Whether you’re looking to raise money for medical bills, adoption, a local sports team, or school tuition, GoFundMe is home to thousands of the most unique fundraising ideas on the web. Every day we see amazing crowdfunding fundraisers raise real money to help local communities, schools, families, and individuals. To help you think of your own unique fundraising ideas, we’ve put together a list of some of our all-time favorite fundraisers. Here are some examples that we hope will inspire you.
Get inspired by these 7, unique fundraisers and ideas
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Fund a life-saving surgery for a furry friend
Kay, a military working dog who toured overseas, needed emergency surgery. With the support of the community, organizer Tony raised almost $10,000 to cover the cost. Kay is back on four feet and on the road to recovery.
Unique idea: Post a photo of the pet (in a happier time) that you are trying to save, and ask people to make a donation and post a photo of their own pet to show their support.
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Help someone you love fund their college tuition
Chris Cognac did just that while serving as a police officer in Hawthorne, California. After meeting a passionate young girl who needed some help, Chris set up a fundraiser for Yanet’s education. She’s now attending UC Berkeley.
Unique idea: Ask people to donate the amount of the year they graduated. For example, if they graduated in 1988, they could donate $19.88 to the fundraiser.
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Build an amazing invention
11-year-old cancer survivor Kylie Simmonds invented a wearable IV backpack. Sick of the constraints of traditional IV machines, Kylie’s invention gives children more mobility during their treatment. Her incredible story was picked up by national media outlets, and Kylie is now building her first prototype.
Unique idea: If you’re fundraising for a project or idea, make a YouTube video explaining or showing off the concept and include a link to your fundraiser in the description. Ask if viewers to consider donating if they feel inspired.
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Honor someone special in your community
Ollie, a beloved 72-year-old custodian at Parkway West High School, needed some help with medical bills after being diagnosed with cancer. Students and teachers alike came together and started a fundraiser to raise money for Ollie and his wife’s medical bills.
Unique idea: Create brightly colored posters cheering on the person you are supporting and stand (safely) at the corner of a community center. Print out QR codes so that passersby can make a donation. You can remind them that their donation is covered by The GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.
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Fund a newspaper or publication
A group of students from Boston came to GoFundMe to save their 44-year-old independent student newspaper, The Daily Press, and raised over $80,000 to keep their operation running.
Unique idea: Create a special-edition, online or PDF version or preview of your publication. Include QR codes or links to your fundraiser so that readers can support.
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Do something special for a veteran
When Sherwin Callender was contacted to attend the 70th anniversary of D-Day at Normandy but didn’t have the funds to fly, friends and family came to his rescue and made sure he was able to attend. Their fundraiser, Send Sherwin Callander to Normandy for the 70th Anniversary of D-Day!, ended up raising more than $10,000.
Unique idea: Use the month of November to create a “challenge” in effort to raise money for a Veteran or Veteran Charity. You might walk one mile every day, or pledge to read 30 Veteran’s stories.
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Help people in your local community
In 2011, Kasonja Holley started a project called Love In Motion. During lunch one day per week, she spends her time passing out 20 meals. With an amazing network of friends, and family, Kasonja raised over $10,000 to feed the homeless in Park Forest, Illinois.
Unique idea: Run a pancake breakfast with a suggested donation as the price of admission. Print out a short story about your fundraiser and hand the print-out to everyone at the breakfast, ensure there is a link or QR code to your fundraiser.
Start your own unique fundraiser
GoFundMe is proud to be the home of so many amazing, unique fundraising fundraisers—whether they’re for yourself, a friend, a family member, or a complete stranger, What’s your unique fundraising idea? Start your fundraiser and start raising money in minutes.