Autumn Fundraising Ideas

As the leaves change colour and temperatures cool, autumn provides a cosy backdrop for community-focused fundraising activities. This season of harvest and tradition offers numerous opportunities to bring people together for your cause.

At Give as you Live Donate, we help charities make the most of seasonal fundraising with easy-to-use tools and platforms that boost donations. Whether you're planning an Autumn event or looking for creative ways to engage supporters, we're here to support you. Here are some Autumn fundraising ideas to inspire your charity’s efforts.

September

1. Back-to-School Supplies Collection

Collect essential school supplies and donations to support children in need at the start of the school year.

Friendly tip: Create specific "shopping lists" of needed items at different price points. Partner with local schools to identify genuine needs in your community.

2. World Book Day Alternative

Host a book swap and reading event to coincide with the start of the school year, encouraging literacy and recycling.

Friendly tip: Sort books by age group and genre to make browsing easier. Create themed reading corners with volunteers doing storytelling sessions.

3. Harvest Festival

Host a harvest-themed event with local produce, crafts, and seasonal activities.

Friendly tip: Incorporate apple bobbing, pumpkin carving, and other traditional harvest activities. Invite local food producers to showcase their Autumn offerings.

4. Autumn Charity Auction

Host an auction featuring donated items, experiences, or services as families prepare for the new season. You could do this in person or as a virtual event!

Friendly tip: Include a mix of price points so everyone can participate. Create themed gift bundles to increase the perceived value of smaller items.

October

5. Halloween Party

Throw a spooky celebration with costumes, games, and themed refreshments.

Friendly tip: Host a costume competition with various categories to encourage participation from all ages. Consider a family-friendly early session and an evening event for older children/ adults.

6. Seasonal Webinars

Create an Autumn-themed educational webinar on topics like seasonal cooking, getting the house ready for winter, or craft projects. You could even do a whole series!

Friendly tip: Record sessions for those who can't attend live and send participants materials lists in advance for interactive sessions. If you’re hosting a series, consider a season pass option offering a discount for those who sign up for multiple webinars!

7. Pumpkin Carving Contest

Run a competition for the best-carved pumpkins with entry fees and prizes.

Friendly tip: Display entries in a public space to attract attention to your charity. Offer templates for beginners and hold short workshops for children.

8. Combined Sponsored Walk

Organise a community-wide sponsored walk where participants collectively aim to walk the equivalent of a significant distance. This event could be hosted in person, or as a virtual challenge – check out the free Walking Challenge campaign in your Marketing Toolkit for inspiration and ready-made assets!

Friendly tip: Create an online tracker showing progress toward the collective goal to build excitement. For in-person events, design a route that showcases Autumn colours or local landmarks.

9. Charity Haunted House

Create a spooky experience in a suitable venue and charge admission. If there’s a local venue already hosting a Haunted House event, you could appeal to them to donate a portion of their ticket sales.

Friendly tip: Recruit teenage volunteers who often enjoy creating and participating in haunted houses. Offer different "scare levels" so families with young children can also participate.

10. Autumn Raffle

Run a seasonal raffle with prizes donated by local businesses such as restaurants, shops, and artisan sellers.

Friendly tip: Approach businesses 4-6 weeks in advance and offer to promote their brand in exchange for donated prizes. Secure a few high-value prizes to feature prominently in promotional materials.

November

11. Bonfire Night Event (5th November)

Host a Bonfire Night celebration with food stalls, games, and supervised fireworks. Like the Haunted House idea back in October, this idea could work even with limited resources - try partnering with a local venue already hosting fireworks event and ask them to donate a portion of their ticket sales to your cause.

Friendly tip: Check local regulations regarding bonfires and fireworks well in advance. Safety must be your priority - consider partnering with a local fire service for safety advice and supervision.

12. Autumn Craft Fair

Host an early Christmas market with local artisans selling handmade items.

Friendly tip: Offer gift-wrapping services for an additional donation. Provide artisans with charity information to share with customers.

13. Winter Preparation Challenge

Challenge supporters to prepare for winter (home insulation, garden winterising, etc.) while raising sponsorship money for those who can't afford winter preparations.

Friendly tip: Provide practical winter preparation checklists and partner with local businesses for discounted supplies. Share energy-saving tips that benefit both participants and the environment.

Autumn Fundraising Tools

Autumn events often require more complex administration, so having free tools and resources in one place is essential. Online Campaign Pages can effectively tell seasonal stories for Back-to-School collections or Winter Preparation challenges. Fundraising Pages work well for sponsor-based activities. For larger events like Harvest Festivals or Autumn Craft Fairs, combining ticket sales with contactless donations maximises revenue opportunities while providing a smooth experience for attendees who increasingly prefer cashless payments.

Need help getting started? Give as you Live Donate offers free support for fundraising all year round! Reach out to our Charity Team at charities@giveasyoulive.com to learn more.