Thanksgiving is more than turkey, it’s about gratitude, community, and giving back. It’s also one of the best times of year to connect with your supporters and raise money for your mission. People are feeling generous.
They’re spending more time with family, thinking about what matters most, and looking for ways to help others. That’s where your nonprofit comes in.
Whether you’ve planned a Thanksgiving fundraiser before or this is your first time, you’ll walk away with a solid list of options, and the steps to make them happen.
Effective fundraisers for Thanksgiving
Build community through shared experiences
The best Thanksgiving fundraisers feel less like “asks” and more like moments. When people gather, whether online or in person, they want to feel like they’re part of something bigger. A turkey trot, a bake sale, even a simple dinner can become a memory that sticks. Your job? Make it feel warm, welcoming, and meaningful. Give your supporters something to do, not just something to give.
Lead with gratitude and storytelling
This season is all about saying thank you. Let your donors know how much they matter. Share real stories, short and sweet, about the impact their support has made. Show them where their money goes. Gratitude builds trust. Trust builds loyalty. And loyal donors? They stick around long after the holidays are over.
Make donating easy and visible
No one wants to jump through hoops to help. Keep your donation forms short. Use tools like text-to-give or donation buttons that follow people through your site. And if you’re running an event, make it simple to give at the moment. QR codes, mobile forms, and pre-set donation amounts go a long way. The easier you make it, the more likely people are to give.
Ideas to raise more money this Thanksgiving
1. Host a Thanksgiving dinner fundraiser for your community
A shared meal brings people together like nothing else. Hosting a Thanksgiving dinner fundraiser is a great way to raise funds while creating a moment your community will remember. You can partner with a local restaurant or community kitchen to handle the cooking. Sell tickets online through your fundraising page or ask for donations at the door. Want to go big? Offer reserved seating, family-style tables, or “sponsor a table” options. Keep it casual, warm, and inviting. It’s not about fancy, it’s about connection.
2. Organize a turkey trot or fun run
This one’s a classic for a reason. A turkey trot gets people moving and gives them a chance to support your cause while doing something fun. You can host it in-person or make it virtual if your supporters are spread out. Ask for a small entry fee, and offer t-shirts or race bibs to make it feel official. Reach out to local businesses for sponsorships, and get volunteers to help with setup and check-in. It’s family friendly, donor friendly, and brand friendly.
3. Launch a gratitude-themed fall festival
Think of this like a mini carnival with a purpose. You can have music, crafts, food booths, and games, all themed around giving thanks. Charge a general admission or offer “activity tickets” that can be sold ahead of time. Bring in local vendors and give them a space to sell fall-themed items. It’s a great chance to connect with community members, raise money, and let people see your mission in action.
4. Host a Thanksgiving-themed bake sale or pie auction
If your supporters love to bake, or eat, this one’s for you. Set up a simple bake sale at a school, church, or farmers market. Or go bigger with a pie auction where people bid on beautiful homemade treats. You can also include a “buy one, donate one” option so folks can purchase baked goods for local families in need. Use your social channels and donor lists to promote it and give supporters a tasty way to contribute.
5. Thanksgiving gift basket raffle or silent auction
Create beautiful Thanksgiving-themed gift baskets with items like local treats, holiday decor, or restaurant gift cards. Sell raffle tickets ahead of time through your fundraising page, or run a silent auction where people can bid online or at your event. Make sure the items feel thoughtful and seasonal. Bonus points if you can include things donated by local businesses, it saves cost and builds community ties.
6. Organize a holiday workshop or class
Offer something hands-on and seasonal, like a wreath-making workshop, a cooking class for side dishes, or even a family yoga session to relax before the holiday rush. These can be in-person or virtual. Charge a fee to attend, and if possible, record the session so people can access it later with a donation. These events work well when you want to raise money and give people something useful in return.
Digital and virtual Thanksgiving fundraising ideas
7. Host an online peer-to-peer fundraising campaign
This is where your supporters do the fundraising for you. Create a simple campaign page, then invite your donors, volunteers, or board members to set up their own pages and share them with friends and family. Each person becomes an advocate for your cause. You can even add a friendly competition or offer small prizes for the most raised. The best part? It spreads your reach and builds stronger donor relationships along the way.
8. Create a themed donation challenge
Make giving feel fun and focused. You could run a “$10 for 10 days of thanks” campaign or ask donors to give the cost of their Thanksgiving meal to help someone else enjoy theirs. Set a clear goal and update your progress in real-time. People love to see their impact grow, and knowing they’re part of something bigger pushes them to act.
9. Launch a gratitude video campaign
Ask staff, volunteers, or people you’ve helped to record short thank-you videos. These don’t need to be fancy, just real. Share one each day on social media or compile them into a single highlight video. You can include a donation link in every post. Seeing real faces and hearing real thanks connects emotionally, and emotional giving is powerful.
Partner with a local business to maximize reach
When you team up with a local business, everyone wins. You raise funds and awareness, they get exposure and goodwill, and your community sees real support in action. Start by reaching out to places that align with your mission or have supported nonprofits before, restaurants, boutiques, coffee shops, or gyms are great picks.
You could co-host an event, like a give-back night where a portion of sales goes to your cause. Or work together to build a seasonal bundle: a Thanksgiving dessert box, a home decor kit, or even a self-care package. These can be sold online or in-store, with a clear portion going toward your fundraising campaign.
Another idea? Let local businesses sponsor your event or campaign in exchange for logo placement, social shout-outs, or signage at your event. Many are happy to help, you just have to ask.
Partnerships also show your donors that your mission matters locally. It makes your efforts feel grounded and supported, and that trust translates into stronger fundraising outcomes.
Tips for successful Thanksgiving fundraising events
Choose the right fundraising idea for your community
Not every idea fits every group. Think about what your supporters enjoy, what your team can realistically manage, and what resources you already have. A small but well-run event will always beat a big, chaotic one.
Create a detailed timeline and budget
Start early. Even simple events take time to pull together. Map out each step, from promotion to post-event thank-yous, and assign tasks to your team. Make a list of every possible cost so there are no surprises later.
Engage your donors early and often
People are busy during the holidays. Give them enough time to plan and participate. Send out save-the-dates, follow up with reminders, and use different formats, emails, texts, and social media, to stay top of mind.
Use multichannel marketing
Don’t just rely on one platform. Share your event across Facebook, Instagram, your email list, local event calendars, and even community bulletin boards. Ask your board and volunteers to spread the word too. The more channels you use, the more people you’ll reach.
Sell tickets or manage RSVPs using event platforms
Use tools that make it easy for people to register and donate ahead of time. If you’re using Harness, you can collect donations, track campaign progress, and even follow up with automated thank-you messages, all from one place.
Always follow up with a thank-you and impact report
After the event, show people what they helped make possible. A simple “you helped us raise $3,000 to feed local families” message goes a long way. Include photos, short videos, or a thank-you message from someone you helped. This step builds long-term loyalty, and sets the stage for next year.
Connect with your community
The holiday season is full of noise, but with the right ideas and a little planning, your message can break through. Whether you’re hosting a turkey trot, setting up a pie auction, or running a digital campaign, the goal is the same: connect with your community and give people a simple, meaningful way to support your cause.
What matters most isn’t the size of your fundraiser. It’s the heart behind it. When donors feel appreciated, when events feel personal, and when giving feels easy, you win. Your mission grows. And your supporters come back year after year.
If you want help bringing your ideas to life, you don’t have to do it alone. Harness is built to support nonprofits like yours, with the tools, guidance, and team to make your fundraising smoother, smarter, and more successful. Let’s make this your best Thanksgiving yet.
