labelled layout – which you can hire from Event Hire UK if needed. Or run a penny jar challenge, where each team or class fills a jar with coins and the heaviest jar wins.

Other no-cost options include guess-how-many sweets in the jar, “baby photo match-up” games, or design-a-logo contests where people pay to vote on the winner.

These ideas are great for schools, offices or community halls – places where foot traffic is high and people are happy to part with a few pounds for a bit of fun.

5 – Fundraising ideas for schools

When it comes to ideas for schools to raise money, the key is to make it fun, inclusive and something kids actually want to take part in.

We’ve seen loads of success with sponsored spelling bees, reading challenges, dance-athons and even “sponsored silence” days (always popular with teachers!). These challenges can be scaled for different year groups and are easy to run with a little help from parents and staff.

For bigger events, try a school fair or mini festival. Sell table space to local businesses, run activity stations (face painting, sponge-the-teacher, lucky dip), and hire outdoor seating or gazebos to give it a proper festival feel.

Events like this can become annual traditions that raise thousands over time. And with Event Hire UK’s reliable short term hire service, you can scale up your event without needing to buy loads of kit.

6 – Fast fundraising ideas for last-minute goals

Need to raise a chunk of money, quickly? You’re not alone. Sometimes, unexpected situations call for fast action – and that’s where simple, quick wins are essential.

Try a 24-hour fundraising challenge, like a team relay, cycling challenge, or donation marathon. Get people to sponsor your team for each hour completed. It’s the kind of event that builds momentum fast, especially when supported with a solid social media push.

You could also host a flash fundraiser – set a target and aim to reach it in a single day. These are great for small teams with strong networks. Just be sure to keep the updates flowing and celebrate every donation.

And if you’re wondering how to raise money fast without an event? Create a “text to donate” campaign, pair it with a personal story, and make it super easy for people to contribute instantly.

7 – Fundraising ideas for work

Let’s be real – office fundraising can be a bit dry. But it doesn’t have to be. With the right approach, you can make fundraising ideas for work part of your company culture.

Try hosting monthly “charity challenge” days – bake sales, quizzes, or wellness walks, all with a fundraising element. Or go big with a full charity gala, team challenge, or awards night with ticketed entry.

Office fundraising also gives you access to matching schemes. Many businesses will match employee donations or double the fundraising total. So whatever you raise – it can go even further.

For corporate events, we can provide everything from glassware and tables to staging and catering equipment. So whether you’re planning a wine-tasting night or a black-tie dinner, we’ve got the hire side sorted.

8 – Use sponsorship to boost your fundraising

Looking for long-term income or bigger donations? Sponsorship could be your best move. Approach local businesses or companies with a connection to your cause. Offer them branding opportunities in exchange for backing your event or campaign.

Even small businesses may be willing to sponsor a prize, donate equipment, or cover the cost of a venue. And if you’re planning a fundraising dinner, auction or awards night, sponsors can help fund the setup so all proceeds go directly to the cause.

These types of sponsorship ideas work best when you’ve got a plan and a clear message. And a well-run event makes it more likely they’ll support you again next time.

9 – Take your fundraising online

Not every fundraiser needs a venue or face-to-face crowd. Some of the most successful campaigns are completely digital – perfect for busy teams or when you’re trying to reach people outside your local area.

Think online raffles, Instagram giveaways, livestreamed talent shows or digital challenges (like fitness goals, art projects or gameathons). Set up a donation page, promote it on socials, and keep people engaged with regular updates and videos.

This also works well for charity ideas for workplace teams who are remote or hybrid – meaning everyone can take part no matter where they are.

10 – Combine ideas for maximum impact

Here’s a little bonus tip: you don’t have to choose just one fundraising idea. Some of the most successful campaigns combine a few ideas into one big push.

You might host a summer fair with food stalls, games, a raffle and a sponsored walk. Or run a “giving week” with different daily themes – dress-up Monday, quiz Tuesday, bake sale Wednesday, and so on.

When you mix it up, you appeal to more people and offer different ways to get involved. Plus, it makes your event feel bigger, more dynamic, and more likely to hit its goals.

And of course, Event Hire UK is here to help with all the logistics – furniture, equipment, catering gear, and everything in between. Whether it’s a one-off, short term charity bash or an annual tradition, we’ve got what you need to bring it to life.

Final thoughts

Great fundraising isn’t just about asking for donations – it’s about creating something fun, inspiring and meaningful that brings people together. Whether you’re running a one-day event, launching a digital campaign, or planning a school-wide fundraiser, these fundraising ideas will help you make it memorable.

At Event Hire UK, we love supporting charities, schools, businesses and communities with short term hire that makes event planning easier. From pop-up quiz nights to gala dinners, we’ve seen first-hand how the right equipment can elevate your event – and we’re here to help you make it happen.

So whatever your cause, and however much you’re hoping to raise, just know you’re not doing it alone.

Let’s make it count.