Spring has almost sprung, which means that your spring fundraisers are fast approaching. Not to worry—planning ahead is what truly saves us from last-minute, half-hearted fundraisers. Luckily, you’re ahead of the game by starting to think of spring fundraising ideas now.
Don’t let the season spring up on you. Instead, host the spring fundraising event that is THE fundraiser of the season! If you’re looking for ways to spruce up your annual spring fundraiser, check out the list below to spark your creativity. Then, we’ll talk about how to put your marketing plan into action.
15 Spring Fundraising Ideas
1. 5K Race. Feel good and do good! Host a race and ensure that the registration fee is a donation. This idea will bring out your competitive do-gooders.
2. April Fool’s Day Fundraiser. No pranks here! Sometimes all you need is a good theme for an event. Play up the April Fool’s Day theme and ensure your audience that this fundraiser is no joke.
3. Community Garden Picnic. Bring together your community for some outdoor fun. “Charge” each person who attends, which is actually a donation.
4. Earth Day Cleanup. Doing good for the world AND fundraising! Gather people to help pick up around your community on Earth Day, April 22nd. Raffle off items or offer a reward for the most unique item found, all in the name of fundraising!
5. Easter Egg Hunt/Decorating. The hunt is on for your next great donation! This is a great family-friendly option where you can have an entry fee, as well as more fundraising opportunities at the actual event.
6. Flower Arranging Workshop. Keep your hands busy and build beautiful creations for a good cause. Set a donation amount to join the workshop and have a blast with fresh spring flowers.
7. Gardening Class. Get a local gardening expert to host a class for your organization! Entry into the class can go toward your nonprofit.
8. Golf Tournament. It pays to tee off! Your golf tournament event is sure to be a hole in one!
9. High Tea Party. For a sophisticated soiree, consider a high tea party. We’re talking about fancy outfits, tea and baked goods. What’s not to love?!
10. Mother’s Day Breakfast. Cook up some goodness for a good cause. Honor the mothers in your life and encourage others to do the same. Consider a free-will donation or set entry fee.
11. Petting Zoo Day. Can you say CUTE animals?! This is another family-friendly event that will bring out families and the young at heart alike.
12. Plant Sale. Plants are good for the environment, and they’re great for a fundraiser. Partner with a local horticulturist or green thumb enthusiast to see if they’d be willing to donate plants or a portion of the proceeds.
13. Spa Day Contest. Being competitive is human nature (for some more than others!). Who wouldn’t love to enter for a chance to be pampered. This could simply be a drawing for a spa day or some sort of contest.
14. Spring Cleaning. What once was old can be new for somebody else! Use spring as a time to clean out your closets and pantries and donate to causes for good. Get your friends and family to join in the fun!
15. Spring Fling Dance. Who says dances are just for high schoolers? Host an adult prom or a spring fling dance where your constituents get to dress up. Charge an entry fee and/or host a raffle at the dance, just like in your glory days!
Marketing Your Spring Fundraising Event
Now that you have ample ideas to get started on your spring fundraising efforts, it’s time to put your plan into action. To get the most out of your event, it’s vital to make donating easy on your audience and that begins with event registration. Streamline your event registration with a branded landing page on your website. A long form may cause your audience to give up because they don’t have the time, meaning they’re less likely to come back to finish it later. Keep your event registration concise and easy to do!
Next, you’ll want to implement a super simple email marketing nurture campaign to invite people to your event. This will drive them to your branded event landing page. If you’ve done a good job of maintaining your email lists and building relationships, this will run smoothly. If you haven’t considered it, now is the perfect time to get organized and start!
In addition to an online drip campaign, you’ll want to use an omni-channel marketing approach. Send a direct mail piece to your audience with a QR code that links to your event registration page. After all, digital marketing has been proven to be incredibly effective when it’s coupled with print. Using multiple mediums to reach your audience only further strengthens the attendance at your events!
Luckily, you don’t have to plan your spring fundraiser all on your own. Instead, download “Nonprofit Events: Raise More, Stress Less with Digital Tools that Work” for help planning and promoting a successful event that meets your (and your attendees’) expectations.
