Church fundraising events have been around since the early days of religion. People of faith would organize church-wide collections to support those in need. In the Middle Ages, churches would hold fairs and festivals to raise money for various causes. Now, there are more modern ways to raise money for your church.
Your church might fundraise to:
- Cover the costs of running the church (utilities, maintenance, staff salaries, etc.)
- Fund special projects, such as building renovations or new construction
- Provide financial help to members of the church who are in need
- Donate to other charitable organizations
Organizing a church fundraising event seems like a daunting task. All you need is some planning and creativity to have a successful event that will help your church.
Tips for Hosting a Church Fundraising Event
Want to host the best church fundraising events for your own church? Here are a few tips to get you started:
Choose a Cause
Your cause could be funding a mission trip or providing financial help to a church member in need.
Decide on an Event
There are many different types of church fundraising events. There are bake sales, car washes, gala dinners, concerts, and more. Choose an event that will be appealing to your church community and will get people involved.
Set a Date & Time For Your Event
Make sure to choose a date and time that will work for the majority of your church members. You should also consider holidays and events that could interfere with your plans.
Promote Your Event
You can use a variety of platforms to promote your event. Church bulletin boards, emails, and social media are great ways to gather attention. Word of mouth is also an excellent way to get the news out about your fundraiser.
Get Enough Volunteers to Run the Event
Church fundraising events can be a lot of work, so it’s important to have enough people to help out. Encourage church members to volunteer and plan out who will be doing what at the event in advance.
Have a Plan for What You Will Do With the Money You Raise
Make sure to choose a specific use for the funds. For example, the money could go towards church renovations or help for church members in need. It’s important to know where the money is going. You want to answer questions and accurately advertise your event.
Ideas for Church Fundraising Events
The sky’s the limit when it comes to the different types of church fundraising events you can host. Here are a few ideas for church fundraising events:
1. Church Member Bake Sale
Church members can bake their favorite recipes and sell them at the event. Not only is this a great way to raise money, but it is delicious, too! You can also bake goodies that represent your cause.
2. 40 Days of Lent
If your church observes Easter and the 40 days of Lent, you may like this fundraiser idea. Typically people of faith give up something during this time. If church members give up something of monetary value, you can ask them to donate the money they would have spent to your fundraiser. For example, money they would have spent on a daily coffee or a weekly shopping spree. An online fundraiser can help you collect the funds, and the church community can post supportive comments.
3. Silent Auction
A silent auction is a church fundraising event where members can bid on items. These items are usually donated by local businesses. This event gets even more of the community involved and builds lasting relationships. You can also do this event in tandem with a Gala dinner. Volunteers can sell tickets for the dinner and then attendees can bid on items.
4. Church Yard Sale
A yard sale is a great way to declutter your church and raise money at the same time. Church members can donate items they no longer need and sell them at the event. You can also sell artwork or other items people have made by hand.
5. Church Member Concert
A musical performance can show off your church community’s talent. Volunteers can sell tickets and work together to create a memorable concert. Church members can sing, dance, or perform skits to raise money.
6. Adopt-A-Mile
This online fundraiser can fund the miles for your mission trip! Your church community can adopt each mile at a certain price to cover your travel expenses. An online fundraiser can show your community how close you are to raising money for your trip. They can also track how many contributions you need to pay for the entire journey.
As you can see, there are many fundraisers to choose from to make your event a success! Keep in mind what people in your church like to do and where everyone’s talents lie. You can use your strengths to put on a prosperous event.
It is also crucial to know what to avoid when hosting your church fundraising event. Never force participation or promise something you can’t give. Make sure to follow each step in the planning process above so you can avoid mishaps during your event.
For even more inspiration read Church Fundraising Ideas for Youth Groups and Church Choirs.
Best Church Fundraising Events and Ideas
Now, you’ve learned more about how you can raise money with church fundraising events. It’s time to start your own with AngeLink’s help. Planning is key and your event needs to be well-organized to be successful. We can help you start a fundraiser in seconds on our free platform. It’s fast and easy to raise money for the causes you love.
Your church fundraising event can reach even more people when you promote it online. On your fundraiser, you can share details and post updates about the event. If someone cannot attend your event, they have the option to leave a donation online instead.
Before hosting your event, remember these dos and don’ts of faith-based fundraising.
Dos:
- Pick an appealing and money-making idea
- Choose a convenient time and date
- Promote your event
- Have enough volunteers
- Plan what you will do with the donations
Don’ts:
- Make backers uncomfortable or feel guilty
- Force participation or monetary decisions
- Use pressure tactics
- Forget to plan
Follow these fundraising tips to guarantee that your church fundraising event will be a success.