Ideas to help you fundraise

Before you get busy planning your fundraising event, you’ll need to decide what to do. There are endless ways to raise money, from the tough and challenging to the wild and wacky. We’ve put a few ideas together to get your creative juices flowing and created a handy fundraising form.

AT WORK

Sweets in a jar
This classic guessing game is still as popular as ever. Fill a jar with sweets and ask people to guess the number it contains in return for a donation. The person with the closest guess wins a small prize.

Bake sale
From flapjacks to hulking slices of carrot cake, impress your sweet-toothed friends and colleagues with some tasty baked treats. A bake sale is a popular and quick way to raise money.

Dress down day
Helping a great cause while being comfortable at work. Everybody wins!

Donate working hours
If you don’t have much time to organise an event but still want to help Compassion’s work, why not consider donating a set number of your working hours?

AT HOME

Kitchen collection jar
A tried and tested favourite, collection jars are a great way to save loose change for a good cause. And it’s amazing how quickly little amounts can add up.

Sponsored silence
Ask people to sponsor you for every hour you manage to remain silent. Go for 24 hours or more to impress everyone and really get the donations rolling in. Only the patient need apply.

Give something up
Take something that you would normally buy on a regular basis and give it up for a week or more. Buying a chocolate bar every day adds up to roughly €4 a week. Could you do it for a whole month?

Girls’ night in
Invite the girls round for an evening of manicures, chick flicks and a good natter. Don’t forget some tasty treats!

Guys’ night in
Ask the guys over, fire up the BBQ on a summer evening or treat everyone to a warming meal in colder months. You could coincide with a big sporting event or quiz night to top it all off.

WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Movie night
Pick a film, throw some cheesy nachos together, bust out the popcorn and fizzy drinks and settle in for a movie night with family and friends. Keep a collection jar handy so people can give a little something.

Pudding party
If you’re passionate about puddings, your family and friends are bound to enjoy a sticky education. Or turn it up a notch and host a bake off with a prize for the person who brings the best pudding.

Wine tasting
Do you know your Grand Cru from your Chablis? Why not host a wine tasting evening? Wine, cheese, crackers and friends is a recipe for a great time.

Craft evening
If you know some creative or crafty people, this could be a perfect way to fundraise. The only limit is your imagination and it can provide fun for all ages. Think cards, flowers, jewellery, or even wreaths near Christmas time.

GET ACTIVE

Run | Cycle | Walk | Swim
There are loads of ways to raise funds while getting active. Pick an activity, set yourself a target, start training and let people know about your challenge.

for you and your church

We’ve put together six fantastic fundraising ideas for larger groups:

Quiz night
Hosting a quiz night is a great way to raise funds and bring people in the community together. Top tip – keep the quiz to 40 minutes maximum with a set number of question categories.

Barn dance
Dance the night away with a traditional evening of foot-loose fun. If you have a space large enough, you just need a company to provide the music and country atmosphere.

Auction of promises
Ask your friends to pledge promises for a fundraising auction. You might be surprised to uncover some unknown talents among the people you know. Promises like photography, babysitting, decorating, chauffeuring and gardening are often popular.

Cake sale
Track down your church's top bakers and ask them if they'd be willing to donate a cake or biscuits for your event. Sell your array of baked goods after a service or church event. Enjoy!

Youth sponsored spring clean
Have a chat with your youth leader and enlist some volunteers to do a sponsored clean or garden. Stir up passion for caring for the poor amongst your young people. 

Fun run
From the youngest to the oldest member, a fun run or walk is a brilliant way to get your whole church involved. Set a date, plan a short route in your local area and distribute fundraising forms.