Seven Easy and Unique Fundraising Ideas

Whether you’re looking to raise money for medical bills, adoption, a local sports team, or school tuition, GoFundMe is home to thousands of the most unique fundraising ideas on the web. Every day we see amazing crowdfunding fundraisers raise real money to help local communities, schools, families, and individuals. To help you think of your own unique fundraising ideas, we’ve put together a list of some of our all-time favorite fundraisers. Here are some examples that we hope will inspire you.

Seven fundraising ideas for inspiration

  1. Fund a life-saving surgery for a furry friend

    Kay, a military working dog who toured overseas, needed emergency surgery. With the support of the community, organizer Tony raised almost $10,000 to cover the cost. Kay is back on four feet and on the road to recovery.

  2. Help someone you love fund their college tuition

    Chris Cognac did just that while serving as a police officer in Hawthorne, California. After meeting a passionate young girl who needed some help, Chris set up a fundraiser for Yanet’s education. She’s now attending UC Berkeley.

  3. Build an amazing invention

    11-year-old cancer survivor Kylie Simmonds invented a wearable IV backpack. Sick of the constraints of traditional IV machines, Kylie’s invention gives children more mobility during their treatment. Her incredible story was picked up by national media outlets, and Kylie is now building her first prototype.

  4. Honor someone special in your community

    Ollie, a beloved 72-year-old custodian at Parkway West High School, needed some help with medical bills after being diagnosed with cancer. Students and teachers alike came together and started a fundraiser to raise money for Ollie and his wife’s medical bills.

  5. Fund an independent student newspaper

    A group of students from Boston came to GoFundMe to save their 44-year-old independent student newspaper, The Daily Press, and raised over $80,000 to keep their operation running.

  6. Do something special for a veteran

    When Sherwin Callender was contacted to attend the 70th anniversary of D-Day at Normandy but didn’t have the funds to fly, friends and family came to his rescue and made sure he was able to attend. Their fundraiser, Send Sherwin Callander to Normandy for the 70th Anniversary of D-Day!, ended up raising more than $10,000.

  7. Help people in your local community

    In 2011, Kasonja Holley started a project called Love In Motion. During lunch one day per week, she spends her time passing out 20 meals. With an amazing network of friends, and family, Kasonja raised over $10,000 to feed the homeless in Park Forest, Illinois.

Start your own unique fundraiser

GoFundMe is proud to be the home of so many amazing, unique fundraising fundraisers—whether they’re for yourself, a friend, a family member, or a complete stranger,  What’s your unique fundraising idea? Start your fundraiser and start raising money in minutes.