100+ Creative Christmas Fundraising Ideas for Nonprofits

According to research, nearly 30% of all annual giving in the U.S. occurs in December. That means almost a third of yearly donations occur in just one month. Nonprofits that are rely heavily on donations to keep their programs running, it’s an opportunity they can’t afford to miss.

Christmas brings out the generous side in people. Between the festive spirit, end-of-year tax benefits, and the general mood of giving, this season creates the perfect storm for successful fundraising.

However, many organizations competing for attention during the holidays. To stand out and connect with your community, you need ideas that actually works. That’s exactly what we put together in this guide. 

In this blog, we are sharing over 100 Christmas fundraising ideas, organized into categories to help you find the perfect fit for your nonprofit:

100+ top fundraising ideas for nonprofits

As Christmas is around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start planning for your Christmas fundraising campaign. We have listed 100+ top fundraising ideas for nonprofits, so you can hit the ground running.

Holiday event fundraisers

1. Christmas market 

Christmas is a special time of the year, and people like to buy new clothes for themselves and their children. Selling a Christmas outfit can be a good option for fundraising. Set up vendor booths with local artisans and keep a percentage of sales.

2. Festive gala dinner

People like to spend time with their families, especially in the festive season. As Christmas creates a joyful environment and people also spend the holidays, arranging a festive gala dinner can be a great fundraising plan. Host an elegant evening with holiday decorations, dinner, and entertainment.

3. Christmas sweater party

Christmas sweaters are quite popular, and most people are interested in investing in them. You can hold a contest for the sweater. Instead of charging entry fees, have participants donate to take part in a sweater contest.

4. Christmas movie marathon

This is an excellent fundraising idea, especially if you make this plan focusing on family and friends. People love to enjoy movies in this festive season with their loved ones. You can screen classic holiday films with popcorn and hot chocolate sales.

5. Holiday home tour

There are as many Christmas traditions that families follow, and decorating homes is one of the most popular. It creates a hidden competition between people whose house looks better than others. You can target this as your fundraising idea. Showcase beautifully decorated homes in your community for a ticket price.

6. Christmas caroling event

You know what’s really nice? Having carolers show up at your door during the holidays. It just feels special. Put together a group of singers and let families or businesses book them for donations. Works great in neighbourhoods where everyone’s outside looking at lights anyway.

7. Santa’s workshop fair

Kids go absolutely nuts for Santa. Like, they’ll drag their parents anywhere if they know Santa’s there. Set up a little workshop vibe with some crafts, simple games, and maybe face painting. Charge families to get in, and you’ve got yourself a solid afternoon event that pretty much runs itself once you get going.

8. Holiday bingo night

Bingo’s one of those things that works for basically anyone. Your grandmother loves it, kids think it’s fun, and it’s dead simple to put together. Throw some Christmas stuff on the cards, grab some prizes from local shops, and charge people per card. Snacks and drinks? Sell those too.

9. Festive fashion show

If you know any boutique owners or people in fashion around town, this could work out pretty well. Get some winter and holiday clothes together, find some people willing to model (trust me, there are always volunteers for this), sell tickets, and boom. VIP seats up front for bigger donors if you want to get fancy with it.

10. Christmas trivia night

Everyone thinks they’re an expert on Christmas movies and songs until you actually test them. It’s funny watching people argue over what year “Elf” came out or what the gifts in “12 Days of Christmas” actually are. Teams pay to enter, winners get prizes, and you can sneak in some questions about your nonprofit’s work, too.

Product sales fundraisers

11. Christmas cookie sales

In this festive season, nobody has time to bake, but everyone wants homemade cookies. Get some volunteers who actually enjoy baking (they’re out there), package everything up nicely, and you’ll sell out. Take pre-orders so you know exactly how much to make.

12. Hot chocolate bar

Cold weather and hot chocolate just go together. Set up somewhere with foot traffic, holiday markets, outside stores, wherever. Toppings are cheap, but people will pay $3-5 for a good cup with marshmallows and whipped cream. Easy money when it’s freezing out.

13. Holiday candle sales

Candles are a safe bet because people buy them for themselves and as gifts. Find a local person who makes them or order wholesale. Scents like cinnamon or pine sell like crazy in December. Add your nonprofit’s name on there, and you’re good.

14. Christmas ornament sales

People collect ornaments their whole lives. Make some custom ones with your logo or something meaningful to your cause. They’re small, don’t cost much to make, and folks will buy them year after year. Plus, they last forever, so it’s like ongoing advertising.

15. Wrapping paper fundraiser

Literally everyone needs wrapping paper. Buy it cheap in bulk, mark it up a bit, and sell it where people are already shopping. Throw in some ribbon and gift tags, and you’ve increased your profit. It’s not exciting, but it works every single time.

16. Poinsettia sales

These plants are everywhere at Christmas for a reason. Get them wholesale from a nursery, take orders ahead of time so you’re not stuck with extras, and set up pickup days. Churches and offices buy these by the dozen. Super reliable fundraiser.

17. Christmas card packs

Yeah, people still send Christmas cards. Design some nice ones, maybe get a local artist involved, and sell them in packs. People actually appreciate cards that aren’t from the grocery store, and they’re supporting your cause while they’re at it.

18. Gingerbread house kits

Making gingerbread houses is fun, but getting all the stuff together is annoying. Do it for people, prebake the pieces, include icing and candy, and put it in a nice box. Families will absolutely buy these for a weekend activity.

19. Holiday spice mixes

Package up some mulling spices for cider, or hot cocoa mix with mini marshmallows. Maybe a cookie mix in a jar with the recipe attached. It’s cheap to put together and makes decent gifts. People who aren’t great at shopping love this stuff.

20. Christmas-themed merchandise

T-shirts, mugs, and tote bags with holiday designs and your nonprofit’s name. People who already support you will wear it around, which gets your name out there even more. Win-win situation, really.

Service-based fundraisers

21. Gift wrapping services

You’d be amazed how many people absolutely hate wrapping gifts or just can’t do it well. Set up at a mall or busy shopping area and offer to wrap purchases. Some people will donate way more than you’d expect just because they’re so relieved they don’t have to wrap that weird-shaped toy.

22. Christmas light installation

Getting on a ladder in the cold to hang lights? Not everyone’s idea of fun. Offer to do it for people, and you’ll get takers. Works especially well for older folks or people with big houses. Schedule it out through November and early December.

23. Holiday decoration services

Some people want their house to look like a magazine but don’t know where to start. Come in and decorate for them with tree, wreaths, the whole thing. You’d be surprised how many busy professionals will pay for this. It’s like hiring house cleaners but for Christmas.

24. Snow shoveling services

When it snows, people need their driveways cleared. Get some volunteers together and offer shoveling for donations. You can do one-time after big storms or sign people up for the whole winter. Cold work but good money.

25. Pet Christmas photo sessions

Pet owners are obsessed with their animals, you know this already. Get a photographer, some Santa hats and Christmas props, and let people bring their dogs and cats for photos. They’ll pay for this and then buy prints too. It’s honestly adorable and profitable.

26. Personal shopping service

Christmas shopping stresses people out. Offer to do it for them and they give you a list and budget, you go find everything. Busy parents and people who hate malls will absolutely take you up on this. Charge by the hour or a flat rate.

27. Christmas cleaning services

Nobody wants relatives showing up to a dirty house. Offer deep cleaning before the holidays or cleanup after all the chaos. It’s one of those things people know them need but keep putting off until they’re desperate.

28. Gift delivery service

Sometimes people can’t get gifts to their family themselves. Maybe they’re too far, maybe they’re elderly, whatever. Pick up wrapped gifts and deliver them locally with a personal touch. It’s meaningful and people appreciate the service.

29. Holiday meal prep service

Cooking Christmas dinner takes forever. Offer to prep stuff, chop vegetables, make side dishes, whatever people need. Some folks will even pay for you to cook the whole meal. They just heat it up and pretend they made it.

30. Tree disposal service

Come January, getting rid of the tree is a pain. Offer to pick them up and recycle them properly. Charge per tree. It’s not glamorous, but it needs doing and people will pay to not deal with it.

Virtual fundraisers

31. Online Christmas auction

Put your auction items online so people can bid from their couch. Way more convenient than showing up somewhere, and you’ll probably get more bidders because it’s easier to participate. Just make sure your website or platform is easy to use.

32. Virtual advent calendar

Do a countdown thing through virtual advent calendar, where each day has a new donation goal or story. Keeps people checking back and thinking about your cause all month instead of just once. Little goals add up to big money by Christmas.

33. Holiday recipe book

Ask people to submit their favorite Christmas recipes, there’s always that one person whose cookies everyone raves about or that special stuffing recipe. Put them all together in a digital book and sell it. People love collecting recipes they’ll probably never make.

34. Virtual sweater contest

Do the sweater thing over Zoom. Where people show off their sweaters, you charge entry, and everyone votes. You can do this with supporters from anywhere, not just local people. Plus you get some hilarious photos out of it.

35. Online Christmas concert

Get some local musicians to perform and stream it live. People watching can donate throughout the show. Set some fundraising goals like “when we hit $500, we’ll do an extra song” to keep it interactive and get people donating.

36. Social media giving challenge

Make it easy for people to share your fundraiser. Good graphics, clear hashtag, tell them to tag friends. If even a few people share it to their networks, you’re reaching way more potential donors than just your usual crowd.

37. Virtual scavenger hunt

Hide stuff on your website or social media and make people find it. Charge teams to participate, give prizes to winners. It’s different enough that people think it sounds fun, and you can do it with people anywhere.

38. Online craft workshop

Teach people to make Christmas stuff over video. Send them a supply list beforehand, then walk them through it live. Could be ornaments, wreaths, whatever. People like learning new things and it’s something to do on a cold night.

39. Digital christmas card campaign

Offer to send nice e-cards for people. It’s easier than mailing physical ones, cheaper, and environmentally friendly if people care about that. Charge per card or do bulk packages for people sending to lots of family.

40. Livestream Christmas party

Throw a party online with games and music. Set donation goals that unlock fun stuff, like “when we hit $1000, the director has to wear a ridiculous hat”. Makes giving feel more like participating in something fun.

Click here to discover “New year goal for nonprofit”

Community involvement fundraisers

41. Letters to Santa station

Kids love writing to Santa, and parents think it’s cute. Put special mailboxes at shops around town where kids drop off letters for a small donation. Local businesses get more people coming in, you get donations, everyone wins.

42. Christmas tree lot

This is old school, but it works. Get trees wholesale or partner with a tree farm, set up in a good spot, and sell them. Families need trees anyway, and they’d rather buy from you than some random lot if they know it’s going to a good cause.

43. Holiday photography booth

Everyone wants Christmas photos. Set up somewhere with Santa or a nice winter background and take family photos. Set different packages, digital only, also prints facilities. Parents will pay good money for photos they don’t have to take themselves.

44. Community Christmas Parade

Parades are a whole thing to organize, but people love them. Groups pay to have floats in it, and spectators donate along the route. If you can pull it off, it becomes something the community looks forward to every year.

45. Adopt-a-family program

Match people who want to help with families who need it. Donors buy gifts or provide meals for specific families. Your nonprofit connects them and maybe charges a small admin fee or asks for extra donations on top of the gifts.

46. Christmas toy drive

Collect toys around town and let people learn about your nonprofit while they’re dropping stuff off. Even if the toys go to other organizations, you’re getting your name out there, and you can ask for monetary donations too.

47. Holiday blood drive

Team up with a blood bank and organize a drive. Blood banks often have corporate sponsors who’ll donate to your cause for hosting it. Plus, you’re doing something important; blood’s always needed in winter.

48. Secret Santa for seniors

A lot of older people spend Christmas alone, and that’s pretty sad. Match community members with seniors who need company or gifts. Charge people to participate, and you’re funding your work while helping isolated seniors.

49. Neighbourhood decorating contest

People already go all out decorating. Turn it into a contest; they pay to enter. Everyone in the neighborhood will drive around looking at the decorations, and people who enter will go extra hard trying to win. It’s basically free entertainment for the community.

50. Community carol sing

Get everyone together to sing Christmas songs outside somewhere. Hand out song sheets, maybe have some musicians, and pass donation buckets while everyone’s singing. It’s simple, but it gives people that warm fuzzy community feeling.

Corporate and business partnerships

51. Restaurant partnership nights

Restaurants will partner with you if it brings them customers. Pick a night, promote it to your supporters, and the restaurant gives you a cut of sales. Easy for them, easy for you, and your supporters just eat dinner like they normally would.

52. Christmas window display contest

Downtown shops want more foot traffic. Have them pay to enter a window decorating contest. People vote by walking around looking at displays, which means they’re also window shopping. Stores get potential customers, you get entry fees.

53. Corporate gift wrap sponsorship

Businesses looking for holiday advertising can sponsor your wrapping booth. Their logo goes on bags or wrapping paper, or signs. They get visibility, you get money to cover costs, plus extra. Pretty straightforward deal.

54. Holiday shopping events

Work with stores to host special shopping nights where part of the sales go to you. Add some drinks and music and it becomes an event. Shoppers feel good about supporting local and helping your cause at once.

55. Corporate matching gifts campaign

Tons of companies match what their employees donate but people forget to ask. Remind your donors to check with their employers. Literally doubles some donations and costs you nothing but sending a few emails.

56. Business Christmas card sales

Businesses need cards for their clients anyway. Design ones with their info on it that they buy in bulk. They’re spending that money regardless, might as well go to you instead of some big card company.

57. Holiday office party hosting

If you’ve got event space, rent it to companies for their parties. Throw in catering or decorations or a bar for extra. Companies are scrambling for party venues in December so you’ll probably book up fast.

58. Corporate volunteer days

Companies want team building that looks good. Offer volunteer opportunities where corporate teams can help with your programs. Charge per person or ask for a corporate donation. The employees like it, and the company gets good PR.

59. Sponsored Christmas lights display

Put up a big community light display and sell sponsorships for different sections. Businesses get their names on signs, the community gets free lights to look at, and you make decent money from the sponsors. Everyone’s happy.

60. Holiday gift basket sponsorships

Get businesses to sponsor gift baskets you raffle off. They provide the basket or pay for it, their name’s attached to it, and you sell raffle tickets. More sponsors means more baskets means more ticket sales.

Creative and unique ideas

61. Christmas tree rental program

Rent out living trees; people return after Christmas for replanting. It’s different, it’s eco-friendly, and people who care about that stuff will absolutely pay more for it. Plus, you’re not killing trees, so that’s nice.

62. Holiday playlist fundraiser

Make a really good Christmas playlist, mix old and new songs, and organize it well. Sell access to it. People who love music will buy it instead of spending time making their own. Not huge money, but easy to do.

63. Christmas light tour bus

Drive people around to see the best light displays in town. Sell seats, provide cookies and hot chocolate, make it a whole experience. Families and older folks especially like this because they don’t have to drive around themselves.

64. Polar express experience

If you can get a bus or train, recreate the Polar Express story. Read the book, serve hot chocolate, and have Santa show up. Kids absolutely lose it over this, and parents will pay well for something that magical.

65. Letters from Santa service

Parents tell you about their kids’ year, and you send a personalized letter from Santa. It’s pure magic for little kids, and busy parents love not having to remember to do it themselves. Easy money for basically just writing letters.

66. Holiday pajama day

Get schools or offices to let people wear pajamas for a donation. It’s silly, and everyone loves an excuse to be comfortable. Low effort on your part, and most people will participate because it’s just a few bucks.

67. Reindeer games olympics

Set up goofy games like pin the nose on Rudolph or reindeer ring toss. Charge teams to enter and give out dumb prizes. It’s not serious, that’s the point. People just want to laugh and have fun.

68. Christmas karaoke night

Karaoke, but only Christmas songs. Charge to get in, sell drinks, and maybe do prizes for performances. The entertainment creates itself because people get really into belting out “All I Want for Christmas Is You” after a couple of drinks.

69. Gingerbread house competition

This is a real competition with time limits and judging. People pay to enter, get their supplies, and have to build something impressive. Display everything for people to see after. The competitive people really get into this.

70. Holiday craft fair

Charge local crafters for booth space. They get to sell their stuff, you get booth fees, and shoppers find unique gifts they can’t get at the mall. Support local artists while funding your cause. Pretty solid all around.

Donation-based campaigns

71. 12 days of Christmas campaign

Run 12 different donation asks through December, each highlighting something different you do. Keeps things fresh and gives people multiple chances to donate instead of just one big ask that they might miss.

72. Christmas wish tree

Put up a tree with tags showing specific needs like “$25 feeds a family” or “new winter coats needed.” People take tags for things that speak to them. They see exactly what their money does, which makes them more likely to give.

73. Give a gift, get a gift

Give donors something small for donating, an ornament, a card, whatever. It’s not about the gift being valuable; it’s about acknowledging their support. Makes people feel appreciated, and they’ll remember you next year.

74. Christmas countdown calendar

Show your fundraising progress visually where everyone can see it. Update it daily online. People donate more when they see you’re close to your goal because they want to help you get there. Psychology works.

75. Angel tree program

Let donors pick specific people or families to help. They become “angels” fulfilling actual wishes. It’s personal; donors know exactly who they’re helping, not just dumping money into some general fund. That connection matters to people.

76. Text-to-give Christmas campaign

Make donating easy with just a text number. Put that number everywhere. The fewer steps between thinking about donating and actually doing it, the more people will follow through. Convenience is everything.

77. Matching gift challenge

Find someone to match donations for a limited time. “Every dollar doubled until December 20th” gets people moving. They don’t want to miss out on having their donation matched. Creates actual urgency.

78. Christmas legacy giving

End of the year makes people think about their impact and mortality and all that. Talk about leaving a legacy through estate gifts. Older donors especially think about this stuff around the holidays.

79. Holiday memorial donations

Let people donate in memory of someone who died. Send nice acknowledgment cards to families. It gives people a meaningful way to honor loved ones during what might be a hard time of year.

80. Christmas crowdfunding campaign

Put up a campaign on a WordPress donation plugin with a really good story. Specific goal, emotional appeal, clear impact. December timing creates natural urgency, and people are already in a giving mood.

Family and children-focused

81. Breakfast with Santa

Pancakes and Santa in the morning. Kids are excited, parents get their coffee and some cute photos. Morning timing works because it doesn’t mess up naps and you’re done by lunch. Simple but always popular.

82. Christmas crafts workshop

Set up craft stations where kids make ornaments or decorations. Provide everything and have volunteers help. Charge per kid. Some parents will drop kids off and go shopping, which they’ll pay extra for.

83. Story time with Santa

Santa reads Christmas books to small groups. Keep it cozy with cookies and cocoa. Small groups make it feel special and let you charge more. Kids get actual time with Santa instead of just a quick photo.

84. Elf scavenger hunt

Hide elf stuff around town with clues. Families pay to get the clue list, then spend the day finding elves. Gets families out doing something together and exploring the community. Kids think it’s an adventure.

85. Christmas cookie decorating party

Provide cookies and all the decorating stuff. Kids go to town with frosting and sprinkles. Parents get a break and don’t have their kitchens destroyed. Everyone wins. Charge per kid or per family.

86. Kids’ holiday concert

Kids from the community perform Christmas songs. Parents and grandparents will show up no matter what; it could be good, it could be a disaster, they’re coming either way. Charge admission and maybe sell recordings after.

87. Letters to the North Pole

Special decorated mailbox where kids mail letters to Santa. Small fee to send it, and then actually send them a reply from Santa later. Parents love this, and kids lose their minds getting mail from the North Pole.

88. Reindeer food-making station

Let kids make “magic reindeer food” to leave out on Christmas Eve, basically oats and biodegradable glitter. Provide bags that they can decorate. Costs almost nothing, but kids are super into the magic of it.

89. Christmas pajama storytime

Evening stories where kids wear pajamas. It’s special because they’re wearing PJs somewhere besides home. Read some books, serve snacks, make it feel like a party. Kids think it’s the coolest thing.

90. Santa’s workshop DIY station

Kids make simple gifts for their parents, decorated frames, painted ornaments, handprint crafts, whatever. Parents love handmade gifts from their kids, and kids feel proud making something themselves. Sweet and profitable.

Entertainment fundraisers

91. Christmas play or musical show

Put on a real show with full production of a Christmas Carol. Sell tickets for multiple nights and offer different seat prices. If it’s good, it becomes an annual thing people look forward to.

92. Holiday talent show

Let community members perform, such as singing, dancing, comedy, whatever they’ve got. Charge admission and hold voting. Everyone who’s performing brings their whole family, so you’ve got a built-in audience.

93. Christmas comedy night

Get comedians to do Christmas material. People want entertainment that’s not shopping during the holidays. Keep it clean enough for families. Add drinks and apps if you want to make it more upscale.

94. Festive dance party

Just a dance with Christmas music. It could be for families early evening or adults later with drinks. Depends on your crowd. Charge admission, maybe sell refreshments, and make it festive. Not complicated, but people need places to go.

95. Christmas magic show

Hire a magician who does Christmas tricks. Kids love magic, works for families. Visual entertainment that doesn’t require people to sit through their neighbor’s kid’s piano recital. You can charge decent money for this.

96. Holiday mystery dinner

A dinner theater where people solve a Christmas mystery. Actors play suspects, guests figure it out. These interactive things are big right now and you can charge premium prices because it’s dinner and entertainment together.

97. Christmas choir performance

If you’ve got good singers locally, organize a real concert. Holiday music gets people emotional and emotional people donate. Pass the basket during intermission and sell cookies or something.

98. Festive open mic night

Anyone can perform holiday songs or poems or whatever. Charge a little to get in, create a supportive vibe. The variety keeps it interesting and local performers appreciate having a stage.

99. Christmas circus or variety show

Multiple different acts, acrobats, jugglers, musicians, dancers. Something for everyone. The circus vibe especially gets kids excited. Big production but can bring in big money if you do it right.

100. Holiday jazz or classical concert

Fancy musical evening with jazz or orchestra doing Christmas music. Appeals to donors who prefer elegant events and will pay more for quality. Different audience from a kids’ concert, both have their place.

Additional creative ideas

101. Christmas wreath-making workshop

Teach people to make wreaths from real greenery. Provide all the supplies, pine branches, ribbon, wire frames, and decorations. People like learning this stuff, and they leave with something they’re proud to hang on their door.

102. Holiday wine or cider tasting

Partner with wineries or cideries for a tasting event. Add some appetizers and Christmas music. Adults appreciate classy fundraisers, and this demographic usually has more disposable income. Charge accordingly.

103. Christmas pet costume contest

Pet owners dress up their animals and everyone else watches and laughs. Charge to enter, charge spectators, give prizes. The photos and videos from this will be all over social media which is free advertising for you.

104. Festive 5K or fun run

Holiday-themed race where people wear Santa suits or elf costumes. Different distances for different levels. Runners are always looking for races to sign up for, and the costume element makes it more fun than serious.

105. Christmas raffle

Get good prizes donated, big ticket items people actually want. Sell tickets cheap enough that people buy multiple. Draw winners publicly to build excitement. Classic for a reason, it works.

106. Holiday auction dinner

Nice meal plus auction. People are already dressed up and in a good mood from dinner so they bid more. Silent auction lets people browse while socializing. Add a few live auction items for the big spender

107. Christmas gift exchange party

White Elephant or Secret Santa party. Charge to get in, provide snacks and drinks. The gift exchange is entertainment in itself, especially White Elephant, where people steal gifts from each other. Gets pretty funny.

108. New Year’s eve party

Keep fundraising going right through the end of the year. NYE party with food, music, midnight countdown. People are looking for something to do, and your event gives them a good option while supporting your cause.

109. Holiday gratitude wall

Physical or online wall where people post thankful messages or holiday wishes for a small donation. It’s positive and people like reading what others wrote. Creates a feel-good community thing.

110. Christmas giving envelopes

Put envelopes around town with specific needs written on them and info about your nonprofit. People take them, fulfill the need, and return with a donation. Makes giving feel personal and tangible instead of abstract.

Increase donation with Christmas fundraising ideas

An effective Christmas fundraising ideas will let you double up your donation during these giving season. If you are targeting to making the most in this Christamas, than leverage multiple Christmas fundraising ideas and track which gives you the maximum returns.

These Christmas fundraising ideas give you plenty of options to choose from based on your nonprofit’s resources, audience, and mission. Mix and match categories to create a comprehensive holiday fundraising strategy that works for your organization.

The key is to start planning early, get your community excited, and make giving part of their holiday tradition. Best of luck with you Christmas fundraising efforts.

Have a good day, ciao!