Inspire giving—without the financial pressure

RaiseRight’s gift card and online shopping fundraising program is popular among churches because it’s straightforward ... and highly effective. Raise more funds than traditional fundraisers, with less time and effort. Whether your members prefer to shop online at their favorite retailers or purchase gift cards for everyday expenses like groceries, gas, or travel, your church earns a percentage back with every purchase. With hundreds of brands to choose from—including popular retailers like Walmart, Amazon, and The Home Depot—it’s easy for your church community to incorporate this fundraising solution into their daily lives while supporting your mission. 

A benefit concert or talent show makes for a memorable night out for your church community and ... is the ultimate opportunity for churchgoers to showcase their gifts and hobbies. Plus, if your church has a choir or worship music group, you’re all set with a headliner. This fundraising idea is often easy and affordable, as it can be held right in your worship space, likely with equipment you already have on hand. You can also incorporate additional fundraising opportunities at your event, from concession stands to flowers for purchase for the performers.

A yard sale is a classic fundraising method and for a good reason: it’s an effective way to turn a significant profit, ... often in just a day or two. Rally your members to clean up and dust off items to sell. Decide on fair prices, create price tags, and gather any necessary materials, like shopping bags or newspapers to wrap fragile pieces. Consider asking church volunteers to work in shifts, and by the end of the weekend, you’ll have de-cluttered and given back to your church.

Whether it’s a formal evening gala at a banquet hall or a casual spaghetti dinner at a local restaurant, ... hosting an auction dinner fundraiser can make for a fun night out for members of your community. Keep in mind that these events often require extra planning (i.e. sourcing items to auction off, finding an auctioneer, reserving venue space, recruiting volunteers, selling seats, etc.). Even still, it can be well worth the effort for the rewards they bring—both monetarily and in terms of publicity and community-building.

A congregation movie night is an exciting, low-effort way to bring church members together. What’s more, you might ... reach your fundraising goals just by selling tickets. Aside from tickets, moviegoers are always eager to spend a bit on popcorn, candy, and soda—and a local restaurant or food truck might even agree to act as your sponsor. There are also several other ways to plan a unique movie night. Consider organizing a church parking lot drive-in, a pajama party, or a private screening at your local movie theater.

This easy-to-run church fundraising activity is completely customizable, both in terms of the rules of the game and what you want to offer. You can also ... have church volunteers curate prize baskets themselves, ask local businesses for donations, or even run the raffle virtually. Simple or extravagant, any prize basket is sure to garner excitement, but popular items often include restaurant gift cards, appliances, electronic devices, event tickets, jewelry, and more. 

Whether it’s a board game tournament, trivia night, or field day, there’s nothing like a bit of friendly competition to inspire your congregation or neighborhood  ... to come together in support of your church. You can even venture outside of the box with ideas like a hide-and-seek tournament, a cooking-show-style game, or a murder mystery party. Keep this fundraising idea simple by hosting board games at your church or community center, or go all-out with food vendors, casino tables, or kid-friendly activities for a bigger splash. 

Scavenger hunts provide a unique way to encourage your congregation to mingle while raising money for your church. Participants can ... purchase tickets as a team (or as singles to be sorted into a team), and compete to win a prize of your choosing, like a gift card for Southwest or AMC. The fun is in the race, so your scavenger hunt doesn’t have to be complicated—it might simply involve taking photos with town landmarks or finding hidden items within your church space. 

A “parents’ night out” is the ultimate fundraiser for any family-rich congregation. You can run this church fundraiser by either hosting ... the parents for a sophisticated night of dinner, dancing, and cocktails or hosting the youngsters for a night of kid-friendly fun while their parents hit the town. No matter which option you choose, it’s bound to be a hit with both parties. (Plus, a kids’ night can offer an opportunity for young church volunteers looking to gain babysitting experience.)

This fundraising idea is a creative take on the classic bake sale. Turn your church into a café for the day to raise funds while fostering