10 cheap fundraising ideas
If you’ve decided you want to start fundraising, a good place to start would be to research some cheap fundraising ideas. Big events are great and can attract a lot of attention, but also require some form of investment – and day-to-day that might not be practical.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways Aussies can raise money for a chosen cause without breaking the bank in the process.
1. Volunteer for a good cause
Volunteering for a nonprofit organisation is a brilliant way to fundraise for them without incurring a large cost first. Volunteering means giving your time and it also helps to raise awareness of the cause you are supporting. There’s plenty of opportunity to volunteer for local good causes, such as food banks or op shops.
Alternatively, there are hundreds of Australian charities or events that offer volunteering opportunities, such as local wildlife sanctuaries and Sydney’s City2Surf fun run.
2. Declutter
Giving your house a little clean out by getting rid of extra clothes, ornaments, and books, and selling them at a garage sale or online, can also be a great way to raise money. It’s good for the planet and gives items another lease of life whilst giving you a clearer home.
If you do head online to sell your items, then Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace are excellent platforms for doing so.
3. Take on a fitness challenge
A popular cheap fundraising idea is to test your sporting prowess and push your stamina to the limit with a fitness challenge. Australia’s outdoor lifestyle lends itself perfectly to an array of sporting challenges, whether you want to take on an iconic run like the Melbourne marathon, or opt for a personalised event.
As a nation with a strong fitness culture, you won’t be short of opportunities to walk, run, swim, or cycle for your chosen charitable cause.
4. Host a community BBQ
Aussies love outdoor social events and good grub, so why not combine the two by organising a barbeque or picnic for the local community? This is a great family-friendly way of bringing people together and fundraising for a charitable cause. Plus, it’s a fantastic low-cost fundraising idea, as people can bring their own food to contribute and all you need is a bit of outdoor space.
5. Give something up for charity
A simple way to raise money is by giving up something for charity. This could involve stopping smoking for National Non-Smoking Week (which can benefit your health as well), honouring Meat Free Monday for a whole year, or losing your locks for Brave The Shave. There’s also a growing popularity of calendar monthly events like Dry July, where you don’t drink alcohol for the whole month.
6. Launch a crowdfunding campaign
Whether it’s a charity close to your heart or a personal cause, starting a crowdfunding campaign is a simple way to raise money. All you need to do is tell your story about why you want to fundraise and then share it on social media, email, with posters up at your local school, or local businesses.
You can start your fundraiser here and take a look at our handy tips on how to use social media to promote it – ideal for those interested in cheap fundraisers for schools.
7. Get involved in local festivals and markets
Capitalise on your fellow Aussies’ community spirit and the great outdoors by organising or helping out at a local festival or market to raise funds. Take a look at events in your local area to see if you can set up a stall, such as a car boot or bake sale. There may even be organised markets at schools, community centres, or neighbourhood streets to commemorate a particular event.
8. Organise a community clean-up
A cheap fundraising idea that benefits the community and is very easy to organise is sponsored trash picking. Choose a day and get family members and friends to join you in the local parks, playgrounds, and streets to pick up some trash. Organise a few weekends and spread the word, getting people to sponsor you for your good cause whilst you do it.
Alternatively, you can get involved in a nationwide event like Clean Up Australia Day, which takes place annually on the first Sunday of March.
9. Grow a mo for Movember
Every November, thousands of Australians grow a mo (or try to) for Movember, a global foundation that aims to address mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer among men. It’s an inexpensive fundraising idea – but shows that you are committed to the cause and gives your mates a good laugh in the process.
Why not make an event of it by posting daily photos of your progress on social media or get people around and video the big moment you shave your moustache off?
10. Partner with local businesses
Finally, why not reach out to local businesses to see if they can help raise funds for your chosen cause in any way? Not only can this help to improve the visibility of your fundraiser, but it also boosts a company’s image and reputation locally – a win-win for all involved.
How you pitch your prospective partnership to a local business is up to you. However, co-hosting an event, organising percentage-of-sales days, getting them to sponsor you, or asking them to help out with the promotion of your fundraiser are all possible options.
So, there you have it, your definitive list of cheap fundraising ideas to help get your creative juices flowing. The diversity of options we’ve provided suits all different interests and resources, so people up and down the country can get involved and start making a difference in the lives of Aussies everywhere.
At GoFundMe, you can create a fundraising campaign in just a few clicks, ensuring you’re one step closer to implementing one of the inexpensive fundraising ideas we’ve suggested.