Spring Into Action With These 8 Spring-Themed Fundraising Ideas

Flowers are blooming, temperatures are rising, and each new day feels sunnier than the last—spring is here, and so are spring fundraisers! 

If you’re in need of new fundraising ideas to rejuvenate your efforts this season, there are plenty of ways to engage your supporters while celebrating the season of renewal. Check out our top spring fundraising ideas to find the best ways to maximize your earnings. 

1. RaiseRight 

RaiseRight is one of the freshest spring fundraising ideas—and it actually allows you to spring into fundraising action any time of year.

Here’s how it works:

1. Enroll your organization, club, or group in a free RaiseRight program.
2. Add participants to the fundraiser.
3. Participants buy gift cards or shop online at their favorite brands, like eBay or Staples. 
4. With each RaiseRight purchase, you earn funds for your cause.

RaiseRight programs are always on—24/7, 365 days a year—making them a helpful addition to any fundraising strategy. Plus, families don’t have to spend anything extra. They raise money simply by shopping at the brands they already support with the money already in their budgets. 

2. Spring rummage sale 

Why not turn a beloved seasonal cleaning tradition into one of many classic spring fundraiser ideas: a rummage or yard sale? 

Start by encouraging community members to donate items they no longer want, such as clothes, toys, furniture, decor, etc.

Once you have the donations, set up the sale and let people shop for unique secondhand finds. Since all sale items are donated, overhead costs should be low, allowing you to put more of the profits toward your needs. 

3. A-thon fundraisers

It’s true—"a-thon" fundraisers are classic spring fundraising ideas for schools, churches, and clubs alike. And the best part? You can choose nearly anything as the theme, making it a versatile fundraising idea you can use multiple times.

Need some help finding the right “a-thon” event? Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Read-a-thon
• Walk-a-thon
• Sing-a-thon
• Dance-a-thon
• Bowl-a-thon
• Bake-a-thon

Simply pick a theme, set a timeframe, and choose a location (or make it virtual or hybrid so people can participate at home). Peer-to-peer fundraising is crucial for these events, so participants must be willing to ask for donations from family, friends, and the community.

4. Sports tournaments 

Sports fundraisers are a fun option that encourages families to play outdoors. Whether you want to raise money for a sports team, church, or nonprofit, tournaments provide an engaging way to do it.

To start, think about what outdoor activities your members or the community enjoy, such as:

• Golf
• Basketball
• Baseball
• Volleyball

Charging entry fees or having a concession stand can help you raise money at any sports fundraiser. And, if you want to offer more than one activity, try a field day where guests can participate in various outdoor games. 

5. Plant sale 

By the end of winter, just about everyone is itching to see fresh flowers and greenery, making a plant sale an ideal way to earn money for your cause. Plus, plant sales can attract a broad audience—from green thumbs and expert gardeners to thoughtful gift-givers. 

Here’s what one RaiseRight band coordinator, who also organizes an annual spring greenery sale, shared about this fundraiser: "Our community looks forward to this sale year after year. People love buying plants and they get to support our music program in the process." 

Partner with a local nursery or grower willing to supply or donate plants or provide your group with a percentage of plant sales over a specific time. Increase the appeal of your plant sale by:

• Hosting it around multiple spring holidays like Easter, Earth Day, or Mother’s Day
• Promoting native plants and eco-friendly gardening practices
• Adding a garden class to help enhance community abilities 

6. Picnics and potlucks 

As the weather warms up, outdoor fundraisers like picnics and potlucks aren’t just possible—they’re preferable! These events get your community outside to enjoy each other’s company and the fresh spring air. 

While you can host a picnic or potluck anytime during the season, pairing it with other events or holidays may draw more attention. To that end, consider hosting your picnic or potluck on:

• Spring equinox (the first day of Spring)
• Memorial Day
• Teacher Appreciation Week

7. Spring holidays 

While some previous suggestions have touched on holidays, they’re also worthy of their own spot. By hosting fundraising events solely dedicated to the holiday, you place even more emphasis on the special celebration.

Here are some spring holiday fundraising options that pertain to religious groups and diverse organizations alike:

• Easter: Egg hunts, photos with the Easter Bunny, Easter pancake breakfast
• Ramadan: Eid al-Fitr feast and celebration
• Passover: Passover dinner or Seder night
• Cinco de Mayo: Fiesta night or partnerships with Latinx-owned businesses
• Mother’s Day: Brunch, flower delivery, or Mom’s night out
• Memorial Day: Cookout, flag sale, local benefit concert

Events centered around these holidays may also directly relate to your cause, depending on the group’s mission. They also provide an opportunity to support and educate the community while raising money. 

8. Other spring fundraisers 

Of course, there are far more than eight spring-themed fundraising ideas. If none of the above suit your fancy, don’t worry—here are a few other seasonal events you could try:

• Spring Fling dance
• Community carnival
• BBQ competition
• Spring break kids’ camps

Whether you host one spring fundraiser or a combination of several, these events can help you reach your fundraising goals while encouraging community engagement and honoring the season of renewal. 

Increase year-round earnings with RaiseRight 

In spring, summer, fall, and beyond, enhance your fundraising strategy with RaiseRight. Our gift card and online shopping fundraisers make it easy to earn money year-round—just by shopping or dining at places you know and love.

You'll find hundreds of household names such as Instacart, Sephora, and Petco, and your participants can earn up to 20% with every purchase they make. You can even use RaiseRight to buy supplies for your other fundraisers, like refreshments for your A-thon fundraisers or food for your picnics, to double your fundraising efforts.