11 Creative Easter fundraising ideas to engage your community

From classic egg hunts to creative new ideas, there are endless ways to engage your local community, encourage giving, and create lasting memories. Plus, with the right approach, your event can go beyond just one-time donations—it can inspire long-term support.

Why Easter is the perfect time for fundraising

Easter is a season of renewal, hope, and generosity—an ideal time to bring people together for a cause. With communities celebrating and people in a giving spirit, it’s the perfect opportunity to turn that energy into impact. For nonprofits, schools, and community groups, Easter fundraisers like bake sales, charity runs, or virtual campaigns not only raise money but also deepen connections with supporters.

A well-planned Easter fundraiser can go beyond just your local community, bringing in support from people near and far.

If you’ve been looking for the right time to launch a fundraiser, Easter might just be your best opportunity to make a big impact.

Classic Easter fundraising ideas to engage your local community

Some fundraising ideas never go out of style. Easter is packed with traditions that people love, making it easy to host events that bring in donations while keeping things fun. Whether you’re organizing a small neighborhood gathering or a large-scale community event, these classic Easter fundraising ideas are a great way to get people involved.

1. Easter egg hunts in a local park

Easter egg hunts are a staple of the season and a fantastic way to raise money while giving families a reason to celebrate. Hosting an egg hunt in a local park or community space makes it accessible for more people to join in.

To boost fundraising, you can charge a small entry fee, sell tickets in advance, or offer VIP egg hunt passes with extra prizes. Consider adding different age groups so everyone—from toddlers to older kids—can enjoy the fun at their own level. You can also partner with local businesses to sponsor eggs or donate prizes, helping to offset costs while strengthening ties in your community.

Want to make it extra exciting? Try adding a golden egg challenge with a big prize or an after-dark glow-in-the-dark egg hunt for teens and adults. The more creative you get, the more buzz you’ll build!

2. Easter bake sale featuring hot cross buns and spring treats

Few things bring people together like homemade treats, and an Easter bake sale is a simple yet effective way to raise money. With spring in full bloom, this is the perfect time to sell classic Easter goodies like hot cross buns, carrot cake, sugar cookies, and chocolate nests.

You can host the bake sale at a community center, school, or even after a local church service—anywhere people are already gathered. Encourage volunteers to donate baked goods, and consider adding a “pay-what-you-can” option for those who want to give a little extra.

Want to make it even more exciting? Try hosting a friendly bake-off where community members compete for the title of “Best Easter Baker.” You can charge an entry fee, have a panel of judges (or let attendees vote), and even auction off the winning desserts for extra donations.

And don’t forget about online fundraising! If an in-person bake sale isn’t possible, consider a virtual bake sale where supporters donate in exchange for exclusive recipes or pre-ordered treats for pickup.

3. Easter egg decorating contest

Egg decorating is a time-honored Easter tradition, and turning it into a fundraiser is easy. Whether it’s a small gathering at a school or a larger community event, people of all ages love getting creative with colors, patterns, and designs.

To raise money, you can charge a small entry fee for participants and provide decorating supplies like paint, stickers, and dye kits. If you want to make it bigger, consider partnering with a local craft store for supply donations or sponsorships.

Make it even more engaging by adding a competition element. Offer different categories, such as "Most Creative," "Best Use of Color," or "Funniest Design," and let a panel of judges—or even the audience—pick the winners. Small prizes like gift cards or Easter-themed baskets can make the contest even more exciting.

For an online twist, you can run a virtual egg decorating contest where participants submit photos of their decorated eggs. Let people vote for their favorites on social media, with each vote tied to a small donation. It’s a fun way to keep people engaged while raising extra funds!

4. Breakfast with the Easter Bunny

Hosting a breakfast with the Easter Bunny is a great way to bring families together while raising money for your cause. Kids love the chance to meet the Easter Bunny, and parents appreciate a fun, community-centered event where they can relax and enjoy a meal.

To make this fundraiser successful, you can sell tickets in advance and offer a simple but crowd-pleasing menu—think pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit. You can also include a coffee station for the adults and a small treat for the kids, like an Easter-themed cupcake or cookie.

Want to make it even more engaging? Add face painting, a small Easter craft station, or a photo booth where families can take pictures with the Easter Bunny. You can charge a small extra fee for these activities or bundle them into VIP tickets for added fundraising potential.

If you're looking for ways to involve local businesses, ask a bakery to donate pastries or a photographer to sponsor the photo booth. The more community involvement, the more support you'll get for your fundraiser!

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Unique Easter fundraiser ideas for creative engagement

If you’re looking for something beyond the traditional egg hunts and bake sales, these creative Easter fundraising ideas will help you stand out. By offering a fresh take on Easter celebrations, you can attract a wider audience, increase participation, and raise even more money for your cause.

5. Bunny hop 5K or fun run

A Bunny Hop 5K or fun run is a fantastic way to get your community moving while supporting a great cause. Unlike a typical race, this event is all about fun—encourage participants to dress in Easter-themed outfits, wear bunny ears, or even hop across the finish line.

To raise money, you can charge an entry fee and offer sponsorship opportunities for local businesses. Adding tiered ticket options (such as a VIP registration that includes a T-shirt, medal, or post-race snacks) can boost fundraising even more.

Want to make it extra special? Consider adding:

• A kids’ "Bunny Dash" for younger participants.
• A pet-friendly walk so families can bring their furry friends.
• A “Golden Egg Challenge” where participants search for hidden eggs along the route, each containing a small prize or a special discount.

And don’t forget about virtual participants! Offering a virtual 5K option allows supporters to join in from anywhere and raise funds without being in person.

6. Easter-themed silent auction

A silent auction is a great way to raise money while giving people the chance to bid on exciting prizes. With an Easter theme, you can make it even more engaging by curating spring-inspired gift baskets, family-friendly experiences, and seasonal treats.

Start by reaching out to local businesses, restaurants, and artisans to donate auction items. Popular choices include:

• Easter brunch gift certificates to local restaurants.
• Spring cleaning or home organization services.
• Themed gift baskets with chocolates, flowers, and fun Easter goodies.
• Kids’ activity packages like zoo tickets or craft kits.

To maximize participation, consider hosting the auction both in-person and online. A digital bidding platform allows more people to take part, even if they can’t attend the event. You can also run a "Buy It Now" option for certain items, giving supporters a quick and easy way to contribute.

Want to add an extra layer of fun? Include a “Golden Ticket” raffle where one lucky winner gets a premium auction item for a fraction of the price!

7. Community spring cleaning sale

Spring is the perfect time for a fresh start, and a community-wide yard sale is a great way to raise money while helping people declutter. This fundraiser brings community members together to donate gently used clothes, furniture, books, and household items—all for a good cause.

To make it easy, set up a central donation drop-off point where people can contribute items in the weeks leading up to the sale. If you have a larger space, consider organizing items by category—kids' toys in one section, clothing in another—to make browsing easier.

Want to take it up a notch? Try these ideas:

• Offer a “Fill-a-Bag” deal where shoppers pay a flat rate for everything they can fit in a bag.
• Host a bake sale table alongside the yard sale to bring in extra donations.
• Set up a “VIP early access” shopping hour where attendees pay a little more to browse before the general public.

If an in-person event isn’t possible, consider an online sale where people can browse and bid on items via social media or an auction-style website.

8. Easter pet parade and costume contest

Easter fun isn’t just for humans—why not get the furry family members involved? A pet parade and costume contest is a great way to bring the community together while raising money for your cause. People love showing off their pets, and a themed event like this is sure to draw a crowd.

To participate, pet owners can pay a small entry fee, with additional donations encouraged for those who want to support but don’t have a pet to enter. You can also partner with local pet stores or veterinarians to provide prizes, sponsor the event, or set up vendor booths with pet-friendly products.

Make it even more engaging by adding fun categories, such as:

• Best Easter Bunny Lookalike (for dogs with fluffy tails!)
• Most Creative Costume
• Cutest Duo (matching owner and pet outfits)
• Funniest Easter Outfit

To boost fundraising, you can also sell professional pet photo sessions with an Easter-themed backdrop. Pet owners will love the keepsake, and your organization will bring in extra donations.

Virtual Easter fundraising events for a wider reach

Not everyone can attend an in-person fundraiser, but that doesn’t mean they can’t participate. Virtual events allow you to engage supporters from anywhere, making it easier to raise money and build community beyond your local area. Here are a few creative online Easter fundraisers that work just as well as in-person events.

9. Online Easter-themed trivia night

A virtual trivia night is a fun and interactive way to bring people together while raising funds. Easter-themed questions can cover topics like holiday traditions, famous rabbits in pop culture, and fun spring facts.

To make it work, charge a small entry fee per player or team and host the event on a platform like Zoom. You can also encourage extra donations by allowing players to "buy a hint" or purchase a second chance to answer tricky questions.

Want to boost engagement?

• Offer prizes for top scorers, such as gift cards or Easter-themed baskets.
• Run a live leaderboard to keep competition levels high.
• Have a bonus round where participants donate for a chance to answer exclusive high-point questions.

This event is easy to set up, requires minimal costs, and can attract people from anywhere—all while bringing in donations for your cause!

10. Virtual bake sale and decorating contest

If an in-person bake sale isn’t an option, why not take it online? A virtual bake sale allows supporters to order Easter-themed treats for local pickup or delivery while helping your cause.

To set it up, have volunteers bake hot cross buns, Easter cupcakes, cookies, and other spring treats. Then, list them on your website or social media, where supporters can purchase online and pick up at a designated location. If you want to go even bigger, you can also partner with local bakeries to offer special fundraising items.

For added fun, include a virtual decorating contest. Supporters can submit photos of their Easter-themed baked goods, and the winners can be chosen by votes (each vote can be tied to a small donation). Award prizes for categories like:

• Best Easter-Themed Design
• Most Creative Use of Color
• Best Kids' Decoration

This is a great way to combine food, creativity, and online engagement—all while raising money!

11. Social media donation challenge

Social media is one of the most powerful tools for fundraising, and an Easter-themed donation challenge can help your campaign go viral. The idea is simple: supporters donate, complete a fun challenge, and tag friends to keep it going.

Here’s how to make it work:

1. Choose a fun Easter challenge. It could be something silly like hopping like a bunny for 10 seconds, decorating an Easter egg, or balancing an egg on a spoon while walking.
2. Set a fundraising goal. Encourage each participant to donate a small amount (like $5 or $10) when they take part.
3. Make it shareable. Ask participants to film their challenge, post it on social media with a hashtag (e.g., #EasterGivingChallenge), and tag three friends to do the same.
4. Offer an incentive. A small prize or public recognition for the most creative challenge video can encourage more participation.

This type of fundraiser is low-cost, high-energy, and has the potential to reach far beyond your local community. The more people share, the more donations roll in!

Time to hatch your plan

Easter is the perfect time to rally your community, have fun, and make a real impact. Whether you’re organizing a classic egg hunt, a bake sale, or a virtual fundraiser, the key is to create an event that excites people and encourages them to give. With a little planning and creativity, you can turn Easter into an opportunity to raise funds, strengthen relationships, and build long-term support for your cause.

No matter the size of your fundraiser, the right tools can make all the difference. That’s where Harness comes in. We help nonprofits and community groups simplify the donation process, engage supporters, and maximize fundraising success. Whether you're collecting donations online, running a ticketed event, or looking to build stronger donor relationships, we’ve got you covered.

Ready to take your Easter fundraiser to the next level? Let’s make it happen together.

Frequently asked questions

How do I choose the right Easter fundraiser for my nonprofit?

Start by considering your audience, resources, and fundraising goals. If you have a strong local presence, an Easter egg hunt or bake sale could work well. If your supporters are spread out, a virtual fundraiser might be the better choice. Pick an event that excites your community and aligns with your mission.

What are the best ways to promote an Easter fundraiser?

Use social media, email newsletters, flyers, and partnerships with local businesses to spread the word. Create engaging content, such as behind-the-scenes event prep or countdown posts, to build excitement. Encourage supporters to share your fundraiser with their networks.

How can I make my Easter fundraiser more profitable?

Maximize revenue by offering multiple ways to give. Charge entry fees, sell tickets, offer sponsorships, and set up online donations. You can also add upsells like VIP packages, exclusive merchandise, or extra donation incentives to increase funds.

What are some virtual Easter fundraising ideas?

Virtual fundraisers allow you to reach a wider audience. Popular ideas include a social media donation challenge, virtual trivia night, online bake sale, or a silent auction. These events keep supporters engaged even if they can’t attend in person.

How do I keep donors engaged after the fundraiser?

Follow up with thank-you emails, social media shoutouts, and impact updates. Share how much was raised and what it will support. Keeping donors informed makes them more likely to contribute to future campaigns.

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