Fundraising Ideas     |     2 April 2025

15+ Ideas to Host an Affordable Fundraising Event

Creative and budget-friendly ways to raise money without breaking the bank

15 minute read

Planning a fundraiser can feel like a lot, especially if you’re a volunteer who just got handed the responsibility. There’s a budget to worry about, venues to book, and donations to secure, all while trying to put together an event that actually raises money. It’s easy to assume that bigger means better, but successful fundraisers don’t have to come with high price tags.

There are plenty of affordable fundraising ideas that keep costs low while still bringing in solid donations. Whether you’re working with a nonprofit, a school, or a community organization, the right approach can help you raise money without spending more than necessary.

Let’s walk through creative ways to fundraise on a budget, from simple event ideas to digital solutions.

Why affordable fundraising ideas matter

Keeping costs down might help you save money, but it also allows you to make a bigger impact. Every dollar spent on venue fees, marketing, or supplies is money that isn’t going toward your cause.

Here’s why a budget-friendly approach makes sense.

• Higher returns: The less you spend upfront, the more you keep for your organization.
• Less financial risk: No one wants to end up in the red after an event.
• Easier planning: Smaller, lower-cost events are often easier to organize and require fewer resources.

A successful fundraiser isn’t about how much money you put into it. The real focus is on engagement. When you focus on community support, partnerships, and digital tools, you can maximize results without overspending.

For example, instead of paying for a pricey event space, consider asking a local business to donate theirs for the night. Rather than spending on printed materials, use email and social media to spread the word. Instead of manually tracking everything, event management software can help keep things organized without adding extra stress.

How to plan a fundraising event on a budget

The key to making any fundraiser work, especially a low-cost fundraising option, is solid planning. From putting together a local event to an online campaign, these steps will help you stay on track.

Set realistic fundraising goals

Before picking an event type, figure out what you’re trying to achieve. Are you raising money for a specific program? Covering general expenses? Buying supplies? Having a clear goal makes it easier to plan and measure success.

Pick the right event for your audience

Not every fundraiser works for every group. A high-end gala might not be the best fit for a small community school, just like a bake sale wouldn’t be the biggest draw for a corporate donor base. Match your event to your audience for better participation and results.

Use an affordable event management platform

Spreadsheets and paper sign-ups can get messy fast. A budget-friendly event management tool like Silent Auction Pro simplifies the process by handling:

• Online and mobile auctions
• Ticket sales and registration
• Sponsor management
• Donor tracking
• Real-time reporting

This means less manual work and fewer mistakes, which makes a big difference when time and resources are limited.

Secure a free or low-cost venue

If your event is in-person, venue costs can add up fast. Instead, you might ask local businesses if they’d be willing to donate a space for a good cause. You can also check with community centers, parks, or schools that might offer discounted rates for nonprofits. Some organizations cut costs by hosting virtual events instead of paying for an in-person one.

Get donations and sponsorships

Many businesses are open to sponsoring fundraisers in exchange for promotion. You can offer perks like logo placement on event materials, shoutouts on social media, and recognition during the event. For silent auctions or raffles, ask local businesses for donated items rather than purchasing prizes. The more donations you can secure, the lower your costs.

With the right planning and a little creativity, affordable fundraising ideas can bring in impressive results—without the financial stress.

15+ affordable fundraising ideas that work

Fundraising events don’t have to be expensive to be effective. With the right approach, you can raise money while keeping overhead costs low. These low-cost fundraising options are simple to organize, engage the community, and bring in solid donations.

Community yard sale fundraiser

A yard sale might not seem like the most exciting fundraiser, but it’s a tried-and-true way to raise money with almost no upfront costs.

How it works:

• Ask supporters to donate gently used clothes, household items, books, and more.
• Pick a central location, like a school parking lot, a church, or a community center.
• Price items fairly and clearly, consider a "pay what you can" section for extra donations.

Bonus tip: Any unsold items can be donated to a local thrift store, adding another layer of goodwill to the event.

Restaurant partnership night

Partnering with a local restaurant is an easy way to fundraise without having to plan a full event. Many restaurants will donate a percentage of sales on a designated night to a nonprofit or community group.

How to set it up:

• Reach out to local restaurants and see if they offer fundraising nights. Chain restaurants and small businesses alike often participate.
• Promote the event through social media, flyers, and word-of-mouth.
• Encourage supporters to dine in or order takeout during the fundraiser timeframe.

Why it works: There’s no financial risk, and the restaurant benefits from extra foot traffic. It’s a win-win.

Trivia night

A low-cost fundraising idea for nonprofit organizations that brings in competitive energy and social fun, trivia nights are easy to organize and don’t require much spending.

How to run a trivia fundraiser:

• Pick a theme (general knowledge, pop culture, history, etc.).
• Secure a free or low-cost venue, such as a school gym, community center, or local bar.
• Charge a small entry fee per player or team.
• Offer donated prizes for winners to keep costs low.

Pro tip: Look for a local personality or teacher to be the trivia host. This special guest makes the event more engaging.

Penny wars

Sometimes the smallest donations add up to the biggest impact. Penny wars are an interactive and friendly competition that works well in schools, offices, and community groups.

How to play:

• Set up clear jars labeled for different groups (classrooms, departments, teams).
• Participants drop pennies and bills into their team’s jar for positive points.
• They drop silver coins (nickels, dimes, quarters) into competing jars, which subtract points.
• The team with the most positive points at the end wins.

Why it works: It keeps things lighthearted while encouraging donations, and even small contributions add up fast.

Outdoor movie night

Hosting a movie under the stars is a great way to bring the community together while raising money. All you need is a projector, a screen (or blank wall), and a good film.

How to organize:

• Find a free outdoor space, like a park, schoolyard, or church lawn.
• Charge a suggested donation for entry.
• Sell popcorn, snacks, and drinks for extra revenue.
• Offer blankets and lawn chairs for rent or as part of a VIP package.

Low-cost tip: Many libraries and schools already have projectors available to borrow. Check before renting equipment.

50/50 raffle

A 50/50 raffle is one of the simplest ways to raise money. You don’t need a big venue or major setup, just a straightforward way to collect donations.

How it works:

• Sell raffle tickets at a fixed price (e.g., $5 or $10 each).
• At the end of the event, draw one winner.
• The winner gets half of the total amount collected, and your fundraiser keeps the other half.

Why it’s effective: Since there’s a cash prize involved, people are often more willing to participate. Plus, it’s low-cost and works well as an add-on at other fundraising events.

Important: Always check your local laws on raffles, as some states have regulations regarding prize drawings.

Bingo night

A bingo night is a fun, interactive way to fundraise while bringing people together. It’s easy to organize and can work for schools, community groups, or nonprofits.

How to set it up:

• Choose a free or low-cost location, such as a school cafeteria or community center.
• Charge an entry fee per bingo card.
• Offer small, donated prizes for winners instead of cash payouts.
• Sell refreshments or additional bingo cards for extra revenue.

Cost-saving tip: Many bingo card templates are available online for free, so there’s no need to buy expensive game materials.

Envelope fundraiser

This is one of the most low-cost fundraising ideas for nonprofit organizations because it requires almost no upfront costs. The idea is simple: donors choose an envelope with a specific amount written on it and donate that amount.

How it works:

• Label 100 envelopes with numbers from 1 to 100.
• Supporters pick an envelope and donate the amount written on it.
• If all envelopes are selected, you raise $5,050 with minimal effort.

Bonus tip: If you want to go digital, create a virtual version using an online donation platform where donors can “claim” different amounts.

Reverse raffle

A reverse raffle is a creative twist on the traditional format. Instead of the first ticket drawn winning, the last ticket remaining wins the prize.

How to run it:

• Sell a set number of tickets at a fixed price.
• Draw tickets one by one throughout the event, eliminating each as they are pulled.
• The final ticket drawn wins the grand prize.

Why it works: The suspense builds throughout the event, keeping people engaged longer. It also allows you to sell a limited number of tickets at a higher price since the odds of winning are clearer.

No-gala gala

Planning a formal fundraising event can be expensive, but what if you could skip the fancy venue and still raise money? A no-gala gala is an easy way to encourage donations without requiring people to attend an actual event.

How to promote it:

• Set up an online donation page.
• Explain that instead of spending money on tickets, attire, and travel, supporters can donate that money directly to the cause.
• Send thank-you emails or small digital “event favors” to participants as a fun touch.

Why it works: It allows people to support the cause without the time commitment of an in-person event, making it great for busy donors who still want to give.

Community clean-up fundraiser

A fundraiser that gives back in two ways: raising money and improving public spaces.

How it works:

• Organize a community clean-up day where volunteers collect trash in parks, neighborhoods, or public areas.
• Secure sponsors who agree to donate a certain amount per bag of trash collected.
• Promote the event locally to encourage participation.

Why it’s effective: It fosters community involvement, attracts environmentally conscious donors, and can even draw media attention.

Themed dress-down day at work or school

Everyone loves an excuse to wear something fun or casual, making this an easy fundraiser to pull off.

How to do it:

• Pick a theme: pajama day, ‘80s day, favorite sports team day.
• Charge a small fee ($5–$10) for participants to dress according to the theme.
• Offer a prize for the best outfit to encourage participation.

Why it works: It’s low effort, requires no setup costs, and can be repeated multiple times throughout the year.

Subscription-based donations

A subscription model for fundraising creates consistent support year-round rather than relying on one-time contributions.

How to set it up:

• Offer supporters an option to donate monthly in exchange for small perks (like exclusive updates, digital badges, or a thank-you gift).
• Use an online platform that allows for automatic recurring payments.
• Promote the subscription as a way to provide ongoing impact instead of just a one-time donation.

Why it works: Many people prefer to donate smaller amounts regularly rather than making a large one-time gift. It also provides nonprofits with a predictable revenue stream.

Making your fundraising event a success

Even the best low-cost fundraising ideas need a little strategy to be effective. Here’s how to maximize donations without increasing costs.

Promote your event without spending much

A good marketing plan doesn’t have to include paid ads or expensive materials. Instead, focus on free or low-cost promotion tactics like leveraging social media and email. You can also tap into local partnerships by asking local businesses to promote the event in exchange for sponsor recognition. 

Use event analytics to improve future fundraisers

If you’re not tracking donor engagement and fundraising performance, you could be missing out on opportunities to improve. Track donor behavior and which activities perform best. Use these insights to refine your approach for the next event. 

Using an affordable event management platform can simplify tracking and reporting, helping you make data-driven decisions for future fundraisers. Many platforms charge an arm and leg or nickel and dime users for the features they really need. Silent Auction Pro, on the other hand, offers upfront and straightforward pricing and continues to add value through updated features, free training, and extended support. 

Make a big impact on a small budget

Hosting a successful fundraiser doesn’t require a big budget, just creativity, community support, and the right tools. Whether you’re planning a yard sale, trivia night, or digital campaign, keeping costs low means more money goes directly to your cause.

Need help managing your fundraising event and getting a higher return on your efforts? Silent Auction Pro makes it easy. From handling ticket sales to running online auctions, it streamlines the process so you can focus on what matters: raising money. Request a free demo today and see how Silent Auction Pro can simplify your next fundraiser.