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Are you tired of the same old fundraising events? Look no further! We've compiled 17 delicious and proven food fundraising ideas that will tantalize taste buds and inspire generosity.
Whether you're a small nonprofit or a large organization, these creative concepts will help you create a successful fundraiser that leaves everyone craving more. Get ready to discover the perfect recipe for your next fundraising event!
How Do Food Fundraisers Work?
Food fundraisers are a popular and effective way to raise money for a good cause. They can range from simple bake sales to more elaborate events like gourmet dinners or cooking competitions.
By offering delicious food and a fun atmosphere, you can attract supporters and encourage them to contribute to your organization's mission.
Here’s why it is easy to host successful food fundraisers:
Quick set-up: With support from your volunteers and local businesses, you can easily set up a food fundraiser. Partner with a local restaurant or a food truck to take the event to the next level.
Opportunity to collaborate: A food fundraiser can also be a part of other local events like a tea party or a local taco night out. Other charitable organizations can also join in on a similar event. For instance, an animal welfare organization can set up a stall for pet treats.
Give back to the donors: Including a tasty treat can make a donation more enjoyable for donors and add to their overall experience.
Wider donor base: A food fundraiser is a great way to build a community and spread awareness for your mission. Fundraising ideas like a bake sale, food tasting event, or a food fair can pull the local community towards your cause.
How to Organize the Best Food Fundraisers in 4 Easy Steps
Define your fundraising goal By defining a target amount you aim to raise, you provide a tangible objective that can motivate your team. For example, setting a goal to raise $5,000 from a bake sale gives everyone a measurable outcome to strive towards.
Choose a food fundraiser idea Consider donor demographics or ongoing festivities that will double the fun for your donors. For instance, set up a candy bar fundraiser as a Valentine’s Day fundraising idea, or partner with local food trucks during the holiday season.
Track Goals Analyze whether your food fundraiser was a success by comparing it to the goal you had set. Identify what worked and what did not to ensure even better results from your next one!
17 Super-Easy and Effective Food Fundraising Ideas
Starting our list off are some of the most effective ways of raising money that require minimal effort. Check these ideas out the next time you need to whip up a quick and easy event!
Bake sales are awesome for fundraising because who doesn't love buying and eating baked goods? From cookies and cupcakes to bread and pies, there's something for everyone!
Ask volunteers from your organization to bake some delicious goodies. Ensure your food products come in gluten-free and vegan options for those looking to stick to their healthy habits.
How to Have a Successful Bake Sale
Offering a "Bake-at-Home" kit with pre-measured ingredients and instructions
Hosting a virtual bake sale with online ordering and local delivery or pickup
Make the payment process easier with Zeffy’s tap-to-pay feature and accept all kinds of payments directly on your phone.
2. Blue Plate Special
Want to add a fun twist to your food fundraiser? Get your guests to bid for their dinner with a blue plate fundraiser.
To execute this amusing food fundraising idea, volunteers prepare a meal of their choice beforehand. It can be as simple as meatloaf or scrambled eggs. Those who choose a more exquisite menu can prepare lobster or prepare a shrimp cocktail.
But here’s the twist - every dish will be covered, and guests will bid on the concealed secret meals! Bids typically start at $25, but you can set the price according to the overall cost of the plate.
3. Potluck Fundraiser
Potluck can be a successful food fundraiser ideafor small nonprofits, making fundraising easier and building on a sense of community among supporters.
Potluck dinners work like a charm as they bring back the old tradition of getting together and sharing food. Ask volunteers and guests to bring any dish they like - an appetizer, a main course, or even a dessert platter, showcasing diverse culinary traditions.
There are various ways to raise money through a potluck event:
Sell the recipes for the dishes at the potluck for some extra funds.
Create a themed potluck, such as "Around the World" or "Grandma's Favorites," and charge a slightly higher ticket price for the unique experience.
Partner with a local restaurant to sponsor the event, offering them promotional opportunities in exchange for their support, such as displaying their logo on event materials or providing samples of their products.
Host a silent auction alongside the potluck, featuring items donated by local businesses, artists, or community members, with proceeds going towards your fundraising goals.
4. Barbecue Contest
Planning a cook-off can be a fun and challenging way to raise money for food charities. Inspire a barbecue recipe contest among the members of your organization.
Promote the event on social media or community groups. Sell entry tickets to the event and invite people to taste and judge the various dishes. A judging event like this is ideal for sports teams enthusiasts or within the school community.
You can make the BBQ cook-off more interesting by awarding the best recipes with a small prize or gift. Throw in some live music, fun games, and activities to turn the fantastic food fundraiser idea into an exciting community event.
5. Cake Walk
Cake walks used to be a crowd favorite at village fetes. Their charm is still intact, as this fun activity can be a great fundraising idea.
Participants usually donate a cake they make or source from a local bakery. As the music starts, they walk around a circle with numbered boxes. A number is announced when the music stops, and the person with that number gets to pick up a cake.
Cake walks can be a fun activity, especially at a food fair. Raise money by getting people to buy tickets to participate. Here’s how you can set one up:
Notify volunteers a few days prior and ask them to donate a cake.
On the event day, form a huge circle in an open area and put all the cakes on display.
Create numbered boxes depending on the group size. 20 is a decent number to start with.
Copy these numbers on small sheets and put them in a bowl for presenters to pick a number.
Get the music started and start calling out numbers to pick cakes.
Keep it going until all the cakes are claimed.
It's as simple as that!
6. Soup Bowl
Soup sales are one of the most popular food fundraising ideas, especially in church and community events. Request community members to bring some bowls and spoons with piping-hot homemade soup. Remember to include different varieties of soups for people with varied tastes and dietary preferences.
You can also organize themed soup sales, such as Chicken Soup Day or soup and salad bars. Set a price for each soup bowl or let the attendees contribute as they wish.
To add more variety and excitement to your soup sale, consider:
Offering a "Soup Sampler" option, where attendees can try small portions of multiple soups.
Partnering with local bakeries to provide fresh bread or rolls to accompany the soups.
Providing take-home options, such as quart-sized containers or freezer-friendly packages, for those who want to enjoy the soups later.
7. Spaghetti Dinner
Many people enjoy Italian cuisine. Why not try easy food fundraising ideaswith spaghetti dinners? Whether for a sports community event or school dinner night, spaghetti dinners can be a great fundraising idea.
Set up an admission fee for the spaghetti fundraiser dinner. Promote the event in advance and sell tickets online or through volunteers.
Put together a mouthwatering menu with a well-planned list of spaghetti dinner essentials like meatballs, sausages, an appetizer, salads, Italian bread, and loads of spaghetti sauce! Top the spread with a traditional Italian Tiramisu.
8. Chili Cook-Off Competition
What’s better than getting people to share their best chili recipes when the temperature dips?
Another favorite among food fundraiser ideas, a chili cook-off can be a great option for winter evening fundraisers.
Encourage people to join the competition with their unique chili dishes. You can charge admission fees for supporters wanting to taste and vote for the best dish.
Remember to award prizes and trophies to the winners for their efforts. You can create several categories and choose a winner for each. Here are some ideas:
The spiciest chili
Best vegetarian chili
The meatiest chili
Best chicken chili
Best white chili
Food Fundraising Ideas for Kids and Families
Involving kids and families in raising funds for your nonprofit is an excellent way to spread awareness within the broader community. Here are some fun ideas for collaborating with families and getting a larger group together for your cause.
9. Cooking Class
A cooking class fundraiser can be a great way to bring people together to cook and donate to a good cause. Request a local chef or a skilled volunteer from your team to host the cooking class.
Set an entry fee to participate in the event; later, participants can enjoy the food they cook. The funds raised can also cover the expenses of the class, including ingredients, cooking utensils, and cutlery. Other ways to make the cooking class a success are:
Offering multiple class options to cater to different skill levels and dietary preferences.
Inviting local food bloggers or influencers to promote the event and attract more participants.
Sharing recipe booklets or digital copies of the recipes so participants can recreate the dishes at home.
Arranging a raffle or auction with cooking-related prizes to generate additional funds.
Partnering with local suppliers or grocery stores for ingredient sponsorships.
10. Guess the Candy Jar
This is one of the easiest food fundraising ideas, especially suited for kids.
Fill some jars with different types of candies, such as nougats, gummies, fruit jellies, chocolates, and lollipops. Then, host guessing games about candy jars with the kids. Here are some options to make the fundraiser even more exciting:
Use a variety of jar sizes to keep the kids on their toes.
Offer bonus prizes for super creative or silly guesses.
See if a local candy store wants to get in on the fun and donate some sweet treats.
With these extra touches, your candy jar guessing game will be a hit with the kids and a sweet success for your fundraising goals!
11. Pancake Breakfast
One low-cost fundraising idea is to serve hot and delicious pancakes by purchasing pancake mix in bulk. Invite members from your local community to your home and participate in food preparation together. Moreover, you get to be more creative with the toppings, ensuring every guest gets something they like!
Present a variety of other food products, such as waffles, ham, eggs, sausages, coffee, whipped cream, fruits, and maple syrup, along with pancakes.
To make it even more fun, set up a DIY toppings bar so guests can customize their pancakes or waffles however they want with some fresh fruits, nuts, syrups, and whipped cream! Encourage some volunteers to show off their cooking skills by making specialty jams, fruit compotes, or flavored syrups.
Charge an admission fee to collect funds and make your pancake breakfast fundraiser a success. Remember to offer takeaway containers for any leftovers, so nothing goes to waste.
Food Fundraising Ideas for Schools
Get the whole school community involved in your fundraising efforts with these fun and exciting food fundraisers!
12. Lemonade Stand
A classic food fundraising idea for schools, setting up a lemonade stand will be perfect for a sunny sports day. Charge each cup of lemonade to raise funds for the school.
Get students to man the lemonade stand to make the event more engaging. You can also involve them in decorating the stand and making creative flyers to promote the event.
Adding a little competition to the event can also add to the fun. Host a contest between different grades and offer prizes to the one who sells the most cups. Let students create their own unique twists on their lemonade recipes, and the best one gets some ice cream!
To make the lemonade stand even more exciting, consider offering a variety of flavors, such as strawberry or peach. You can also add fresh fruit slices or mint leaves for a refreshing twist. Don't forget to offer sugar-free options for health-conscious customers.
13. Eating Contest and Food Tasting
A food-tasting fundraiser is a popular way of raising money, and bringing fun to your fundraising efforts.
Pick an open-air venue like a local soccer field and organize food-related events, like a pie-eating contest. Sell tickets to local chains that may want to display their food items or baked goods.
An eating contest is also an excellent way to unite the school community. Challenge students to participate and charge a fee for each category. Serve beverages to complement the food items and raise more funds.
To take your food-tasting fundraiser to the next level, consider incorporating a theme, such as "Around the World" or "Taste of the Town." Showcase a diverse range of cuisines and partner with local restaurants or food trucks to provide samples of their signature dishes. Add interactive elements, like cooking demonstrations or workshops led by local chefs, allowing attendees to learn new skills while enjoying the event.
14. Pizza Party
Who doesn’t love pizza? When it comes to food fundraising ideas for schools, a pizza party can be an excellent choice.
Organize a successful pizza party fundraiser by partnering with an affordable pizzeria in your area. Decide beforehand how the profits will be shared and any additional costs that may come up.
You can charge participants per slice and ask the pizzeria for discounts on bulk purchases. Include a variety of options, including gluten-free and vegan pizzas, to accommodate all preferences.
Alternatively, you can tweak the general pizza party and reach out to pizza shops offering discount coupons instead. Sell these coupons to collect funds and share the earnings with the shop later.
Fancy Food Fundraising Ideas
While food trucks with delicious hot dogs are popular ways of raising money, a sophisticated tea party can also be an effective food fundraising idea. Here are some other fancy ideas to take your food fundraising up a notch!
15. A Fancy Cheese and Wine Party
Socializing while tasting fine wine with some cheese makes for an elegant and classy food fundraising event.
Charge more for the tickets to the wine-tasting event to cover the expenses of food and wine and raise more money for your cause. However, before selling the tickets, ensure the participant is over 21.
Present 5-6 different kinds of wine that you can procure from local wineries. They can also sponsor the event to promote their wines. Additionally, offer more sides and appetizers, apart from cheese, that complement the wines you offer. Consider including:
Charcuterie boards with a variety of cured meats, olives, and crackers
Bruschetta or crostini topped with tomatoes, pesto, or other flavorful spreads
Skewers of grilled vegetables or fruits that pair well with certain wines
Bite-sized desserts like chocolate truffles or fruit tarts
To set the mood, decorate with a fancy table setting, dim lighting, and some music. You could even invite a wine expert to share some knowledge and lead tastings. Guests can mingle, chat about their favorite wines, and just have a great time together!
16. Gala Dinner Night
Another classic food fundraiser, gala dinners, can be a perfect option for large nonprofits.
Host a sophisticated dinner for your existing and new supporters, filled with music, auctions, and more. You can also add immersive performances and fun activities like raffles to entertain your guests.
Organizing a large-scale dinner will require a lot of legwork. Put together a team of volunteers to help you find a venue, caterers, and decorators.
Raise funds by selling tickets for the dinner, donations from auctions, and additional contributions offered by your guests.
17. Organize a Cookbook Fundraiser
Cookbook fundraisers can be an effective idea for nonprofits and charity organizations.
Have your team donate their beloved family recipes to make your cookbook. You can then sell it to your supporters and raise funds.
Another way is to collaborate with a local celebrity chef and get them to share their recipes. Take pre-orders for the cookbook, use the proceeds for printing expenses, and use the rest for your cause.
With Zeffy's free e-commerce platform for nonprofits, you can easily set up an online store to sell your cookbooks. This allows you to reach a wider audience, accept secure payments, and manage your inventory effortlessly.
Alternatively, you can auction cookbooks that you no longer use. You can also invite volunteers to donate their favorite recipe books. Ensure that all the books are in good shape before you sell them.
Summing Up the Best Food Fundraising Ideas
Ready to put these delicious food fundraising ideas into action? Sign up for Zeffy's 100% free ticketing platform today and start planning your unforgettable event!
With our user-friendly tools and seamless donation processing, you'll be well on your way to hosting a successful fundraiser that engages your community and raises the funds you need. Don't wait – create your free account now and take the first step towards making your food fundraiser a reality!
FAQs for Food Fundraising Ideas
What are the top food options for fundraising events?
While there are a variety of fundraising ideas, some of the best-selling and successful food fundraiser options include:
Bake sale
Lemonade stall
Pizza party
Pancake breakfast
Wine tasting
Barbecue and chili dishes cook-off
What are easy foods for fundraising for your nonprofit?
Some of the easiest recipes that pickup sales easily at fundraisers are:
Cookies and cakes
Soups
Pancakes
Lemonades
Tea platters
What is the most profitable fundraising event?
Here are some of the most profitable food fundraising events:
Bake Sales: These are profitable due to the low cost of ingredients and the high demand for homemade treats. Volunteers can donate homemade goods, which means almost all sales revenue directly supports the fundraiser.
Barbecue Contests: These events attract large crowds and create a festive atmosphere. Entry fees for participants and ticket sales for tasting provide multiple streams of revenue.
Pizza Parties: Pizza is universally loved and can be made cost-effectively. Partnering with local pizzerias often leads to discounted rates, and these events can be easily scaled to accommodate large numbers of attendees.
Lemonade Stands: Ideal for involving children and families, lemonade stands have minimal setup costs and can operate almost anywhere. During warmer months, these stands attract steady traffic, making them a profitable and engaging choice.
Cookbook Sale: Selling cookbooks compiled from recipes donated by the community or well-known local chefs can be highly profitable. The primary cost is printing, which can often be offset through pre-sales, sponsorships, or digital distribution.
What drinks can you sell for a food fundraiser?
Organizing a drinks-only food fundraiser or adding beverages to complement food items can enhance your event's appeal. Consider these popular options:
Lemonade: Perfect for a standalone lemonade stand or as a refreshing addition to any food event, especially in warm weather.
Wine: Ideal for hosting wine-tasting events or as an upscale option at dinners and galas.
Soda Pop: A versatile choice that pairs well with casual foods at events like pizza parties or barbecues.
Hot Chocolate: Great for cold-weather events, offering a comforting beverage option.
Coffee: Suits a variety of settings, from morning events to complementing desserts at bake sales.
How can you raise funds from charity dinners?
Charity dinners provide multiple opportunities to raise funds effectively:
Ticket Sales: Charge for entry, with tickets priced to cover costs and include a donation margin.
Online Donations: Set up an online donation form for those who cannot attend but wish to contribute. This allows you to collect contributions from a wider audience.
On-Site Donations: Encourage additional donations at the event through raffles, auctions, or direct appeals during the dinner.
Sponsorships: Secure sponsors for the event to cover expenses, allowing more of the ticket sales and donations to go directly to the cause.
These strategies ensure that your charity dinner not only offers a delightful experience but also maximizes fundraising potential.
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