40 Fun Things to Sell for Fundraiser (+ 20 Small Items) | Full Guide

Ready to turn fun into funds? In today’s fast-paced world, capturing the hearts and wallets of donors can be challenging. But fear not, fundraising heroes! This blog post is here to breathe life into your next fundraising extravaganza with a treasure trove of unique, engaging, and profit-maximizing ideas.

So, buckle up and prepare to embark on a whirlwind journey as we explore the most entertaining and innovative ways to sell for your cause. Not only will these ideas bring in the cash, but they’ll also leave your audience begging for more. Now, let’s dive into the vibrant world of fun-filled fundraising and discover how to create an unforgettable experience that benefits everyone involved.

Say goodbye to the humdrum bake sales and raffle tickets of yesteryear, and prepare to discover a treasure trove of captivating items that will turn your next fundraiser into the talk of the town. Your adventure starts here—read on and prepare to leave a lasting impression on your supporters’ hearts, minds, and pockets!

Here are 40 fun things to sell for fundraisers (along with some context):

Personalized Fortune Cookies: Add a twist to this classic treat by inserting custom messages tailored to your cause or event.

Artwork from Local Artists: Collaborate with local artists to sell their masterpieces, fostering community connections while raising funds.

Themed Coloring Books: Create coloring books inspired by your cause, making them both fun and educational.

Eco-Friendly Tote Bags: Sell reusable bags with your organization’s logo, encouraging sustainability and raising awareness.

Virtual Reality Tours: Offer VR experiences of unique destinations or events, allowing supporters to explore new worlds while supporting your cause.

Custom Scented Candles: Collaborate with a local candle maker to create exclusive scents that evoke memories or emotions related to your fundraiser.

DIY Craft Kits: Sell kits that encourage creativity and teach new skills, with some of the proceeds benefiting your cause.

Personalized Recipe Books: Compile a collection of recipes from supporters and local chefs, creating a keepsake that doubles as a fundraiser.

Puzzle-a-thon: Sell custom puzzles featuring your organization’s logo or images related to your cause, and host a competition for the fastest completion time.

Upcycled Fashion: Partner with local designers to create unique clothing items from repurposed materials, promoting sustainability and creativity.

Plant-a-Tree Initiative: Sell saplings or seeds for supporters to plant, symbolizing their commitment to a greener future while supporting your cause.

Miniature Painted Portraits: Offer supporters the opportunity to have their portrait painted by a local artist in a miniature format, capturing memories for a good cause.

Personalized Storybooks: Create storybooks featuring supporters or their loved ones as the main characters, providing a heartwarming keepsake.

Pop-up Art Gallery: Host a temporary art exhibition showcasing local talent, with proceeds from artwork sales going towards your fundraiser.

3D-Printed Figurines: Offer custom 3D-printed figurines of supporters or their pets, showcasing cutting-edge technology and creativity.

Bespoke Board Games: Collaborate with game designers to create a limited edition board game with themes related to your cause or organization.

Limited Edition Stamps: Work with a local artist to design unique stamps featuring your organization’s logo, turning mail into an awareness campaign.

Personalized Song Commissions: Collaborate with musicians to create original songs dedicated to your supporters, capturing their stories in a memorable tune.

Edible Art: Partner with local bakers to create customized cookies, cakes, or other treats adorned with beautiful, intricate designs.

Custom Temporary Tattoos: Design temporary tattoos with inspirational quotes, images, or symbols related to your cause for supporters to wear with pride.

Virtual Escape Rooms: Create an online escape room experience themed around your cause, offering an engaging and challenging activity for supporters.

Adopt-a-Creature: Partner with a wildlife sanctuary or rescue organization to offer symbolic adoptions of animals, complete with personalized adoption certificates.

Handmade Artisan Soaps: Sell beautifully crafted soaps infused with natural ingredients, with scents and shapes inspired by your cause.

Guided Meditation Sessions: Offer virtual or in-person meditation sessions led by an experienced practitioner, promoting well-being and mindfulness.

Custom Caricatures: Hire a local caricature artist to draw supporters or their loved ones, providing a fun and memorable keepsake.

Personalized Voice Messages: Arrange for local celebrities or voice actors to record custom messages for supporters, adding a unique and personal touch.

Puzzle Piece Sponsorships: Sell individual puzzle pieces that, when combined, form a larger image symbolizing your cause, creating a sense of unity and participation.

Handcrafted Pottery: Collaborate with local potters to create one-of-a-kind ceramics, each representing your cause’s uniqueness.

Virtual Trivia Night: Host an online trivia event with questions about your cause, fostering friendly competition and community engagement.

Upcycled Jewelry: Partner with local artisans to create unique jewelry crafted from repurposed materials, promoting sustainability and style.

Custom Pet Accessories: Offer personalized pet collars, leashes, or toys, allowing supporters to show their love for their furry friends and your cause.

Limited Edition Art Prints: Sell exclusive prints of artwork created by renowned or emerging artists, turning your fundraiser into a showcase of creativity.

DIY Garden Kits: Offer supporters everything they need to start mini gardens, fostering a connection to nature and your cause.

Personalized Poetry: Commission poets to create bespoke verses for supporters, capturing their stories and emotions in beautifully crafted words.

Handwritten Letters from Celebrities: Partner with celebrities who are passionate about your cause, offering personalized, heartfelt messages to your supporters.

Customized Phone Cases: Design phone cases featuring your organization’s logo or artwork related to your cause, allowing supporters to carry your message everywhere.

Silent Auction Experience Packages: Curate unique and exciting experiences for supporters to bid on, such as exclusive tours, workshops, or adventures.

Artisanal Food Hampers: Partner with local food producers to create gourmet baskets filled with regional specialties, giving supporters a taste of your community.

Personalized Crossword Puzzles: Create custom crossword puzzles featuring clues about your cause or organization, challenging supporters’ minds and raising funds.

Guided Nature Walks: Offer expert-led nature walks that explore local ecosystems and their connection to your cause, promoting education and environmental appreciation.

Small Items to sell for fundraising:

Custom Keychains: Offer unique keychains with your organization’s logo or a design related to your cause, making them practical and memorable keepsakes.

Personalized Bookmarks: Create inspirational quotes or images related to your cause, appealing to book lovers and promoting literacy.

Enamel Pins: Design collectible enamel pins showcasing your organization’s logo or a symbol related to your cause, perfect for pin collectors and supporters to wear proudly.

Wristbands: Sell silicone wristbands in your organization’s colors or with a message related to your cause, promoting unity and raising awareness.

Pocket Calendars: Create pocket-sized calendars featuring images or facts about your cause, helping supporters stay organized while keeping your mission in mind

Reusable Straws: Offer eco-friendly reusable straws branded with your organization’s logo, encouraging sustainability and reducing plastic waste.

Embroidered Patches: Design unique patches that supporters can add to their clothing, bags, or accessories, showcasing their commitment to your cause.

Phone Grips: Sell custom phone grips featuring your organization’s logo or cause-related designs, providing a practical and stylish smartphone accessory.

Fridge Magnets: Create eye-catching magnets with your organization’s logo, a motivational message, or images of your cause, brightening up kitchens while raising funds.

Stickers: Offer a variety of stickers with designs related to your cause, perfect for supporters to decorate their laptops, water bottles, or notebooks.

Mini Flashlights: Sell handy mini flashlights branded with your organization’s logo or a message related to your cause, illuminating the importance of your mission.

Lanyards: Offer custom lanyards featuring your organization’s logo or colors, making them a practical and fashionable accessory for supporters.

Coasters: Create unique and functional coasters with images or messages related to your cause, protecting surfaces while promoting your organization.

Travel Tumblers: Sell reusable travel tumblers branded with your organization’s logo or cause-related designs, encouraging eco-friendly habits and raising awareness.

Compact Mirrors: Offer stylish compact mirrors with your organization’s logo or an image related to your cause, making them a practical and appealing accessory

Bottle Openers: Design custom bottle openers featuring your organization’s logo or a message related to your cause, perfect for social gatherings and raising awareness.

Air Fresheners: Create scented air fresheners with your organization’s logo or a design related to your cause, providing a fragrant reminder of your mission.

Lip Balms: Offer all-natural, custom-branded lip balms, combining self-care with support for your cause.

Socks: Design colorful and unique socks featuring patterns or images related to your cause, keeping supporters cozy and stylish while promoting your mission.

Seed Packets: Sell seed packets with flowers or plants that symbolize your cause, encouraging supporters to cultivate growth and change in their gardens.

15 things to sell for high school fundraisers

High school fundraisers can be both fun and profitable when you choose the right items to sell. Here are 15 ideas that have been popular and successful at various high school fundraising events:

Custom School Merchandise: T-shirts, hoodies, hats, and water bottles emblazoned with the school’s logo or mascot.
Handcrafted Jewelry: Bracelets, necklaces, and earrings made by students or local artisans.
Seasonal Decorations: Handmade ornaments, wreaths, or carved pumpkins depending on the season.
Baked Goods: A classic choice, from cookies and brownies to artisan bread and pies.
Personalized Calendars: Featuring school events, sports team schedules, and artwork by students.
Eco-Friendly Products: Reusable shopping bags, beeswax wraps, and metal straws.
Sports Clinics: Organized by the school’s sports teams for younger kids in the community.
Car Wash Tickets: Especially in warmer seasons, or a “rain check” system for colder months.
Entertainment Books: Coupon books for local restaurants, shops, and services.
Plant Sale: Succulents, seedlings, or flower bouquets arranged by a gardening club.
Custom Artwork: Commissioned art by talented student artists.
Themed Gift Baskets: Raffle or auction baskets with themes like “Movie Night” or “Gourmet Snacks”.
School Play Tickets: Production put on by the drama department.
Second-Hand Book Sale: Students and teachers donate books for resale.
Subscription Boxes: Monthly boxes with snacks, school supplies, or fun activities, curated by students.

When choosing items to sell, consider the target audience, the uniqueness of the product, and the potential profit margins. It’s also important to ensure that the items reflect well on the school and contribute to a positive community spirit.

Now that you have a diverse collection of fun and small items to consider for your fundraiser ensuring your efforts lead to a successful and impactful event is essential. By paying attention to some key strategies and best practices, you can maximize the potential of these items and create a lasting impression on your supporters.

The following tips section provides valuable insights to guide you in making informed decisions, optimizing your marketing approach, and fostering an unforgettable fundraising experience.

So, let’s dive in and explore these practical and effective tips to elevate your fundraising game to new heights.

Tips while selecting fun things to sell for fundraisers:

Know your audience: Understand your target audience’s demographics, interests, and preferences to ensure you choose items that will appeal to them.

Consider your cause: Align the items you select with your organization’s mission or cause. This will create a stronger connection between the products and your fundraiser’s purpose.

Set a budget: Determine your budget for purchasing or producing the items. Be mindful of costs and aim for a healthy profit margin to ensure your fundraiser is financially successful.

Be unique: Choose items that stand out from typical fundraising products. Unique and creative items are more likely to grab attention and encourage people to support your cause.

Quality matters: Ensure that the items you sell are of high quality. This will reflect positively on your organization and increase the likelihood of supporters returning for future fundraisers.

Collaborate with local businesses: Partner with local businesses or artisans to create exclusive items or experiences. This supports your community and adds a personal touch to your fundraiser.

Consider logistics: Consider the practical aspects of selling your chosen items, such as storage, shipping, and handling. Make sure these factors are manageable and cost-effective.

Offer variety: Provide a range of items or experiences to cater to different tastes and preferences, increasing the chances of appealing to a wider audience.

Test the market: Gather feedback from your target audience about potential items before finalizing your selection. This will help you gauge interest and make informed decisions.

Promote effectively: Ensure that your chosen items are well-presented and effectively promoted. Use eye-catching visuals, engaging descriptions, and a compelling narrative to pique interest and encourage sales.

By keeping these tips in mind, you can select fun and engaging items for your fundraiser to capture your audience’s attention and help you achieve your fundraising goals.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the world of fundraising is ripe with possibilities, and the secret to unlocking its full potential lies in our collective creativity. By thinking outside the box and embracing innovative ideas, we can transform the fundraising landscape into a kaleidoscope of fun, engaging, and impactful experiences.

As you venture forth and explore the vast array of options at your fingertips, remember that the ultimate goal is not merely to raise fundsbut also to create lasting connections with your supporters and inspire positive change.

So, dare to be different. Embark on a journey of discovery and push the boundaries of what fundraising can be. Because when we come together to celebrate the spirit of giving, we create more than just a successful fundraiser—we ignite a spark that has the power to change the world, one unique and unforgettable moment at a time. And with every new idea, every inventive twist, and every imaginative item sold, we are sowing the seeds of a brighter, more compassionate future for us all. Let’s make it count.