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11 Simple but Impactful Fundraising Ideas for Small Groups

By Colin Hunter on

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Small groups can’t create a big impact? That’s just plain wrong.

Let me tell you about the "Help Maui Rise" fundraiser. After the devastating 2023 wildfires in Maui, three people—just three—decided they needed to do something. They started small, but their fundraiser raised nearly $780,000 to support families who had lost everything. That’s a huge achievement!

There are so many stories like this—small groups making a big difference.

It’s not about creating something complex or flashy: it’s about using simple, effective ideas that work. That’s exactly what we’re diving into today—easy fundraising ideas for small groups. Ideas that are easy to pull off but pack a serious punch. Let’s get started.

Calendar Fundraiser

Best for: Schools, PTOs, and Families.

Also known as the "Pick a Date" fundraiser, this simple and low-cost fundraising idea is perfect for small groups looking for a hassle-free way to raise money. All you need is a pen and calendar (or paper), and you’re ready to go. Here’s how it works:

·         Create a calendar with all the days of the month displayed.

  • Assign each day a dollar amount (e.g., $1 for the 1st, $31 for the 31st).
  • Group members ask donors to "buy" a date by donating the corresponding amount.
  • Encourage donors to team up or pick multiple dates if they’re feeling generous.
  • Track progress visually by marking off dates as they’re sold.

Peer to Peer Fundraising

Best for: Volunteer Fire Departments, Charities and Nonprofits, Fraternities, and Sororities.

Who said it’s just your small group collecting donations for your cause? Peer-to-peer fundraising lets you expand your efforts by including as many people as possible. It’s perfect for small groups that want to multiply their impact.

Here’s how it works: 

  1. Each member of your group sets up their own fundraising page on an automated platform like BetterWorld. 
  2. Personal and team standings are displayed so you can turn the campaign into a friendly competition. 
  3. Display how much each person has raised, and watch donors rally to help their favorite fundraiser win.

BetterWorld’s peer to peer fundraising platform also offers professional branding for your organization. It is and always will be 100% free.

Launch a Donation Match Challenge with Local Businesses

Best for: Volunteer Fire Departments, Charities, Schools, PTOs.

A donation match challenge is a simple fundraising idea for small groups to double or even triple their fundraising impact. People love knowing their donation will go further, and local businesses get the chance to show they care about the community. It’s a win-win.

Why would a business agree? It’s simple. Partnering with a cause gives them great visibility and strengthens their reputation in the community. Plus, it’s marketing they can feel good about. Their name is tied to something positive, and they get exposure to a group of people who are already motivated to support your cause—and maybe their business, too.

For example, imagine you’re fundraising for new equipment for a volunteer fire department. You approach a local coffee shop and ask them to match donations up to $1,000. In return, you promote their business in all your emails, social media posts, and events. People see the coffee shop stepping up to help, so they’re more likely to support your cause and the business.

Social Media Challenge 

A social media challenge is a quick and creative way to raise money and awareness for your cause. The idea is to start a simple challenge, like asking five friends to donate $5 and pass it on. 

With limited people and resources, a social media challenge lets you amplify your reach by relying on your network. Every donor can bring in more donors, helping your campaign grow far beyond your immediate circle. You can reach a wider audience on different platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and more.

Here are some more fun and creative examples of social media challenges:

  • Ask five friends to donate $5 and challenge five more.
  • Complete a set of push-ups or sit-ups and donate per rep.
  • Post a picture wearing a symbol of your cause and tag friends.
  • Share an old photo related to the cause and challenge others.

Make sure you have a catchy hashtag to keep the challenge ongoing.

Coffee or Hot Cocoa Stand

Best for: Charities and Nonprofits, Schools, Fraternities, and Sororities.

It seems like an old-school idea, but it’s still incredibly effective. Trends show an increasing demand for pop-up coffee and cocoa stands. But can a small coffee stand make the significant impact you’re looking for? It absolutely can if you do these things:

  • Set up in a high-traffic area like a school, park, or busy street corner.
  • Partner with local businesses or events to set up multiple stands at once.
  • Offer pre-orders through social media for large group deliveries, like offices or schools.
  • Get sponsorships from local coffee shops or brands to supply ingredients.

Why not market it as a cause-driven brand and build awareness beyond just the event day?

Virtual Book Club with Entry Fee

A virtual book club is a simple fundraising idea for small groups. It can be about anything—your expertise, your niche, or something you love. You can even tie it to a cause you care about.

Let’s say you’re into child psychology. You could start a book club for parents or teachers, read books on the topic, and host discussions where you share what you know. People would love to join that. Or maybe you’re all about climate action. You could start a book club that reads environmental books and inspires people to take action.

Setting it up is easy. Use a platform like BetterWorld. Create a donation page where people can sign up and pay a monthly or yearly membership fee. It’s quick, simple, and keeps everything in one place. Plus, you can track donations and even take offline contributions.

Best for: Teachers, Nonprofits, Community Groups, Professionals with Expertise.

Plan a “Skip a Coffee” Day 

Best for: Schools, PTOs, Charities, Fraternities, Sororities.

Here’s a super simple idea that anyone can join—skip your coffee for a day and donate the money instead. It might seem small, but when many people join in, those skipped coffees can add up to something big. You’re not asking anyone to do anything complicated or spend money they weren’t already planning to. 

For example, let’s say you’re raising money for a school library. A small group of parents and teachers each skip their $5 coffee and donate. Then, they ask their friends to do the same. Add some social sharing, and suddenly, you’ve got a movement!

Make it fun. Share your campaign on social media and ask people to post what they’re “giving up” for the day. You could even challenge local coffee shops to get involved by promoting the idea and encouraging customers to donate.

Try BetterWorld’s robust suite of charity & nonprofit fundraising tools for FREE!

  • Select and customize the fundraising method best suited for your organization

  • BetterWorld seamlessly integrates with both online and in-person auctions

  • Impress donors with creative raffle items and elegant online raffles

  • Create attractive donation pages that maximize donor impact and boost online giving

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Envelope Challenge (Donations by Numbered Envelopes)

Best for: Schools, PTOs, Volunteer Fire Departments, Small Nonprofits.

The envelope challenge is a simple way to raise money and works perfectly for small groups. Here’s how it goes: 

  1. You take 100 envelopes
  2. Number them from 1 to 100, and lay them out. 
  3. Donors pick an envelope and donate the amount written on it. 

If someone grabs envelope #25, they donate $25. If they pick #100, that’s $100 for your cause.

Why is it great for small groups? First, it’s easy to set up and doesn’t take much time or resources. Plus, it’s got this built-in game element that makes it fun for donors. People love the challenge of picking a number, which gives them options. Not everyone can donate $100, but maybe they can grab a $10 envelope.

The impact comes when you fill all the envelopes. If you do the math, 100 envelopes add up to $5,050. That’s a huge boost for any small group project!

Crowdfunding Campaign

Best for: Charities, Nonprofits, Schools, Volunteer Fire Departments.

Crowdfunding is all about rallying people to donate to your cause through an online platform. It’s one of the easiest ways to reach a lot of donors fast, especially when your small group has a big idea but limited resources.

Using BetterWorld, you can create a stunning donation page in just a few minutes. It’s simple, user-friendly, and built to help you engage donors.

You can add a donation tracker so people can see how close you are to your goal. You can also include a comment section where donors can leave messages of support. These little touches make your campaign feel personal and interactive, encouraging more people to give.

A great page + a strong pitch = a crowdfunding campaign that actually works!

Recycling Drive for Cash

Best for: Schools, PTOs, Environmental Groups, and Volunteer Fire Departments.

On average, one person can collect enough recyclable materials—like cans, bottles, or scrap metal—to make a small but meaningful contribution. Now imagine if every member of your small group pitches in. 

It’s a great way to get the community involved. Encourage friends, family, or neighbors to drop off their recyclables at a central location. 

Offer Fire Safety Workshops for Contributions

Best for: Volunteer Fire Departments, Community Groups, and Schools.

If your team is made up of volunteer firefighters or safety experts, this is a no-brainer fundraiser. Hosting fire safety workshops is a great way to educate the community while raising money for your group.

You can offer workshops on using a fire extinguisher, creating escape plans, or spotting fire hazards at home. Charge a small participation fee or ask for contributions at the end of the session. People will value the life-saving knowledge and be happy to support your team.

Want to take it a step further? Coordinate a community fire drill awareness day. Help families and businesses practice emergency plans while raising awareness and funds.

Conclusion

Your small group can make a big difference. The ideas we’ve shared prove that creativity, teamwork, and the right tools can turn simple efforts into big results. Whether it’s a bake sale, a virtual book club, or a donation match challenge, you have the power to make a real impact.

Having the right platform can take your efforts to the next level. That’s where BetterWorld comes in. It’s free, easy to use, and packed with features to help you create stunning donation pages, manage events, and connect with your community. Book a demo with BetterWorld today!

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Colin Hunter
AUTHOR

About Colin Hunter

Colin Hunter is the cofounder of BetterWorld, where he leads initiatives to expand reach and impact. Previously, he cofounded and served as CEO of luxury custom menswear brand Alton Lane. Colin’s experience as a consultant with Bain & Company, working with Global 1000 companies, shaped his approach to leadership and growth. He holds a BA from the University of Virginia and studied in Oxford, England. Colin lives in Scottsville, Virginia with his wife and three daughters.

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