Fundraising ideas, sorted by what they raise
153 ways New Zealand clubs, schools, churches and individuals raise money, from a lemonade stand at the gate to a gala dinner. Each one says what it takes, what you can get donated and which rules apply.
The amounts are what one run typically clears after costs. Where nobody publishes real results, the figure is our estimate and is marked est.
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153 ideas, smallest to biggest
Under $500 25
The best-known 6 first.
- Guess the lollies in the jar$60$20–200 per event · est.People pay a small amount to guess the count (or weight); the closest guess wins the jar.An afternoon’s work, Raffle rules apply, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 1-2 hours · about $40 an hour
- Sweepstake (Melbourne Cup, Rugby World Cup, etc.)$100$0–400 per event · est.Entrants are drawn a horse or team; the winner's ticket takes the prize.An afternoon’s work, Raffle rules apply, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 1-3 hours · about $50 an hour
- Meat raffle at the pub or club$150$50–400 per event · est.Weekly raffle of meat trays at a bar or clubrooms, often for a sports club, with tickets sold on the night.A few evenings’ work, Raffle rules apply, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 2-4 hours · about $50 an hour
- Small class or team raffle (Class 1, up to $500)$250$100–400 per event · est.A quick raffle with a small prize, e.g. a $100 hamper and 250 tickets at $2, run by a society's class or team.An afternoon’s work, Raffle rules apply, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 2-5 hours · about $71 an hour
- Game-day BBQ or club canteen$300$100–1,000 per event · est.Sell sausages, pies, hot drinks and snacks at your own home games, tournaments or school events every week.A few evenings’ work, Food registration, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 2-4 hours · about $100 an hour
- Bake sale or cake stall$400$150–1,000 per event · est.Families bake at home and the group sells slices, biscuits and cakes at school, an event or outside a store.An afternoon’s work, Simple food rules, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 4-8 hours · about $67 an hour
- Lemonade stand or kids' drink stall$60$20–200 per event · est.Children sell homemade lemonade or cold drinks from a table at home, a market or a sports day.An afternoon’s work, Check with council, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 1-3 hours · about $30 an hour
- Month-long abstain or do challenge (Dry July style)$115$50–2,000 per campaign · est.Supporters give something up, or do something daily, for a month and collect sponsorship through the campaign's platform.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 2-10 hours · about $19 an hour · Money goes to a national charity
- Regular treat sales at school (ice blocks, popcorn)$150$50–400 per season · est.Sell ice blocks or a simple treat after the bell on a set day each week.An afternoon’s work, Food registration, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 10 hours over a term · about $15 an hour
- Anzac Day: what your group can and cannot do$200$0–600 per event · est.Anzac Day is a commemoration, not a fundraising theme: volunteer as Poppy Day collectors for the RSA, and if you sell, keep to an Anzac biscuit stall within the law.An afternoon’s work, Check with council, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 4-10 hours · about $29 an hour
- Chocolate wheel$200$50–600 per event · est.A numbered wheel at a gala or fair; players buy numbers for each spin and the winner takes a chocolate block or other prize.An afternoon’s work, Raffle rules apply, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 3-6 hours · about $44 an hour
- Sushi, pizza or lunch order days with a supplier rebate$200$50–1,000 per season · est.A lunch supplier delivers ordered lunches to school and returns a share of each order to the school.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 10-15 hours over a term · about $16 an hour
- Everyday purchase give-back (toilet paper, school lunches)$300$50–1,500 a year · est.Supporters buy something they already buy, and the supplier passes a percentage to the group on an ongoing basis.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 1-2 hours to set up · about $200 an hour
- Float in a Christmas parade$300$0–1,500 per event · est.Enter a decorated float in your town's existing Christmas parade to raise your profile, recruit members and, where the organiser allows, collect donations along the route.Weeks of part-time work, Check with council, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: 20-40 hours · about $10 an hour
- Sponsor-a-player or sponsor-a-place$300$50–2,000 per sponsor · est.Donors or businesses cover one participant's fees, kit or trip place, often for families who can't afford it.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 3-8 hours · about $55 an hour
- Charity car wash$400$150–800 per event · est.Volunteers wash cars for a set price or donation at a busy site.A few evenings’ work, Check with council, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: 4-8 hours · about $67 an hour
- Market stall$400$100–1,000 per event · est.Book a site at a weekend or community market and sell baking, crafts, plants or pre-loved goods.A few evenings’ work, Check with council, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 6-12 hours · about $44 an hour
- Pick-a-square board (100 squares)$400$150–1,000 per event · est.A 10x10 board; buyers choose a square, and a number is drawn when the board is full or on a set date.An afternoon’s work, Raffle rules apply, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 2-4 hours · about $133 an hour
- Scratchies or mystery envelopes$400$100–1,500 per event · est.Buyers pay for a scratch card or sealed envelope and find out on the spot whether, and what, they've won.A few evenings’ work, Raffle rules apply, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 4-8 hours · about $67 an hour
- Seasonal bakery pre-orders (hot cross buns, Christmas cakes)$400$100–1,200 per campaign · est.Partner with a bakery to pre-sell hot cross buns before Easter or Christmas baking, with a set amount per pack to the group.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 3-6 hours · about $89 an hour
- Entertainment membership (formerly the Entertainment Book)$450$150–1,500 per campaign · est.Sell digital Entertainment discount memberships through your group's link; the group keeps 20%.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 2-4 hours · about $150 an hour
- Seed packet and garden gift fundraiser (Kings Seeds)$450$150–1,500 per campaign · est.Sell vegetable and flower seed packets or garden gift packs from an order form; the group keeps $1.50 per packet.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 4-8 hours · about $75 an hour
- Pick-a-date calendar$496$100–5,738 per campaign · est.Donors choose a date in a month and give that day's number in dollars (1st = $1, 31st = $31).An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 2-5 hours · about $142 an hour
- 50/50 drawn/aCheck the rules firstThe winner takes half the ticket money and the group keeps half. Common overseas; NOT recommended in NZ without DIA confirmation.An afternoon’s work, Check with DIA first, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: n/a
- Guide biscuits (national GirlGuiding NZ campaign)n/aCheck the rules firstFor GirlGuiding NZ only. Since 2019 Guide biscuits are no longer sold by units; Griffin's makes them and Woolworths sells them for a limited time, with $1 a pack going to GirlGuiding NZ nationally.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 1-2 hours of social posts and newsletter items · Money goes to a national charity
$500 to $2,000 58
The best-known 6 first.
- Sausage sizzle at a hardware store (Bunnings, Mitre 10)$600$250–900 per event · est.Run the store's community BBQ for a day, selling sausages in bread and drinks to weekend shoppers.A few evenings’ work, Landowner’s OK, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: 8-12 hours · about $60 an hour
- Raffle on the night (quiz night, gala, prizegiving)$700$200–2,000 per event · est.Tickets sold through an event and drawn at the end, with the prizes on display.A few evenings’ work, Raffle rules apply, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 4-10 hours · about $100 an hour
- Hamper raffle (class-contributed or donated)$800$200–2,500 per campaign · est.Each class or family contributes one item to themed hampers (Christmas, Easter, pantry, pamper), which are then raffled.A few evenings’ work, Raffle rules apply, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 6-15 hours · about $76 an hour
- School disco$1,000$300–2,500 per event · est.An after-school or early-evening dance for children, charged at the door, with tuck shop sales.Weeks of part-time work, Simple food rules, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: 15-25 hours · about $50 an hour
- Chocolate carry boxes (Cadbury, Whittaker's and others)$1,500$300–5,000 per campaign · est.Members take a box of bars to sell to family, friends and workmates and return the cash.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 10-20 hours · about $100 an hour
- Printed ticket raffle (one headline prize)$1,500$300–8,000 per campaign · est.Numbered paper tickets sold in person over 2-6 weeks for one strong prize, drawn in public.A few evenings’ work, Raffle rules apply, 16–40 helpersOrganiser time: 10-25 hours · about $86 an hour
- Butter fundraiser (Westgold)$500$200–2,000 per campaign · est.Sell 250g blocks of butter, a staple families buy anyway, with one bulk order and delivery.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 4-8 hours · about $83 an hour
- Club contribution to an individual member's trip$500$100–2,000 per sponsor · est.The club (or school) uses its own funds to support a member selected for rep or international events.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 1-3 hours · about $250 an hour
- Cookie Time bulk packs and Christmas buckets$500$150–1,500 per campaign · est.Sell Cookie Time Rookie Cookie packs year-round or Christmas Cookie buckets in November-December.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 4-8 hours · about $83 an hour
- Grants and scholarships open to individuals$500$100–2,000 per grant · est.A small number of funders do accept individuals: some RST scholarships, iwi sports grants, local trusts, service clubs.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 3-10 hours · about $77 an hour
- Ground, fence and clubroom signage$500$200–2,000 per sponsor · est.Sell space on boundary fences, scoreboards, clubroom walls or the school hall.A few evenings’ work, Check with council, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 5-15 hours · about $50 an hour
- Mufti (non-uniform) day for a gold coin$500$150–3,100 per event · est.Students swap uniform for their own clothes for a day and bring a gold coin, for a charity or a school cause.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 2-4 hours · about $167 an hour
- Second-hand uniform and sports gear sale$500$100–1,500 per event · est.Collect outgrown uniforms, boots and kit and resell them to families at low prices.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 2-4 hours · about $167 an hour
- Homemade bulk-bake pre-order (sausage rolls, lamingtons, soup)$600$200–1,500 per campaign · est.Volunteers cook one popular item in bulk for pre-paid orders, e.g. trays of sausage rolls or lamingtons.Weeks of part-time work, Simple food rules, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: 10-20 hours · about $40 an hour
- Hosted breakfast or morning tea for a national campaign$600$200–1,250 per event · est.A supporter hosts a breakfast or morning tea at work or home and guests donate to a national campaign.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 4-10 hours · about $86 an hour · Money goes to a national charity
- Matariki kite day (manu tukutuku)$600$200–1,500 per event · est.A kite-making and kite-flying afternoon for Matariki: sell kite kits or entry, run a make-your-kite table, and sell hot food and drinks on the field.A few evenings’ work, Check with council, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 10-15 hours · about $48 an hour
- Payroll giving$600$60–5,000 a year · est.Employees give from each pay to a donee organisation and get the 33⅓% credit immediately through PAYE.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 2-5 hours · about $171 an hour
- Regular giving (monthly automatic payment)$600$120–6,000 a year · est.Ask supporters to set up a small monthly automatic payment for steady, predictable income.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 5-10 setup · about $80 an hour
- Cinema fundraiser screening$700$400–2,000 per eventBook a cinema screening at a group rate and sell the tickets at a mark-up to supporters.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 8-15 hours · about $61 an hour
- Garage sale, jumble sale or white elephant stall$700$200–2,000 per event · est.Collect donated household goods and clothing and sell them at a one-day sale or gala stall.Weeks of part-time work, Check with council, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: 15-30 hours · about $31 an hour
- Pantry and gift products (olive oil, cheese, sauces, snack bars)$700$200–2,000 per campaign · est.Sell premium NZ pantry goods or gift packs, often around Christmas, with a fixed amount per item to the group.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 4-8 hours · about $117 an hour
- Valentine's rose-grams and candy-grams$750$300–1,500 per campaign · est.Students or staff pre-order a rose, balloon or treat with a message, and your team delivers them around school or the workplace on 14 February.An afternoon’s work, Landowner’s OK, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 8-15 hours · about $65 an hour
- Branded or personalised merchandise (socks, hoodies, hats, bottles)$800$200–3,000 per campaign · est.Sell group-branded or fun products such as socks, bucket hats, drink bottles or name hoodies.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 6-12 hours · about $89 an hour
- Footy tipping competition (paid entry)$800$200–3,000 per season · est.A season-long competition where entrants tip winners each round; the top tipsters win prizes.A few evenings’ work, Raffle rules apply, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 20 hours over a season · about $40 an hour
- Join an existing event instead of running your own (stall, float or collection)$800$100–3,000 per event · est.Take a stall, enter a float or run a collection at someone else's parade, festival, fair or market. The host carries the road closure, traffic management, permits, toilets, waste and most insurance, so your group keeps nearly all of what it takes.A few evenings’ work, Simple food rules, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 6-15 hours: application · about $76 an hour
- Mother's Day or Father's Day gift stall$800$300–2,000 per event · est.The PTA buys small gifts wholesale and sets up a stall at school where children choose and buy a present for a parent or grandparent for $2-10.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 10-20 hours · about $53 an hour
- Plant and seedling sale$800$200–2,000 per campaign · est.Pre-sell or stall-sell seedlings, herbs and potted plants grown by members or bought from a local grower.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 8-20 hours · about $57 an hour
- Trunk-or-treat car-park Halloween event$800$400–2,000 per event · est.Families decorate car boots and hand out lollies in one safe car park or field; the group charges a small entry and runs $1 stalls and food.A few evenings’ work, Check with council, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: 10-20 hours · about $53 an hour
- Fill My Jersey (pick-a-number jersey)$820$300–820 per campaign · est.A training jersey printed with numbers 1-40; a family picks a number, pays that many dollars, and its name goes on the jersey. Selling every number raises 1+2+...+40 = $820.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 4-10 hours · about $117 an hour
- Wine fundraiser (18+)$900$300–3,000 per campaign · est.Adult members sell wine by the bottle or case through a licensed supplier; the group keeps a margin.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 5-10 hours · about $120 an hour
- Business donation (no advertising in return)$1,000$250–10,000 per sponsor · est.A company gives money to a donee organisation without expecting advertising.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 2-5 hours · about $286 an hour
- Buy-a-square grid (no-prize version)$1,000$200–5,000 per campaign · est.Sell squares on a grid or picture (a field, a waka, a building) at a flat price; filled squares carry names.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 4-10 hours · about $143 an hour
- Children's art on calendars, cards and gifts$1,000$300–3,000 per campaign · est.Each child's artwork is printed onto calendars, cards and diaries that families order; the school gets a share.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 5-10 hours · about $133 an hour
- Frozen cookie dough (and croissant) pre-order$1,000$300–3,000 per campaign · est.Supporters pre-order tubs of frozen cookie dough online; stock arrives on one pickup day.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 5-10 hours · about $133 an hour
- Guy Fawkes fireworks night (stall or full display)$1,000$300–10,000 per event · est.Either run food, drink and glow-stick stalls at an existing display, or, rarely, stage your own ticketed display with a certified pyrotechnician.A project over months, Road closure needed, 40+ helpersOrganiser time: Stall: 8-15 hours. Own display: 150+ hours · about $87 an hour
- Housie (bingo) night$1,000$300–3,000 per event · est.A social evening of housie with cash prizes; the profit comes mainly from entry, food and side raffles.A few evenings’ work, Raffle rules apply, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 8-15 hours · about $87 an hour
- In-kind sponsorship and donated goods or services$1,000$100–5,000 per sponsor · est.Ask businesses for goods, services or spare capacity instead of cash.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 5-15 hours · about $100 an hour
- Meat pack pre-order (butcher or supplier programme)$1,000$300–3,000 per campaign · est.Supporters pre-order meat packs from a butcher or meat supplier at retail price; the group keeps a margin per pack.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 6-12 hours · about $111 an hour
- Santa photo booth$1,000$300–3,000 per event · est.Set up a Santa, a festive backdrop and a photographer at a school, market or local store and sell photos to families for a set price or a donation.A few evenings’ work, Landowner’s OK, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 10-20 hours · about $67 an hour
- Ticketed Easter egg hunt$1,000$300–3,000 per event · est.Sell tickets for an Easter egg or token hunt at a school, farm or park, with age-group sessions, a prize swap table and food stalls.A few evenings’ work, Check with council, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: 12-20 hours · about $63 an hour
- Keepsake tea towels with every child's drawing$1,200$400–3,000 per campaign · est.Print all the children's self-portraits onto one tea towel design and pre-sell it to families.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 8-15 hours · about $104 an hour
- Matariki whānau night (kai, stars and stalls)$1,200$300–4,000 per event · est.A winter community evening around Matariki with pre-sold hāngī or soup, kapa haka, a small market and telescopes, raising money through kai sales.Weeks of part-time work, Landowner’s OK, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: 20-30 hours · about $48 an hour
- Run a car boot sale or regular community market (organiser's guide)$1,200$300–3,500 per event · est.The full organiser's playbook for a one-off car boot sale or a monthly community market: site permission, council permits, seller rules, layout, traffic, rubbish and cash. The group earns pitch fees plus its own food and drink stall.Weeks of part-time work, Check with council, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: 15-30 hours for the first one · about $53 an hour
- School photographer commission and extra photo days$1,200$300–4,000 a year · est.Choose a school or ECE photographer who returns a share of sales, and add a family or sibling photo day where the session fees go to the school.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 4-8 hours · about $200 an hour
- Scout job week (odd jobs for donations)$1,200$300–3,000 per campaign · est.Youth members do a week or two of supervised odd jobs (garden tidy, car wash, window cleaning, firewood stacking) for neighbours and businesses in return for a donation to the group.A few evenings’ work, Landowner’s OK, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: 10-20 hours for job booking · about $80 an hour
- Pie fundraiser$1,440$400–4,000 per campaign · est.Take orders for frozen family or single pies from a bakery that delivers on one day.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 6-12 hours · about $160 an hour
- Business sponsorship tiers (Gold/Silver/Bronze)$1,500$250–7,000 per sponsorPriced packages that trade specific, deliverable recognition for money.Weeks of part-time work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 20-40 hours · about $50 an hour
- Calcutta (sweepstake plus auction)$1,500$300–5,000 per event · est.Tickets are drawn against runners (horses, golfers, teams); each runner is then auctioned and the pool is shared by the official placings.A few evenings’ work, Raffle rules apply, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 6-12 hours · about $167 an hour
- Christmas tree sale and delivery$1,500$500–5,000 per campaign · est.Pre-sell fresh Christmas trees, often delivered (and collected in January) by members.Weeks of part-time work, Landowner’s OK, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: 10-25 hours · about $86 an hour
- Family and friends sponsorship (personal sponsorship letter)$1,500$300–5,000 per campaign · est.The athlete or performer writes to relatives, family friends and local contacts asking them to sponsor the trip.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 5-15 hours · about $150 an hour
- Firewood sale$1,500$300–5,000 per campaign · est.Cut, split and sell donated or cheaply sourced firewood by the bag, load or cubic metre.Weeks of part-time work, Landowner’s OK, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: 15-40 hours · about $55 an hour
- Other crowdfunding platforms (overseas or rewards-based)$1,500$200–10,000 per campaign · est.Overseas donation or rewards-based platforms used when Givealittle or Boosted don't fit.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 5-20 hours · about $120 an hour
- Paid junior coaching clinic$1,500$300–5,000 per event · est.The club runs a half-day to three-day skills clinic for juniors, coached by its senior players and coaches or a visiting top player, and charges a per-child fee.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 10-25 hours · about $86 an hour
- Samosa fundraiser$1,500$300–26,000 per campaign · est.Pre-sell frozen packs of samosas from a specialist supplier.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 5-10 hours · about $200 an hour
- Sport NZ Rural Travel Fund (via councils)$1,500$300–1,800 per grantSmall subsidies for rural junior teams' travel to local competitions.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 2-4 hours · about $500 an hour
- Stall or food stand at an A&P show$1,500$300–5,000 per event · est.Book a food or trade site at your local A&P show and sell food, drinks or goods to a big rural and family crowd over one to three days.Weeks of part-time work, Check with council, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: 15-30 hours · about $67 an hour
- Talent show$1,500$500–4,000 per event · est.Students, members or staff perform; families buy tickets and vote with gold coins.Weeks of part-time work, Raffle rules apply, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: 30-50 hours · about $38 an hour
- Halloween haunted house or trail$1,600$500–12,000 per eventTurn a classroom block, hall or empty house into a scary walk-through and charge entry, with a spooky-food stall at the exit.Weeks of part-time work, Landowner’s OK, 16–40 helpersOrganiser time: 20-40 hours · about $53 an hour
$2,000 to $10,000 55
The best-known 6 first.
- Direct donation appeal (letter, email, newsletter, social post)$2,000$200–15,000 per campaign · est.Ask your own people directly for a gift towards a specific, costed need.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 5-15 hours · about $200 an hour
- Street collection (bucket appeal)$2,000$300–10,000 per event · est.A registered charity holds a council-approved street appeal day, with volunteers holding collection buckets at busy footpaths and shopping streets.Weeks of part-time work, Council permit, 16–40 helpersOrganiser time: 15-30 hours · about $89 an hour
- Givealittle page$2,500$300–20,000 per campaign · est.NZ's largest donation platform: free to set up, 5% fee, tax receipts issued automatically for donee organisations.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 3-10 hours · about $385 an hour
- Council community and local-board grants$3,000$500–20,000 per grant · est.District and city councils (and Auckland local boards) give small community grants, often in fixed rounds.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 5-15 hours · about $300 an hour
- Jersey and playing-kit sponsorship$3,000$500–5,000 per sponsor · est.A business pays for, or towards, playing kit in return for its logo on the jersey.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 10-20 hours · about $200 an hour
- Class 4 gaming trust grants (NZCT, Lion Foundation, Pub Charity, Aotearoa Gaming Trust, Four Winds and others)$5,000$500–50,000 per grant · est.Grants from pokie-machine proceeds for equipment, uniforms, travel and running costs of community groups.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 4-15 hours · about $526 an hour
- Cadet unit service fundraising (catering, marshalling, quiz nights)$2,000$500–6,000 a year · est.An ATC, Sea Cadet or Army Cadet unit's Unit Support Committee raises money by selling the cadets' disciplined labour: catering and marshalling at marathons and events, plus quiz nights, movie nights and sizzles.Weeks of part-time work, Landowner’s OK, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: 10-25 hours · about $114 an hour
- Carols by candlelight evening$2,000$500–6,000 per event · est.Host a free community carols evening in a park or school field, raising money from candle and glow-stick sales, food stalls and a bucket collection.A team for weeks, Council permit, 16–40 helpersOrganiser time: 40-80 hours · about $33 an hour
- Casino or poker night$2,000$500–5,000 per event · est.A themed games night with play money or low-stake tables. Legally the trickiest event in this list.Weeks of part-time work, Liquor licence, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: 30-50 hours · about $50 an hour
- Event parking, gate or marshalling crew$2,000$500–6,000 per event · est.Your group supplies a team to run car parking, gates, marshalling or litter at an A&P show, festival, race or marathon, and the organiser pays the group an hourly rate or a share of takings.A few evenings’ work, Road closure needed, 16–40 helpersOrganiser time: 8-20 hours · about $143 an hour
- High tea$2,000$500–6,000 per event · est.A ticketed afternoon tea with baking, often themed for a cause, at a home, hall or café.Weeks of part-time work, Raffle rules apply, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 20-40 hours · about $67 an hour
- Hāngī or boil-up meal pre-sale$2,000$500–5,000 per event · est.Pre-sell cooked hāngī or boil-up meals to the community and hand them out hot on the day.Weeks of part-time work, Check with council, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: 20-40 hours · about $67 an hour
- Matched giving$2,000$500–10,000 per campaign · est.A business or major donor promises to match public gifts dollar-for-dollar up to a cap, for a set window.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 5-10 hours · about $267 an hour
- Membership or 'Friends of' scheme$2,000$300–10,000 a year · est.A paid supporter tier (non-playing members, Friends of the School/Choir) with light recognition.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 10-20 setup · about $133 an hour
- Pick-a-number board or envelope wall$2,000$500–5,050 per campaign · est.A board of numbered envelopes or squares (e.g. 1-100); people pick one and give that many dollars.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 4-10 hours · about $286 an hour
- Sponsored tree-planting day$2,000$500–10,000 per event · est.Volunteers plant natives on a set day and supporters sponsor trees.Weeks of part-time work, Check with council, 16–40 helpersOrganiser time: 20-40 hours · about $67 an hour
- Sponsored walk or hikoi$2,000$500–10,000 per event · est.Participants walk a set route and collect sponsorship per kilometre or as a flat pledge.Weeks of part-time work, Check with council, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 15-30 hours · about $89 an hour
- Street parade (Christmas, Santa or community parade)$2,000$0–10,000 per event · est.Close a main street for floats, bands and Santa, and fund it from sponsors, grants, stall pitches and bucket collections. Road closure and traffic management now cost thousands, so most parades are community gifts that just break even; treat profit as a bonus.A project over months, Road closure needed, 40+ helpersOrganiser time: 150-400 hours across a committee of 4-8 over 4-6 months · about $7 an hour
- Team relay or overnight walk (Relay For Life style)$2,000$500–10,000 per event · est.Teams keep a member on a track for a set period (often overnight) and each team fundraises beforehand.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: 10-20 hours · about $133 an hour · Money goes to a national charity
- Christmas gift-wrapping stand$2,500$800–23,000 per season · est.Wrap shoppers' Christmas presents for a gold coin or donation at a mall, bookshop or large store in the weeks before Christmas.Weeks of part-time work, Landowner’s OK, 16–40 helpersOrganiser time: 15-30 hours · about $111 an hour
- School holiday programme run by a club or school$2,500$500–8,000 per event · est.The club or school runs a paid day programme of sport and activities for children in the school holidays, using its grounds and coaches; with OSCAR approval, eligible families can get a Work and Income subsidy.A team for weeks, No permit, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 40-80 hours · about $42 an hour
- Swim-a-thon$2,500$500–8,000 per event · est.Club swimmers swim lengths for a fixed time and collect sponsorship.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 10-20 hours · about $167 an hour
- Applying through an umbrella organisation (club, school or national body)$3,000$500–10,000 per grant · est.An individual's trip is funded through a legal entity (club, school, national sports body) that can apply for grants or receive donations.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 5-15 hours · about $300 an hour
- Fishing competition (tagged fish or heaviest catch, plus prize draw)$3,000$500–20,000 per event · est.Paid entries compete on catches (skill), often with spot-prize draws (chance), plus a weigh-in event.A team for weeks, Liquor licence, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: 40-150 hours · about $32 an hour
- Moustache or grooming challenge (Movember style)$3,000$500–31,000 per campaign · est.Participants grow a moustache or take on a fitness goal for a month and collect sponsorship for the campaign.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 5-15 hours · about $300 an hour · Money goes to a national charity
- Multi-prize raffle from local business donations$3,000$500–9,000 per campaign · est.A parent team canvasses local businesses for vouchers, services and stock (~$2,000 retail), packages them into themed prizes and raffles them.Weeks of part-time work, Raffle rules apply, 16–40 helpersOrganiser time: 20-40 hours · about $100 an hour
- Naming rights$3,000$500–50,000 per sponsor · est.A business pays to have its name on a competition, trophy, event, room or facility.Weeks of part-time work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 10-40 hours · about $120 an hour
- Outdoor or drive-in movie night$3,000$1,000–5,000 per event · est.A film on a big outdoor screen at the school field or club grounds, sold per car or per family, with food stalls.Weeks of part-time work, Raffle rules apply, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: 25-40 hours · about $92 an hour
- Quiz night$3,000$1,000–6,000 per event · est.Teams of six to eight pay per table to compete in a hosted trivia quiz, with a raffle and auction between rounds.Weeks of part-time work, Raffle rules apply, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: 20-40 hours · about $100 an hour
- Race night$3,000$1,000–6,000 per event · est.Guests bet on filmed horse races or a parlour derby; the society keeps the margin, plus bar and food.Weeks of part-time work, Raffle rules apply, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: 20-40 hours · about $100 an hour
- Read-a-thon$3,000$500–15,000 per campaign · est.Children log reading time over two to four weeks and family and friends sponsor them.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 10-25 hours · about $171 an hour
- Second-hand book sale or book fair$3,000$500–20,000 per event · est.Collect donated books all year and sell them at a one- to three-day sale.A team for weeks, No permit, 16–40 helpersOrganiser time: Rototuna Rotary says screening · about $3 an hour
- Wine, beer or whisky tasting evening$3,000$1,000–8,000 per event · est.A ticketed tasting hosted by a producer, with food and a small auction.Weeks of part-time work, Liquor licence, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 15-30 hours · about $133 an hour
- Benefit concert or gig$4,000$1,000–15,000 per event · est.Local bands, choirs or a known artist perform with proceeds to the cause.A team for weeks, Liquor licence, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: 40-80 hours · about $67 an hour
- Christmas market$4,000$1,500–10,000 per event · est.Stallholders pay for a pitch at an evening or weekend market; the host also runs food and a raffle.A team for weeks, Raffle rules apply, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: 50-100 hours · about $53 an hour
- Comedy night$4,000$1,500–10,000 per event · est.Ticketed stand-up show with local or touring comedians, usually with a bar and a raffle.Weeks of part-time work, Raffle rules apply, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 25-40 hours · about $123 an hour
- Grocery grab / trolley dash raffle$4,000$1,000–12,000 per campaign · est.Winners get a timed dash around a partner supermarket up to a capped value (e.g. $1,000 in 150 seconds).Weeks of part-time work, Raffle rules apply, 16–40 helpersOrganiser time: 15-30 hours · about $178 an hour
- Online auction$4,000$1,000–15,000 per campaign · est.Items listed on an auction platform for a week or two, ideally closing at an in-person event.Weeks of part-time work, No permit, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 20-50 hours · about $114 an hour
- School ball committee fundraising$4,000$1,000–10,000 a year · est.A senior student ball committee raises money through the year (mufti days, sizzles, sponsors) to cut the ticket price and fund tickets for students who could not otherwise go.A team for weeks, Raffle rules apply, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: 40-80 hours across the year · about $67 an hour
- School production or show: tickets, programme ads, interval food$4,000$1,000–12,000 per event · est.Sell tickets to the school production or musical, with programme ads, interval food and drinks, and a raffle to lift the take.Weeks of part-time work, Raffle rules apply, 16–40 helpersOrganiser time: 20-40 hours for the fundraising side · about $133 an hour
- Bequests (gifts in wills)$5,000$0–100,000 per sponsor · est.Invite supporters to leave a gift to the organisation in their will.Weeks of part-time work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 2-5 hours · about $1,429 an hour
- Class art auction$5,000$1,500–12,000 per eventEach class makes one group artwork (a canvas, quilt, mosaic or ceramic piece) that parents bid on at a silent or live auction, often alongside individual student pieces.Weeks of part-time work, Check with council, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 15-30 hours · about $222 an hour
- Community festival or fair on a park or reserve$5,000$500–20,000 per event · est.A half-day or day-long festival on a council park or reserve with stalls, food, stage acts and kids' activities, run by a non-school community group. Income comes from stall fees, sponsorship, grants, food and drink, and sometimes a gate charge; compliance (permits, toilets, waste, first aid, security, alcohol) is the bulk of the cost.A project over months, Liquor licence, 40+ helpersOrganiser time: 200-500 hours across a committee over 4-8 months · about $14 an hour
- Host a junior tournament or festival$5,000$1,500–12,000 per event · est.The club hosts a one- or two-day tournament for visiting teams, earning from team entry fees, the canteen and BBQ, a gate or programme charge, merchandise and sponsors.A project over months, Check with council, 16–40 helpersOrganiser time: 60-150 hours over 3-4 months for a committee of 3-5 · about $48 an hour
- Individual's overseas trip or world champs campaign$5,000$1,000–15,000 per campaign · est.A full plan for one athlete, performer or student going to a world champs or overseas event: personal donations and a Givealittle page, local sponsors, what their club can legally do, and what an individual is not allowed to run.Weeks of part-time work, Check with DIA first, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 40-100 hours over 3-9 months · about $71 an hour
- Personal endurance challenge$5,000$1,000–22,000 per campaignAn individual or small team takes on something hard (ultra run, 24-hour challenge, long swim) with an online sponsorship page.Weeks of part-time work, Check with council, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 10-40 hours · about $200 an hour
- School camp fund$5,000$1,500–15,000 per campaign · est.Close the gap between what a curriculum camp costs and what families can give: a voluntary camp donation, targeted fundraisers, grants and a quiet hardship pool so no child misses out.Weeks of part-time work, No permit, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 20-40 hours across fundraisers and grant applications · about $167 an hour
- Silent auction$5,000$1,000–20,000 per event · est.Items displayed with bid sheets or a phone app; guests write bids during an event and the highest bid at close wins.Weeks of part-time work, No permit, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 20-60 hours · about $125 an hour
- Sponsors' evening (thank, re-sign and sell)$5,000$1,000–15,000 per event · est.A club hosts its sponsors and local business owners at the clubrooms for drinks, food and a short show-and-tell, to thank them, renew this year's deals and sell open sponsorship packages.Weeks of part-time work, Liquor licence, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 20-40 hours · about $167 an hour
- Sport NZ Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa (via regional sports trusts)$5,000$1,000–12,000 per grantFunding for play, active recreation and sport for 5-18 year olds, especially those who are less active.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 8-20 hours · about $357 an hour
- Charity golf day (Ambrose)$6,500$3,000–25,000 per event · est.Teams of four pay to enter an Ambrose tournament; hole sponsors, auction and on-course games add to the take.A team for weeks, Raffle rules apply, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: 40-80 hours · about $108 an hour
- Sponsored cross-country or lap run$7,000$2,000–15,000 per campaign · est.Children collect sponsorship for the school's own cross-country or a day of laps on a set circuit, either per lap or a flat pledge; no colour powder or event company needed.A few evenings’ work, Simple food rules, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: 10-20 hours · about $467 an hour
- Boosted (arts crowdfunding)$8,000$1,000–35,000 per campaign · est.All-or-nothing crowdfunding for NZ arts projects, run by the Arts Foundation; donors get a tax credit.Weeks of part-time work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 15-40 hours · about $291 an hour
- School ag day or calf club day with stalls$8,000$2,000–23,000 per event · est.A rural school's pet, calf and lamb day where children show their animals and the PTA runs food, produce and craft stalls for the whole district.A team for weeks, Raffle rules apply, 16–40 helpersOrganiser time: 40-80 hours across a committee · about $133 an hour
- Head shave event (Shave for a Cure style)$9,000$2,800–59,000 per eventPeople commit to shaving or colouring their hair in public and collect sponsorship for a charity.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 10-20 hours · about $600 an hour · Money goes to a national charity
$10,000 to $50,000 10
The best-known 6 first.
- Live auction$10,000$2,000–50,000 per event · est.A few high-value lots sold by an auctioneer from the stage during an event.Weeks of part-time work, No permit, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 20-40 hours · about $333 an hour
- School gala or fair$10,000$3,000–30,000 per event · est.A half-day community fair with stalls, rides, food, white elephant, auctions and raffles.A project over months, Raffle rules apply, 40+ helpersOrganiser time: 150-400 across the committee · about $36 an hour
- Spellathon or mathathon (sponsored spelling or maths test)$10,000$4,000–35,000 per campaign · est.Each child learns a levelled spelling list or set of maths facts over about four weeks, then sits a test; family and friends sponsor per correct answer or give a flat amount.Weeks of part-time work, No permit, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 15-25 hours · about $500 an hour
- Community trust grants (Foundation North, Trust Waikato, Toi Foundation, BayTrust, Rātā and others)$15,000$2,000–170,000 per grant · est.Regional trusts (mostly from the old trustee savings banks) fund community groups in their region.Weeks of part-time work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 10-30 hours · about $750 an hour
- Lottery Grants Board (via Community Matters)$15,000$2,000–100,000 per grant · est.Lotto NZ profits granted by the Lottery Grants Board through one Lottery Fund with three application types for groups (Community Projects, Community Facilities, Community Support Services) plus equipment for people with a disability. Four funding rounds in 2026/27; the next opens 6 January 2027.Weeks of part-time work, No permit, 1–2 peopleOrganiser time: 15-40 hours · about $545 an hour
- Colour run or fun run$20,000$5,000–60,000 per campaignStudents run or walk laps (with colour powder in a colour run) and collect sponsorship, usually online.A team for weeks, Check with council, 16–40 helpersOrganiser time: 30-60 hours · about $444 an hour
- Buy-a-brick, seat or plaque (capital appeal)$10,000$1,000–50,000 per campaign · est.Donors fund a named brick, seat, tile or plaque in a new or renovated facility.A team for weeks, No permit, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 30-80 hours · about $182 an hour
- Online raffle (Class 3 licensed)$15,000$3,000–100,000 per campaign · est.A licensed society raffle with over $5,000 of prizes that can legally sell tickets online since 1 Nov 2024.A team for weeks, DIA licence, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 40-120 hours · about $188 an hour
- Restaurant fundraising dinner$15,000$4,000–25,000 per event · est.Buy out a restaurant for a night, sell tickets above the per-head cost, and add a speaker, auctions and a raffle.A team for weeks, Raffle rules apply, 3–6 helpersOrganiser time: 40-80 hours · about $250 an hour
- Long lunch$40,000$10,000–100,000 per event · est.A ticketed, multi-hour weekday or weekend lunch, often corporate, with auction and speaker.A project over months, Raffle rules apply, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: 80-150 hours · about $348 an hour
$50,000 and up 5
- Gala dinner or charity ball$60,000$20,000–680,000 per eventA formal ticketed dinner for 150-600 guests with entertainment, speakers, live and silent auctions and an appeal.A project over months, Raffle rules apply, 16–40 helpersOrganiser time: 300-800 hours · about $109 an hour
- Supper club or chef-hosted dinner series$60,000$20,000–100,000 per event · est.A run of hosted dinners on the same night in several cities, each in a restaurant or private home, with chefs donating their skills.A project over months, Raffle rules apply, 16–40 helpersOrganiser time: 100-200 hours · about $400 an hour
- Business-leader cook-off (Auckland City Mission model)$240,000$225,000–412,000 per eventSenior business leaders cook a multi-course meal for people the charity serves, coached by chefs, and each commits to a personal fundraising target.A project over months, Food registration, 16–40 helpersOrganiser time: Charity staff: several hundred · Money goes to a national charity
- Industry dinner, debate and auction$250,000$100,000–400,000 per eventAn industry body hosts a big dinner with a celebrity debate, corporate partners and a live and online auction.A project over months, Licensed venue, 16–40 helpersOrganiser time: 500+ · about $500 an hour
- Invite-only philanthropy gala$1.5m$500,000–3.65m per eventA small, invitation-only evening for wealthy donors around one big project, where major gifts are pledged in the room.A project over months, Licensed venue, 7–15 helpersOrganiser time: Hundreds
* General fundraising information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Money figures are examples and estimates, not promises. Check current official requirements before you commit. About this guide