Inspiration, Tips & Advice

AUTUMN FUNDRAISING IDEAS

September 22, 2024

As the days grow shorter, autumn presents a perfect time for some fresh fundraising activities. Whether you’re getting out to enjoy the vibrant autumn colours or prefer staying cosy indoors, these fundraising ideas will help you make the most of the season. 

An oak tree stands in the middle of a field with golden autumnal leaves.

Give It Up for Stoptober

Stoptober is a well known annual event which encourages people to give up smoking for the month. Why not extend that idea to other areas and harness your willpower for a great cause? Give up sugar, caffeine, alcohol, or even social media for a month and ask friends and family to sponsor you for every day you stick to it. Set a fun challenge: a donation for every cup of coffee you skip, or a pound for every pint you pass on. It’s a simple way to get everyone involved, and your health benefits too!

Two pumpkins with carved faces in, both looking towards the camera.

Halloween Pumpkin Carving Contest

Halloween is a highlight of autumn, and a pumpkin carving contest is a perfect way to raise some funds while embracing the spooky season. Charge a small fee for entry and award prizes for categories like scariest, funniest, or most creative design. You could even host a virtual pumpkin showcase for those who prefer not to meet in person. Get the local community or school involved, and ask local businesses to donate prizes. 

A table showing lots of household items for sale with a sign saying "yard sale" taped to the front.

Autumn Sale

As the leaves fall, why not clear out some space in your home too? October marks Recycle Week in the UK, making it an ideal time for an autumn declutter. Gather up your unwanted clothes, toys, and books and organise a yard sale, or head to a car boot sale. It’s a great way to raise money for a good cause.

Homemade cupcakes with Mind and Charity Challenge logos decorating them.

Celebrate National Baking Week with a Cake Sale

With the temperatures dropping, there’s nothing like a freshly baked cake to lift spirits. National Baking Week takes place in mid-October, so why not hold a bake sale to celebrate? Whether at work, school, or a community centre, invite friends, family, and colleagues to cook their best autumnal recipes. Set up a donation jar for each cake sold!

A burning bonfire in a fire pit sits at the front of the image with blurred people in the background.

Bonfire Night Fundraiser

Bonfire Night on November 5th is a beloved British tradition. Take advantage of the night’s festivities by hosting a charity bonfire event. Set up stalls selling toffee apples, hot drinks, and baked goods, or organise a raffle with autumnal-themed prizes. You can also charge an entry fee to watch a fireworks display or bonfire, with all proceeds going to your cause. Remember to include safety precautions, especially around fireworks and open flames.

A man with sunglasses smiles at the camera, he has a large beard and is stood next to a canal.

Charity Challenges for Movember

November brings Movember, the month-long campaign where participants grow moustaches to raise awareness for men’s health. Get your friends, family, and colleagues involved by setting up a team and raising money for every moustache grown. If facial hair isn’t your thing, you could take part in *No-Shave November* and donate the money you’d usually spend on grooming to charity.

Colourful paper lanterns glowing to the right hand side of image, the rest of the image is out of focus.

National Stress Awareness Day Craft Fair

National Stress Awareness Day falls in the first week of November, and crafting is a wonderful way to unwind while raising money. Organise a local or virtual craft fair, where people can sell handmade items like knitted scarves, candles, or artwork. Charge a small stall fee or take donations from sales to support your chosen charity. Not only can crafting reduce stress, but it’s also a great way to get the community involved.

A tree lined path in a park. The trees have green leaves and the sunlight shines through them.

Beat the Cold with a Virtual Quiz Night

As the autumn nights draw in, staying warm inside sounds more appealing than ever. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun while fundraising! Organise a virtual quiz night, where participants pay to join in. Pick an autumnal theme or base your quiz around World Kindness Day in November. Offer small prizes for the winners, or simply enjoy the competitive spirit of friends coming together for a good cause.

From giving up a favourite indulgence to throwing an autumn party, fundraising this season is both fun and rewarding. Every little helps, so whether you’re carving pumpkins, baking a cake or hosting a quiz, you can make a difference. Consider using this time to support a cause close to your heart. Want to take your autumn fundraising efforts to the next level? Why not set up a page to collect donations online and share it with friends, family, and social media?

So, bundle up, grab your pumpkin spice latte, and let’s get raising some vital funds for charity this autumn!

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