Small Church Fundraising Ideas – 30 Fundraising Ideas for Small Churches

Do you have a small Church and need to have fundraising ideas to get funds quickly?

Don’t worry, I’ve put together 30 quick fundraising ideas that only need a month (or less) to plan and implement.

1. Bake Sale: Find the baking skills of your congregation by hosting a bake sale after your service. Whether it’s cookies, cupcakes, or homemade bread, people are sure to appreciate the home-cooked goods while supporting the Church.
2. Car Wash: Organize a volunteer-run car wash in your Church parking lot. This not only raises funds but also provides a useful service to your community.
3. Potluck Dinner: Host a potluck dinner where everyone brings a dish to share. Charge a small entrance fee for the meal, creating a sense of community while raising funds.
4. Yard Sale: Encourage members to clean out their attics and garages and donate items for a Church yard sale. It’s a great way to declutter and support the Church at the same time.
5. T-Shirt Sale: Design a unique and stylish t-shirt representing your Church or a particular theme. Sell these to members and the wider community for a nice profit.
6. Craft Fair: Invite Church members and local artisans to sell their handmade crafts at a Church-hosted fair. You can charge a small entry fee for visitors or take a percentage from sellers’ earnings.
7. Walk-a-thon: Arrange a sponsored walk-a-thon. Participants can gather pledges from friends and family per mile walked, encouraging health and community spirit.
8. Coffee Morning: Offer a warm cup of coffee and baked goods on a weekend morning for a donation. It’s a nice way for congregants to fellowship and support the Church.
9. Talent Show: Host a talent show and have participants pay a small fee to showcase their gifts. Attendees can vote for their favorite act with their dollars.
10. Movie Night: Hold a family-friendly movie night in the Church hall. Provide popcorn and drinks for a small charge.
11. Book Sale: Ask members to donate used books and host a book sale. It’s an excellent way for avid readers to refresh their collections while supporting the Church.
12. Sponsored Silence: Especially appealing to youth groups, sponsored silence is a unique fundraiser. Participants collect pledges based on how long they can stay silent.
13. Plant Sale: Spring is the perfect time to host a plant sale. Gather donations of seedlings and cuttings from green-thumbed Church members, or purchase a bulk assortment from a local nursery to sell.
14. Penny Drive: Start a penny drive where Church members collect spare change over a certain period. Every little bit adds up!
15. Ice Cream Social: Organize an ice cream social on a hot afternoon. You can charge for a scoop and let attendees enjoy a variety of toppings.
16. Recipe Book: Collect the favorite recipes of your congregation and compile them into a cookbook. You can sell these to raise funds while sharing delicious dishes.
17. Homemade Candle Sale: Create homemade candles to sell. You could even make it a communal activity with Church members and then sell the results.
18. Charity Concert: Host a charity concert featuring local bands or Church musicians. Sell tickets in advance and offer refreshments for a donation.
19. Art Exhibition: Have local artists or talented Church members display their art and sell them to the highest bidder. The artists could choose to donate a percentage of their earnings to the Church.
20. Community Yard Work: Offer to complete yard work or other chores for donations. It’s a great way to assist the community and raise funds simultaneously.
21. Scavenger Hunt: Charge a registration fee for teams to participate in a community scavenger hunt. It’s a fun, interactive way to engage both Church members and the broader community.
22. Board Game Tournament: Host a board game tournament with a small entry fee. Choose popular games.
23. Jigsaw Puzzle Race: Organize a jigsaw puzzle race where teams compete to complete a puzzle the fastest. Participants can pay an entry fee to compete.
24. Dog Wash: Much like a car wash, but for pets! It’s a unique and fun way to raise funds and cater to the animal lovers in your congregation.
25. Charity Run: Similar to the walk-a-thon, but for those who prefer a quicker pace. Participants can be sponsored per mile or a flat rate for completion.
26. Online Auction: Solicit donated items or services from Church members and host an online auction. This allows even those who can’t attend in person to participate and bid.
27. Photography Contest: Hold a photography contest with a theme relevant to your Church or community. Charge an entry fee and offer a prize for the winner.
28. Pie Sale: Who doesn’t love pie? Have Church members bake their favorite pies to sell. This could also become a contest with judges and a small prize!
29. Quiz Night: Host a quiz or trivia night with an entry fee for teams. Not only does it raise funds, but it’s also a great social event that fosters community.
30. Handmade Jewelry Sale: Have a jewelry-making session with your Congregation and sell the creations. It’s an activity that results in unique items for fundraising.

Conclusion:

As you can see, raising funds for your Church doesn’t need to be a stressful or long-drawn process. With a little creativity and the collective effort of your congregation, you can organize fun, community-centric activities that not only generate the necessary funds but also strengthen the bonds within your community. Remember, the goal isn’t just to raise money — it’s also about engaging with your community, fostering a spirit of giving, and embodying the values your church stands for. Try out some of these quick fundraising ideas, and you might be surprised by how much you can achieve in a month or even less!

Please note, though, that most of these fundraising ideas (even though they’re quick to put together) won’t likely get you the funds you’re needing. You may have to combine some of these ideas (and do them separately) or come up with some of your own ideas in order to get the money you’re looking for.

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