What type of fundraising event is best for your nonprofit?

Quick answer: 

There is no single best fundraising event. A gala suits nonprofits with major donors and six to twelve months to plan; a peer-to-peer campaign suits lean teams that need low-overhead growth; a virtual event suits organizations reaching donors nationwide on a limited budget. The right format is the one that fits your donor base, budget, volunteer capacity, and timeline — and nets the most after expenses. This guide compares seven formats by cost, effort, and revenue potential, and shows how platform fees change what you actually keep.

Fundraising events come in many forms, from galas and auctions to fun runs, peer-to-peer campaigns, community festivals, and virtual gatherings. The best option is not always the largest or most popular. It is the one that fits your fundraising goal, budget, volunteer capacity, and supporters.

Fundraising events can play a major role in donor engagement [cite source + year for event attendance/volunteering statistic]. Still, each format works differently.

Below, we compare the main types of fundraising events by cost, planning time, staffing needs, audience reach, and revenue opportunities. You will also learn how platform fees affect your net revenue, how to avoid common planning mistakes, and how to measure whether an event is worth running.

The goal is simple: choose an event that plays to your nonprofit's strengths and raises the most money after expenses.

In this guide

• What is the best type of fundraising event for a nonprofit?
• Fundraising event types at a glance
• How should you choose a fundraising event?
• Seven fundraising event formats compared
• How platform fees affect your event's net revenue
• Which fundraising event fits your nonprofit?
• Should you combine more than one fundraising format?
• How to estimate whether an event is worth running
• Build the right fundraising event with BetterWorld
• FAQs

What is the best type of fundraising event for a nonprofit?

There is no single best event; the right format depends on your donors, budget, and timeline. A gala fits major donors and sponsors. An auction fits donated items. An a-thon or peer-to-peer challenge helps supporters reach new donors. A community event builds local ties, while a virtual or hybrid event offers broad reach at lower cost.

Choose the format with the strongest projected net revenue, a realistic workload, and a clear reason for supporters to participate.

Fundraising event types at a glance - Use the tables below to scan each format's best use, main revenue sources, and typical demands on budget, volunteers, planning time, and audience reach.

Fundraising and revenue comparison

Planning and resource comparison

How should you choose a fundraising event?

The right event depends on your donors, budget, volunteer capacity, and timeline. Weigh these five factors before committing:

Your donors and goals. Do you need a large windfall or steady growth? Are your supporters affluent and formal, or community-based and casual? Match the event to donor preferences — corporations often sponsor golf events, while families gravitate toward fairs.

Budget and risk. What can you afford upfront? A gala carries high costs and high payoff; a peer-to-peer campaign costs little to launch. Build a simple budget sheet that projects revenue and subtracts every expense before you commit.

Volunteer and staff capacity. How many people can plan and run the event? Large athletic events and galas need many hands. Small or first-time organizers should consider low-overhead formats such as peer-to-peer campaigns or virtual drives.

Timeline. How quickly do you need funds? A walk-a-thon can come together in a few months; a gala typically needs six to twelve months of preparation.

Fundraising mix. Events should complement your other fundraising. Many donated auction items but few donors point toward an auction; a need to grow your donor base points toward a peer-to-peer or community event.

Run a quick return-on-investment check before committing: estimate how much you will raise against how much you will spend. A general benchmark is a 3:1 to 4:1 return on cost [cite source for 3:1–4:1 ROI benchmark]. If your estimates fall far short, reconsider the format.

Seven fundraising event formats compared

1. Gala or benefit dinner

Galas suit nonprofits with major or corporate donors and a goal to raise six or seven figures in one night. They also let high-value supporters network with leaders and hear a clear mission pitch.

How it raises money. Revenue comes from $150–$300+ tickets, table sales, sponsorships, live or silent auctions, and paddle raises. Ticket and sponsor income should cover costs so that additional gifts go directly to the mission.

What it requires. Expect venue, catering, entertainment, signage, AV, a planning committee, and 10–20+ event volunteers, with six to twelve months of preparation.

When it may not be the right fit. A gala carries real risk for a small, new, or low-budget nonprofit because of the high upfront cost, and it can fail without premium-ticket buyers or enough lead time.

Example. Colleges and hospitals often raise $500,000 to $1 million or more through galas. City of Hope Orange County's 2025 Promises of Hope gala raised more than $20 million in one evening with nearly 500 guests.

2. Live, silent, or online auction

Auctions suit nonprofits with donated gift certificates, vacation packages, or unique experiences, and donors who enjoy competitive bidding. They can run live, silent, or online, either alone or alongside a gala.

How it raises money. Winning bids become donations, with extra revenue from tickets or entry fees. More competition among bidders can push item prices higher.

What it requires. Nonprofits need attractive items, business or donor outreach, catalogs, bid-tracking software, and checkout support. Bidding software now lets one or two volunteers handle work that once needed ten people, though staff should still support bidders and test the system beforehand.

When it may not be the right fit. An auction can struggle without strong items, interested bidders, tech-comfortable supporters, or a captive audience.

Example. The 39th annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction, held September 21, 2025, raised a record $1,633,803 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, combining 156 silent-auction lots and 67 live-auction lots — a reminder that unique items and experiences drive competitive bidding.

3. Walk-a-thon, read-a-thon, or other a-thon

A-thons suit schools, clubs, fitness groups, and nonprofits seeking broad community engagement. Participants collect pledges through personal fundraising pages before event day.

How it raises money. Registration fees, on-site donations, and corporate sponsorships add to individual pledge totals; some participants raise hundreds of dollars each.

What it requires. Physical events need a route, permits, water stations, first aid, checkpoints, registration tools, and volunteers. Allow a few months for setup and promotion; virtual or hybrid formats cost even less.

When it may not be the right fit. A large a-thon may not suit teams with few volunteers, limited marketing reach, or an inactive supporter base. A virtual read-a-thon or game-a-thon can work better for a first campaign.

Example. A school PTA walkathon might raise [verify or replace illustrative figure with a sourced example] through $20 registrations and classroom sponsors.

4. Peer-to-peer challenge or campaign event

Peer-to-peer campaigns suit lean or all-volunteer nonprofits seeking low-overhead growth. One organizer can launch a campaign that dozens of fundraisers carry forward, reaching new donors along the way. P2P works well for revenue goals between $5,000 and $100,000.

How it raises money. Individuals or teams create fundraising pages and ask their networks to give. Matching challenges, team contests, and branded merchandise can add revenue.

What it requires. You need an online platform, one or two organizers, initial fundraisers, and regular promotion through email, social media, and local press. Costs are minimal — mostly staff time, basic graphics, and fundraising software.

When it may not be the right fit. P2P can underperform with a small or less tech-savvy audience, donors who prefer personal outreach, or too few willing fundraisers.

Example. The American Heart Association's Heart Walk was the largest P2P program in the United States in 2024, raising $110 million, and the top ten P2P programs combined raised more than $690 million that year, according to the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum's 2024 Top Thirty Report.

5. Community or family fundraising event

Community or family events such as carnivals, block parties, and fun runs suit nonprofits with strong local, school, or family audiences.

How it raises money. Revenue comes from entry fees, on-site donations, food and drink sales, raffles, merchandise, small auctions, and local sponsors — many small purchases drive the total. Tickets might run $10 per person or $25 per family.

What it requires. Volunteers manage activities, food, promotion, setup, and cleanup. Outdoor events may need permits, tables, tents, and sound equipment; in-kind donations from local businesses can reduce costs.

When it may not be the right fit. This format may underperform if supporters are geographically dispersed or turnout is low. Revenue per person is usually modest, and poor weather can hurt outdoor events without a backup plan.

Example. A wildlife nonprofit charging $15 per family for a nature fair with games and a scavenger hunt could net roughly $5,000 with 300 attendees; a community clinic charging 250 runners $30 each, with local sponsors covering costs, could target around $7,500 in net revenue.

6. Competition or tournament

Competitions suit nonprofits with a specific-interest audience and strong sponsor relationships. The format works when participants enjoy the contest and sponsors value visible branding.

How it raises money. Revenue comes from entry fees, sponsorships, concessions, 50/50 raffles, side contests, and team donation challenges; sponsors are often the financial backbone of tournaments.

What it requires. Reserve the venue months ahead and arrange meals, equipment, referees, volunteers, and scoring, with three to six months of lead time. Costs can run high, so sponsor support matters.

When it may not be the right fit. Skip this format without a suitable venue, interested participants, sponsor contacts, or team capacity — large sports events can overwhelm a small, new nonprofit.

Example. A larger tournament hosting 200 golfers and 25 sponsors might target over $150,000 net on roughly $50,000 in costs; a trivia night charging teams of six at $20 per person, with 30 teams, sponsors, and raffles, might net a few thousand dollars.

7. Virtual or hybrid fundraising event

Virtual and hybrid events suit nonprofits with remote supporters, limited volunteers, or a need to lower costs. Options include online auctions, webinars, livestream concerts, gaming marathons, and virtual galas; a hybrid event pairs a small watch party with online access.

How it raises money. Revenue comes from online passes, donation appeals, auctions, sponsorships, and digital ads.

What it requires. You need a reliable platform, stable internet, rehearsals, a stream operator, moderators, and tech support. Planning usually takes one to three months, without venue or catering expenses.

When it may not be the right fit. Virtual formats can feel impersonal, cause screen fatigue, or exclude donors with limited tech access; choose hybrid when supporters want face-to-face contact.

Example. A midsize nonprofit selling 500 virtual gala tickets at $25 each, plus a digital auction, could target $40,000 net; a STEM group running a month-long coding challenge might target $15,000.

How platform fees affect your event's net revenue

Platform fees quietly erode the difference between gross revenue and what actually reaches your mission. Most event platforms charge a percentage of every ticket, donation, or auction bid — a cost that scales with your event's success rather than shrinking as you grow.

Consider a nonprofit running a $50,000 gala. A platform charging a [verify current competitor platform fee percentage — Donorbox, Givebutter, GoFundMe/Classy, Give Lively, Fundly, Zeffy] fee would take roughly [calculate dollar amount once fee percentage is confirmed] off the top before a dollar reaches the cause. BetterWorld charges a 0% platform fee on every tool — ticketing, auctions, peer-to-peer, and a-thons — so that same $50,000 event keeps the full amount raised.

A platform fee is not a rounding error. On a $50,000 event, a few percentage points is the difference between a modest program and a fully funded one.

Because fee structures change, verify current competitor pricing before publishing any specific comparison.

Which fundraising event fits your nonprofit?

The table below matches common scenarios with event formats and why they fit.

Which fundraising event works best by budget?

Your budget level strongly shapes which formats are realistic. As a rough guide:

Low-budget events. Peer-to-peer campaigns, online raffles or auctions, and small community activities such as yard sales or bake sales. Mid-budget events. Silent auctions, walkathons, small galas, or community festivals, with moderate costs for permits, simple catering, or rentals. Higher-budget events. Large galas, major tournaments, and multi-day festivals, which can run into the tens of thousands of dollars.

Should you combine more than one fundraising format?

Often, yes. Combining formats increases impact, and many successful events layer one model on another. It is common to host a silent auction during a gala, combining attendance and transaction models, or to add a donation appeal at a fun run. Adding an auction, raffle, or matching challenge to any event can raise more money — just keep the main event identity clear, and integrate extra elements that fit smoothly rather than clutter the experience.

How to estimate whether an event is worth running

Run a rough financial projection before you commit. Five steps get you there: Estimate attendance or participants. How many people can you realistically draw, based on past events or comparable groups?

Project gross revenue. Multiply attendance by average ticket price, then add expected sponsorship dollars, merchandise, raffle or auction income, and direct donations.

Tally all expenses, direct and indirect. Direct costs include venue, catering, entertainment, rentals, and permits; indirect costs include staff and volunteer time. If you raise $150,000 and spend $60,000 ($50,000 direct plus $10,000 indirect), your net is $90,000. Calculate ROI. Check whether the net is worthwhile against the cost. A healthy event should net more than 70 percent of its cost — a 170 percent revenue-to-cost ratio. Consider non-financial goals. Even a break-even event can be valuable for new donors, publicity, or advocacy — just be clear about which value you are counting.

Build the right fundraising event with BetterWorld

Whatever format you choose, the platform behind it determines how much of what you raise you actually keep. BetterWorld's all-in-one fundraising platform supports every event type in this guide — ticketed events, auctions, peer-to-peer campaigns, and raffles — on a single dashboard, with a 0% platform fee on every tool.

Organizations using BetterWorld's tools report raising [source and year for '30% more' / '30 hours saved' claim — internal case study or customer report] while saving significant staff time per event.

A gala run on BetterWorld might look like this: guests buy tickets on a branded page, sponsor logos appear throughout, donors text-to-give, and winners bid on auction lots from their phones — all through one dashboard, with none of it reduced by a platform fee.

Want to see it in action? [Request a Demo page]

FAQs

1. What is the easiest fundraising event to organize?

Peer-to-peer campaigns and a-thons are generally the easiest to organize. Both can run with a small team, minimal upfront cost, and an online platform to handle fundraising pages and registration, which makes them a strong starting point for lean or first-time organizers.

2. How far in advance should you plan a fundraising event?

It depends on the event's scale. Large events such as galas and tournaments generally need six to twelve months of lead time for venue booking, sponsor outreach, and committee planning. Smaller events, such as a family fun day or a small auction, can often come together in two to three months.

3. Are virtual fundraising events still effective?

Yes. Even as in-person events have returned, many nonprofits find that virtual components — online auctions and raffles in particular — continue to draw meaningful donor participation [cite source + year for online-auction/raffle participation statistic].

4. How much should a nonprofit spend on a fundraising event?

As a rough guideline, many organizations aim to keep event costs at 25 to 33 percent of revenue, in line with a 3:1 to 4:1 return. A low-overhead online fundraiser might run 5 to 10 percent overhead, while a high-end gala might spend closer to 30 percent on food and venue.

5. How does a platform's fee structure affect fundraising event revenue?

Most platforms charge a percentage of every ticket, donation, or bid, which scales with your event's success rather than shrinking as you grow. On a $50,000 event, even a modest percentage fee can remove thousands of dollars before it reaches the mission. BetterWorld charges a 0% platform fee, so the full amount raised stays with the cause.

6. Can a nonprofit combine more than one fundraising event format?

Yes, and it often increases impact. A silent auction paired with a gala, or a donation appeal added to a fun run, layers a transaction model onto an attendance or participation model. Keep the main event identity clear and add only elements that fit smoothly, so the event does not feel cluttered.