Are you scratching your head trying to come up with fresh fundraising ideas that won’t make your congregation head for the exit? Well, you’ve come to the right place.
Raising funds can be exciting and engaging for churches when connecting to the surrounding community. Whether you’re raising funds for a new roof, want to renovate the church hall, support a community project, or fund mission trips, we’ve put together some super exciting fundraising ideas to help you reach your goals and bring your community closer together.
These aren’t your grandmother’s bake sales (though we love those too) but are creative, fun, and doable ideas that will excite everyone to participate and support your church’s mission.
1. TALENTS FOR TREASURE “SUNDAY”
Do you recall the parable of the talents? Let’s put some flesh on that story. Give each church member a “seed money” of £10 and one month to multiply it using their God-given talents. You’ll definitely be amazed at what people come up with.
Here are some ideas from which others learned:
- A £10 purchase resulted in buying a basket full of ingredients and making £200 selling homemade bread.
- The other one bought car wash supplies and earned £150 by washing cars.
- Also, one person bought some art supplies and made £180 selling painted rocks.
2. HOST A THEMED DINNER NIGHT
Turn your church hall into a fun, themed dinner. You can have a cosy Italian pasta night, a lively Tex-Mex fiesta, or a 1920s jazz dinner. Sell tickets in advance and encourage everyone to dress up. Keep costs low by partnering with local chefs or restaurants for catering. Add live entertainment or music to make the night even more special.
3. “DRIVE-IN” MOVIE NIGHT UNDER THE STARS
Transform your church parking lot into the coolest hangout in town. This is more than just showing a movie. It’s creating an experience everyone will love.
What you’ll need:
- A large projection screen or white wall.
- A good projector and sound system.
- FM transmitter for car radio audio.
- Plenty of yummy snacks for sale.
- Comfy seating areas for those without cars.
| 🎯 Quick Tip: Partner with local restaurants to provide food trucks for a full dinner and movie experience. |
Just make sure to have a good AV setup for a smooth movie experience.
4. COMMUNITY YARD SALE
Host a giant yard sale by encouraging your church members to donate items they no longer need. It’s a win-win situation. They declutter their homes, and your church raises funds. Add a refreshment stall to sell drinks, snacks and baked goods to raise even more money. The more items donated, the more funds raised for your cause.
5. RECIPE BOOK OF BLESSED DISHES
Every church has excellent cooks. Now’s the time to share their secrets. Create a beautiful cookbook that tells your church’s story through food.
Make it memorable by including the following:
- Family recipes passed down through generations.
- Stories behind each recipe.
- Photos of church events and potlucks.
- Special holiday menu suggestions.
- Kids’ favourite sunday school snacks.
6. CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGNS
Take your fundraising online by creating a heartfelt crowdfunding campaign. Share your church’s mission and goals, and encourage your congregation to spread the word on social media. Online donations can pour in quickly with the right story and a personal touch. Make sure to update donors regularly to show them how their contributions are helpful.
7. “GARDENS OF GRADE” PLANT SALE
Spring is the perfect season for this fundraiser. Get your green-thumbed members involved in growing and sharing plants.
How to organise it:
- Start plants from seeds months ahead.
- Offer workshops during the sale.
- Create care instruction cards.
- Bundle plants with cute pots and supplies.
- Include a prayer or blessing with each plant.
8. COMMUNITY TALENT AUCTION
Why not flaunt the creative genius of your congregation with a talent auction? Church members can offer their services, such as babysitting, lawn care, or even painting. The event encourages community spirit and raises money for your church’s mission. Silent auctions are fun to get attendees involved by offering unique services or experiences.
9. BAKE SALES WITH A TWIST
Everyone loves a good bake sale, but why not add a creative twist? Host a “Cupcake Wars” competition or offer baked goods with a unique theme, like “Around the World Desserts.” You can even set up a “bake-off” where people vote with donations. This fun competition will draw in crowds and raise funds at the same time.
10. DIY CRAFT NIGHT FOR ALL AGES
Get crafty with a DIY craft night open to all ages. You can make cards, ornaments, or even pottery. Just take a small entrance fee for materials and urge everybody to let those creative juices flow. It’s always fun to bring in funds this way, and at the end of the night, you can even decide to express and sell the crafts that each participant has done.
11. HOLD A TRIVIA NIGHT
Host a fun and entertaining trivia night under categories such as Bible knowledge, history, or pop culture. Charge an entry fee to the teams and give prizes to the winners. You can even set up a bonus round where individuals will provide money for additional hints. It can be an exciting and competitive way to collect funds while entertaining everyone.
12. HOLIDAY FESTIVALS
Themed festival for the holiday season. These can be anything from a Christmas market, Easter egg hunt, or harvest festival. These all bring the community together. Money can be made by charging people to come and sell crafts, food, and gifts. Holding a holiday festival is a good way to make people merry and raise money for your church’s mission.
13. DIY WORKSHOP SERIES
Engage the talents within your church by conducting DIY workshops. You can host classes on painting, cooking, or even knitting. Charge a small fee for materials and participants. This raises funds and builds a sense of community as people learn new skills together. Also, it’s a great way to share knowledge and creativity.
14. HOST A TASTE OF THE WORLD NIGHT
Take your congregation on a culinary journey by hosting a “Taste of the World” night. Members can cook and share dishes from their heritage, and attendees can purchase “taste tickets” to sample different foods. This event is a fun way to explore different cultures and raise money for your church. For added impact, you could sell a recipe book featuring all the dishes from the night.
15. BAKE SALES WITH A TWIST
Everyone loves a good bake sale, but why not add a creative twist? Host a “Cupcake Wars” competition or offer baked goods with a unique theme, like “Around the World Desserts.” You can even set up a “bake-off” where people vote with donations. This fun competition will draw in crowds and raise funds at the same time.
CONCLUSION
To sum up, creative planning and community involvement are the factors that make an event successful for fundraising. EMS Events specialises in supporting organisations such as yours through equipment, logistics assistance, and expert guidance, all tailored to your needs.
More than 7500+ client supported and more than 20,000+ successful corporate events, and here we come to make sure your fundraising process is both productive and fun. Call us today to see how we can assist you in turning your next event into an unforgettable experience.
