Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating disease that affects millions of people worldwide. As a result, the fight against MS requires substantial funding to support research, treatment, and support for those affected. Raising funds for a cause can be a challenging and daunting task, particularly when you lack inspiration on fundraising ideas to begin with.
That’s why we’ve compiled this list of 26 creative fundraising ideas to help you reach your goals and make a meaningful impact. Whether you’re an individual, a group of friends, or a business, there’s a fundraising idea that can work for you. From auction events to virtual challenges, we’ve got you covered with a wide range of fundraising options that are both fun and effective.
So, if you’re ready to make a difference and raise money for MS, let’s dive into our A-Z list of fundraising ideas. With these creative and innovative approaches to fundraising, you can make a real difference in the fight against MS.
A – Auction
Host a silent or live auction where people can bid on items or experiences, such as gift cards, sports memorabilia, or concert tickets. Consider reaching out to local businesses that may offer items or experiences to use in the auction to expand your selection and attract more bidders.
B – Bake Sale
Host a bake sale where participants can sell their homemade goodies and donate the proceeds to the charity. This could be done at work, school, university, local library, sports centre etc. The list goes on!
C – Corporate Matching
Many companies offer employee matching programs where they will match their employee’s donations to a nonprofit organisation. Encourage your supporters to check if their employer has such a program, and if so, ask them to double their impact by having their donations matched. You can also partner with local companies to create a company-wide fundraising event and have them match the donations raised. This can be a great way to involve the community and boost your fundraising efforts.
D – Dress-down Day
Organise a dress-down day at work or school where people can wear casual clothes in exchange for a donation.
E – Endurance Event
Challenge people to participate in a long-distance endurance event, such as a cycle ride, marathon or triathlon, and ask for pledges based on the distance covered. Bike the UK for MS has cycling events all over the UK that are great options for all abilities.
F – Fun Run
Organise a fun run where participants can run or walk a set distance and collect donations from friends and family.
G – Games Night
Host a games night where participants can play board games, card games, and other fun activities. Charge a fee for entry and provide snacks and refreshments for sale. You can also add a competitive edge to the night by offering small prizes to the winners of each game. To make the night even more engaging, you can consider organising a silent auction alongside the games or have a raffle for a grand prize at the end of the night. Games night can be an excellent way to bring people together for a good cause, have fun, and raise money at the same time.
H – Happy Hour
Partner with a local restaurant, pub or bar to host a happy hour event where a portion of the sales goes to charity.
I – Instagram Auction
Host an auction on Instagram where people can bid on items and donate the proceeds to charity. Or simply run an Instagram fundraiser, allowing followers to donate to your cause directly.
J – Jumble Sale
A jumble sale is a great way to get rid of unwanted items in your home while raising money for charity. Encourage people to donate their gently-used clothing, toys, books, and other items, and then sell them at a local market or fair. A jumble sale can be a fun way to declutter, support the environment by promoting reuse, and raise funds for a good cause.
K – Karaoke Night
Host a karaoke night where people can pay to sing their favourite songs and donate to the cause. Why not link it in with a Happy Hour by partnering with a bar where a portion of the sales goes to charity.
L – Letter Writing
Letter writing can be a personal and effective way to fundraise for a cause. Write to friends, family members or colleagues, explaining why you are passionate about the cause and why it matters. Include a call-to-action to donate to the charity, for example through your fundraising profile if you have one, details for sending a cheque or an online donation. Letter writing is an excellent way to engage with potential donors and spread awareness about the cause, and it can be a highly impactful fundraising tool.
M – Movie Night
Organise a movie night fundraiser where participants can enjoy a film screening while supporting your fundraiser. You can choose a popular or family-friendly movie, or a film related to the cause you are supporting. You can charge for tickets, and offer popcorn, snacks, and beverages for sale. To add more excitement to the event, you can have a themed costume contest or quiz related to the movie. You can also use the movie night as an opportunity to educate attendees about the cause and raise awareness. The event can be held indoors or outdoors, depending on the season and your budget. A movie night can be a fun and engaging way to raise funds, while providing an enjoyable experience for your supporters.
N – Networking Event
Host a networking event where professionals and industry experts can come together to socialise, share ideas, and support your fundraising. You can invite local business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals from relevant industries and provide an opportunity for them to connect with each other and learn more about your cause. You can charge for admission, and offer food and drinks, or even have a silent auction or raffle to raise additional funds. To make the event more engaging, you can consider having a keynote speaker or panel discussion related to the cause you are supporting.
O – Online Raffle
Host an online raffle where people can purchase tickets to win prizes and donate the proceeds.
P – Pub Quiz
Host a pub quiz night in your village where people can pay to participate and donate to the charity. Speak to the pub owners to see if they may offer to donate a percentage of sales for the evening or of sales of a particular beer.
Q – Quiz Night
Host a quiz night fundraiser at home, virtually or at work where participants can put their knowledge to the test and support your fundraiser. You can create a variety of quiz topics, such as general knowledge, pop culture, or trivia related to your cause. Charge an entry fee for participants and offer prizes for the winning team. You can also sell food and drinks or hold a raffle to raise additional funds. To make the event more exciting, you can consider having a live host or a celebrity guest to make the event more engaging. A quiz night can be a fun and social way to raise funds for your charity while providing a great experience for your supporters.
R – Restaurant Fundraiser
Partner with a local restaurant to host a fundraiser night where a portion of the sales goes to the charity.
S – Sweetstake
Fill a jar with sweets and have people guess the number of sweets in the jar for a chance to win the prize. You can charge an entry fee for each guess or offer the opportunity to buy multiple guesses. This is a fun and easy way to raise funds while providing an exciting game for participants. You can customise the game by choosing different types of sweets or adding a theme to the game. For example, you could use heart-shaped candies for a Valentine’s Day event or jelly beans for an Easter fundraiser.
T – Tea Party
Host a tea party fundraiser with an elegant or whimsical theme. Guests can enjoy a variety of teas, finger sandwiches, scones, and other treats. You can charge an admission fee or ask for donations to attend the event. You can also offer additional fundraising activities at the event, such as a raffle, silent auction, or sale of tea-related products.
U – Ugly Jumper Party
Host an Ugly Jumper Party where guests wear their most hideous and outrageous holiday-themed jumpers. You can charge an admission fee or ask for donations to attend the event. You can also use other fundraising ideas at the event, such as a raffle, silent auction, or sale of holiday-related products. This is a fun and festive way to raise money for your charity while also providing a memorable event for participants. You can add a theme to the party, such as a bake-off or a trivia contest, to make it even more enjoyable.
V – Virtual Event
Host a virtual event, such as a virtual cycle, walk or run, and collect donations from participants. For example, take on a virtual route, like the North Coast 500, as a goal over a set time period.
W – Wine Tasting
W – Wine Tasting Fundraising Ideas: Host a wine tasting event where participants can sample a variety of wines from different regions and wineries. You can partner with a local wine shop or vineyard to provide the wine, or ask local businesses to sponsor the event by donating wine. You can charge an admission fee or ask for donations to attend the event, and offer additional fundraising activities such as a silent auction, raffle, or sale of wine-related products. Why not add a theme to the wine tasting, such as a blind taste test or a wine and cheese pairing, to make it even more entertaining.
X – X-marks the spot scavenger hunt
Organise a scavenger hunt in a park or other public space, and charge participants a registration fee to raise funds. On the day of the event, they’ll follow a series of clues and challenges that lead them on a treasure hunt around a public space, such as a park or town center. The first team or individual to solve all the clues and reach the final destination will be the winner. This is a fun and interactive way to fundraise that everyone can enjoy.
Y – Yoga Class
Host a yoga class where people can pay to participate and donate to the cause.
Z – Zero-waste Challenge
Encourage friends and family to take a zero-waste challenge, where they commit to reducing their waste output for a certain amount of time and make a donation to your charity for each day they succeed (or don’t).
Fundraising can be a rewarding experience that not only helps those in need but also brings people together for a common cause. With the A-Z list of fundraising ideas we’ve presented here, we hope that we’ve given you some inspiration to get started on your fundraising journey. Whether it’s a tea party or a scavenger hunt, an ugly jumper party or a karaoke night, there are so many creative ways to raise money for charity. Remember to think outside the box and get creative, and most importantly, have fun while doing good for others. With the right attitude and a little bit of effort, you can make a big impact on the lives of those in need.
If you’ve been inspired by any of these fundraising ideas, why not put them into action and make a difference for people living with multiple sclerosis? You can donate to Bike the UK for MS or sign up for a cycling adventure this summer to support this important cause. Your contributions will help fund research, provide support to those affected by MS, and raise awareness about this condition. So let’s join together and make a positive impact on the lives of those with MS. Donate or sign up today!
