A to Z of Fundraising

If you’d like to have some fun and raise money for SCIAF, we’ve got a fantastic A to Z of fundraising ideas to get you started.

Auction

Get your friends to pledge services or unwanted items. You can even ask people to donate themselves and auction them as a servant for the day. Contact local celebrities too asking them for a signed photo or book.

Bad Hair and Tie Day

Get staff to wear a silly hat, wig, hairstyle or tie for the day and present the worst one with a small prize.

Car Wash

Publicise the event at your workplace, school or parish

Dance Marathon

Don’t stop till you drop. See who can dance the longest, good exercise and lots of fun!

Exhibition

Budding artists can display their work to friends and colleagues. Charge money for entrance, provide snacks and wine and hold a silent auction of the exhibits.

Fairtrade Tea Party

Serve Fairtrade tea and coffee from dainty cups. You can buy Fairtrade goods from most supermarkets.

Global Dinner

A global dinner is a great way of raising lots of money and reflecting on global inequality at the same time. Draw names out of a hat so that 10% of your guests are treated to a lavish three course meal while the rest eat a simple dish. You can make these guests sit on the floor and do the washing up too.

Homemade

Make a stall at school or work and invite people to bring homemade items from cakes to cards.

Inspired Ideas

Think of new and exciting ways to raise money based on your own interests.

Jumble sale

That Take That t-shirt at the back of your wardrobe might be priceless to an adoring fan.

Karaoke Evening

Any pub will be happy to host you providing they get the takings from the bar.

Lent Lunch

Organise a simple meal of bread and soup one day a week for Lent and ask participants to donate their lunch money.

Masked Ball

Everybody wear a mask of their choice and hold a competition to guess who’s who. A live band will help to draw in the crowd.

Name the Doll or Teddy Bear

A time-honoured, fool-proof fundraiser. Assign a name to a doll or teddy bear and get friends to guess for a small prize.

Orienteering

A cross-country race using only a map and a compass.

Pancakes

Cheap and easy to make, but will raise lots of money on a cold winter’s day. Chocolate spread, bananas, ice-cream, lemon and sugar can be added to provide bespoke recipes.

Quiz Night

Who’s the scariest person you know? Are they a match for Ann Robinson? Make their dreams come true by giving them a chance to torment contestants as they struggle to find the answers. Charge colleagues entrance money for the thrill of seeing their friends quake in their shoes!

Running Race

Organise a running competition, if you’re not sporty, get creative, add obstacles, wear sacks.

Sponsored

Silence, fast, run, head-shave, cake-eating - you name it, it can be sponsored.

Treasure Hunt

A challenging and fun way to raise big money.

University Challenge

Collect together teams who attended the same or nearby universities or schools and hold a challenge to see which one comes top.

Valentine’s Day

Hold a love-themed party around Valentine’s Day or make cards to sell and charge for hand delivery. If you’re feeling brave you could even start your own barbershop quartet and deliver songagrams.

Wine Tasting

All you need is lots of Fairtrade wine and maybe some cheese and crackers.

X-Factor

Organise your very own X-Factor singing contest.

Yard of Ale Competition

Challenge your friends to see who can drink a yard of ale and they’ll happily pay you for the pleasure.

Zen Party

After a hard day at work, invite friends over for a relaxing party experience. All you need are candles, mats, healthy food and lots of green tea. You could even offer a zen service for stressed-out workers at lunch time.