Summer is a great season to bring communities together through outdoor and innovative fundraising activities. The pleasant weather, extended daylight hours, and high community engagement over the holidays make it a perfect time for seasonal fundraising. After the dull and gloomy winter and rain, summer gives us the window to be more productive and lend others a helping hand. The warm weather allows us to take advantage of the great outdoors and raise money for various charitable organizations.
Enjoy the breezy summer activities this season by stepping into the summer fundraising field and showing your gratitude towards a better cause.
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11 Easy Summer Fundraising Ideas
Whether you’re a nonprofit, school PTA, youth club, or church group, summer is the perfect time to raise funds while creating memories. According to the CDC’s seasonal activity guidance, summer is the safest and most engaging period for community gatherings and outdoor activities.
1. Creative Workshop Fundraiser
It is one of the best fundraising ideas for summer to organize a workshop where you get to teach people something creative in return for donations for your cause. You can choose anything summer-appropriate, such as pottery or DIY natural beauty product making, and raise money simultaneously. During the sessions, you can let people know about your cause and ask them to donate an amount as a workshop fee, and explain how their valuable contribution is used for greater change.
2. Pool Party Summer Fundraiser
Having access to a pool can be something that one cannot deny during summer. So, why not take advantage of that and arrange a pool party fundraiser for your campaign as a great summer fundraising idea? A pool party is one of the best summer fundraising ideas and a great way to raise funds for your organization or cause by letting guests join in and raising money for your chosen cause. For instance, if you have a pool, you can organize a tournament or even a free day pass for the winner. Ensure safety by having lifeguards or first-aid staff on-site, and set a reasonable ticket price such as €10–€20 per person to cover costs while maximizing donations.
3. Lemonade Stand Fundraiser
Lemonades always become bestsellers during summer. Lemonades are healthy, and any age group can have them. You can set up your booth in a high-traffic location like a park or community center for your friends to drink. Make sure that everyone knows about your campaign (advertise through flyers, social media), and also make sure you have a safe place to keep all of your donations. Lemonade stands are one of the most popular summer fundraising ideas for kids.
Encourage donors to share photos to help your campaign go viral. Don’t forget to use the WhyDonate QR code to collect digital donations from those who may not carry cash.
4. Ice-Cream Fundraiser
Summers and ice creams – can we find a better seasonal bond than that? Well, there is a reason why not, as the sweet cold bites taste even more delicious after enjoying a full outdoorsy day on hot summer days. From children to the elderly, everyone enjoys a nice scoop of ice cream.
You can set up a colorful sundae booth as a summer fundraising idea and sell ice cream in exchange for donations. Let people donate whatever they are capable of. Put up a banner for your summer fundraiser or distribute some fundraising flyers. You can also opt for an online sale so that people who wish to order online can donate to you as well.
5. Theme Park Fundraiser
Summers are always about having fun, and they scream outdoor activities. So, we have considered including theme parks in our outdoor fundraising ideas list. People of all ages love to go to theme parks. These facilities provide a wide variety of activities and rides for everyone.
Nonprofit organizations can also bundle tickets to a particular park and sell them in an auction. The prices for these tickets can be very reasonable, which means that you can get a good deal for everyone and raise money for your cause, too.
You can even expand your efforts by hosting other outdoor summer fundraising events such as movie nights, community carnivals, or scavenger hunts to keep the fun going while collecting more donations.
Discover more summer fundraising ideas for school to energize your PTA or student club.
6. Farmer’s Market
Nowadays, people are getting more health-conscious and choosing organic vegetables and fruits instead of fancy supermarket-packaged foods. So why not help people provide good-quality homegrown vegetables and fruits instead of some donations for your summer fundraiser? In this way, you can talk to people face to face and form good relationships. People can understand the core of your cause, and with word-of-mouth, you can get yourself a good amount of donations in a short span of time.
7. Water Balloon Fighting Challenge
You can arrange an exciting water balloon fight challenge this summer! You can charge a small entry fee to participate. To maximize your earnings, you can sell refreshing drinks and snacks, and create a buzz on social media by using countdowns and teaser videos.
8. Ecotourism Or Camping Summer Fundraiser
During Summer, an eco-friendly way to explore the natural world is by organizing a tour that involves travelling responsibly, which is known as Ecotourism. As a summer fundraising idea, this tour can be conducted in areas that are protected from development and promote conservation. The tour’s goal is to educate the participants about the environment and your fundraiser. These types of tours are ideal for organisations that want to reach out to more people for their fundraisers and encourage them to conserve the environment at the same time. For a lighter approach, plan outdoor hiking tours, bike rides, or nature walks which will be fun, refreshing, and perfect for connecting people to your mission.
9. Organize a Garden Tour
Imagine a lovely afternoon spent strolling through the hidden, blooming backyards of your own neighborhood. You can organize a self-guided garden tour and charge a nominal entry fees to showcase the amazing talent of your local gardeners. Your ticket includes a map to this beautiful oasis, a digital link to your fundraising landing page, so attendees can donate easily. Along the way, you can enjoy some lemonade, test your knowledge with a fun garden trivia, and learn a few eco-friendly tips for your own patch of earth. It’s a perfect day to connect with nature and community, all while supporting a great cause. You can charge a small entry ticket around €5–€10 to cover costs and boost donations for your cause.
10. Car Wash Fundraiser
A car wash is a great summer fundraising idea. Car wash fundraisers are a great way to make money in almost any community. It can be advertised on social media and provides a convenient way for the community to support local causes. You only need a few basic factors to make it successful: a high-traffic location, a few volunteers, and attention-getting signs.
Turn Your Idea into Impact. Start Summer Fundraiser Now at WhyDonate.
11. Crowdfunding
Whether it’s summer or winter, crowdfunding is a flexible and accessible way to raise money for any cause. It allows individuals and organizations to share their stories, connect with supporters online, and gather donations from a wide audience. Once your campaign gains traction, platforms like WhyDonate can help you manage contributions easily and reach even more donors, all without taking on major financial risks.
You can mark your goal and get some reactions before spending a ton of money. That beats funding any cause out of your own pocket. WhyDonate is also highly reliable and equipped with a multifunctional dashboard for all its fundraisers. Anyone can choose to start a summer fundraiser through the WhyDonate fundraising platform and make the best out of their fundraising campaign.
Create your summer fundraiser now and make this summer unforgettable.
Be Kind This Summer
Summers are always about breaking free from the long-term gloomy weather and enjoying nature. So why not turn to some charity work that can benefit either you or someone who is in need? With WhyDonate, you can create your fundraiser and share all the details of your fundraising event with people who wish to be a part of your cause easily. Let’s be kind to each other and help each other to make this world a better place. Before you launch, be sure to review the legal requirements for fundraising to ensure your event is compliant. Happy summer fundraising!
FAQs on Summer Fundraiser Ideas
1. Can schools host fundraisers during summer holidays?
Yes! Schools can engage students and families through summer camps, fairs, or talent shows to keep the momentum going.
2. What are the easiest summer camp fundraising ideas?
Summer camp fundraising ideas can be hosting car washes, bake sales, talent shows, and themed parties. These activities engage campers and raise money in a fun, interactive environment.
3. What are popular summer food fundraisers?
Popular summer food fundraisers include BBQ nights, ice cream socials, lemonade stands, and food truck events. These options attract people with seasonal treats and help boost fundraising efforts.
4. What are creative summer fundraising event ideas?
Creative summer fundraising event ideas include outdoor movie nights, sports tournaments, scavenger hunts, and community fairs. These events are enjoyable for all ages and can generate substantial donations.
5. What are effective summer fundraising ideas for the workplace?
Effective summer fundraising ideas for the workplace are casual dress days for donations, lunch-and-learn sessions with ticket sales, office BBQs, and group contests. These activities boost team spirit while raising funds.
