Best 28 Unique Church Profitable Fundraiser Ideas

It can be intimidating to attempt to raise funds for your church. It takes a lot of planning, creativity, and hard work to come up with profitable fundraiser ideas.

Thankfully, there are plenty of unique and successful church fundraiser ideas you can try. Here are 28 of the best church fundraiser ideas:

Bingo Night

Holding a bingo night is a classic way for churches to raise funds. The game is easy to learn and can attract a wide range of participants. It also allows for multiple rounds, making it a profitable event.

To make the most out of your bingo night fundraiser, consider offering prizes donated by local businesses or church members. You can also sell refreshments and snacks during the event to increase profits.

Silent Auction

A silent auction is an excellent way to raise funds while also offering attendees unique items to bid on. Ask for donations from local businesses or church members and display the items in a designated area with bidding sheets.

To make your silent auction even more successful, consider using an online platform that allows people to bid remotely. This can expand your potential audience and increase profits.

Car Wash

Let's not forget this classic church fundraising idea! A car wash allows your church to simultaneously serve the community while also raising funds. Consider partnering with a local business to provide supplies and promote the event.

If it's a hot day, you can also consider selling cold beverages to those who are getting their cars washed.

Talent Show

Hosting a talent show can attract members of the community who may not regularly attend your church. It also allows church members to show off their talents in a fun, supportive environment.

You can charge for admission, sell refreshments, and even offer sponsorship opportunities for local businesses.

Cook-Off Competition

A cook-off competition is a fun way to engage your church community and raise funds. Ask for volunteers to cook their best dishes in different categories such as chili, pies, or BBQ.

Charge an entry fee for participants and sell tickets to taste and vote for the winners. You can also offer prizes donated by local businesses or have a trophy made for the winning dish.

Garage Sale

A garage sale is an easy and effective way to raise funds for your church. You can collect donations from church members or local businesses, and then sell items at a designated location. Consider setting up tables in the church parking lot or renting a space at a nearby flea market.

To attract more customers, advertise on social media and distribute flyers in the community. 

Easy-to-use Church Management Software

Start using powerful, yet intuitive, church management software that's been designed to help you save time, reduce frustration, and accomplish your church's goals.

Try Breeze Free for 14 Days

Fundraising Dinner

Organizing a fundraising dinner allows you to combine good food with a good cause. You can sell tickets for the dinner and also include a silent auction or raffle to raise additional funds. You may want to partner with local restaurants, caterers, or even talented church members to provide delicious food options.

You can also have entertainment such as live music or a guest speaker to make the event more engaging and memorable.

Online Fundraising

Online fundraising tools, such as Tithely, make church fundraising much easier for everyone. These platforms make it incredibly simple for donors to give to the church. Tithely offers six different ways to give, including:

• Online giving
• Text giving
• Mobile app
• Admin gift entry
• Kiosk giving
• Check scanning

If you don't accept online donations, you're missing out on a huge portion of potential donations. Many people prefer to give electronically, and having an online fundraising option makes it easier for those who can't physically attend church services.

Community Service Projects

Organizing community service projects not only helps raise funds but also allows your church to give back to the community. Partner with local organizations or charities and organize events such as food drives, clothing donation drives, or volunteering at a homeless shelter.

Not only will these activities bring in donations, but they also show your church's commitment to serving the community.

Matching Gifts Fundraiser

Another great way to raise funds for your church is through a matching gifts fundraiser. Many companies offer employee donation matching programs, where they will match their employees' donations to nonprofit organizations.

Encourage your church members who work for these companies to participate and double their impact on the donations.

Social Media Campaigns

Social media is a powerful tool for fundraising and spreading awareness about your cause. Create a social media campaign to promote your fundraising efforts and encourage people to donate. Use hashtags, share stories of impact, and offer incentives for donations such as exclusive merchandise.

Bake Sale

Traditional fundraising methods, such as bake sales, can still be effective in raising funds for your church. Encourage members to donate baked goods or items for the auction and promote the event within your community.

You could also consider holding the bake sale in conjunction with a church event, such as a concert or holiday celebration, to attract more attendees.

Dog Wash Day

Partner with a local pet grooming business and organize a dog wash day where church members and the community can bring their furry friends for a bath. Charge a fee for the service and use the proceeds to fundraise for your church. This is also a great opportunity to engage with the community and promote your cause.

Benefit Concert

Organize a benefit concert featuring local musicians or bands and charge an entrance fee. You can also sell merchandise or hold a raffle to raise additional funds. This is a great way to bring people together for a fun event while raising money for your church.

Youth Lock-In

If your church has a youth group, consider organizing a lock-in event where the youth can participate in various activities and games throughout the night. Charge an entrance fee or ask for donations to participate in the event.

This is a great way to involve the younger members of your church while also raising funds. You can also encourage the youth to invite friends as a means of reaching out to the community.

Art Auction

Encourage artists within your church community or local artists to donate their pieces for an art auction. This is a unique way to showcase talent while raising funds for your church. If you don't want to do a standalone art auction, you could include it as part of a silent auction.

Class Night

Host a class night where church members can teach a skill or hobby they are passionate about, such as cooking, knitting, or painting. Charge an entrance fee and use the funds for your fundraising efforts. This is also a great opportunity for church members to get to know each other better and for the community to learn new skills while supporting your cause.

Charity Sports Game

Organize a charity sports game, such as a basketball or soccer tournament, and sell tickets for spectators to attend. You can also have concession stands set up to raise additional funds. Additionally, you can charge teams an entrance fee if you have more than two teams participating.

This is not only a great way to raise money but also promotes physical activity and healthy competition within the community.

Sporting Event Party

Is your church located in a sports town? Consider organizing a party centered around a big sporting event, such as the Super Bowl or World Cup. Charge an entrance fee and offer snacks and drinks for purchase during the game. You can also hold a raffle or auction off sports memorabilia to raise additional funds.

50/50 Raffle

A 50/50 raffle can be a great way to raise funds for your church. Sell tickets and split the proceeds with the winner. This encourages people to participate as they have a chance of winning a large sum of money while also supporting your cause.

40 Days Of Lent Challenge

Lent is a time of reflection and sacrifice for many Christians. Encourage your church members to take on a challenge, such as giving up a certain luxury or habit for 40 days, and have them ask friends and family to sponsor them. You can also set up a donation page online where people can contribute directly to your fundraising efforts.

Used Book Sale

There's a good chance that your church members have used books sitting around their houses. Organize a used book sale and have members donate their unwanted books to be sold. This both helps raise funds for your church and give church members the opportunity to secure some new books to read.

Easy-to-use Church Management Software

Start using powerful, yet intuitive, church management software that's been designed to help you save time, reduce frustration, and accomplish your church's goals.

Try Breeze Free for 14 Days

Walk-A-Thon

A walk-a-thon is a fun and active way to raise funds for your church. Encourage church members to gather pledges from friends and family for every mile they walk. You can also have local businesses sponsor the event by donating money or goods. Consider making it a community-wide event and inviting others in the neighborhood to participate as well.

Karaoke Night

There are few things more fun than karaoke, and you can host a karaoke night as a way of raising funds for your church. Charge a small entrance fee and also offer additional opportunities to donate throughout the night. You can even have a competition for the best singer and give out prizes donated by local businesses or church members.

Online Auction

Thanks to technology, fundraising has become easier than ever before. Host an online auction where people can bid on items donated by church members or local businesses. This allows people from all over to participate and support your fundraising efforts. You can even have a theme for the auction, such as a "date night" or "family game night" package, to make it more exciting for bidders.

Buy-A-Brick

If you are raising funds to build or renovate your church, consider selling bricks that can be personalized with a message or name. People can purchase these bricks in honor of loved ones or to leave their mark on the church. Not only does this help raise funds, but it also creates a sense of community and pride among church members.

Game Night

Host a game night at your church and ask for a small donation to participate. You can have a variety of games available, such as board games, card games, or even video games. This is a fun and interactive way to raise funds while also bringing church members together for some friendly competition.

Cookbook

Gather recipes from church members and create a cookbook that can be sold as a fundraiser. People are always looking for new recipes, and this is a great way to showcase the diverse cooking talents within your church community. You can also include photos and stories to make it more personal and meaningful.

Final Thoughts On Church Fundraiser Ideas

When it comes to church fundraising, you're only limited by your imagination. The key is to involve church members and create a sense of community while also raising funds for a good cause.

With the help of technology and creative ideas, you can make your fundraiser a success and support your church's mission. 

Remember to always be transparent with where the funds are going and express gratitude to those who contribute.

If you need help setting up and managing church fundraising events, consider using a Church Management System like Breeze. With Breeze, you can easily schedule events, accept registration forms, invite and schedule volunteers, and much more. 

Now what are you waiting for? Get out there and start fundraising!