Fundraise with us
So, you’ve decided you’d like to raise money for a good cause but you’re not quite sure exactly what you’d like to do. Or maybe you’re looking for ideas that are simple to do and don’t require a lot of time or planning? You’re in the right place.
Here are 12 easy fundraising ideas to help inspire you. Whether you’d like to raise money on your own or get your friends, family, school or colleagues involved, there’s something for everyone.
And if you’re raising money for the International Rescue Committee (IRC), thank you. Every penny you raise will help people affected by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their futures.
1. The guessing jar game
This is a quick and easy fundraising idea suited for all ages. Get a clear jar, bottle, or other container and fill it with a specific number of items like sweets, coins, or small toys like Lego. Get people to guess the amount in the jar and charge per guess. The beauty of this idea is it can be done online or in person, with friends and family, at work, or at a larger event.
Brick by brick: The IRC’s PlayMatters program, in partnership with the LEGO Foundation, helps refugee children in East Africa by using 'learning through play' teaching methods.
Photo: Derrick Taremwa for the IRC
2. Host a film night
Why not get your friends together and host a movie night in your home? You could even choose a theme, such as 80s classics, thrillers, or Disney favourites. Ask your guests to donate what they would normally spend at the cinema.
If you’re a university or college student, why not take over a lecture theatre or the hall, fire up the projector and put on a movie night? Students can ‘pay what they can’ to watch the movie and then pay for extras, such as popcorn, sweets, chocolate and drinks.
3. Take part in a ‘yes’ day
If someone asked you to wear your clothes inside out for a day, would you? Challenge yourself to say ‘yes’ to everything for one day only - whether it’s at school, at home or at work. If you say ‘no’, you must pay a forfeit of 50p or £1.
This is a fun challenge that will take you outside your comfort zone whilst raising money for a good cause, but remember, it is just for fun, and if something seems dangerous or a step too far, just say ‘no’.
4. Organise a charity bake-off
A cake sale is a great way to raise money for charity. Why not make your cake sale a bit more interesting by turning it into a competition? Organise a ‘bake-off’ at your office and challenge your colleagues to create a showstopper.
Raise some dough. IRC ambassador Romola Garai visits a school where teachers have adopted the IRC’s Healing Classrooms. The programme provides free training to schools in the UK to help support refugee and asylum-seeking students.
5. Give up something
Challenge yourself to give up something you love for a week - or even a month if you’re feeling particularly brave. Could you give up chocolate, crisps, biscuits, cake, alcohol, or gaming? Ask your friends and family to sponsor you for every day you complete.
6. Take up something new
Or, rather than quitting something, you could try taking up something new, and get sponsored to do it. It could be a 30-day fitness challenge - just remember these are meant to be easy fundraising ideas - like going for a walk or jog every day. Alternatively, try a reading challenge or a creative activity like sketching or daily writing prompts. Get others to join you and you can raise even more money as a group.
Get creative: Maryam, an urban planner from Afghanistan, used the IRC’s career support services for refugees rebuilding their lives in the UK. She enjoys painting in her spare time.
Photo: Clara Collyns for the IRC
7. Host a quiz night
Nothing beats a good old quiz. Whether it’s in your local pub, in your home or office, or even online, a quiz is a great way to raise money whilst having fun. There are plenty of quizzes that you can download from the internet but to make your quiz even more special, contact us for a bonus round of questions relating to the work of the IRC. Because quizzes can be both fun and educational!
8. Organise a dress down day
A dress down day is an easy fundraising idea for schools to get involved in. With permission, simply ditch the school uniform for a day and let pupils wear what they like, for a small donation. You could make it even more fun by setting a theme or asking pupils to wear at least one item of clothing in a certain colour.
9. Auction off your talent
Do you have an amazing talent? Maybe you can speak another language, bake the perfect macaroons, make a flat white like a barista or play a musical instrument like a pro. Why not auction off your talents? For example, offer a macaroon making masterclass or an hour’s language lesson. The highest bidder wins!
10. Organise a five-a-side football tournament
Challenge your friends, colleagues, or teachers to a five-a-side football tournament. Each team pays to play and the winning team takes home … bragging rights!
11. Take part in a digital detox
Could you go without your smartphone and laptop for a whole day? Or how about a whole weekend? Say goodbye to the social media apps, ditch the emails, and power down your smartphone and computer to enjoy some tech-free time. And get sponsored for your efforts!
12. Donate your special day
Do you have a birthday, anniversary or even a wedding day coming up? If you don’t want gifts, why not suggest a donation to the IRC instead? If there’s a charity or cause that’s important to you, ask people to donate to it directly or create an online fundraising page where people can donate. It’s a lovely way to mark your special day through something meaningful.
We hope these 15 ideas have inspired you to get fundraising for charity! If you’re fundraising in support of the IRC’s vital work, look at our fundraising page to get started today.
Top tips to make your fundraiser a success
Set a target
A clear fundraising target helps to motivate people to support your campaign. Be realistic but ambitious.
Show the impact
Show the impact that donations to your fundraiser will have and promote the cause you are fundraising for.
For example, £742 can help the IRC to purchase an incubator to help babies born prematurely in crisis zones.
In Kenya, Rozan’s three-week-old twins, both born prematurely, are receiving care in the neonatal unit operated by the International Rescue Committee
Photo: Marion Chepngeit for the IRC
Promote it
You probably have a bigger network of people ready and willing to support your fundraiser than you realise. Whether it’s on social media, around your local community, in schools, or at your workplace; you may be surprised how many people around you want to help.
Do you want to raise money for the IRC and need help getting the message out? Reach out to our team.
Set up your fundraising page today and support the IRC.
Why support the IRC?
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people affected by humanitarian crises to survive, recover and rebuild their lives. We deliver lasting impact by providing health care, helping children learn, and empowering individuals and communities to become self-reliant, always with a focus on the unique needs of women and girls. Our work spans more than 40 crisis-affected countries, and we provide resettlement, asylum, and integration services in communities across the United States and Europe, including helping refugees rebuilding their lives in the UK.
