Fundraising can feel like a full-time job — organizing events, chasing payments, and rallying volunteers. What if there was an easier way? Enter passive fundraising: the ultimate “set it and forget it” solution. By creating systems that quietly work behind the scenes, you can bring in funds consistently without the chaos. Whether you’re fundraising for a school, sports team, nonprofit, or community group, passive strategies make life easier — and the funds keep rolling in.
Ready to discover effortless ways to reach your fundraising goals? Let’s explore passive fundraising, why it works, and 10 easy passive fundraising ideas to help you get started.
What Is a Passive Fundraiser?
A passive fundraiser is all about raising money with minimal ongoing effort. Instead of organizing grand events or managing complex sales campaigns, you create systems that bring in funds automatically. It’s like planting seeds — you do the setup work, and the fundraiser takes care of itself over time.
Examples of passive fundraisers include:
- Partnering with a local restaurant that gives back a percentage of its sales on a specific night when supporters dine in or order takeout.
- Earning funds through cashback shopping programs, where a portion of qualifying purchases made by supporters goes directly to your cause.
- Setting up an online donation page that’s accessible around the clock, making it easy for community members to contribute whenever they want.
Passive fundraisers are designed to reduce the workload for organizers while making it simple for supporters to contribute. These passive fundraising ideas are especially useful for busy groups that need consistent income without constant coordination or stress.
Why Passive Fundraising Work for Organizations
Passive fundraising shifts the focus from time-consuming events to effortless, ongoing income. Traditional fundraisers like auctions or car washes can be fun, but they require a lot of planning and energy. Passive fundraising changes the game by:
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Saving time:
Once it’s set up, it practically runs itself.
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Reaching more people:
Online tools make expanding your audience beyond your immediate network easy.
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Reducing stress:
Say goodbye to scrambling for volunteers and managing logistics.
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Providing consistent income:
While you focus on other priorities, the funds keep rolling in.
It also empowers supporters by offering them quick, low-effort ways to give back. The easier you make it to contribute, the more likely people are to get involved.
10 Passive Fundraising Ideas That Actually Work
Passive fundraising isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a proven strategy for generating funds consistently. Here are 10 passive fundraising ideas that are easy to set up and require minimal maintenance effort.
Online Donation Pages
Setting up an online donation page is one of the most effective fundraising methods. Online donation platforms like Cheddar Up make the process incredibly simple, letting you:
- Share your page link through email, social media, or text.
- Accept payments online.
- Track donor information automatically.
Once the page is published, your organization can receive donations any time of day without additional effort. This is a low-effort, high-impact solution.
Subscription Fundraising
Turn monthly subscriptions into an ongoing revenue stream for your group. Partner with a local business or service provider — like a coffee roaster, meal prep service, or even a flower shop — to offer a subscription where a percentage of every sale benefits your cause. For example, supporters can subscribe to a monthly coffee delivery, and $5 of each subscription goes directly to your fundraiser.
Once you get the program up and running, it takes just a little effort to keep it going, and in return, your supporters receive something they truly appreciate. Plus, this approach can help you build exciting partnerships with businesses that want to boost their sales and connect with the community.
Restaurant Giveback Nights
Collaborating with a local restaurant can turn dinner plans into donations. Restaurants like Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, and Panera donate a percentage of sales from a specific evening to support your group. Simply promote the event to your community and let the restaurant handle the logistics. This works especially well with popular eateries that already attract customers in your area.
Sponsorship Deals
Partnering with local businesses for sponsorships can provide ongoing support for your organization. In exchange for exposure — such as featuring their logo on your website, event banners, or T-shirts — businesses are often happy to contribute. Once the relationship is established, you’ll have a steady stream of support with minimal upkeep.
Recurring Giving Programs
Monthly donations are a powerful way to create consistent income for your cause. Supporters can commit to small recurring contributions, like $5, $10, or $50 monthly. These donations may seem small individually, but they can add up significantly over time. Once set up, this program runs on autopilot, making it a stress-free passive fundraising idea.
Gift Card Fundraisers
A gift card fundraiser is a simple way to raise money by selling digital or physical gift cards, with a percentage of each purchase going directly to your cause. Instead of asking supporters to buy something extra, you’re offering them a convenient way to shop at places for everyday purchases — while supporting your organization simultaneously.
Many national retailers, restaurants, and entertainment brands participate in fundraising programs, allowing supporters to choose from various options. For example, someone could purchase a $50 gift card to their favorite grocery store, and a percentage — typically 5-20% — would go to your fundraiser at no extra cost to them.
Corporate Matching Gifts
Corporate matching gift programs let companies match their employees’ donations to your fundraiser, effectively doubling (or even tripling) the original amount. When supporters donate, they submit a matching gift request to their employer, who sends the matching funds directly to your organization.
Many employees don’t realize their company offers this benefit, so include reminders on your donation page and emails encouraging supporters to check with their HR departments. It’s an easy, low-effort way to maximize donations and make every contribution go further!
Community Giving Boards
Set up a virtual “giving board” where supporters can sponsor specific items or needs for your fundraiser. For example, a school could create a board with classroom supplies, books, or art materials, each tied to a specific dollar amount. Supporters simply select what they want to sponsor and pay online through your fundraising page.
This approach is simple to set up, easy to share with your community, and works seamlessly on platforms like Cheddar Up. Once the board is created, it requires little maintenance — just watch the funds roll in as supporters pick the items they want to back.
Affiliate Partnerships
Affiliate partnerships are a modern and low-maintenance way to fundraise by earning a percentage of sales through your referral links. Here’s how it works: Your organization partners with a business or retailer that offers an affiliate program. The business provides a unique referral link or code that supporters can use when making purchases. For every transaction made using your link, a percentage of the sale is donated back to your fundraiser.
“Round-Up” Donations
Work with businesses to create a “round-up” program, where customers round up their purchases to the nearest dollar, and the difference is donated to your cause. For example, if someone spends $19.75, they could round up to $20, with $0.25 going to your fundraiser. This strategy is seamless for donors and an easy way for retailers to show their support for local groups.
How to Get Started with These Passive Fundraising Ideas
Getting started with passive fundraising is easier than you think. Follow these steps to set yourself up for success:
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Define Your Goals
Determine how much money you want to raise and set a timeline. Having a clear target helps you choose the right strategies. You can even use a donation tracker to energize your community as the funds roll in.
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Choose Your Strategies
Start with 1-2 passive fundraising ideas from the list above that align with your audience. For example, an online donation page works well for reaching a broad community, while a restaurant night might be perfect for a smaller local group.
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Set Up Systems
Use Cheddar Up to streamline your efforts. With features like online payment collection, automatic tracking, and the ability for anyone to donate without creating an account, it’s the perfect platform for effortless fundraising.
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Spread the Word
Promote your fundraiser through email, social media, and word of mouth. Share links, create buzz, and remind supporters how easy participation is.
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Monitor and Adjust
Track your progress and adjust as needed. If one strategy isn’t gaining traction, try another. The beauty of passive fundraising is that you can test ideas with minimal risk.
Start Fundraising Smarter, Not Harder
These passive fundraising ideas help groups raise money without the hassle. You can watch your funds grow with little effort by setting up smart systems and using tools like Cheddar Up. Whether you’re running a school fundraiser, a nonprofit, or a community project, these ideas can help you hit your goals — and then some.
Now’s the time to take the first step. Set up your passive fundraiser today and let your fundraising work for you!
Before you go
Imagine how much easier fundraising could be with the right tools in place. Cheddar Up makes passive fundraising easy — whether you’re collecting donations, setting up recurring giving, or organizing a sponsorship program. Get started today and let Cheddar Up help you save time while the funds roll in!
