Getting young people involved in philanthropy not only helps raise funds for important causes but also instills a sense of responsibility, community, and leadership in the next generation. Engaging youth in fundraising can be both fun and impactful when you choose the right activities. In this blog, we’ll explore a variety of fundraiser ideas for youth groups that are creative, easy to organize, and designed to inspire young people to take an active role in giving back. Whether you’re part of a school, church youth group fundraisers, or a community organization, these youth fundraisers will help you raise money while empowering young people.
1. Host a Youth Talent Show: A Fun Fundraising Activity
A talent show is one of the most creative fundraiser ideas for youth groups because it allows young people to showcase their talents while raising money for a good cause. Whether it’s singing, dancing, magic tricks, or comedy, a youth talent show is sure to draw a crowd of supporters. Charge an entry fee for participants and sell tickets to the event. You can also raise additional funds by selling refreshments or holding a raffle during the show.
Tip: To increase participation, offer prizes for different categories, such as “Best Performance,” “Most Creative Act,” and “Audience Favorite.” Promote the event through social media, school newsletters, and community bulletin boards to ensure a great turnout.
2. Organize a Wreath Fundraiser for Youth Groups
Wreath fundraising is a festive and effective way to engage young people in philanthropy during the holiday season. Selling evergreen wreaths is one of the best youth fundraisers because it’s easy to organize and appeals to a wide audience. Wreaths make perfect holiday gifts, and their decorative appeal makes them an easy sell. Young people can sell wreaths at school events, through family and friends, or even online.
Tip: Encourage participants to personalize their sales pitch by sharing how the funds will benefit their school or community. You can even set up an online store to reach a broader audience. To add fun, introduce a friendly competition to see who can sell the most wreaths, offering prizes for top sellers.
3. Plan a Community Car Wash: Easy Fundraisers for Youth Groups
A car wash is a classic and easy fundraiser for youth groups that requires minimal setup and supplies. Young people can work together to wash cars in a busy location, such as a school parking lot or a local business. Charge a flat fee for each car, and consider offering additional services like vacuuming or interior cleaning for an extra donation.
Tip: Partner with local businesses to sponsor the event by providing supplies or matching donations. This not only reduces costs but also strengthens ties within the community.
4. Walkathons and Fun Runs: Engaging Youth Fundraisers
Walkathons and fun runs are excellent fundraising activities for youth that promote physical activity while raising money. Participants can collect pledges based on the distance they walk or run, or they can ask for flat donations. These events are great for engaging youth because they can involve the entire community and provide a fun way to stay active.
Tip: Add a theme to your walkathon or fun run, such as a color run or superhero run, to make the event more exciting. Offer prizes for creatively dressed participants or those who raise the most money.
5. Create and Sell Handmade Crafts for Youth Fundraising
Tap into the creativity of young people by organizing a craft sale. Kids can create handmade items such as jewelry, holiday decorations, or artwork to sell at a local event, school fair, or online. This is one of the most creative fundraiser ideas for youth groups because it raises money while allowing young people to develop their artistic skills and learn about entrepreneurship.
Tip: Consider setting up an online store where supporters can purchase crafts if they cannot attend the event in person. This expands your reach and provides a convenient way for people to support your cause.
6. Hold a Youth Bake Sale: A Simple Fundraising Activity
Bake sales are a popular and easy fundraiser for youth groups because they are simple to organize and appeal to a wide audience. Young people can bake cookies, cupcakes, and other treats to sell at school, church, or community events. To make the sale more appealing, offer themed baked goods, such as holiday cookies or cupcakes decorated with the school mascot.
Tip: Combine your bake sale with another event, like a sports game or school play, to maximize visibility and sales. You can also create pre-packaged treat boxes for those who want to buy in bulk.
7. Host a Movie Night: Fun and Engaging Youth Fundraiser
Transform your school gym or community center into a movie theater for a night and host a family-friendly film screening. Charge an admission fee and sell popcorn, candy, and drinks to raise additional funds. A movie night is one of the best youth fundraisers because it’s fun, easy to organize, and brings people together.
Tip: Encourage attendees to bring blankets and chairs for a cozy movie-watching experience. You can also add a themed costume contest based on the movie to increase engagement and fun.
8. Organize a “Dine-Out” Fundraiser for Church Youth Groups
Partner with a local restaurant to host a “Dine-Out” night, where a percentage of the evening’s sales are donated to your cause. This is one of the church youth group fundraisers that’s easy to organize and doesn’t require much upfront effort. Simply promote the event to students, families, and community members, and encourage them to dine out in support of your group.
Tip: Choose a restaurant that is popular in your community and works well with the schedules of your participants. Promote the event through flyers, social media, and word of mouth to ensure a great turnout.
9. Run a Penny War: A Competitive Youth Fundraiser
A Penny War is a fun and competitive youth fundraiser that can be organized within a school or youth group. Set up jars labeled with different teams, classes, or grades, and encourage participants to fill their team’s jar with pennies. Silver coins and dollar bills can be placed in other teams’ jars to deduct points. The team with the most points at the end of the competition wins a prize.
Tip: Make the competition more exciting by offering a reward for the winning team, such as a pizza party or an extra recess. Promote the Penny War through school announcements and social media to build excitement about fundriasing.
10. Set Up a “No-Sew” Blanket Workshop: Creative Fundraising for Youth
“No-Sew” blanket workshops are excellent fundraiser ideas for youth groups because they combine creativity with charity. Participants gather to create cozy, no-sew fleece blankets, which can then be sold or donated to a local shelter. Charge a participation fee to cover the cost of materials and raise additional funds for your cause.
Tip: Host the workshop at a school or community center and invite local media to cover the event. This not only raises awareness for your cause but also highlights the positive impact young people can have on the community.
Conclusion
Engaging young people in philanthropy through creative and easy fundraisers for youth groups not only helps raise funds for important causes but also teaches valuable life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and community involvement. Whether you’re organizing a talent show, a wreath fundraiser, or a car wash, these youth fundraising ideas are designed to inspire and empower young people to make a difference. Ready to get started?
