Creative Fundraising Ideas That Go Beyond the Ordinary
Let's be honest, when someone says "fundraising," your mind probably jumps to cake sales, car washes, or that one mate who insists on running marathons in a tutu. While these tried-and-tested methods have their charm (and occasional chafing), sometimes it's time to shake things up and dive into quirky fundraising ideas that not only raise money but also create unforgettable memories. Enter Tenpin, your ultimate playground for charity fundraising ideas that are anything but ordinary.
Why Fundraise?
Before we dive into the fun stuff, let's take a moment to appreciate why fundraising is more important than ever. Fundraising is the lifeblood of many charities, schools, and community projects. It's the art of rallying people together, pooling resources, and championing causes that make a difference. From supporting local shelters to funding school trips, the impact of effective fundraising is vast and varied. Plus, let's not forget the warm, fuzzy feeling you get knowing you've contributed to something bigger than yourself.
In today's digital age, platforms like JustGiving and GoFundMe have revolutionised the way we raise funds, making it easier than ever to reach a wider audience. However, while online campaigns are powerful, combining them with engaging, in-person events can supercharge your efforts and create a sense of community and shared purpose.
Top Tips for Successful Fundraising
Planning a fundraiser? First things first - don’t panic!! Yes, raising money can feel like a big task, but with the right plan (and a little help from your mates at Tenpin), you can turn your fundraising ideas into a full-blown, laugh-out-loud success. Whether it’s for a school, a charity, or your local hedgehog sanctuary, here’s how to do it right - without losing sleep or your sense of humour.
Set Clear (and Fun) Goals
Before you even print a single poster or bribe someone to sing karaoke, decide what you’re raising money for and how much you need. £500 for new school books? £2,000 for a community garden? £10,000 to send your mate to Antarctica in a penguin costume for charity? Whatever it is, be specific.
Clear goals = better results. People love knowing where their money’s going. Be transparent, set a target, and let everyone know what you’re working towards. Then, watch the support roll in.
Don’t Wing It – Plan Ahead!
We get it, you’re a free spirit. But even free spirits need a spreadsheet now and again. Give yourself time to organise everything properly - venue, date, activities, promo, and who’s bringing the snacks (very important). Good fundraising ideas need time to simmer, not sizzle and fizzle.
A little planning upfront saves you a world of stress later. Want to avoid double-booking your karaoke night with Dave’s disastrous open mic poetry event? Plan. Want to make sure the local press turns up to your laser tag battle? Plan. Want to not cry the night before because you forgot to print raffle tickets? You get it. Plan!
Shout About It (Not Literally… Unless That’s Your Thing)
If no one knows about your fundraiser, is it even happening? Spread the word like butter on hot toast. Use social media (free and fabulous), rope in local papers, stick up posters, email your gran - whatever it takes to get eyes on your event.
Create a buzz. Give your fundraiser a name. “Bowling Bonanza for Cancer Research” or “Sing for Shelter” is way catchier than “Some Event That Might Happen Next Thursday, Maybe.” Hype sells, and you’re not just selling an event - you’re selling a feel-good, do-good experience.
Get People Involved – and Make It Fun!
The most successful fundraising ideas for charity are the ones that don’t feel like fundraising. Turn it into a night out, a team challenge, or a party with a purpose. Give people a reason to show up - and come back again next time.
Interactive activities like bowling, karaoke, and escape rooms get people moving, laughing, and spending. Want even more engagement? Add prizes, silly challenges, team names, or themes (pirates and pyjamas are always a hit). The more fun they’re having, the more generous they’ll be.
And don’t forget your trusty pal FundraisingIP.com – it's a goldmine of fundraising tips, tools, and tricks to help you along the way.
Show the Love (and Then Some)
Here’s the secret sauce: gratitude. Whether someone donates £1 or £100, say thank you. Public shoutouts, social media mentions, cheeky little thank-you cards - it all goes a long way. People like feeling appreciated. It makes them more likely to support you again and tell others about your amazing event.
You can even make your thank-yous part of the fun. Set up a "Wall of Fame" at your event for top donors, or film a funny thank-you video in costume. Why not sing it? We’re not saying go full musical... unless that’s your vibe.
Strike Gold with a Charity Bowling Night
If you’re looking for fundraising ideas that are easy to pull off, wildly fun, and guaranteed to bring the crowd in, look no further than a charity bowling night at Tenpin. It's competitive, it's chaotic, and it involves snacks. What's not to love?
Forget the quiet, polite sort of fundraising. This is about laughs, ridiculous team names, and that one friend who insists they “used to be on a league” but keeps hitting the bumpers. Whether you're a casual roller or a closet pinhead, bowling is one of the best charity fundraising ideas out there - because everyone can get involved. Kids, nan, your boss, even that mate who’s never thrown a ball in their life (and it shows).
So how do you make your bowling night one to remember? Simple: go big, get silly, and raise loads while you’re at it.
Entry Fees with a Twist
Start by charging teams to enter. Easy. But why stop there? Get creative with sponsorships. People can raise money per pin knocked down, per strike, or even per outrageous outfit worn. Suddenly, that one strike your mate fluked is worth a tenner. And yes, a gutter ball still earns the charity a sympathy fiver if you spin it right.
Themes, Teams & Fancy Dress Dreams
No one remembers a night of normal bowling. But a night where everyone bowled dressed as dinosaurs? Iconic. Pick a theme - ‘80s Disco, Superheroes, Pyjama Party - and lean in hard. Encourage team names like “Bowl Movements,” “Split Happens”, or “Livin’ on a Spare.” Offer prizes for best dressed, worst score, most enthusiastic granny… you get the idea.
Challenge Accepted
Don’t let things get too competitive - this is about fun, after all. Add mini-challenges throughout the night: bowl backwards, bowl with your non-dominant hand, bowl while doing your best karaoke impression (extra points for flair). These keep the vibe upbeat and the donations flowing.
Throw in Some Friendly Rivalry
Workplace bowling tournament? Pit departments against each other. Teachers vs. students? Do it. Dads vs. daughters? Game on. Whether it’s school staff battling it out or office legends going head-to-head, friendly rivalries get people fired up and willing to dig deep for a good cause.
Laser Tag: Battle for a Cause (With Extra Pew-Pew)
If you've ever watched an action film and thought, “Yeah, I could totally do that” - here’s your chance. A charity laser tag tournament is one of the most underrated (and most fun) fundraising ideas out there. It’s got drama, it’s got danger (well, the pretend kind), and best of all - it’s got lasers.
Laser tag at Tenpin isn’t just about ducking behind things and yelling “gotcha!” - it’s a full-on experience. Neon lights, heart-racing music, fog machines… the works. Now imagine taking all that and turning it into a fundraising event where people are paying to blast their mates and feel like James Bond. Suddenly, you’ve got yourself one of the best charity fundraising ideas going.
Entry Fees, Power-Ups, and Plot Twists
Yes, you’ll want to charge teams to enter. That’s standard. But let’s add some spice. Spectators (or sneaky friends) can pay to give players special power-ups or hilarious handicaps mid-battle. Want to see your boss play with one arm tied behind their back? A fiver. Want to freeze your mate in place for 10 seconds? Ten quid. Want to revive a teammate who’s been “eliminated”? That’ll cost you. Welcome to next-level quirky fundraising ideas.
Themes That Go Beyond “Team Red vs Team Blue”
This isn’t just a game - it’s a battle of good vs evil. Turn your tournament into a themed laser-tag spectacular: "Zombies vs Survivors", "Aliens vs Astronauts", or even "Ninjas vs Grandmas" (no judgment, just imagination). Themed outfits are a must. Points for effort, bonus points for full commitment (including backstories and questionable accents).
The weirder and more wonderful your theme, the more people will talk about it - which means more donations, more support, and a much more memorable fundraiser.
Scoreboards, Shoutouts and Glory for Days
Make your laser tag fundraiser feel like a proper competition. Keep score. Award prizes. Get dramatic. We’re talking “MVP”, “Most Entertaining Player”, and “Team That Got Lost the Most”. A running leaderboard keeps things competitive and gives people something to fight (and donate) for.
To boost your earnings even more, offer “golden gun” upgrades, allow people to sponsor teams, or sell silly extras - like glow-stick headbands or custom team badges. It’s these fun little add-ons that turn a simple idea into one of those genius fundraising ideas for charity that people want to be part of year after year.
Escape Room Challenge: Unlock Generosity (and Maybe a Secret Trapdoor)
Let’s be honest, fundraising should never feel like a maths exam. You know what’s way more exciting than counting cash in a collection bucket? Being locked in a room with your mates, under pressure, with puzzles to solve and time ticking away. Welcome to the world of escape room fundraising - a mind-bending way to raise money that’s every bit as fun as it is genius.
If you're after quirky fundraising ideas that don’t involve frosting cupcakes at midnight or forcing people to run laps in the rain, this is the one. Escape rooms at Tenpin are a perfect mix of mystery, teamwork, and just the right amount of panic. Add a good cause into the mix, and you've got a recipe for one of the most memorable fundraising ideas for charity you'll ever try.
Break Out to Cash In
Here’s the plan: teams pay to play, just like any good escape room - but with a twist. You set a challenge: escape in under 45 minutes and win a prize. Escape in 60? Still a hero, but maybe bring snacks next time. To get the donations flowing, let teams gather sponsorships based on how fast they solve the room. The quicker the escape, the bigger the donations. It’s like game night meets fundraising, and it works.
Or go old-school competitive: host a leaderboard and turn it into a proper event. The fastest team of the night earns the top spot, some serious bragging rights, and maybe a giant inflatable trophy (we're just saying... people love props).
The More Dramatic, The Better
The beauty of escape rooms is how immersive they are. One minute you’re solving a riddle, the next you’re shouting “WHAT DOES THIS BOOKCASE MEAN?!” at your best mate. Lean into the drama. Choose from themes like haunted houses, secret spy missions, or magical schools. Then take it up a notch - encourage teams to dress the part. Wands, trench coats, fake moustaches... all very welcome.
These are the kinds of charity fundraising ideas that get people talking (and donating). Bonus points if someone commits to being “the brains of the operation” and forgets it’s not a heist.
Puzzles, Prizes, & Pure Genius
Offer cheeky prizes for categories like “Most Confused Team,” “Best Escape Face,” or “Team That Solved Absolutely Nothing But Looked Amazing Doing It.” You could even sell clues to teams in exchange for small donations - suddenly, needing help turns into a win for your fundraiser.
This kind of clever thinking turns a simple escape game into one of the most effective (and entertaining) fundraising ideas going. It’s social, it’s a little bit silly, and it gets people using their brains and their hearts.
Tenpin Putt: Mini Golf, Maximum Impact (and a Little Bit of Prison Drama)
Think mini golf is just windmills and polite clapping? Think again. Tenpin Putt takes the humble game of golf, locks it in a prison, and throws away the key. You’ll dodge lasers, survive lockdowns, and putt your way through the clink like a pro. It’s mini golf, but with an attitude - and it’s perfect for a fundraiser that wants to stand out.
Looking for quirky fundraising ideas that aren’t just “guess how many sweets are in the jar”? This is it. Tenpin Putt is packed with weird and wonderful prison-themed holes, perfect for fundraising ideas for charity that are more “laugh out loud” than “sit still and be sensible.” It’s interactive and competitive and lets people live out their Prison Break fantasy without actually getting arrested. Win-win.
From Cell Block to Sponsor Board
Start by charging teams an entry fee to play a round behind bars (the fun kind). You can up the ante by getting players sponsored per hole - or even per failed attempt. That one mate who takes seven shots to get past the toilet-themed obstacle? That’s £7 for your cause, easy. Suddenly, charity fundraising ideas just got a lot more profitable.
Feeling brave? Offer a “no clue” round, where players can donate for hints on the toughest holes. Or flip it - make players pay to give their opponents a wild new challenge mid-game. Play backwards, use a ladle instead of a putter, or putt while wearing handcuffs (plastic ones, obviously).
Serve Time, Score Points, Raise Cash
This isn’t just about putting - it’s about the performance. Get teams to adopt prisoner personas. Who’s the escape artist? Who’s the snitch? Who just looks suspicious with a golf club? Create team names like “The Holey Inmates,” “Fore Cells Only,” or “The Birdie Bandits.” Offer prizes for the lowest score, best costume, most creative cheating, or “Most Likely to Be Actually Banned from a Real Prison.”
The beauty of fundraising ideas like this is that they don’t feel like fundraisers. People are too busy laughing, dressing up, and whacking golf balls through a pretend jail to notice they’re also helping a good cause. That’s the magic of clever, quirky fundraising ideas.
Pool & Table Tennis Tournaments: Rack 'Em Up for Charity
Let’s be honest, some people are built for high-energy fundraising events. Others are more… pub games and chilled vibes kind of people. For the cool, calm, and occasionally competitive, hosting a pool or table tennis tournament at Tenpin is one of the most laid-back (but surprisingly competitive) fundraising ideas around.
These tournaments are perfect for after-work events, low-effort fundraisers, or anyone who wants to raise money without running a marathon dressed as a banana. And best of all, they’re packed with opportunities to add your own twist. If you’re on the hunt for quirky fundraising ideas, this one’s got just the right amount of flair
Game On: Easy to Play, Easy to Fundraise
Start with the basics: charge players an entry fee. Singles, doubles, whatever works. Then, build on it. Players can raise money through sponsorships - £1 for every game they win, £5 if they beat their boss, and maybe a bonus donation if someone attempts a trick shot and ends up on the floor.
To turn up the fun, add rounds with ridiculous rules: blindfolded pool, table tennis with frying pans, or one-handed-only challenges. If your crowd loves chaos, this is one of those charity fundraising ideas that delivers plenty of laughs per pound raised.
You can also get your audience involved. Charge a small fee for people to “buy in” and challenge a winner, donate to swap paddles between players mid-game, or even auction off wildcard entries into the final round.
Trophies, Titles, & Terrible Shots
Make it a night to remember with over-the-top titles and tongue-in-cheek trophies. You’ll need a “Champion of the Cue” and a “Table Tennis Titan”, obviously - but don’t forget crowd-pleasers like “Most Creative Shot”, “Best Victory Dance”, or “Should Probably Stick to Darts”.
This kind of relaxed, sociable event is a dream for organisers too. There’s minimal set-up, the games are self-explanatory, and the competitive spirit does the heavy lifting. It’s also the kind of event that’s highly repeatable - which means if it goes well once, you can do it again. And again.
Karaoke for a Cause: Sing Your Heart Out (Bad Notes Welcome)
Not everyone was born to belt out ballads like Adele, but let’s be honest - that’s what makes karaoke fundraisers absolutely brilliant. It’s the ultimate equaliser: tone-deaf or stage-ready, everyone gets a shot at stardom. And more importantly? Every dodgy high note and unexpected rap verse can raise big money for a great cause.
If you're searching for quirky fundraising ideas that get the crowd involved, the phones out, and the donations flowing, karaoke is your new best friend. It’s silly, it’s social, and it turns even the shyest person into a show-stealer (especially after a slice of pizza and a mocktail). And at Tenpin, where karaoke rooms are ready and waiting, your event has all the makings of an unforgettable night out.
How to Make a Fundraising Hit
Start with the basics - charge a small entry fee to sing. Then, make it interactive. Spectators can donate to request songs (the more embarrassing, the better). Want your manager to tackle the Spice Girls? That’s a tenner. Want to stop someone mid-“Bohemian Rhapsody”? Double it. Suddenly, every song becomes a way to raise more for your cause.
To crank it up a notch, include a live leaderboard. Award points for volume, dance moves, audience reaction, and yes - even dramatic mic drops. These over-the-top antics are what transform karaoke into one of the most unforgettable fundraising ideas for charity going.
And don’t forget the crowd participation element - sell “boo cards” and “encore cards” for quick-fire donations. Who wouldn't pay £3 to make their best mate sing twice in a row?
Themes, Costumes & Full-on Musical Mayhem
If you want to take things from “pub karaoke” to full West End-level drama, a theme is a must. Host a “Battle of the Boybands”, a “Power Ballad Showdown”, or a “Guilty Pleasures Gala” (that’s code for every song from the 2000s). Fancy dress is basically non-negotiable. Bonus points if your Elvis shows up in a tutu.
Offer cheeky awards like “Most Unexpected Song Choice”, “Worst Performance That Was Somehow Still Incredible”, or the ultimate “Karaoke Queen/King” crown. Trust us, people will fight for that glittery plastic tiara like it's a Grammy.
The Finale That Brings It All Together
What makes karaoke one of the top charity fundraising ideas? It’s inclusive. It doesn’t matter if you can’t hit a note to save your life. It’s about energy, humour, and heart. And when it’s all in aid of a cause people care about, you’ve got a room full of joyful noise and a donation pot that’s filling up fast.
At Tenpin, you’ve got private karaoke rooms with everything you need: booming sound systems, disco lights, comfy booths, and a song list longer than your nan’s Facebook feed. It’s the perfect setting for fundraising ideas that feel more like a party than a campaign.
Themed Fundraising Extravaganza: Mix and Match Mayhem
Can’t decide between bowling, laser tag, karaoke, or mini golf? Good news - you don’t have to! Why settle for one great idea when you can throw them all into the mix and create the ultimate fundraising mashup? If your motto is “go big or go home,” this is your kind of event.
A Themed Fundraising Extravaganza is the perfect way to turn a regular night out into a high-energy, multi-activity charity showdown. You can create your own charity Olympics with points awarded for each activity - strike in bowling? 10 points. Survive laser tag without being tagged? Another 10. Hit the high note in karaoke? Points and a standing ovation. Just make sure someone’s keeping score (and wearing a referee hat).
This is one of those fundraising ideas for charity that works for everyone. It’s got something for the sporty ones, the singers, the strategists, and the wildly uncoordinated. And it brings in big results - more participants, more laughs, and way more donations.
To really stand out, give it a theme: “School Disco Throwback”, “Battle of the Departments”, “Prison Break Challenge”, or even “Pub Games Pentathlon.” Themes bring costumes, costumes bring chaos, and chaos brings incredible fundraising photos. This is what quirky fundraising ideas were made for.
So, if you're struggling to choose between your top fundraising ideas, this one ticks every box - big fun, big turnout, and big cash for a brilliant cause. Think of it as the ultimate charity variety show… just with more laser beams and less Simon Cowell.
Ready to Roll? Book Your Fundraiser at Tenpin!
You’ve got the ideas, the energy, and the cause. Now all you need is the perfect place to make it happen. That’s where Tenpin comes in - your one-stop shop for quirky fundraising ideas that people will want to attend (and maybe talk about for years to come).