Practical Fundraising Ideas for Community Groups and Charities

For small charities and community groups, raising funds can feel like a never-ending challenge, especially when your resources are limited, and volunteers are already juggling work and family commitments.

I’ve been there, working with Great Wood Community Hall and Checkley Parish Community Events Committee, I’ve learned that fundraising doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. In fact, some of the most successful fundraisers I’ve been part of have been simple, fun events that bring the community together.

Here are some of my favourite fundraising ideas that any community group or small charity can easily implement. These ideas are low-cost, easy to organise, and will help you raise much-needed funds while strengthening your local community ties.

1. Host a Social Morning or Afternoon

One of the simplest ways to raise money is by bringing people together for a cup of tea or coffee. Hosting a social morning or afternoon is something you can do in your community hall, church, or even someone’s home.

At Great Wood Hall, we hold regular Social Fridays, where we invite people to drop in for tea, coffee, and a chat. It’s an informal event, but we always put out a donation tub, and people are more than happy to contribute what they can.

These types of events don’t require much organisation, just a few volunteers to make tea and coffee and some homemade cakes if you want to add a nice touch. You’ll be surprised how much you can raise just by keeping things simple and friendly.

Tip: Make sure to place your donation tub or box somewhere visible. People are often more willing to donate when there’s no pressure, and you’d be amazed at how quickly small donations can add up.

2. Organise a Car Boot

If you have access to a car park or large outdoor space, a car boot sale is a great way to raise funds and involve the whole community. People love the chance to sell their unwanted items, and buyers love finding a bargain.

At Great Wood Community Hall, we’ve organised several successful car boot sales, where sellers pay a small fee for their pitch, and all we need to do is promote the event and manage the space.

It’s a win-win situation: people clear out their clutter, shoppers find hidden treasures, and your group raises money. Plus, it’s something you can repeat a few times a year, depending on the space and demand.

Tip: To make even more money, sell teas, coffees, and cakes at the event. People love to grab a drink and a snack while they’re shopping, and it’s an easy way to bring in additional donations.

3. Hold a Raffle with Local Prizes

A raffle is one of the easiest fundraisers to organise, and it’s always popular. At Great Wood Hall, we often run raffles at our events, and they’re a simple but effective way to raise extra funds. We reached out to local businesses who were more than happy to donate prizes for the raffle. We even offered a free three-hour party booking as a prize, which made the raffle even more appealing.

The key to a successful raffle is having a mix of prizes, so don’t be shy about approaching local businesses and asking if they can donate a voucher, product, or service. In exchange, you can promote their business at the event or on your social media channels.

Tip: Combine your raffle with other events, like a coffee morning or quiz night, to get more people involved. The more people attending, the more tickets you’ll sell.

4. Run a Craft Fair or Tabletop Sale (With Tea and Coffee)

Craft fairs and tabletop sales are perfect for raising funds while supporting local makers and small businesses. At Great Wood Hall and Checkley Parish, we regularly organise craft fairs where stallholders pay a small fee to set up and sell their handmade goods or second-hand items. These events are always well-attended and create a lovely community atmosphere.

We also make extra money by selling tea, coffee, and cakes during the event. It’s a simple addition, but it brings in extra donations and encourages people to stick around longer, which benefits both your group and the stallholders.

Tip: Promote your craft fayre or tabletop sale on local Facebook groups and community pages to reach a wider audience. Joining Facebook groups like “Events, Fairs, Shows, Stall Holders UK” can also help you find vendors and attract more stallholders to your event.

5. Host a Themed Party or Seasonal Event

Themed events are a fun and easy way to raise funds. Whether it’s a Halloween Party, a Christmas Fair, or a Valentine’s Day social, people love attending seasonal events. At Great Wood Community Hall, we’ve hosted Halloween parties where guests bring their own food and drinks, which keeps the organising simple.

Seasonal parties don’t require much effort, but they always attract a good crowd and can be a great source of funds for your group.

Tip: Use Facebook to create an event page and promote your party. Invite everyone in your local community groups and ask your volunteers to share the event to reach a wider audience.

6. Dog Shows and Outdoor Events

Outdoor events are a great way to engage the community, and adding a dog show is always a crowd-pleaser. At our summer events for Checkley Parish, we include a dog show with a suggested donation of £1 per entry, and it’s always one of the most popular activities.

You can also host other simple outdoor events like a bouncy castle day, family picnic, or tug-of-war competition. These are easy to organise, especially if you already have access to a green space or park.

Tip: Combine multiple activities at your outdoor event to appeal to a wider audience. For example, you could have food stalls, games, and a dog show, all in one afternoon.

Promoting Your Event and Finding Vendors

Once you’ve planned your event, the next step is promoting it effectively. Here are some simple ways to get the word out and make your event a success:

1. Create an Event on Facebook

Facebook is a fantastic tool for promoting your event for free. Creating a Facebook event allows you to invite your followers, share updates, and build excitement leading up to the day. You can also post the event in local Facebook groups to reach a wider audience.

At Great Wood Hall and Checkley Parish Community Events, we always create Facebook events for our craft fairs, events and social mornings. It’s a simple way to engage the community and keep people informed about what’s coming up.

2. Reach Out to Local Businesses

Local businesses are often keen to support community events, either by donating raffle prizes, offering sponsorship, or helping with promotion. Reach out to businesses in your area and ask if they’d be willing to help promote your event. Many will be happy to share your event details on their social media pages or in their shops.

In return, you can offer them a mention on your social media or event flyers, which gives them some extra exposure in the local community.

3. Join Event Groups on Facebook to Find Vendors and Entertainment

If you’re organising a larger event and need vendors, stallholders, or entertainment, Facebook groups like “Events, Fairs, Shows, Stall Holders UK” are a great resource. These groups are full of small businesses, food vendors, and entertainers who are looking for events to attend.

By joining these groups, you can easily find stallholders for your craft fairs or entertainers for your summer events, all in one place. It’s also a good way to build up a list of contacts for future events.

4. Advertise in Local Community Groups on Facebook

Promote your event by posting in local community Facebook groups. These groups are a brilliant way to reach people who might not already follow your page but are interested in local events. Whether it’s a car boot sale, craft fair, or social morning, posting in these groups can help you attract a bigger audience.

Keep It Simple and Local

The most important thing to remember about fundraising is that it doesn’t need to be complicated. Start small, keep it local, and focus on events that resonate with your community. From raffles to car boot sales, craft fayres to dog shows, these simple ideas can make a big difference without overwhelming your volunteers.

At Great Wood Hall and Checkley Parish, we’ve seen how even the smallest events can have a big impact, bringing the community together and raising essential funds. The key is consistency and keeping things fun and straightforward.

If you need help planning your next fundraiser or applying for grants, I’m always happy to share more ideas and advice.

Need more help with fundraising? Download my FREE Grant Writing Starter Guide or visit Savvy Business Management for more resources and support.