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7 Different Types of Fundraisers (With 50+ Proven Examples)

7 Different Types of Fundraisers (With 50+ Proven Examples)

If you’re tired of defaulting to the same bake sale year after year, then it might be time to explore the many types of fundraisers that will help you reach your fundraising goals.
One fundraiser format can’t do everything. Some raise fast cash, others build long-term donor relationships, and a few quietly generate revenue with almost no volunteer hours.
When you understand the different types of fundraisers available to your organization, it opens up dozens of possibilities you’ve probably never considered!
This guide breaks down seven main fundraiser types and pairs each one with proven examples you can adapt to your group’s size, budget, and goals. Ready to get started?Truth bomb: relying on one single type of fundraiser can limit your reach and exhaust your donor base over time.

Whether you’re a group leader in charge of raising funds for your community or a nonprofit organizer building a fundraising plan, it’s no secret that a mix of fundraising strategies can help you build a more resilient and sustainable financial foundation for your organization’s long-term goals.

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How Dairyland Donkey Ball Grows Small-Town Fundraisers

How Dairyland Donkey Ball Grows Small-Town Fundraisers

For more than 21 years, Dairyland Donkey Ball has delivered high-energy fundraising events to rural communities across 26 states. From donkey basketball during the school year to summer donkey baseball and celebrity races, their events bring entire towns together.
Most of the communities they serve have fewer than 1,500 residents. Some have fewer than 200. When 10 donkeys arrive, it is not just another event. It is THE event.
Each fundraiser operates as a partnership. A local school group, FFA chapter, or civic organization pays a booking fee and promotes the show. Ticket revenue is split, so strong turnout benefits everyone involved.
With dozens of events happening across multiple states, consistency matters. Every town runs a little differently. Every volunteer team has different experience levels with online tools. And when your business operates on the road, you need a system that works the same way everywhere.
When CJ first discovered Cheddar Up, he saw how smoothly the platform handled dues and registrations. That experience made the decision easier when it came time to modernize ticket sales for Dairyland Donkey Ball.

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The Best Fundraising Event Planning Guide + Template

The Best Fundraising Event Planning Guide + Template

Fundraising event planning can feel chaotic! Too many group texts, not enough lead time, and a race to find last-minute volunteers leaves many organizers with a headache. Sound familiar?

Luckily, there are tactics you can use to avoid common planning mistakes. For example, a fundraising event planning template gives your whole team the same starting point and keeps you organized from the get-go.

Whether you’re a first-timer organizing a school fundraiser or a seasoned nonprofit volunteer tackling your fifth annual gala, this guide walks you through planning a fundraising event from locking in your date to wrapping up after the event.

You’ll get a practical checklist and timeline for fundraising event planning, as well as specific guidance on the best fundraising event management platforms that keep everything on track. Let’s get started!

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The Ultimate Guide to Field Day Activities (for Every Age and Group)

The Ultimate Guide to Field Day Activities (for Every Age and Group)

Nobody forgets a great field day. The sunburned cheeks, the kid who took the egg-and-spoon race way too seriously, the team that somehow won tug of war three years running. It’s one of those events that doesn’t need much to be memorable. Just the right activities and enough space to run around.
Planning a school field day, a family reunion, a neighborhood block party, or a community fundraiser? This list is all you need. We’ve organized the best field day activities by audience so you can build a lineup that fits your crowd.
Already thinking about logistics? Check out our complete guide on how to plan a field day from start to finish: it covers everything from budgeting and registration to collecting fees stress-free.

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The Easiest VBS Registration Form You’ll Ever Set Up

The Easiest VBS Registration Form You’ll Ever Set Up

Planning Vacation Bible School (VBS) is one of the most exciting things a church community comes together to do. The music, the crafts, the kids running in with giant smiles. It’s the good stuff. But before any of that can happen, there’s one thing standing between you and a smooth summer: getting families registered.
If you’ve ever cobbled together a paper sign up sheet or wrestled with a generic form tool that wasn’t built for church groups, you know the struggle. Cheddar Up’s church payments tools were made for exactly this. Here’s everything you need to know about setting up a VBS registration form that works for your church, and for the families you serve.
A VBS registration form is how your church collects the information it needs to welcome children to Vacation Bible School. At its core, it captures the basics: child’s name, age or grade, parent or guardian contact information, and any emergency contacts.

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How to Set a Fundraising Goal and Achieve It: Step-by-Step Guide

How to Set a Fundraising Goal and Achieve It: Step-by-Step Guide

Your fundraiser is your baby! For passionate organizers like you, your #1 priority is to make sure your fundraising goal is successfully met. Here’s the problem: Most campaigns stall out because the ask was never clear in the first place. This is why it is important for organizers to learn how to set a fundraising goal that is both realistic and ambitious enough to move the needle.
But, don’t just take our word for it. It is actually scientifically proven that clear goals increase performance, focus, persistence, and motivation. Think about what this can do for your fundraising efforts!
In this guide, we’re going to teach you the best practices for setting fundraising goals and how to monitor your progress, as well as steps you can take to actually achieve them.
A fundraising goal is a specific financial target your campaign aims to reach within a defined timeframe. A clear goal is more than a wish or a rough estimate. It connects your dollar amount to a tangible outcome.
Keep in mind that not all fundraising goals need to target cash. Some fundraisers gain support from donors who give tangible items, such as toys for a toy drive or books for a readathon. Meanwhile, other fundraisers combine the two, asking for both funds and donated items.

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