The document provides 7 summer fundraising ideas for nonprofits and schools: 1) A water balloon fight, 2) An ice cream party, 3) An outdoor movie screening, 4) A barbecue extravaganza, 5) A swim-a-thon, 6) An outdoor fitness club with challenges, and 7) Summer excursions like camping or hiking trips. Each idea is accompanied by tips and considerations for organizing the event to successfully raise funds during the summer months.

1. 7
SUMMER
Fundraising
Ideas That
Actually
Work

2. SUMMER IS
FINALLY HERE!

3. Winter holiday season is
famously the best time to
fundraise
Summertime should not be
underestimated

4. SUMMER
FUNDRAISING IDEAS
FOR NONPROFITS &
SCHOOL

5. 1
Water Balloon
Fight

6. A water balloon fight is also a fundraising idea
with a great potential return on investment.
It’s relatively easy to organize and has the
potential to raise a lot of funds

7. FOR THIS EVENT, YOU’LL NEED
A location where water balloons won’t cause damage
A few hundred balloons
The help of volunteers
Containers to store the water balloons in

8. 2
Ice-Cream Party

9. The great thing about an ice-cream party
fundraising event is that you can pair it with
another fundraiser like an auction to raise
even more funds

10. TO ORGANIZE AN ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Pick A Location
Choose A Time
Be Mindful Of The Weather

11. 3
Open-Air Movie
Screening

12. An outdoor movie night is also a relatively
low-stress fundraiser that can be easily used
in conjunction with other fundraising
ideas such as raffles, auctions and pizza nights

13. To organize an open-air movie screening
Decide on a location and a date
Organize the venue or screen and projector
Organize ticketing
Mobilize volunteers to help
Set out any food and
beverages that will be for
sale
Promote the event

14. 4
Barbecue
Extravaganza

15. Barbecues are a great way to attract a big
crowd during the summer. It’s also a family-
friendly summer fundraising idea

16. THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS TO GO ABOUT RAISING FUNDS
AT A BARBECUE
Selling barbecue plates
Selling barbecue sauces and drinks
Organizing raffles and auctions

17. 5
Swim-a-Thon

18. Swim-a-Thon is an in-pool fundraiser where
participants earn money by swimming lengths
of the pool

19. BEFORE ORGANIZING A SWIM-A-THON,
ASSESS YOUR CAPACITY
What’s the size of the pool you will be using?
How many swimmers can it comfortably fit?
Could you organize several races throughout the day and then end with a
race between all the winners?

20. 6
Outdoor Fitness
Club

21. Instead of organizing a single outdoor
exercise class, go the extra mile and organize
an outdoor fitness program. To make it fun,
make it into a challenge

22. EXAMPLES OF FITNESS CHALLENGES
30-Day Core Challenge
Yoga Every Day Challenge
Whole30 Challenge

23. 7
Summer
Excursions

24. A great way to respond to this need is to
organize summer camping or summer hiking.
This is a great fundraising idea for almost any
age group

25. TO REALLY TAKE IT UP A NOTCH, YOU COULD ADD
THESE TO YOUR HIKE/CAMPING
Wildflower hikes: Follow the blooms with a guide
Waterfall hikes: Visit several waterfalls in one trip
Mushroom picking: Pick mushrooms with an expert

26. Summer fundraising
doesn’t need to be
daunting!

27. Perfect time to enjoy the sunshine with your
supporters and raise funds at the same time

28. More information
www.DonorBox.org/NonProfit-
Blog/Summer-Fundraising-Ideas/