Spring is the season of new beginnings, fresh air, and getting back out into the world. For nonprofits, it’s also the perfect time to reconnect with supporters and get creative with new spring fundraiser ideas. After the slower winter months, people are more open to attending events, volunteering, or supporting causes that matter to them.
Over the years, we’ve seen that spring fundraisers work best when they’re simple, thoughtful, and aligned with your mission. But let’s be honest—planning and running a fundraiser can be a lot. From coming up with the right idea to promoting it, tracking donations, and following up with donors, it takes time and energy most teams don’t have to spare.
That’s why having a full-service approach matters. When your tools, planning, and support are all in one place, you can stay focused on what you do best—building real connections with your community and growing your impact.
Spring fundraiser ideas by theme
Family-friendly fundraising events for all ages
Spring is full of chances to bring people together, and family-friendly fundraisers are a great way to make that happen. These events are easy to plan, fun to run, and they help you connect with donors in a more personal way. Plus, when families come out, you’re not just reaching one supporter—you’re reaching everyone they bring along.
1. Host an Easter egg hunt
Set it up in a local park or open field. Kids love the excitement, and it gives parents a chance to learn more about your cause. Charge a small fee or accept donations at the gate.
2. Plan a community picnic
Invite families to bring blankets and enjoy an afternoon outdoors. Work with local businesses to provide snacks or activities, and set up a donation station or QR code to make giving easy.
3. Organize a spring carnival
Keep it simple with fun games, face painting, and maybe a food truck or two. You don’t need a big budget—just a warm welcome and a few creative volunteers.
4. Hold a Mother’s Day brunch
Create a sweet, meaningful event where families can celebrate together. You can sell tickets, offer a small gift for moms, and share your mission with attendees in a relaxed setting.
Creative spring cleaning fundraisers
Spring cleaning isn’t just for closets—it’s also a smart way to raise money while helping your community clear out the clutter. These fundraisers are simple to organize, low-cost, and give people a good reason to show up and give back.
5. Host a community garage sale
Ask supporters to donate items they no longer need, then gather everything in one place—like a school lot or local park—and sell it. It’s a great way to raise funds and bring people together for a feel-good event.
6. Organize a donation drive
Collect gently used clothes, books, or household items. You can resell them to benefit your cause or partner with a local secondhand shop that offers donation-based payouts.
7. Plan a volunteer clean-up day
Pick a local park or public space that could use some love. Invite people to pitch in and beautify the area, then ask for donations tied to the event—or even sponsor cleanup teams to boost fundraising.
8. Hold a spring plant sale
Work with local nurseries or volunteers to gather flowers, herbs, or small plants to sell. These sales are popular because people are already in the mood to garden, and the proceeds go straight to your mission.
Food and local business fundraisers
Food brings people together—and so does supporting local businesses. These ideas let you do both while raising money and strengthening ties in your local community. It’s a win for everyone.
9. Partner with a local restaurant
Set up a dine-out night where a portion of sales go toward your cause. Restaurants often love the extra foot traffic, and you get to raise funds without much heavy lifting.
10. Run a spring-themed bake sale
Bake sales never go out of style. Add a spring twist with lemon bars, berry pies, and pastel-themed treats. Host it outside a school, library, or local event for maximum visibility.
11. Set up a coffee and pastries pop-up
Team up with a local café or baker and host a pop-up on a Saturday morning. It’s perfect for casual donors and creates a cozy, low-pressure setting to share your mission.
12. Organize a food truck fundraiser
Invite a few food trucks to a central location and charge admission, a suggested donation, or take a percentage of the sales. Make it feel like a mini food festival—families love this.
Outdoor and active spring fundraising events
Warmer weather means people want to be outside and moving. These spring fundraisers tap into that energy while helping your supporters feel like they’re doing something good—for your cause and for themselves.
13. Hold a car wash fundraiser
Find a spot with good visibility—like a school parking lot—and gather a team of volunteers. People are usually happy to donate when they see you working hard, and it’s a fun way to engage all ages.
14. Plan a 5K, walkathon, or bike ride
These events are great for raising money and awareness. Let participants collect pledges from friends or family, and give out simple medals or shirts as thank-yous.
15. Run a fitness challenge in a local park
Think jumping jacks, lunges, or steps walked. Create teams or individual goals, and use social media or a leaderboard to keep people motivated. It’s easy to join in and share.
16. Host a dog walk or pet parade
People love showing off their pets. Turn that love into support for your mission by organizing a simple walk or parade, maybe with a small entry fee or prize for best costume.
Holiday and awareness-based spring fundraiser ideas
Spring is packed with meaningful holidays and awareness days that give your fundraisers a natural theme. These ideas are a great way to connect your mission to moments that already matter to your supporters.
17. Easter egg decorating contest
Invite kids and families to decorate eggs and vote on their favorites. It’s a fun, low-cost way to raise money through entry fees or donations—and it makes for great social media content too.
18. Earth Day clean-up and planting event
Choose a park or public space that could use a little love. Get volunteers together to clean, plant flowers, or start a garden. Ask for donations tied to each volunteer or task completed.
19. April Fools’ “prank-a-thon”
This one’s fun: let donors “vote” with their dollars to send silly (but kind) pranks to staff or volunteers—like wearing goofy costumes or doing a funny dance on video. Just make sure everyone’s in on the joke!
20. Arbor Day tree-planting campaign
Work with your local parks department or a nursery to plant trees in your area. Donors can sponsor a tree and get a thank-you tag or photo in return.
21. Memorial Day BBQ or silent auction
This is a great way to bring people together at the end of May. Offer food, games, and a small auction with donated items or experiences. It’s a relaxed way to raise funds and honor the meaning of the day.
22. Peer-to-peer fundraiser during National Volunteer Month
April is National Volunteer Month, and it’s the perfect time to ask your community to rally support. Set up peer-to-peer fundraising pages and encourage supporters to raise money on your behalf.
Quick and low-lift fundraiser ideas to raise money fast
Sometimes you need to raise funds quickly, without a lot of planning or resources. These spring fundraiser ideas are fast to pull together, easy on your team, and still deliver solid results.
23. Host a trivia or game night
Pick a theme—spring, movies, your mission—and invite people to join in for a suggested donation. You can host it in person or online. Offer small prizes or just bragging rights to keep it fun.
24. Run an online raffle or giveaway
Ask local businesses to donate a gift card or prize, then sell digital raffle tickets. This works great on social media and gives people an easy way to support from anywhere.
25. Launch a social media challenge
Create a simple, shareable challenge tied to your mission—like a spring-themed photo contest or a “walk 10K steps a day” goal. Ask participants to donate or share your fundraising page with friends.
26. Start a round-up campaign with local businesses
Partner with a nearby coffee shop, boutique, or store and ask if they’ll let customers round up their purchases to support your nonprofit. It’s easy for them, and every cent adds up.
How to align your fundraiser with your mission and fundraising goals
A successful spring fundraiser isn’t just fun—it should also move your mission forward. The key is choosing ideas that make sense for your cause, your supporters, and your team’s capacity.
Start with your “why.” Before picking an event, ask: What are we trying to achieve? Are you raising a certain amount? Trying to find new donors? Re-engaging your current ones? Your goals should shape your plan from the start.
Next, choose fundraisers that fit your audience. Think about who supports you. Do you have a lot of young families? Local business owners? Retirees? Pick fundraisers that your people will actually want to show up for—or participate in online.
Then, make your mission part of the event. The best fundraisers tie back to your work in a clear, simple way. For example, if you’re focused on education, a trivia night or spelling bee makes sense. If you’re an environmental group, Earth Day events are a natural fit.
And finally, keep it realistic for your team. Big ideas are exciting—but they can also be exhausting. Choose events that your team has the time and energy to pull off well. A small, thoughtful fundraiser that runs smoothly will go a lot further than one that stretches your team too thin.
We’ve found that when a fundraiser matches both your mission and your supporters’ interests, it’s easier to hit your goals and build momentum for what’s next.
Boost your impact with digital fundraising pages and tools
No matter what kind of spring fundraiser you’re planning, having the right digital tools in place can make a big difference. The easier you make it for people to give, the more likely they are to follow through.
A good fundraising page keeps everything in one place. It tells your story, shows the impact of each gift, and makes donating quick and simple—even from a phone. If you’re running an event, it’s also where you can sell tickets, share updates, or track progress in real time.
Peer-to-peer fundraising is another powerful tool in the spring. Letting your supporters fundraise on your behalf—especially during holidays or awareness months—can grow your reach fast. It adds a personal connection that encourages more people to get involved.
And don’t forget social media. You can use it to promote your event, thank donors, share updates, and drive traffic to your fundraising page. Just make sure everything looks and sounds consistent. When your tools are working together, your message feels stronger—and your results usually are too.
From what we’ve seen, nonprofits that invest in strong digital tools tend to spend less time scrambling and more time building real relationships with their supporters.
Make your next spring fundraiser your most successful yet
Spring is a season of growth—and that includes your mission. Whether you’re bringing people together for a family picnic, cleaning up a local park, or launching a fast digital campaign, there are so many ways to connect with your community and raise funds in meaningful ways.
The key is to choose fundraisers that feel right for your cause, your supporters, and your capacity. Keep things simple, stay mission-focused, and use the tools that make your job easier.
At Harness, we’ve built our platform around what nonprofits actually need—not just for spring, but all year long. Our tools help you create fundraising pages in minutes, automate thank-you messages, manage recurring donations, and turn one-time givers into long-term supporters.
And with our full-service approach, you’re never doing it alone. If you’re ready to simplify your spring fundraising and make every campaign feel more manageable and more successful, we’re here to help.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best spring fundraiser ideas for small nonprofits?
Start with simple, low-cost ideas like a community garage sale, car wash, or bake sale. These are easy to organize, don’t require a big team, and still bring in solid support. You can also use digital tools to run raffles or social media challenges with almost no overhead.
How do I plan an Easter egg hunt fundraiser?
Pick a local park or open space, set up age-based zones for the hunt, and ask for a small ticket price or suggested donation. Add fun extras like a photo booth or prize eggs. Promote it early, especially on social media, and have a clear plan for safety and clean-up.
What’s a quick way to raise money during the spring?
If you’re short on time, try a virtual raffle, peer-to-peer campaign, or a local business partnership. These options can be set up fast and work well with digital fundraising pages that make giving easy.
How can I involve local businesses in my fundraiser?
Reach out to local restaurants, coffee shops, or boutiques to see if they’ll host a give-back night, donate items for a raffle, or let customers round up at checkout. Most are happy to help when they know it supports a community cause.
Do I really need a fundraising page for my event?
Yes. A clear, mobile-friendly fundraising page makes it easier for people to understand your cause, give on the spot, and even share with others. It also helps you track donations, follow up with donors, and build long-term relationships—especially if you’re using tools that support recurring gifts or peer-to-peer fundraising.
