This document provides 14 creative fundraising ideas for non-profits to implement around Thanksgiving. It begins by noting that 25% or more of annual giving occurs in the last 3 months of the year, especially among higher-income donors. Some of the fundraising ideas include hosting a Thanksgiving-themed giveaway on social media, creating an online gift catalog like the American Red Cross did, participating in #GivingTuesday, holding a turkey trot race or fall harvest festival, and setting up a corn maze or pumpkin sale. The document emphasizes connecting with existing donors around this time of year and expressing gratitude.

1. THANKSGIVING FUNDRAISING IDEAS
14 Creative Ideas Enclosed

2. IT’S IMPORTANT
TO GIVE THANKS

3. Around 25% or more of all annual giving in the U.S. occurs during
the last three months of the year. An estimated 43% of higher
income donors (from households earning greater than $200,000)
donate more during the holidays

4. Donorbox is a powerful fundraising software that is
super simple to setup and attracts more recurring
donors, and to help you get started, we’ve compiled
creative fall nonprofit fundraising ideas that will help
you take your fundraising efforts to the next level.

5. KEY PRINCIPLES
OF FUNDRAISING

6. CONNECT WITH EXISTING DONORS1

7. Invite them for a
tour of your
organization
Ask major
donors if they
would like to get
involved on a
deeper level
Send them
photos from the
field
Send them
a “thank you”
letter written by
someone the
donation
Embed
an interactive
infographic in
your “thank
you” letter.

8. SHOWCASE STORIES2

9. Giving is essentially an emotional decision
We donate when we feel sympathy

10. WORK WITH THE SENTIMENT OF
GRATITUDE
3

11. Gratitude is a positive emotion and is one
that most of us experience during
Thanksgiving. Many researchers have found
that gratitude positively affects generosity
and willingness to help

12. THANKSGIVING
FUNDRAISING IDEAS

13. THANKSGIVING GIVEAWAY ON
SOCIAL MEDIA
1

14. Engage with your donors and supporters by
offering a Thanksgiving-themed giveaway on
social media. Partner with a local business
and offer a discount coupon or a gift card
with every donation

15. THANKSGIVING GIFT CATALOG2

16. American Red Cross created an online catalog
to showcase their services. Everything from
hot meals to hospital kits and vaccinations is
available to purchase

17. #GIVINGTUESDAY3
#GivingTuesday

18. Specific and
exclusive
Limited-time
Impactful

19. THANKSGIVING RAFFLE4

20. Hold an end-of-year Thanksgiving holiday
raffle. Advertise it and present donors with 3
or 4 options to keep it simple. You only pay
for the winner’s choice

21. TURKEY TROT5

22. Encourage your runners to dress up and
reward best costumes. You could also reward
division winners (or anyone crossing the finish
line) with cinnamon rolls

23. THANKSGIVING VIRTUAL BAKE
SALE
6

24. Depending on the size and the scope of your
organization, you can either opt for a physical
bake sale or a virtual bake sale

25. FALL FOLIAGE TOUR7

26. The colors of fall – red, orange, and yellow are
provided free of charge by nature, which
makes this idea a cost-effective Thanksgiving
fundraising idea

27. GIFT BASKETS8

28. The holiday season is all about giving, and gift
baskets are amongst the most frequently
given gifts

29. PUMPKIN SALE9

30. Nothing says fall time like pumpkins. That is
why this fundraising idea is perfect for fall and
Thanksgiving

31. PUMPKIN CARVING OR
DECORATING CONTEST
10

32. Pumpkins are not there only to be sold. Try
organizing a pumpkin carving or decorating
contest. Supply pumpkins, pumpkin carving tools
and accessories, and let the fun begin

33. HARVEST FEST11

34. Make the most of the fall harvest and
Thanksgiving season and arrange a Harvest
Fest for your group, setting up sales of local
produce that are particularly in demand
around this time of year

35. YARD CLEANUP12

36. All that fall foliage makes for an amazing day
trip, but many people spend a lot of time
clearing leaves during the fall

37. CANDLE FUNDRAISING13

38. Create your own maze/obstacle course in a large
open space (like a parking lot or an open field), or
you can partner with a local farm that has an
existing corn or hay bale maze

39. CORN MAZE14

40. Engage with your donors and supporters by
offering a Thanksgiving-themed giveaway on
social media. Partner with a local business
and offer a discount coupon or a gift card
with every donation

41. THE END OF THE
YEAR IS AROUND
THE CORNER

42. Think outside the box and try some of the
ideas above that you haven’t tried before.
This time of the year is crucial for nonprofits

43. DON’T FORGET TO BE GRATEFUL FOR AND TO
YOUR DONORS
Donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/thanksgiving-fundraising-ideas/