Winter is full of moments that bring people together. From cozy nights in to festive community events, it’s the perfect time to invite your supporters to help make an impact.
Even when budgets are tight, small donations from friends and family can really add up, especially when you give people something fun to rally around.
That’s why we put together this list of winter fundraising ideas that are simple, creative, and actually work. Whether you’re a small team or just one person wearing many hats, these ideas are made to be doable. They’ll help you bring your community closer, raise more money, and have a little fun along the way.
Winter fundraising events to bring people together
Some ideas just work, year after year, because they bring people together in a way that feels easy and familiar. These events don’t need fancy tech or big budgets. You just need a reason to gather, something warm to offer, and a way to invite your community in.
1. Holiday concert with ticket sales
Invite a local choir, school band, or music-loving volunteers to perform. Sell tickets ahead of time, or suggest a donation at the door. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just needs heart. People love showing up to support their neighbors, especially when it sounds like jingle bells and holiday cheer.
2. Hot cocoa bar fundraiser
Set up a hot cocoa station at a community event or school pickup line. Offer simple add-ins like marshmallows or peppermint sticks. Ask for small donations per cup. This works great when you partner with a local coffee shop or grocery store that can donate supplies.
3. Winter wine tasting or bake sale evening
This one’s easy to pull off with a few tables, some homemade treats, and maybe a local winery willing to pour a few samples. Keep it casual. Sell tickets or ask for donations at the door. People come for the snacks, stay for the laughs, and often give more than you expect.
4. Ice skating night in partnership with a local rink
If there’s a rink nearby, ask about hosting a community night where a portion of ticket sales go toward your cause. Add a table with hot drinks and a small raffle to raise even more.
5. Gingerbread houses competition
This one’s fun for all ages. Ask for a small entry fee, provide the kits (or ask participants to bring their own), and line up a few judges. Winners can get simple prizes, gift cards or donated items. It's a great way to raise money while filling a room with sugar, laughter, and a little friendly competition.
Creative ways to raise funds from small donations
Not every fundraiser needs to be a big production. Sometimes, the easiest wins come from quick, low-cost ideas that get people to give just a little, and tell their friends to do the same. These ideas are great when your team is small or your time is tight. You’re meeting people where they are, and giving them a reason to care.
6. “$5 and share” challenge
This is as simple as it sounds. Ask your supporters to give $5 and then share your cause with 5 people. It's low-pressure and super shareable, especially on social media. Remind folks that even small donations add up fast when enough people chip in.
7. Round-up campaigns
Encourage donors to round up their purchases to the next dollar. A $7.48 coffee becomes $8, with that extra 52 cents going to your cause. These kinds of fundraising events are easy to promote during the holiday season, especially if you’re using a platform (like Harness) that automates the process.
8. Themed donation levels
Give your giving levels a seasonal twist. Instead of “Donate $10,” say “Warm one family’s winter for $10.” Make it feel personal. Let people picture what their money is doing. That small shift can turn a casual visitor into a donor.
9. Donation voting contests
Set up a fun online challenge where donors vote with their dollars. Maybe it’s “Which staff member wears the ugliest sweater?” or “Which teacher gets a pie in the face?” It’s silly, but it works, and it gives people a reason to encourage their friends and family to join in.
Community-driven winter fundraisers
These fundraisers are all about connection. They’re simple to organize when you tap into your local network, schools, places of worship, neighborhood clubs, even small businesses. When you rally your community members, you’re not just raising money, you’re strengthening relationships that last way beyond winter.
10. Christmas tree pickup or recycling program
After the holidays, most people just want their tree gone. Offer to pick up used trees for a donation. Partner with a local recycling service or composting site if you can. It’s useful, timely, and people are happy to pay to skip the mess.
11. Sponsorship banner with local businesses
Create a winter-themed banner or display for your event or fundraiser, then sell space on it to local businesses. It’s an easy way to bring in extra funds, and businesses love the exposure, especially when it’s tied to a good cause.
12. Winter scavenger hunt
Plan a fun, low-tech scavenger hunt around town, at a park, or inside a school. Charge a small entry fee per family. Add silly prizes and make it seasonal (think snowflakes, candy canes, and mittens). This one’s a hit with families who want something to do together.
13. Snowman or snow art competition
When there’s snow on the ground, turn it into a creative fundraiser. Have teams “register” for a fee, build their best snow sculpture, then post pictures online and let the community vote (with dollars). It’s fun, interactive, and super shareable.
Easy winter fundraisers to launch on short notice
Sometimes you need a quick win, something you can put together fast without a ton of planning or money. These fundraisers are made for those moments. They’re flexible, fun, and easy to adjust for your space, team size, or weather.
14. Holiday gift wrapping station
Set up a table at a local mall, community center, or school event. Bring some wrapping paper, tape, and volunteers. Ask for donations per gift, or let folks pay what they can. Add a tip jar, and you’ll be surprised how much you bring in.
15. Virtual trivia night
Pick a winter theme, make a few rounds of fun questions, and host it on Zoom. Sell tickets or ask for donations to join. Toss in small prizes (even just shoutouts!) to keep the energy up. It’s simple and works great for friends and family who want to support from home.
16. Pop-up bake sale with winter treats
Cookies, cider, hot cocoa, easy to make, quick to sell. Host your pop-up outside a local store or at a weekend event. Keep it simple and festive. If you're short on bakers, ask for donations of baked goods from supporters or local businesses.
17. Donate to enter: winter raffle
Ask community members to donate items or services, gift cards, baked goods, even handmade scarves. Then run a digital raffle. Supporters donate to enter, and you draw winners live on social media. Low lift, big reward.
Partner with a local organization to expand reach
You don’t have to do it all alone. One of the easiest ways to raise more, and reach more people, is to partner with a local group that shares your values. You both benefit: you bring the cause, they bring the crowd (and maybe the space, too).
18. Host a winter fair with booths for sponsors
Invite local shops, makers, and food vendors to set up tables at your winter fair. Sell entry tickets, charge for booth space, or ask for a percentage of sales. Make it cozy with lights, music, and hot drinks. It’s fun, family-friendly, and full of fundraising potential.
19. Ice skating party at a local rink
Reach out to a community rink and ask about hosting a fundraising night. They might donate a portion of ticket sales or offer a group discount you can resell. Add a donation table and maybe a small giveaway to boost engagement.
20. Pet photos with Santa
Partner with a pet store, shelter, or animal clinic. Set up a backdrop, grab a Santa costume, and charge a small fee per photo. Pet owners love this kind of thing, and they’re often happy to give more if the funds support a good cause.
21. Coffee shop collaboration
Work with a local café to feature a seasonal drink or baked good where proceeds go to your campaign. Print small signs or create QR codes that link to your peer to peer fundraiser or donation page. People will give while sipping their morning latte, and it doesn’t cost you a thing.
Virtual-friendly fundraisers for cold-weather months
When the weather turns icy or your supporters are spread out, going virtual just makes sense. These winter-themed fundraisers are designed for screens and slippers. You can run them from anywhere, and your donors can join in from the comfort of home.
22. Online workshop: gingerbread houses or wreath making
Send out a supply list or simple kits in advance. Then gather your community on Zoom for a guided craft night. Charge a small fee to register. People love doing something hands-on, especially during the holiday season.
23. Livestreamed caroling or holiday concert
Ask your local choir, band, or even volunteers to stream a performance. You can include short donation asks between sets and keep a live counter showing progress. Easy to share, and it works great for raising money in real-time.
24. Peer-to-peer donation drives
Let your supporters create their own mini campaigns under your umbrella. They can set up donation pages, tell their story, and reach out to their circles. You’ll reach more people, with less work on your end.
25.New Year’s resolution challenge
Invite your community to turn their resolutions into impact. “For every mile I run this January, I’ll raise $1 for [your cause].” Keep it flexible, fitness, reading, journaling, anything goes. It’s a great way to encourage your supporters to stay engaged even after December.
Winter fundraising ideas during the holiday season
The holiday season is when people are most generous, and most looking for ways to feel connected. These ideas lean into the spirit of giving, making it easy for supporters to join in while they celebrate with their families.
26. The 12 Days of Giving challenge
Each day, highlight a small way to support your cause, like giving $5, sharing a post, or bringing a friend to an event. Make it feel light and fun, and post daily updates to keep energy high. It’s a great way to build momentum in December.
27. Secret Santa donation game
Instead of buying gifts, ask your group to draw names and donate in that person’s honor. Add a reveal event or an email roundup of who donated to what. It’s meaningful, fun, and works well with friends and family groups or office teams.
28. Gift card drive for underserved families
Ask for gift cards in small amounts, grocery stores, gas, clothing shops, and collect them to distribute through your network. People often have unused cards sitting around, and this gives them a way to give that feels direct and helpful.
29. Holiday storytelling night
Invite supporters to gather online or in-person to share personal stories, poems, or memories tied to the season. Sell tickets or ask for a suggested donation. The magic here is in the emotion, it reminds everyone why giving matters.
How to promote your winter fundraiser using social media
Even the best fundraiser won’t go far if people don’t know about it. The good news? You don’t need a huge following or a fancy strategy, just a little planning and some real, relatable posts. Social media can help you raise funds, build momentum, and bring your whole community into the story.
Keep it simple and visual
Photos of hot cocoa, snowy scenes, or gingerbread houses go a long way. Add a short caption that tells people what you’re doing and why it matters. Don’t overthink it, real moments beat perfect graphics.
Use stories and reels for quick updates
Short videos showing prep, behind-the-scenes setup, or volunteer shoutouts work great. Show your personality. People support people, not just campaigns.
Encourage user-generated content
Ask your supporters to post about your event and tag your page. Give them a few simple prompts like “Share your best snow day photo for a chance to win!” or “Tell us why you’re supporting this cause.” It helps spread the word without extra work for your team.
Make it easy to give
Include a donation link right in your bio or post. If you're using Harness, you can set up forms that are mobile-friendly and super quick to fill out, no clunky steps, no lost donors.
Make giving simple
Winter is full of chances to connect, with your community, your cause, and the people who care about both. Whether you're wrapping gifts, sipping cocoa, or organizing a virtual trivia night, what matters most is showing up and giving people a reason to join you.
The best part? You don’t have to do it alone. With the right tools and a little support, you can make giving simple for your donors, and way less stressful for you.
If you're ready to spend more time growing your impact and less time wrestling with donation forms, tracking spreadsheets, and scattered systems, Harness is here to help.
