Is your nonprofit taking advantage of the most charitable time of the year by spreading holiday cheer to your incredible supporters?   

Not only are people more likely to give at the end of the year, but there are SO MANY fun and creative ways you can use the holiday season to influence your fundraising.  Consider hosting an event or selling gifts to help you reach your year-end goals that incorporate the holiday giving spirit.

Here are some ideas to get you started:  

Holiday Event Ideas

1. Catered Holiday Dinner or Potluck

• Gather your staff, volunteers, and supporters for a warm holiday meal
• You can have it catered or ask everyone to bring a dish to pass
• Charge a dollar amount per person depending on the cost of the food

2. Holiday Game Night

• Bring out the Christmas Charades or holiday craft/coloring station
• Encourage donations for the event with a suggested dollar amount
• Provide holiday snacks and drinks

3. Christmas Caroling

• Gather all the songbirds you know and have them sing carols for your cause around different areas of your community while collecting donations

4. Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

• Have a general admittance fee for the party or make it into a contest that participants pay to enter into – and may the ugliest sweater win!

5. Holiday Photo Shoot

• Give people an alternative to having their photo taken with Santa in the mall
• Charge less for the photos while still making a profit
• Get creative with your winter theme – consider having Olaf instead of Santa!

6. Concessions and Raffles

• Run a concession stand at a local basketball game/venue
• Raffle off a signature gift at a local venue

7. Bowling Night

• Host a friendly bowling competition with a holiday prize at the end
• A great example of a bowling event is Bowl for Kids’ Sake, an ongoing event launched by Junior League of Battle Creek for Big Brothers Big Sisters

8. Outdoor Activity

• Host a Polar Bear Plunge
• Run/Walk or Snowshoe

Holiday Sale Ideas

9. Gift Wrapping Service

• Partner with a local store or mall and recruit your best volunteer gift-wrappers

10. Holiday Treats

• Sell holiday treats like snowman sugar cookies or homemade banana bread with hot chocolate

11. Holiday Decorations

• Create and sell holiday decorations such as:
  • Ornaments
  • Tree skirts
  • Wreaths

12. Gift Baskets

• Find local vendors that will offer discounts on soaps, cheeses, candles, etc., and be sure to add some of your own swag promoting your nonprofit’s signature logo or something specific to your current campaign efforts

13. Homemade Crafts

• Sell crafts made by your volunteers, staff or the community members that your nonprofit serves

Your fundraising efforts during this generous time of year will surely not go unnoticed.  And with so many easy ways to get started, we hope you find a fundraising activity that is both fun and rewarding!

For more holiday fundraising ideas, read our free Guide to a Happy New Year with Holiday Fundraising