Summer Fundraising Ideas For Charities

Summer offers the perfect opportunity to take your fundraising outdoors. With longer days and warmer weather, people are naturally more inclined to participate in community events.

At Give as you Live Donate, we provide charities with the tools and platforms to maximise their fundraising efforts, making seasonal campaigns even more effective. Whether you're planning an outdoor event or looking for easy ways to collect donations, we’re here to help. These summer fundraising ideas will help you make the most of the season while raising vital funds for your cause.

June

Summer Fête: Organise a traditional summer fête with stalls, games, and entertainment that brings the whole community together.Approach local businesses for raffle prizes 6-8 weeks in advance, offering recognition in event programs and social media in return for their support.

Father's Day Golf Tournament (3rd Sunday in June): Organise a charity golf tournament with an entry fee, refreshments, and prizes for participants. You can create fun categories beyond the traditional scoring, such as "most improved" or "best sporting attitude" to engage players of all skill levels.

Summer BBQ Fundraiser: Encourage supporters to host summer BBQs for friends and family, collecting donations per plate served. Provide hosts with digital invitation templates, suggested donation amounts, and simple recipes.

Summer Solstice Celebration (21st June): Mark the longest day with an outdoor evening party featuring music, food, and activities. Consider hosting a sunset yoga session or a midnight feast to make the most of the extra daylight.

July

Charity Dog Walk: Organise a sponsored walk specifically for dog owners and their pets. Consider adding a pet costume contest or agility demonstrations. Check out your Wagathon campaign in your free Marketing Toolkit for ready-made social media posts!

Outdoor Movie Night: Set up an open-air cinema screening in a park or garden. Charge admission and sell refreshments. Choose family-friendly classics that appeal to a broad audience. Offer blanket and chair rentals for an additional donation.

Car Wash Fundraiser: Organise a charity car wash during the summer when people are more likely to want their cars cleaned after dusty summer drives. Create an efficient system with separate stations for washing, rinsing, and drying to minimise wait times. Offer refreshments for sale to waiting customers.

Mini Music Festival: Arrange performances by local musicians at an outdoor venue. Sell tickets and refreshments. Approach music schools for young performers who would appreciate the exposure. Create different "stages" or performance areas to accommodate various music styles.

August

Craft-Making Workshop: Host summer-themed craft workshops teaching skills like flower pressing, natural dyeing, or outdoor photography. Provide take-home materials so participants can continue practising their new skills. Consider a follow-up exhibition of created works to showcase participants' achievements.

Community Sports Day: Host a day of traditional sports day activities like sack races, egg-and-spoon races, and tug-of-war competitions. Create team categories for families, businesses, and community groups to encourage group participation. Offer a trophy for the most spirited team to encourage friendly competition.

Sponsored Cycle Ride: Set up a cycling event with routes of varying difficulties. Participants can collect sponsorships based on their chosen distance and track their progress using fitness apps like Strava. Don’t forget, there’s a ready-made Cycling Challenge campaign available to download from your Marketing Toolkit!

Charity Ice Cream Stand: Run an ice cream stand at local events or parks during hot weather. Or, partner with a local ice cream vendor willing to donate a portion of each sale on the day!

Summer events benefit from mobile-friendly tools. Digital ticketing solutions work well for larger events like the Father's Day Golf Tournament or Mini Music Festival. For community events like the Sports Day or Cycle Ride, Fundraising Pages allow supporters to collect sponsorships easily. Contactless giving via Tap to Donate is perfect for outdoor venues where taking card payments might be challenging.