College fundraising is a vital part of campus life. It helps student organizations, clubs, and sports teams achieve their financial goals by raising funds and creating special experiences for students. Nonprofit fundraising also builds skills in teamwork, leadership, and creativity that are favored by employers.
Whether you’re raising money for a charity or nonprofit, organizing a social event, or supporting a campus group, these are the best strategies to help engage your community and meet your fundraising goals.
Our suggestion: Start a GoFundMe to help capture donations, whether supplemental or as your main donation source for your cause.
1. Event-Based Fundraising
Some of the most popular ways to raise much-needed funds on campus can range from athletic challenges to entertainment nights. Charge a small fee and collect donations for your fundraising campaign. These can be done on campus or in collaboration with local bars or coffee shops, which will benefit from the extra custom.
Popular fundraising event ideas:
Athletic challenges: Holding events like a walk-a-thon or a 5k jog will be accessible for a wide range of college students. Raise funds through donations by getting participants to collect pledges for each mile they complete..
Sports Tournaments and Skill-based Competitions: Depending on what students are interested in on your campus, whether this is a volleyball tournament, a basketball shoot-out, or a video gaming tournament. Charge for each team’s entry and offer prizes. Challenges like a bench-a-thon or beat-the-goalie focus more on strength and skill and can raise funds via pledges.
Obstacle Courses and Scavenger Hunts: Charge a small entry fee and have teams or individuals compete for prizes in obstacle races, scavenger hunts and campus-wide adventure challenges.
Endurance contests: Encourage friendly competition where participants will have to do something for a set amount of time, for example, a dance-a-thon, swim-a-thon, row-a-thon, rock-a-thon. Sponsors should make pledges for each increment of time the participant lasts for in the challenge.
Live Performances: Raise money via ticket sales by hosting talent shows or karaoke, Battle of the Bands, fashion shows, or student comedy nights. Student-run drama clubs could put on theater productions to showcase campus creativity while also attracting donations.
Team games: Teams or individuals pay entry fees and compete for prizes, for example, trivia nights or board game competitions. College clubs or sororities could compete against each other to bring together different campus communities.
Food events: For example, eating challenges and themed cuisine dinners like spaghetti night. Consider partnering up with local restaurants to see if they will consider profit-sharing nights or ask if they will commit to “buy a meal, donate a meal” programs. At fundraising dinners, consider holding live or silent auctions for a unique experience.
Bake sales and drinks stands: Go traditional with classic bake or coffee stands, or get creative with novelty food events like late-night snack drives. Combine these with other events, for example, selling snacks at a movie night or sporting events, to raise even more funds or capitalise on existing campus events like sports games and homecomings.
Raffles with big-ticket items: Buy items such as college gear, electronics or concert tickets from big organizations to attract raffle ticket sales that will cover the cost plus extra to go towards your cause.
2. Digital Fundraising
Harness the power of social media and crowdfunding platforms with your online fundraising. These ideas can be used on their own or to support in-person events.
Digital Fundraising Ideas:
Peer-to-Peer Fundraising: Encourage college students to set up personal fundraising pages on platforms like GoFundMe, and invite students to share their crowdfunding campaign through their social media pages to boost visibility and donations.
Social Media Challenges: Aim for viral engagement with hashtag challenges, TikTok videos, or Instagram stories that encourage donations and raise awareness of your cause.
Online Auctions and Raffles: Set up virtual bidding for donated items, experiences donated by local businesses, or student artwork. This will also enable alumni and parents to participate from anywhere in the world.
Monthly Giving Programs: Ask donors to commit to small, recurring donations in a subscription service.
QR Code Stations: Put up posters in high-traffic areas on campus linking to a donation page so donors just need to scan the code to help raise funds.
3. Product-Based Fundraising
Selling unique products not only raises funds for student groups but also promotes school spirit.
Popular Product-Based Fundraising Ideas:
Custom Merchandise: Sell t-shirts, hoodies, or accessories with your university’s branding or other designs reflecting your charitable cause.
DIY and Handmade Goods: Support local talent by selling designs from student artists and other student-made crafts like jewelry at campus events or online.
Sustainability Products: Hold plant sales for succulents and flowers, or help the planet by selling environmentally friendly items like reusable tote bags or water bottles. Seedling sponsorship is a way to support the conservation of plants and habitats for wildlife.
4. Service and Community-based Fundraisers
Service-based fundraising is a win-win strategy to leverage students’ skills while helping the local community. These efforts often involve offering a service in exchange for donations, whether it’s yard work, tutoring, or car washes.
Service-Based Fundraising Ideas:
Car Washes: Set up a car wash station on college campuses or other high-traffic locations. Drivers can donate to get their cars cleaned, and you can raise money throughout the day.
Snow shoveling or leaf-raking: Depending on the time of year, students can offer the service in exchange for donations while helping community members.
Lend a Helping Hand: Organize community service initiatives, where students volunteer for tasks like yard work, dog walking, or tutoring, with donations pledged for each service completed.
‘Rent’-a-Student: College students can ‘hire’ peers for pre-determined errands in exchange for donations.
Volunteer initiatives: Where participants gather pledges in exchange for completing a certain number of volunteer hours.
Campus Cleanup Drives: Partner with eco-friendly brands for a campus-wide cleanup, raising money through sponsorships.
Pet-focused Fundraisers: Pet photo contests with entry fees and prize incentives, or partner up with local shelters for adoption events.
Educational: Charge admission for art exhibitions and hold student art sales with a percentage donated to your cause. Hold donation-based masterclasses taught by professors or student experts.
5. Grant & Sponsorship Opportunities
Grants and sponsorships can help you access larger financial support and also set up long-term partnerships with local businesses and organizations for future successful fundraising.
How to Secure Grants & Sponsorships:
Local Business Sponsorships: Approach businesses like restaurants, gyms and retailers for event sponsorships in exchange for advertising exposure and to support a good cause. Ask for donations like food, venue space, or services to use for your fundraising events or offer as prizes.
Community outreach: Reach out to local charitable organisations or high schools to see if their goals align with student interests for collaborations.
Research Grants: Look for student organization grants and community outreach funding and craft strong proposals to increase your chance of securing them.
Alumni Engagement: Investigate alumni networks for potential sponsorships and host alumni-focused events targeting graduates who will be keen to support the college and keep a connection to the campus. This could be done with alumni networking nights or special recognition during sports games.
6. Seasonal & Holiday Fundraisers
Thinking about the time of year is a good fundraising tip. Seasonal and holiday-themed events are a fun way to raise funds while celebrating the time of year.
Seasonal Fundraising Ideas:
Winter ideas: Host Christmas ornament sales, New Year’s Eve parties, or set up a hot chocolate stand. For Valentine’s Day, consider flower sales, hug-a-grams and speed dating events.
Spring Fundraisers: Plan outdoor events like classic car shows, festivals, or sports tournaments to capitalize on warmer weather.
College term: Welcome students back with merchandise sales and first-day-of-class photo booths. During finals week, set up a coffee truck for college students and send them off for the summer by selling tickets to an end-of-year blowout. Buy-a-brick campaigns are popular with graduating college students and can fund campus infrastructure projects.
Maximizing Your Fundraising Success
To ensure that your fundraising efforts are successful, it’s essential to be strategic and assess what is working on your college campus.
Set Clear Goals: Establish clear financial and participation targets for each event. Track your progress in engaging donors and adjust strategies accordingly. Take on feedback from participants and donors to ensure your fundraising is on track. Scale up successful fundraising campaigns, and rethink strategies that are not working as well.
Promote Widely: Use both digital and traditional methods, including social media, email lists, and campus flyers, to get the word out about your fundraising efforts. Collaborating with student influencers can also help increase visibility, and compelling storytelling will help you connect with potential donors.
Tap into College Networks: Consider which campus clubs and groups might be interested in your events and make sure your marketing is reaching them. Reach out to relevant college faculty and school administrations, and use their access to students to get the word out about your campaign. Look at existing events already happening at your college to see if they provide an opportunity for your fundraising campaign.
Ensure inclusivity and accessibility: Keep event costs low to ensure as many college students as possible can enjoy them. Lower-cost initiatives like bake sales and car washes allow students with limited budgets to contribute. Offer both in-person and digital giving options to ensure remote students can participate, and consider the diverse interests of your audience and how you can appeal to as many of them as possible.
Get Started with Your Fundraiser Today
The possibilities for college fundraising are endless. Sports-based fundraisers like sponsored walks and runs, tournaments, and endurance challenges promote fitness while supporting charitable causes. Food initiatives, from small events like bake sales to larger events like themed sit-down dinners, bring people together for a good cause. Entertainment fundraisers like talent shows, trivia nights, and student comedy events help raise funds through ticket sales and entry fees and also showcase college students’ creativity and talents. And community-based efforts like car washes, tutoring, and campus cleanups create a win-win situation for both students and the local community.
Adding in digital fundraising via crowdfunding platforms, social media challenges, and online auctions can also extend the reach of your fundraising campaign beyond campus. Social media can also help spread awareness of your fundraising, while alumni provide long-term support, and businesses can offer sponsorships or donations to offset event costs. Taking these strategies together will ensure your fundraising efforts are successful.
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