50 fundraising event ideas for nonprofits: charity auctions, galas, paddle raises, walkathons, trivia nights, golf tournaments, wine pulls, raffles, and more. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, charity auctions with mobile bidding raise an average of 43% more per event than paper-based formats. Create your free event to get started.
50 event formats
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Auctions, galas, walkathons, trivia, and more. One platform for tickets, mobile bidding, and checkout.
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Fundraising events are organized activities nonprofits use to raise money and engage donors. The right format depends on your audience, your team size, and your goal.
Charity auctions with mobile bidding raise 43% more per event. That is according to CharityAuctions.com platform data. They are the highest-revenue format per guest for most nonprofits.
This list covers 50 proven formats. Each entry explains how it works, who it is best for, and links to a deeper guide.
How it works: Donated items are sold to the highest bidders. Silent auctions use paper or mobile bidding; live auctions use an auctioneer; hybrid combines online and in-person. Charity auction software and silent auction platform tools power mobile bidding, checkout, and reporting.
Best for: Nonprofits, schools, churches, galas. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, silent auctions with mobile bidding see participation rates up to 52% higher than paper bid sheets. See auction software vs paper bidding and what is a silent auction for more.
Deeper resource: How to run a charity auction
How it works: Formal dinner, program (speaker, video, beneficiary), paddle raise, and often a live auction. Tickets $100–$500+. High-touch, high-revenue.
Best for: Established nonprofits with major donor base. Requires 3–6 months planning.
Deeper resource: Gala auction fundraising ideas, live auction how-to
How it works: Direct donation ask during a program. Set giving levels ($100, $250, $500, etc.). Emcee asks guests to raise paddles or pledge on phones. Often raises more than the silent auction.
Best for: Galas, mission-driven moments. Pairs with video or beneficiary story. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, paddle raises average 28% of total gala revenue and often outperform the silent auction at the same event.
Deeper resource: What is a paddle raise, paddle raise fundraiser
How it works: Silent or live auction at a school gala, spring fling, or carnival. Teacher experiences, class art, local business donations. School fundraising ideas covers the full range.
Best for: PTAs, parent committees, K–12 schools.
Deeper resource: School auction fundraising ideas
How it works: Community dinner plus silent auction. Mission trips, donated services, baked goods, crafts. Often tied to annual campaign.
Best for: Churches, faith-based organizations.
Deeper resource: Church auction fundraising ideas
How it works: Foursomes pay to play. Add silent auction at dinner, raffle, or contest holes (longest drive, closest to pin). Sponsorships fund prizes and overhead.
Best for: Nonprofits with golf-loving donors. Corporate sponsors.
Deeper resource: Golf fundraiser guide
How it works: Bottles wrapped and sold at fixed price (e.g., $25) or blind bid. Guests pick a bottle; value varies. Quick, fun, low-effort add-on to galas.
Best for: Galas, wine-loving audiences. Add to dinner or cocktail hour.
Deeper resource: Wine pull fundraiser
How it works: Sell tickets for a chance to win. 50/50 splits the pot; basket raffles have multiple prizes; reverse raffles eliminate until one winner. How to run a raffle fundraiser covers permits and formats.
Best for: Community events, schools, low-budget fundraisers.
Deeper resource: 9 raffle games, silent auction vs raffle
How it works: Guests buy ticket sheets, place tickets in containers next to prizes they want. One winning ticket drawn per prize. High engagement, many winners.
Best for: Schools, community groups, affordable participation.
Deeper resource: Creative fundraising ideas
How it works: Formal dinner, premium auction items, paddle raise, entertainment. Highest revenue per guest. Requires strong committee and donor base.
Best for: Major nonprofits, hospitals, universities.
Deeper resource: Best auction platforms for gala events
PS: Pair your gala or auction with mobile bidding from day one. Build a private demo for the team.
How it works: Participants register, collect pledges (flat or per mile), and walk a set course. Low overhead, high participation. Add teams, themes, or post-walk celebration.
Best for: Schools, community health orgs, families.
Deeper resource: Creative fundraising ideas
How it works: Timed or untimed run. Entry fee plus optional pledges. Color runs add powder stations. Festive, shareable, family-friendly.
Best for: Schools, youth sports, community orgs.
How it works: Cyclists register, collect pledges per mile or flat donations. Route options for different skill levels. Post-ride food and raffle boost revenue.
Best for: Cycling communities, health-focused nonprofits.
Deeper resource: Creative fundraising ideas
How it works: Participants dance for hours; sponsors pledge per hour or flat amount. DJ, themes, prizes for last dancer standing. High energy.
Best for: Schools, youth groups, dance studios.
Deeper resource: Dance-a-thon fundraiser
How it works: Students read; sponsors pledge per book or per minute. Tracks reading time. Promotes literacy and fundraising.
Best for: Schools, libraries, literacy nonprofits.
How it works: Swimmers collect pledges per lap. Pool time donated or rented. Popular with swim teams and aquatic centers.
Best for: Swim teams, aquatic programs.
How it works: Teams bowl; sponsors pledge per pin or flat amount. Lane fees, shoe rental, optional food. Casual, fun.
Best for: Community orgs, youth groups.
Deeper resource: Bowling fundraiser ideas
How it works: Participants log miles, steps, or workouts over a set period. Pledges or entry fee. Leaderboards create competition. No venue needed.
Best for: Virtual-first, health-focused causes.
How it works: Bidding runs 7–14 days entirely online. No venue. Silent auction software with mobile bidding. Reach donors anywhere.
Best for: Maximizing reach, year-round fundraising, virtual-first audiences.
Deeper resource: Online auction fundraising ideas, organize online charity auctions
How it works: Online bidding opens before event; continues or closes during live gala. In-person and remote bidders compete. Hybrid auctions guide.
Best for: Galas with out-of-town donors, maximizing revenue.
Deeper resource: How to coordinate hybrid auctions
How it works: Livestream program, online bidding, paddle raise via mobile. No venue. Lower cost, broader reach.
Best for: Orgs with distributed donor base, pandemic-style events.
How it works: Trivia via Zoom or streaming. Teams pay to play. Prizes for top teams. Add donation appeals between rounds.
Best for: Remote teams, distributed communities.
How it works: Sell raffle tickets online. Draw live or recorded. Check state laws for online sales.
Best for: Broader reach, low overhead.
Deeper resource: Online raffle software guide
How it works: Supporters create personal fundraising pages. Share with networks. Leaderboards, challenges, matching gifts. Often tied to a-thons or events.
Best for: Large networks, competitive fundraisers.
How it works: Livestream performance. Ticket sales or donation-based. Chat, donations during stream.
Best for: Music orgs, artists supporting causes.
How it works: No event. Just an auction running online for days. Promote via email and social. Launch auction in 30 min.
Best for: Quick revenue, testing auction format.
How it works: Donors text a keyword to a number; link to donate. Often paired with events or TV/radio appeals.
Best for: Event-night add-on, broadcast appeals.
How it works: Secure a matching donor. Promote deadline. Double the impact. Often tied to year-end or event.
Best for: Year-end giving, campaign climax.
Deeper resource: End of year giving guide
PS: Need help choosing a format and timeline? Book a free planning call.
How it works: Volunteers bake; sell at event or standalone. Add coffee, raffle. Classic, low overhead.
Best for: Schools, churches, small teams.
Deeper resource: Creative fundraising ideas
How it works: Donated items sold. Percentage or flat fee to cause. Add bake sale, lemonade.
Best for: Community orgs, schools, one-day events.
How it works: Collect items (food, clothes, school supplies). Partner with recipient org. Some drives add a small auction of premium items.
Best for: Community support, awareness + fundraising.
How it works: Partner with restaurant. Percentage of sales on a set night goes to cause. Promote to your list. No venue cost.
Best for: Schools, PTAs, easy add-on.
How it works: Sell coffee and donuts at school drop-off, church, or event. Low cost, high margin.
Best for: Schools, churches, morning crowds.
How it works: Vendors or crafters pay for booths. Seasonal timing (Christmas, fall). Add raffle, food.
Best for: Seasonal revenue, community building.
Deeper resource: Holiday fundraising ideas for schools
How it works: Donor asks friends to give to cause instead of gifts. Peer-to-peer page or Facebook fundraiser. No event cost.
Best for: Individual supporters, social media-savvy donors.
Deeper resource: Creative fundraising ideas
How it works: Design and sell branded merch. Pre-order to avoid inventory. Spirit wear, cause merch.
Best for: Schools, teams, awareness campaigns.
Deeper resource: T-shirt fundraising ideas
How it works: Pet owners submit photos; pay to enter. Voting drives engagement. Prizes for winners. Fun, shareable.
Best for: Animal rescues, community orgs.
How it works: Volunteer-cooked meal. Ticket sales. Add raffle or silent auction. Casual, family-friendly.
Best for: Churches, fire departments, community centers.
Match the event to your audience, capacity, and goal. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, galas with live auctions and paddle raises average $200 to $500 or more per guest. That is the highest revenue per attendee of any nonprofit event format.
Use this revenue benchmark to compare formats:
| Format | Avg revenue per guest | Best audience size |
|---|---|---|
| Gala with paddle raise | $200 to $500+ | 100 to 500 guests |
| Charity auction | $75 to $200 | Any size |
| Golf tournament | $150 to $400 | 50 to 200 guests |
| Trivia night | $20 to $50 | 50 to 300 guests |
| Walkathon | $25 to $75 | 100 to 1,000 guests |
| Online auction | $30 to $100 | Unlimited |
| Raffle | $5 to $25 | Any size |
| Bake sale | $2 to $10 | Any size |
Source: CharityAuctions.com platform data and industry benchmarks.
Then use this quick filter:
Types of fundraising events that work across audiences: auctions, galas, a-thons, raffles, trivia, and community dinners. Good fundraising events combine clear goals, strong promotion, and a smooth experience. Unique fundraising events (poker, wine pull, pet contest) can stand out. But proven formats often raise more.
How to plan your auction covers goals, timeline, committee, and checklist. Use it as a fundraiser event planning template for any format. For non-auction events, adapt the same steps: set goal, recruit team, secure venue/items, promote, run, thank. How to run a charity auction is the full guide for auction formats.
For great auction items for fundraisers and item ideas, see silent auction item ideas list and risk free auction items. Charity auction software powers mobile bidding, checkout, and reporting for many of these events.
Free event setup
Create a free auction or event page. Add items, test mobile bidding, and share one link with your team. No credit card. No contract.
Build a private demo for the team →Charity auctions, galas with dinner and paddle raises, walkathons, golf tournaments, trivia nights, and raffles are the most common formats. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, charity auctions with mobile bidding raise an average of 43% more per event than paper-based formats. Galas with live auctions and paddle raises average $200 to $500 or more per guest. That is the highest revenue per attendee of any nonprofit event format.
Galas with live auctions and paddle raises generate the highest revenue per guest. They average $200 to $500 or more per attendee. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, paddle raises alone average 28% of total gala revenue and often outperform the silent auction at the same event. Charity auctions with mobile bidding raise an average of 43% more than paper-based auctions. Hybrid formats that combine in-person and online bidding reach more donors and typically raise more than either format alone.
Set your goal and timeline first. For galas, plan 3 to 6 months ahead. For online auctions, 2 to 4 weeks is enough. Recruit a committee, secure items or prizes, set up registration and payment, and promote across email and social. Send thank-you messages within 48 hours of the event. See our how to run a charity auction guide for the full step-by-step process.
The three biggest factors are item quality, mobile bidding adoption, and promotion. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, events using mobile bidding see participation rates up to 52% higher than paper bid sheets. Real-time outbid alerts drive competitive re-bidding throughout the event. Experience items like travel, dinners, and exclusive access consistently outperform physical goods. Add risk-free packages like Napa Signature Weekend or Canadian Rockies by train with no upfront cost. Strong promotion with multiple reminders before close drives last-minute bidding.
Online auctions, trivia nights, bake sales, raffles, and community dinners work best for small nonprofits. They have low overhead, require small volunteer teams, and can scale to any budget. According to CharityAuctions.com, online-only auctions can be launched in as little as 30 minutes with no venue cost and no upfront platform fee. See how to run a charity auction for a full planning guide.
