Fundaising Ideas     |     20 March 2025

25+ Seasonal Fundraising Ideas to Help With Your 2025 Planning

Creative ways to build your fundraising calendar and achieve year-round success

22 minute read

Many nonprofits find coming up with ideas for fresh fundraisers more challenging than actually raising money for their missions. That’s where exploring seasonal fundraising ideas comes into play. You can build your calendar with various events that engage your donors and attract new supporters.

Breaking the year into manageable seasons also simplifies planning and allows you to make strategic choices. Instead of feeling reactive or rushed, you’ll have a clear roadmap that makes everything more efficient.

Silent Auction Pro’s event management tools make organizing and executing your events a breeze by providing everything you need—customizable landing pages, automated communication features, and live auction support—to keep your events organized and successful.

Read on to get a head start on planning your year with our favorite seasonal fundraising ideas. 

Making the most of your 12-month fundraising plan

A solid 12-month fundraising plan gives structure to your year and ensures you’re not overloaded with events in one season while leaving others empty. Seasonal planning allows you to map out events in a way that keeps engagement consistent and builds anticipation. Using a fundraising calendar, you can visualize your entire year at a glance, giving your team breathing room while maintaining steady donor engagement. Plus, it keeps you from worrying about what will be next. Instead, you can move from event to event with ease. 

Understanding how many fundraising events per year is manageable

It’s easy to overcommit when planning, especially when ideas start flowing. The key is to balance the number of events, so your volunteers and donors don’t feel stretched thin. A reliable system for evaluating what worked—and what didn’t—lets you refine your plans.

Silent Auction Pro’s analytic and reporting tools provide insights that help you gauge which events brought in the most support. This data-driven approach makes it easier to determine whether to add seasonal events or trim back to maintain quality. Consider spreading events each season, mixing large and small gatherings to sustain momentum without overwhelming your team.

Spring Fundraising Ideas

Spring is a season of renewal and a perfect time to energize your supporters with engaging and creative events. Here are some unique seasonal fundraising ideas to add fresh energy to your 12-month fundraising plan.

1. Garden party fundraiser

Hosting a garden party fundraiser is a fun way to welcome the warmer weather. Picture an outdoor event filled with spring-themed decor, live music, and a silent auction featuring locally sourced items. Guests can stroll the venue while bidding through Silent Auction Pro's mobile-friendly bidding feature, making participation seamless. Offering signature drinks or hors d’oeuvres with seasonal flavors can elevate the event and increase donations through add-ons.

2. Community plant sale

Collaborate with local nurseries to create a plant sale event, offering flowers, herbs, and gardening supplies. This event works well in community spaces or as part of another spring gathering. Consider hosting a free workshop on spring planting tips or eco-friendly gardening to draw in crowds.

3. Spring cleaning donation drive

Encourage your community to declutter and donate gently used goods for resale, turning household items into fundraising wins. Think of it as sourcing items from your community for a large yard sale. Take advantage of people attending the event to educate them about your mission and build your mailing list. 

4. Outdoor movie night

Transform a park or schoolyard into a pop-up cinema for a family-friendly outdoor movie night. Charge admission and include themed concessions to raise additional funds. Silent Auction Pro's ticketing and registration tools simplify the entire process, from presales to guest check-in.

5. Farm-to-table dinner

Host an outdoor farm-to-table fundraiser featuring local produce, chefs, and musicians to support your cause. Charge an admission fee for the dinner and offer various desserts for sale to take home. Once your crowd is full and happy, do a paddle raise to push donations over the top. 

6. Easter egg hunt and raffle

An Easter egg hunt is a spring classic that brings in families and community members of all ages. To maximize impact, pair the event with a raffle featuring themed prizes. Change it up by making this event an “Egg My Yard” fundraiser. Community members pay to have your team fill their yards with pre-filled plastic eggs. You can sell different packages of eggs and then have fun hiding eggs all across the neighborhood. 

Summer Fundraising Ideas

Summer is ideal for outdoor events and laid-back gatherings that unite people in the spirit of giving. Here are some ideas to help you make the most of this season:

7. Charity golf tournament

A charity golf tournament is perfect for supporters who enjoy spending time on the green. Sell team registrations and offer sponsorship packages to local businesses. To add fun to the day, throw in competitions like longest drive, closest-to-the-pin, or hole-in-one. 

8. Ice cream social fundraiser

Partner with a local ice cream vendor and host a fun, family-friendly event where a percentage of sales benefit your cause. See if you can create a themed flavor or dessert around your organization to help raise awareness around your mission. Add a build-your-own sundae station or host a dessert contest for added appeal.

9. Summer block party

Bring your community together with a summer block party featuring live music, food trucks, and games. For an extra fundraising boost, add raffles or mini-auctions. Charge admission to enter the festival. You can also invite various vendors that either pay a flat fee or a commission on their sales to participate. 

10. Outdoor fitness challenge

Host a charity run, yoga session, or cycling event to get your supporters moving for a good cause. You can even do a virtual fitness challenge where participants raise money for every push-up, mile, or lap they swim over a period of time (like a month). Make shirts for participants to help promote their efforts. 

11. Outdoor concert series

Plan a series of outdoor concerts where ticket sales go toward your fundraising goals. With either a local band or a big-name act, use the opportunity to have a crowd of eager fans promote your organization and its cause. 

Fall Fundraising Ideas

Fall is the perfect time to bring your community together with cozy and festive events. Here’s how you can make the season even more impactful.

12. Harvest festival and auction

Host a harvest festival with fall-themed activities like hayrides, a pie-eating contest, and a silent auction featuring local goods. Silent Auction Pro’s online auction catalog lets you showcase sponsor banners and highlight featured items for extra visibility. 

13. Trivia night fundraiser

Trivia nights are always a hit. Choose a fun theme and invite supporters to join either in person or virtually. Pick a fall theme to attract competitors, like a Scary Movie or Football trivia. Charge admission to enter the contest and have concessions for sale during the event. 

14. Pumpkin carving contest

Hold a contest where participants pay to carve pumpkins, with categories for creativity, spookiness, and the most humorous design. Offer a free or paid workshop on pumpkin carving to bring more people to the event. 

15. Costume contest and fall carnival

Combine a costume contest with a fall carnival full of games, raffles, and food. Raise funds through entry fees and ticketed games. Sources prizes from local businesses for costume categories like scariest, cutest, and best couple. 

16. Fall wine tasting and dinner

Partner with local wineries and restaurants to create an elegant tasting event with a gourmet dinner. Find a local chef to create the menu, and have a sommelier describe the wines during the tasting. Have local wineries sell bottles of their best wines, giving your organization a commission for each bottle.

Winter Fundraising Ideas

Winter is a great time to bring warmth to your supporters through meaningful and festive events. Here are some ideas to consider:

17. Gingerbread house competition

Invite participants to showcase their creativity with a gingerbread house competition. Charge an entry fee and offer a locally-donated prize to the winner. Another option is to charge a small admission fee for participants to view the various gingerbread creations and cast a vote for their favorites. 

18. Cozy raffle basket auction

Put together themed baskets filled with cozy winter favorites like hot cocoa, blankets, and candles. Display QR-coded bidding sheets to make participation simple and accessible. 

19. Winter fun run

Organize a holiday-themed fun run to get the community active while supporting your cause. Winter fun runs can be themed around holidays, like a Santa 5k or a Turkey Trot. Set up hot cocoa stations to sell to spectators and supporters. 

Cross-Seasonal Ideas

Cross-seasonal fundraising ideas work year-round and keep donor engagement consistent regardless of the time of year. Here’s how to maintain momentum:

20. Recurring donation campaigns

Launch a year-long giving campaign with recurring donation options to encourage continuous support. Use Silent Auction Pro's pre-scheduled emails and social media templates to keep your supporters informed and inspired.

21. Game night series

Host monthly game nights featuring bingo, trivia, or board games. Charge admission for teams to participate and provide locally donated prizes for the winners. 

22. Monthly raffle draws

Offer a subscription-based raffle where donors can enter for monthly prizes. A monthly raffle gives your mailing list something to look forward to throughout the year and provides you with multiple touchpoints to promote your mission and other events. 

23. Birthday fundraisers

Encourage supporters to dedicate their birthdays to your cause by raising funds within their networks. Instead of presents, they ask their friends and family to donate to your organization for birthdays. Provide easy-to-use templates for social media posts and email invitations to simplify sharing.

24. "Fund-a-need" spotlight

Highlight a specific need every quarter, such as scholarships or equipment purchases, and show progress as donations come in. Seeing donor names and milestones in real time can inspire more participation.

25. Charity auction and dinner series:

Host a recurring quarterly dinner featuring themes (e.g., local cuisine, cultural nights, or celebrity guest chefs). This keeps supporters engaged year-round and offers multiple opportunities for donors to contribute while enjoying a unique experience.

Lesser-known Holiday Fundraising Events

It’s usually fairly easy to add events around major holidays, whether it’s a Christmas/Hannakau gala or a 4th of July Cookout. Celebrating lesser-known holidays can add a unique charm to your fundraising calendar and make you stand apart from other organizations trying to raise money simultaneously. Here are some creative ideas to consider:

26. National Best Friends Day (June 8)

Host a “Buddy Benefit” event where friends sign up for a fundraising walk, trivia night, or paired yoga session. To encourage participation, offer discounts for pairs. This holiday is also a great chance to create networking events where participants can meet new best friends while sharing a love for your mission. 

27. National Book Lovers Day (August 9)

Organize a literary-themed fundraiser, such as a book swap with a donation entry fee or an author reading event with silent auctions of signed books and related merchandise. You could even host a read-a-thon where participants solicit donations from family and friends for every page/book they read. 

28. National Dessert Day (October 14)

Plan a dessert-tasting fundraiser featuring local bakeries and restaurants. Guests can purchase tasting tickets to sample treats and vote for their favorites. Incorporate a raffle for dessert-themed prizes.

29. Giving Tuesday (late November)

Enhance your Giving Tuesday campaign with a live online event. Host a Q&A with beneficiaries or showcase behind-the-scenes tours. Encourage matching donations and set up real-time updates to show donation milestones.

30. National Volunteer Week (April)

Celebrate your volunteers with an appreciation event that doubles as a fundraiser. In their honor, include peer-nominated awards, recognition speeches, and donation challenges. Volunteers and participants can “vote” for their favorite volunteer by making small donations. You could also charge an entry fee to the events for non-volunteers (the volunteers’ friends and family) or have special merchandise sales (themed t-shirts, pins, tote bags, etc.) for the event.

Creating an annual fundraising theme

Building your 12-month fundraising plan around a unifying theme can strengthen storytelling and donor engagement. Whatever the theme focuses on, from education to community wellness or another central cause, aligning your events under a cohesive message makes your fundraising strategy more memorable and meaningful. For example, you might decide it's the year to end childhood hunger in your town with themed events around nutrition and health. You can also pick a fun theme that guides and connects to your events, like superheroes. 

A themed approach encourages creative event planning and marketing, helping supporters connect emotionally with your cause. You can incorporate branded graphics, consistent hashtags, and visual updates to reinforce the theme. For example, an organization focused on education could hold a “Back to School Success” series, with events such as a trivia night, supply drive, and scholarship gala, all under the same narrative.

Additionally, themes can motivate supporters to contribute throughout the year by building excitement and showing progress toward larger goals. This helps foster a sense of accomplishment and shared purpose.

Use storytelling to highlight campaign milestones and celebrate donor contributions with personalized thank-yous and event recaps. This approach transforms your fundraising events from isolated activities into a cohesive and compelling story.

Leveraging community partnerships

Collaborating with local businesses and organizations can help your event’s reach. These relationships can also keep your events under budget, especially when you can obtain donations to use as prizes or auction/raffle items. Here’s how to foster successful partnerships:

• Sponsorships: Approach restaurants, shops, and service providers for sponsorships or in-kind donations.
• Co-hosted events: Plan events jointly with community partners to pool resources and expand outreach.
• Cross-promotions: Collaborate on social media or local advertising campaigns to build excitement.
• Recognition opportunities: Thank partners with logo placements on banners, event programs, or websites.
• Long-term relationships: Maintain partnerships through regular updates and mutual support to increase future collaboration.

Incorporating donor/sponsor recognition

Recognizing donors publicly and privately can strengthen relationships and build trust. It helps let the community know which local businesses and organizations support your cause and provides your organization with more street cred. Here are some practical ways to show your appreciation:

• Thank-you notes and personal outreach: Send handwritten or personalized thank-you emails after events. These notes are especially effective when highlighting how your donors/sponsors contributed to the event’s success. 
• Shout-outs: Acknowledge donors on social media, in newsletters, or during live events.
• Donor wall: Create a recognition wall at your venue or an online page honoring long-time supporters.
• Exclusive perks: Offer benefits like early event access, behind-the-scenes updates, or small gifts.
• Milestone celebrations: Host donor appreciation events to celebrate significant contributions and show their impact.

Troubleshooting common event challenges

Low turnout

Even with great planning, a disappointing turnout can happen. To make your event more accessible, offer hybrid or virtual options and send out last-minute reminders via email and social media. Additionally, partnering with local influencers or community groups can expand your reach. The key to achieving the right turnout is to spread the word early and often. When appropriate, offer early bird discount tickets to build an initial buzz. 

Weather disruptions

Outdoor events are susceptible to weather changes. Prepare by securing an indoor backup location and have clear communication plans to notify attendees of changes. Consider providing tents or covered areas to manage unexpected rain for smaller disruptions. Pay attention to the weather forecast leading to the event and plan accordingly. 

Technical difficulties

Hybrid and virtual events rely on stable technology. Before the event, perform a full test run and assign a dedicated tech support person to troubleshoot live issues. Ensure you have backup devices, Wi-Fi hotspots, and paper check-ins as a contingency. With Silent Auction Pro, you have access to extended hours (9 am Eastern - 7 pm Pacific Monday through Friday and noon Eastern to 5 pm Pacific on weekends), AND we always provide free night of event support during your event, even if it’s outside of our normal hours. 

Volunteer shortages

Too few volunteers can slow down event processes. Build a strong volunteer pool by maintaining contact with past volunteers and offering incentives like small thank-you gifts. Assign clear roles and provide training to avoid confusion on event day. Always recruit more volunteers than you think you’ll need in case someone gets sick or forgets their shifts. 

Unexpected expenses

Unforeseen costs can strain your budget. Include a contingency fund in your event budget to handle last-minute needs. Review past events to identify potential areas of overspending and negotiate vendor contracts to reduce risk.

Logistical mishaps

Missed deliveries, overcrowding, or long check-in lines can cause delays. To prevent this, confirm vendor timelines, create detailed event maps, and use ticketing systems like Silent Auction Pro to streamline check-ins and registrations.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about seasonal fundraising ideas and planning

What are some creative ways to keep donors engaged year-round? 

Hosting events tied to seasonal milestones, sending personalized updates, and using recurring donation options are all ways to keep donors engaged. Silent Auction Pro’s automated emails and impact reports help you maintain strong donor relationships.

How can I make my fundraising events stand out from others? 

Focus on unique experiences, such as themed auctions or interactive raffles, and make the process straightforward for attendees. Pay attention to what works and adapt your events to be continually better than the ones before. 

What is the best way to handle registration for multiple events throughout the year? 

A centralized event management platform like Silent Auction Pro simplifies ticketing and registration. The customizable landing pages and drag-and-drop seating tools help streamline the process across events.

How do I measure the success of seasonal fundraising events? 

Track performance using reports that show metrics such as attendance, funds raised, and donor engagement. Silent Auction Pro’s reporting tools make it easy to gather insights and adjust your approach for future events.

Can I run virtual events alongside in-person ones? 

Yes, hybrid events are a great way to reach a broader audience. Silent Auction Pro supports in-person and online auctions, text-to-give options, and real-time bidding to maximize donor participation.

Your year of fundraising made easier

Planning events seasonally and adding cross-seasonal campaigns helps you maintain donor engagement and avoid last-minute stress. Silent Auction Pro makes organizing, tracking, and enhancing each event easy, from kickoff to thank-you notes with its all-in-one platform.

A strong year-long strategy keeps your volunteers motivated and your donors connected to your cause. Want to see how simple event management can be? Request a free demo with Silent Auction Pro and start building your best fundraising year yet.