If your church is raising money for something beyond the weekly budget, such as a new roof, a youth mission trip, the food pantry or the benevolence fund, a fundraiser can help. Your congregation already gives every week, so a fundraiser that offers something in return, such as a meal, an evening out or a cookbook, gives people a different reason to take part.
Once you've picked an idea, you'll need to know how many people are coming, how much food to buy and how many volunteers to ask. Selling tickets for your fundraiser or taking orders in advance answers most of those questions and means people have paid before the day.
This guide covers 30 church fundraiser ideas, grouped by how the money comes in. Each one explains how to take payment and what to watch out for, most with a way to raise a little more, and the table helps you compare them. If you're planning for December, our Christmas fundraiser ideas have more seasonal events.
Quick answer: Church fundraisers that people book and pay for in advance tell you how many are coming before you buy food or set up the room. A church dinner, a trivia night, a concert and a retreat all work this way. Choose an idea that suits your volunteers and your space, set up a ticket for each price and cap it at what the room holds. Selling online means people have paid before the day. Checkout Page lets churches sell tickets on its Free plan up to $3,000 a month in sales, with 0% per transaction fees.Start selling fundraiser tickets for free
How to choose a church fundraiser
Deciding on an ideal church fundraiser means matching an idea to the number of volunteers you have, what you can spend before any money comes in and the people you'd like to come. The table gives a rough guide for each idea in this list.
Idea | Best for | Volunteers (rough guide) | Up-front costs | How the money comes in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole church | 10 to 15 | Medium: a full meal | Tickets |
| Families | 8 to 12 | Low: batter, coffee | Tickets |
| Adults | 3 to 5 | Low: printing | Tickets per table |
| Church and community | 4 to 6 | Low: printed programs | Tickets |
| Families, youth | 4 to 6 | Low: sound setup | Tickets |
| Families | 3 to 5 | Medium: movie license | Tickets |
| Whole church | 4 to 6, plus the cooks | Low: cooks bring the chili | Tickets |
| Women's or men's groups | 4 to 8 | High: venue, food | Deposit and payment plan |
| Couples, parents | 2 to 4 | Low: speaker | Tickets |
| Local businesses | 8 to 12 | High: course fees | Tickets and sponsors |
| Families | 6 to 10 | Medium: DJ, decorations | Tickets |
| Families, neighbors | 20 or more | Medium: games, food | Wristbands |
| Whole church | 3 to 5 | Medium: printing | Pre-orders |
| Bakers in the church | 8 to 15 bakers | Low: ingredients | Pre-orders |
| Youth groups | 2 to 3 | Medium: printing | Pre-orders |
| Neighbors | 3 to 5 | Low: signs | Table fees |
| Youth groups | 8 to 12 | Low: supplies | Pre-paid slots |
| Whole church | 2 to 3 | Medium: plants | Pre-orders |
| Families | 2 to 3 | Low: prints | Booked slots |
| Church and wider audience | 3 to 5 | Medium: design, printing | Sales |
| Building projects | 2 to 3 | Medium: engraving | Sponsorships |
| Church and community | 10 to 20 | Low: permits, T-shirts | Registrations and sponsors |
| Whole church | 1 to 2 | None | Donations |
| Youth ministry | 1 to 2 | None | Donations |
| Whole church | 1 to 2 | Low: envelopes | Donations |
| Regular givers | 1 to 2 | None | Recurring donations |
| Whole church | 1 to 2 | Low: printing | Donations |
| Whole church | 1 to 2 | None | Donations |
| Capital campaigns | 2 to 3 | None | Installments |
| Any event | 1 to 2 | Low: printing | Donations |
If you have only a few volunteers: A trivia night, a concert, a chili cook-off or a portrait day can be run by a small team on the night.
If you can spend very little up front: The talent show, the yard sale and the giving ideas cost little before money comes in, since they need little more than people and a room you already have.
If you want to raise the most per guest: A retreat, a golf tournament or a spaghetti dinner can charge a higher ticket price, though they also cost more to put on.
If you want to reach people outside the church: A fall festival, a 5K or a yard sale is open to anyone in your neighborhood, so you can promote it locally.
If you need money coming in every month: Monthly giving for a named fund or building fund pledges paid in installments bring in a regular amount rather than one large sum.
What isn't on this list: Raffles, 50/50 draws and bingo are left out because they come under state gaming laws. Stripe also treats charity raffles and games of chance with cash prizes as gambling, so you'd need its approval before taking that money online. Silent auctions with live bidding are left out too, because they need bidding software. Where an idea in this list has a prize, such as the trivia night or the cook-off, a donated prize avoids the cash-prize problem.
Ticketed church fundraising events
A ticketed event gives people a reason to come and a set price to pay. Selling tickets online tells you how many people to expect before you buy food or set out chairs. These 12 ideas suit a fellowship hall, the sanctuary or the parking lot.
1. Spaghetti dinner or church supper
A spaghetti dinner needs little more than pasta, a salad, bread and a dessert table. It suits a fellowship hall with a kitchen and a team who can serve in batches.
How to sell tickets: Set up adult, child and family prices as separate ticket types. If the hall can't seat everyone at once, add two seatings, each with its own limit.
How to raise more: Offer a dessert to take home as an add-on at checkout, so the bakers know how many to make.
Watch out for: Food allergies. Asking about them when people book, and labeling each dish, can help.
2. Pancake breakfast
A Saturday pancake breakfast or one after the service is easy for families to attend and needs little more than griddles, batter and coffee.
How to sell tickets: Sell timed seatings (8:30, 9:30 and 10:30, for example), each capped at the number of seats, with adult and child prices in each.
How to raise more: Ask a local business to sponsor the breakfast in return for a mention on the tables and in the bulletin.
Watch out for: Running out of batter at the last seating, so plan quantities from the final ticket count.
3. Trivia night
A trivia night brings in teams of friends, small groups and neighbors, and it needs a host, a set of questions and someone to score the answers.
How to sell tickets: Sell a "table of 8" ticket type alongside single seats, so groups can book together and people on their own can join a table. Cap the table tickets at the number of tables in the room.
How to raise more: Sell snacks and drinks as add-ons when people book, and ask a local business to sponsor a round.
Watch out for: Cash prizes, which Stripe treats as gambling when a game of skill or chance has one. A donated prize, such as a restaurant gift card or a gift basket, avoids that.
4. Benefit concert
A concert by your choir, worship band or local musicians can be held in the sanctuary, with no venue to rent.
How to sell tickets: Sell general seats and front-row seats as two ticket types, with the front rows at a higher price. Performers can be added through a free hidden ticket, which only appears to people with the link, so their names sit on the same list as the audience.
How to raise more: Sell a printed program with ads from local businesses.
Watch out for: Seating more people than the building allows, so cap the total at the room's fire code capacity.
5. Talent show
A talent show gives children, youth and adults a stage, and the audience is mostly their families and friends.
How to sell tickets: Sell audience tickets and a separate free performer ticket with a limit, so the show doesn't run too long.
How to raise more: Sell snacks and drinks for the intermission as add-ons when people book.
Watch out for: Too many acts. Setting the limit on the performer ticket to fit the time you have keeps the evening manageable.
6. Family movie night
A movie night with a big screen, popcorn and blankets makes an easy evening for families with young children.
How to sell tickets: Sell one ticket per family, with a snack box as an add-on at checkout.
How to raise more: Offer a ticket that includes the snack box at a small discount.
Watch out for: Licensing. A church video license covers showing many films in church, but not a showing where you charge admission. For a paid showing, you'll need permission from the film's distributor or a licensing company before you announce the title.
7. Chili cook-off
Church members enter their best chili, and everyone else pays to taste and vote. The cooks supply most of the food, so costs stay low.
How to sell tickets: Set up a free ticket for cooks and a paid ticket for tasters. Cap the cook ticket at the number of tables and close it a few days early so you can plan the room.
How to raise more: Sell cornbread and drinks as add-ons, and give the winner a donated prize rather than cash.
Watch out for: Food labeling, so ask every cook to list the main allergens on a card next to their pot.
8. Women's or men's retreat
A day or weekend retreat can raise money and build fellowship at the same time, though you'll need to budget for the venue and food. Our guide on how to host a retreat covers the planning.
How to sell tickets: A retreat that costs a few hundred dollars is easier to afford in installments. Unlike the other events here, it can be sold as a checkout page rather than an event page, with a payment plan where a deposit is taken with the first payment and the rest is charged monthly. Set a limit on the number of places so it closes when the venue is full.
How to raise more: Offer a shared room and a private room at different prices, and sell retreat T-shirts or journals as extras.
Watch out for: Cancellations close to the date. Deciding your refund policy before bookings open, and putting it on the page, can save awkward conversations later.
9. Marriage, parenting or finance workshop
A pastor, counselor or guest speaker can lead an evening or Saturday workshop for the congregation and the wider community.
How to sell tickets: Sell individual and couple tickets, and add a question at booking so people can share what they'd like covered.
How to raise more: Offer a workbook or a recording of the session as an add-on.
Watch out for: Childcare. If you offer it, add it as a separate ticket type so you know how many children to plan for.
10. Golf tournament
A golf tournament is played as a fundraiser at a local course, and hole sponsorships give local businesses a way to support it.
How to sell tickets: Sell foursome and single-player tickets as separate ticket types. Hole sponsorships can be sold as a ticket type of their own, capped at 18.
How to raise more: Sell mulligans as an add-on when players register.
Watch out for: The course's minimum numbers and deposit, so agree them before you open registration.
11. Father-daughter dance
A father-daughter dance, or a Valentine's banquet for couples, is a dressed-up evening with dinner or dessert and a DJ.
How to sell tickets: Sell a pair ticket and an extra-daughter ticket. Schedule an early-bird price that ends on a set date, so families book early.
How to raise more: Offer a printed photo from the photo backdrop as an add-on.
Watch out for: Last-minute numbers, so close sales a day or two before and share the final list with the people at the door.
12. Fall festival
A fall or harvest festival with games, a hayride, food and a costume parade can be open to the whole neighborhood as well as the church.
How to sell tickets: Sell a wristband per child and a family bundle. If you expect a crowd, timed entry slots keep the games from getting crowded.
How to raise more: Sell food and drink tickets with the wristbands, so volunteers handle less cash on the day.
Watch out for: Insurance and permits for things like hayrides or bounce houses, so check with your insurer before you book them.
Church fundraisers where you sell something
Selling something people want to keep, eat or wear works well for churches with members who cook, craft or print. Taking orders in advance means you only make what's been paid for.
13. Church cookbook
A cookbook of favorite recipes from church members can be sold to the congregation and given as a gift.
How to take orders: Open pre-orders before you print, with a price for collection after church and a price that includes shipping. You can show the shipping address fields only to buyers who choose delivery.
How to raise more: Sell a bundle of two copies at a lower price per book, for people who want one to give away.
Watch out for: Printing too many, so set the print run from your pre-orders plus a small number for sale on the day.
14. Thanksgiving pie pre-orders
In this version of a bake sale, people order pies in advance and collect them the day before Thanksgiving, so the bakers only make what's been paid for.
How to take orders: List each pie as an option with its own price, and add a question for the pickup time. Close orders a few days before baking day.
How to raise more: Add rolls or a second dessert as an add-on.
Watch out for: Running out of bakers, so cap each pie type at what your bakers have agreed to make.
15. Mission trip T-shirts
T-shirts designed by the youth group raise money for the trip and give the team something to wear while they're away.
How to take orders: List sizes and colors as options and take pre-orders over two or three weeks, then order the shirts from the final count.
How to raise more: Offer a hoodie at a higher price alongside the T-shirt.
Watch out for: Late orders, so tell people when orders close and that there won't be a second print run.
16. Yard sale with seller tables
Instead of collecting and pricing donated items, the church rents tables to families and neighbors who want to sell their own things in the parking lot.
How to take the money: Sell table spaces as tickets, capped at the number of spaces you have. Shoppers pay the sellers directly on the day.
How to raise more: Run a refreshment stand, and ask sellers to give anything left over to the church's own table.
Watch out for: Weather, so name a rain date on the page when people book.
17. Pre-paid car wash
A youth group car wash in the church parking lot is a classic fundraiser. Pre-paid slots mean the team knows how busy it will be.
How to take the money: Sell 15-minute slots as ticket types, each capped at the number of cars the team can wash at once. Drivers can still pay on the day if there are gaps.
How to raise more: Offer an interior clean as a higher-priced option.
Watch out for: Water runoff, since some cities restrict it, so check local rules before choosing the spot.
18. Easter lily or poinsettia pre-order
Members order a plant to decorate the sanctuary for Easter or Christmas, often in memory of someone, and take it home after the service.
How to take orders: List each plant and size with its own price, and add a field for the name it's given in memory or honor of, so you can print the list in the bulletin.
How to raise more: Offer a larger plant or a set of three at a higher price.
Watch out for: The florist's deadline, so close orders a week before theirs.
19. Family portrait day
A volunteer photographer from the congregation takes family portraits in the church or grounds, and families pay for a booked slot.
How to take the money: Sell 15-minute slots as ticket types, each limited to one family.
How to raise more: Sell printed copies or a frame as an add-on.
Watch out for: Slots running over, so leave a five-minute gap every hour.
20. Christian journaling workbook
A Lent or Advent prayer journal, written by church members, can be sold to the congregation and to other churches.
How to take orders: Sell a printed copy and a PDF download as two options. Buyers of the download get the file as soon as they've paid.
How to raise more: Offer a group price for small groups who want to work through it together.
Watch out for: The printing lead time, so open orders early enough to print before the season starts.
Sponsorship and challenge fundraisers for churches
Sponsorship and challenge fundraisers ask people to give toward something named, such as a brick in a new building, a child's place at camp or a walker in a 5K. Most need a donation or sponsorship page rather than tickets.
21. Buy-a-brick or pew plaque
Members and families pay for an engraved brick in a new path or a plaque on a pew, often in memory of someone.
How to take the money: Sell each brick or plaque size as an option with its own price, and add a field for the inscription.
How to raise more: Offer a premium spot, such as near the entrance, at a higher price.
Watch out for: Inscription mistakes, so state the character limit in the field's label and send each sponsor a proof before engraving.
22. Walkathon or 5K
A sponsored walk or run brings in entry fees, sponsorship and people from outside the church.
How to take the money: Sell a registration ticket, and add a "sponsor a walker" ticket type set to pay what you want, so friends and family can give any amount.
How to raise more: Sell race T-shirts as an add-on when people register.
Watch out for: Permits for using public roads or parks, which many cities require for organized group events.
23. Matching gift challenge
A donor or local business agrees to match every gift up to a set amount by a deadline, which gives people a reason to give now.
How to take the money: Use one donation page with suggested amounts and share it by email, in the bulletin and from the pulpit.
How to raise more: Sharing the running total each Sunday until the deadline can help.
Watch out for: The match being reached early. Agree with the donor in advance what happens if gifts pass the matched amount.
24. Sponsor a child for camp or a mission trip
Members pay for part or all of a young person's place at summer camp or on a mission trip.
How to take the money: Set up a donation page with amounts that match what they pay for, such as one day of camp or the full week, plus an option to enter any amount.
How to raise more: Ask the young people to write a short thank-you note to each sponsor.
Watch out for: Children's privacy. Keeping names and photos off a public page unless parents have agreed is the safer default.
25. Envelope wall
Numbered envelopes are pinned to a board, and each person takes one and gives the amount written on it.
How to take the money: Alongside the physical wall, offer a donation page with preset amounts that match the envelopes, for people who don't carry cash or checks.
How to raise more: Showing how many envelopes are left each week can help.
Watch out for: Keeping the online gifts and the envelopes in one total, so whoever counts on Sunday also checks the online payments.
Online giving ideas for churches
These ideas take donations online, either once or every month. They need very few volunteers, so they work well alongside the events above. Our help guide on how to set up a donation page covers the steps.
26. Monthly giving for a named fund
Ask members to give a monthly amount to one fund, such as the youth ministry or missions, rather than to the general budget.
How to set it up: A monthly donation with suggested amounts and a field where people can enter their own. Givers can update their payment details or cancel it themselves in the customer portal.
Watch out for: Overlap with your weekly giving app, so be clear what each one is for.
27. Year-end appeal
A letter or email in December asks for a gift toward one clear goal for the new year.
How to set it up: One donation page, linked from the email and printed as a QR code on the letter.
Watch out for: Timing. Sending the appeal early in December leaves time for gifts to go through before the year ends.
28. Memorial and honor gifts
People give in memory of someone who has died, or in honor of a wedding, baptism or birthday.
How to set it up: A donation page with a field for the name and a choice of "in memory of" or "in honor of", so the gift can be acknowledged in the bulletin.
Watch out for: Spelling, so read the names back before they're printed.
29. Building fund pledges paid in installments
For a building project, members pledge a set amount and pay it over a year or more.
How to set it up: A checkout with several payment plans, such as $600, $1,200 and $2,400, each paid over 12 months. The plan stops on its own after the last payment.
Watch out for: Pledges made at different amounts, which may need a few more options or a separate one-off donation page.
30. Giving QR codes at every event
A QR code on table cards, posters and the bulletin lets guests give at any event, even if they've already bought a ticket.
How to set it up: Every donation page has its own QR code that you can download and print.
Watch out for: Placing the code where people can scan it easily, such as on each table rather than only by the door.
How to take payments for a church fundraiser
If your church already takes tithes and offerings through a giving app or church management system, you can keep using it for weekly giving and choose a separate tool for fundraisers, which usually need one of three things:
- An event page with tickets: for dinners, concerts and anything else with a date and a limited number of places.
- A checkout page for orders: for cookbooks, pies, T-shirts and plants, or a retreat paid in installments.
- A one-off donation page: for appeals, sponsorships and memorial gifts.
Cash and checks on the day still work alongside any of these.
For a ticketed event, set up a ticket type for each price and a limit for the room. You can also schedule an early-bird price, add hidden free tickets for volunteers and ask guests questions when they book, such as their dietary needs or table name. Each guest gets a ticket with a QR code by email, and you can scan them in with a check-in app at the door.
Wherever you take the payment, card payments go through a payment processor such as Stripe, which charges a processing fee on each one. Ticketing and giving platforms may add their own fee on top, so it's worth checking both before you choose.
With Checkout Page, payments go straight into the church's own Stripe account. The event page handles tickets, capacity and check-in. The Free plan covers up to $3,000 in monthly sales with 0% per transaction fees, and pages on it show Checkout Page branding.
The check-in app is free for the organizer, and adding volunteers who can check guests in needs a paid plan. Nonprofits, charities and educational institutions get a 50% discount on paid plans.
If you're comparing options, our guide to church event registration software covers several.
If you'd like to try it, you can start selling tickets on the free plan and upgrade once your sales pass $3,000 a month.
Church fundraiser ideas FAQ
How can a church raise money fast?
An appeal for one clear need is the fastest to set up, because it only needs a donation page shared by email, in the bulletin and as a QR code. A matching gift challenge with a deadline gives people a reason to give now. A dinner takes longer to plan, though online tickets bring money in early.
What are the most profitable church fundraisers?
The profit is the number of tickets or orders times the price, minus what you spend up front, and volunteer time is worth weighing too. A retreat or golf tournament can charge more per guest but costs more to run. A concert, trivia night or talent show costs little up front, so most of the ticket price is raised.
Can a church hold a raffle?
Yes, in many US states, though raffles come under state gaming laws and some states require a license or registration first, so check your state's rules. Stripe treats raffles as gambling too and lists charity raffles among its restricted businesses, so you'd need its approval before selling raffle tickets online.
Are church fundraiser tickets tax-deductible?
Partly. Only the amount above the value of what the guest receives counts as a contribution. According to the IRS, if someone pays $100 for a concert ticket worth $40, $60 counts as a contribution. When a payment over $75 partly buys a meal or a ticket, the church needs to give a written statement estimating that value.
