Ultimate Guide to the Most Profitable Fundraisers

What are the most profitable fundraisers a nonprofit can host?

That’s the million dollar question any NPO would love to have a definitive answer to. But the truth is, nonprofits really need to ask: “What is the best fundraiser I can host for my specific donors?”

Charities with bigger budgets can afford to host more expensive drives (that ideally offer a good ROI). Smaller nonprofits may need to economize more and utilize digital platforms to reach larger audiences for lower cost.

Yet both organizations need to focus on the needs and interests of their donors if they want their fundraiser to be profitable. Making sure your guests are engaged, educated, and enthused by your event activities is the best way to make them eager about contributing to your programming.

And fortunately, modern nonprofits have a wider range of fundraising activities to fill their galas with. From online auctions to elaborate luncheons to peer-to-peer campaigns, there’s really no end to the number of profitable fundraisers you can host for your support network.

In this article, we’ll examine fundraising ideas that are most profitable for different nonprofits and the benefits of hosting each one. We’ll also look at the challenges of planning and managing a successful fundraiser and the strategies you can employ to mitigate difficulties. And since fundraising doesn’t exist in a vacuum, we’ll discuss how to source outside resources and effectively market your gala to larger support groups and potential donors.

Want to stay on the cutting edge of successful fundraising? We’ll study the most important fundraising trends in 2025 (and beyond) and share success stories of other NPOs that ran profitable fundraisers. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear understanding of how your fundraising plan should look like moving forward — and what resources you should start investing in to build better fundraisers.  

Top 5 Reasons to Focus on Profitable Fundraisers

• Cost efficiency: The best drives know how to stick to your budget while maximizing your purchasing power
• Donor engagement: Galas don’t just collect donations. They get donors enthusiastic about supporting, promoting, and advocating for your mission over the long run.
• Build partnerships: Want to really maximize your budget? Partner with local businesses and philanthropic organizations that can provide funding and resources for your event.
• Expand your expertise: Just because you’re familiar with hosting a bake sale doesn’t mean you have to limit your revenue raising events to this activity. Learning how to make your galas more profitable means experimenting with activities outside of your current expertise.
• Improve online literacy: Learning how to use digital tools and fundraising software is a great way to increase your reach and mitigate operating costs.

What Are the Most Profitable Fundraising Events?

Regardless of whether you’re a new nonprofit or an established charity with a large network of philanthropist supporters, the most profitable nonprofit fundraisers remains events with low costs and high returns.

“High returns” in this case isn’t just referring to the amount of money you raise, either. Most nonprofits hold events to improve their brand awareness and educate community members about their mission. Thus, having a high degree of engagement at your fundraiser is a very important goal that needs to be tracked and measured at all your galas.

Okay, but what are some of the most profitable fundraising events you can host? While the answer can vary based on your audience, we’ve found some of the best revenue-generating galas include:

Online auction fundraisers

There’s a reason charity auctions have been around for generations. There’s no better way to engage a crowd than offering them a list of highly desirable items, offering them a chance to compete for them, and letting them know that they’re supporting a good cause.

And now with modern fundraising software, you can hold your auctions online, which provides several advantages, including:

• Better reach: Participants can now bid from anywhere via mobile apps, giving you access to bigger bidding pools.
• Longer auctions: You can hold an online auction for days or even weeks, allowing you to potentially raise more money.
• Marketing support: Your auction can generate interest for your main fundraiser and engage guests before the actual event begins.

Peer-to-Peer Campaigns

Who says you need to do all the work to have a successful fundraiser? Peer-to-Peer campaigns put the power of fundraising into the hands of your volunteers and supporters by letting them build fundraising websites of their own and sharing them with their support network. All proceeds then go to your NPO.

Not only is this a great way to widen your donor pool — Peer-to-Peer fundraising engages your volunteers and lets them know how important they are to your organization’s success. This goes a long way in helping you retain volunteers who will appreciate this active role.

Galas

While not all nonprofits can afford to host this kind of event, those with the resources to put on a traditional fancy gala can attract plenty of philanthropists with deep pockets — not to mention a lot of media attention.

These galas can range from elegant luncheons to black-tie dinners to live concerts. Depending on the demographics of your supporters, you can also host other types of galas, such as gamified events or galas with virtual reality experiences.  

Benefits of the Most Profitable Galas

Beyond the obvious benefit of increased revenue, low-cost/high-return events have other, less obvious upsides.

By offering your donors events that engage with their interests, you build donor loyalty. Your supporters know you understand what they like and will continue attending (and contributing to) your fundraisers since they know they’ll have a good time. They’ll also advocate for you more, which can help you recruit additional volunteers and community partners.

Popular galas also attract large audiences — which provides you with an excellent opportunity to improve your brand recognition. You can use your event to educate people less familiar with your cause about your mission and its importance to the community. If you can get media attention, your fundraiser can even become viral and attract a much larger support network.

Leveraging technology to build more profitable events also benefits you in other ways. Once you become familiar with how digital tools can automate tasks and streamline your workflows, you learn how to host an event quicker and more efficiently with a leaner staff. This reduces your expenses while also making it easier to scale up your events and attract more fundraising revenue.

In addition, data analytic tools help you analyze your past events and learn what activities and event features are most popular with guests. This lets you know what fundraising aspects to repeat in future galas and what aspects need work. You’ll be able to use your resources more efficiently, which leads to greater profits.

Diversifying your fundraising tactics also means you can diversify your revenue streams. Rather than just go after ticket sales, your events might also target grants, corporate sponsorships, matching gifts, product sales, and community donations. Multiple revenue streams means more reliable funding, which makes your nonprofit or charity more sustainable.

Top benefits of profitable fundraising events

• High ROI: Low cost/high return
• Engaged donors: Retain donors and attract new supporters
• Community impact: Increase brand recognition and educate public about your cause
• Scalability: Investing in digital tools lets you expand drives for lower costs
• Constant improvement: Analytics tools help you improve future drives
• Diversified revenue: More revenue streams leads to more sustainable NPOs

Strategies for Executing the Most Profitable Fundraising Events

Smart nonprofits know that profitable fundraisers rise or fall by the strength of their fundraising strategies. The following tactics can be used by both small and large NPOs:

Use digital platforms for virtual fundraisers

Both large and small nonprofits can benefit from digital platforms like PayBee or GoFundMe, which provide fundraising software tools for streamlining workflows and automating manual tasks. Digital platforms allow you to better manage your guest lists, customize donation pages, sell tickets online, analyze gala data, and more.

In addition, you can host virtual or hybrid events on digital platforms for much lower cost than traditional in-person events. Other platforms let you manage crowdfunding campaigns that allow you to reach out to larger online audiences and collect multiple donations to reach your financial goals.

Secure corporate sponsorships

Building partnerships with local businesses and corporations provides your NPO with access to many valuable resources. Your sponsors may be able to fund part or all of your gala and/or contribute sizable donations. This is great if you're hosting golf tournaments or fun runs that can be more expensive. Other corporate sponsors offer matched gifts where they match the contributions made by your guests, effectively doubling your donation revenue.

In addition, other sponsors can provide you with access to an event venue or items for your charity auctions, lowering your expenses. Some corporations even have volunteer programs of their own where employees are encouraged or required to donate a certain number of hours every year to volunteering for nonprofits. This is an excellent way to build up your manpower and possibly secure some long-term volunteers.

Leverage targeted email and social media marketing campaigns

One of the best benefits of using an online platform is its ability to personalize your marketing campaigns. By linking your CRM database to your marketing tools, you can address your donation request emails to specific people, thank them for their past contributions, and remind them of your commitment to causes they value before asking for a donation. This increases the likelihood of a generous contribution since your donors feel like you’re talking directly to them.

Digital marketing tools can also help you manage your social media marketing campaigns by targeting social media channels your supporters frequent. This might be Facebook where you can encourage volunteers to run birthday drives where they request donations to your nonprofit on their birthday. If your support network spends a lot of time on Instagram, you might post videos of your upcoming fundraiser there to drum up support — or hold a video challenge to get online supporters involved directly.  

Target high-value donors

Donor databases can help you identify high-value donors and philanthropists willing and capable of providing your nonprofit with large donations. Beyond giving you ideas of each donor’s net worth, these databases can provide information related to their giving history, the causes they support, and the communication channels they prefer.

Using this information, you can tailor your approach to each individual donor. Target donors who are passionate about your mission and match your values. Craft personalized messages that highlight their personal interests and emphasize the impact of their potential gifts. Provide invitations to special events related to their interests that allow you to showcase your nonprofit’s work. Over time, this can help you develop good relationships with some powerful supporters.

And don’t forget to look after your current high-value donors! Your CRM should be constantly updated to reflect your donors’ giving history and any changing interests. Continue to send thank you notes, invitations to special events, and updates on how their donations are making an impact in their community. Practicing good donor stewardship is key to providing your NPO with regular valuable sources of funding.

Trends in the Most Profitable Fundraising Campaigns for 2025

When examining current fundraising trends, make sure to look at not only new fundraising technologies but also the values of rising donor populations.

It’s no secret that modern galas are making use of more digital technology. The pandemic required the general population to become more Internet savvy, and now most donors are familiar with Zoom calls, live streaming, and mobile apps. This has led to a rise in virtual events and auctions that have provided nonprofits with larger support networks.

Improved audience engagement is another important trend nonprofits need to be aware of. Fundraiser guests now want more interactivity in their events and activities. NPOs can provide this by creating gamified campaigns where participants engage in fundraising games and activities that encourage donations.

For instance, incorporating a leaderboard into a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign can keep participants updated on how much money different teams are raising in their fundraisers. This can encourage some friendly competition between teams, leading to more overall revenue for the nonprofit. This competition can be further facilitated by creating milestone fundraising goals, awarding points, or offering prizes to the team(s) that raise the most money.

Eco-friendly and sustainable events are another big draw for modern day events. Many donors — particularly those belonging to younger demographics such as Generation Z — are very passionate about environmentalism and sustainable practices. Hosting an eco-friendly event such as a recycling drive or plant sale can draw a lot of positive attention toward your NPO. Your nonprofit can start to be associated with environmental values, which enhances your brand.

Top 5 trends for profitable fundraising events in 2025

• Virtual galas
• Gamification
• Eco-friendly activities
• Online auctions
• Interactive events

Challenges in Organizing the Most Profitable Galas

Successfully retaining donors while simultaneously reaching out to new demographics remains a major challenge for sustaining profitable drives. And with more NPOs holding galas, getting your events to stand out within the competition adds another layer of complexity.

Understand that donor fatigue from frequent campaigning and volunteer burnout can negatively impact your events. Your fundraiser must therefore be built with the needs of your donors in mind to sustain enthusiasm around your nonprofit activities and mission.

Focus on building strong relationships with your donors to foster loyalty. Send personal messages and calls expressing gratitude for their support. Share impact stories of how their help has positively affected the community. Ask what they enjoyed most about past events and allow them to make recommendations for future galas. This can help you plan a more popular (and profitable) future fundraiser.

Simultaneously, make sure your volunteers receive adequate support. Invest in digital tools that can automate routine tasks so volunteers aren’t stretched too thin. Partner with local businesses with volunteer programs of their own and see if they can supply you with additional manpower for your events. Above all, make sure your volunteers know they’re appreciated by recognizing them at your activities or even throwing exclusive events for them (such as a luncheon).

Using digital fundraising platforms can help you connect with new online communities, which can expand both your donor and volunteer networks. Emphasize the values you have in common with younger demographics — such as a shared belief in sustainable practices, social justice, and inclusion.  Promote yourself on social media and offer events that appeal to younger communities.

Be aware of any legal issues that come from your activities. For instance, raffles and casino nights may be popular, but they also require specific permits in different states. Legal requirements can change over time, so be sure your event team invests adequate time and resources to staying compliant with current laws. 

Common fundraising challenges and solutions

Challenge                                                                        Solution

Volunteer burnout                                                        Automation and community partnerships

Donor burnout                                                               Donor stewardship

Legal hurdles                                                                  Adequate research and planning

Sourcing Resources to Help Raise Money in Fundraising Events

Receiving outside help from sponsors, volunteers, and grants goes a long way in making your fundraiser more feasible — and profitable. Not only does sourcing resources make fundraising more affordable, it also gives you great opportunities to form stronger bonds with community organizations. Consider the following strategies:

In-Kind Donations

Not all outside support needs to be monetary. Sometimes, having partners who can supply an event venue, food, equipment, or award items can be more useful than a financial contribution.

Build partnerships with community organizations with the resources to help create your event. Convention centers can provide meeting areas. Local restaurants and grocery stores can help supply food or even entirely cooked meals for your event. Many businesses would be happy to supply merchandise for your raffles and auctions.

Make sure your sponsors all receive recognition — from personal thank you notes to large online or in-person ads that promote their businesses and let guests know who they can thank for key items.

Volunteer Support

Building on the idea that the best support is sometimes non-financial, volunteer networks go a long way in addressing any staffing shortages in your organization. Expand your current volunteer group by reaching out to other sources. Many local businesses have volunteer programs where employees are required to contribute a certain number of hours to volunteering for local nonprofits.

Make your volunteer programs fun and well organized. Provide clear instructions for each volunteer and let them know what they’re helping build. Show appreciation with food, thank you notes, and celebrations for your supporters. Remember: just because a volunteer may have discovered your NPO through their company’s program doesn’t mean they can’t go on to become long-term supporters if you show the value of working with your nonprofit.

Free Online Platforms

We’ve touched on how digital tools are revolutionizing fundraising through automation and online networking. But did you know there are numerous free online platforms out there that you can use to enhance your fundraising efforts?

Canva, for instance, offers a free version of its platform that provides you with access to a large library of templates and visual media. With this, you can create professional designs for invitations and other promotional materials, drawing attention to your gala without straining your budget.

Likewise, PayBee allows you to create online silent auctions for no setup fee. While all these platforms provide more advanced tools in their paid plans, the free options give you a great way to familiarize yourself with the digital tools while enhancing your fundraising efforts.  

Grants

Naturally, no fundraiser can be produced for free. Thankfully, nonprofits have opportunities to receive funding from many different sources. Government agencies, foundations, and corporations all offer financial support to NPOs in the form of nonprofit grants that organizations with a 501(c)(3) designation can apply for.

You can start by looking for grants on websites like Grants.gov, the U.S. Economic Development Administration, Guidestar/Candid, and GrantWatch. Additionally, organizations like Google provide Google Ad Grants that provide eligible NPOs with $10,000 in-kind advertising credits each month to promote their cause on Google Search, allowing nonprofits to reach a wider audience and attract greater support.

Resource Sourcing Methods

Resource Type                                                Source                                 Examples

In-kind donations                                           Local businesses               Food, venues, equipment

Volunteer support                                         Community                        Company volunteer programs

Online platforms                                            Software companies        Canva, PayBee

Grants                                                               Agencies, Foundations    Google Ad Grants            

Marketing the Most Profitable Fundraising Events

Reaching large audiences that match the demographics of your target donors is key to creating profitable events. You can build this reach by leveraging digital technology through social media campaigns, personalized emails, and video content.

Social media marketing campaigns let you promote your nonprofit and your fundraisers directly to the people most likely to support your cause. Be sure to target channels that your target audience frequents, such as Facebook or Instagram. Use vibrant event visuals to make your posts and ads stand out — and apply for Google Ad Grants to gain more free advertising opportunities.

Stay connected with your existing support network. Use your CRM software and online fundraising platform to develop email campaigns that target specific donor segments. Donor data can help you personalize your messages, not only by addressing each donor by name but also thanking them for their past support of your organization and informing them of upcoming events that match their interests. 

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a well-crafted promotional video is worth a whole lot more. Invest time and money into producing engaging marketing videos that educate people about your mission and promote your upcoming fundraising events. These videos can be shared on your social media posts, emails, and website, keeping your visitors well-informed and motivated to support your nonprofit.

Top 5 marketing strategies for profitable fundraising events

• Engaging social media posts
• Eye-catching social media ads
• Online promotional videos
• Personalized email marketing campaigns
• Reaching out to donor segments most receptive to your fundraiser

Success Stories: Most Profitable Fundraising Events

With the proper planning, marketing, and tools, drives can raise astronomical sums and make a tremendous impact on their community. Let’s take a look at two profitable fundraisers that helped generate millions for their nonprofit organizations.

Movember’s Global Peer-to-Peer Campaigns Raise Over a Billion Dollars

Movember is a leading charity that funds men’s health charities — raising money for suicide prevention, prostate cancer research, and testicular cancer prevention. Since 2003, this organization has funded over 1320 men’s health projects in different countries, providing revenue for researching men’s health issues and offering new ways for men to receive health services.

To raise money, Movember has a popular peer-to-peer fundraising event in the month of November where participants sign up to grow a mustache (aka, a “mo”) and reach out to their friends, family, and colleagues via a dedicated online page to collect donations.

By leveraging personal networks, these donor-driven fundraisers expand Movember’s reach and help educate more people about men’s health issues. And because this fundraiser is time-specific, it creates a sense of urgency among donors which helps raise more money.

And it works. According to Movember’s 2023 Global Annual report, the nonprofit raised $128.2 million in 2023 and attracted 322,36 registered participants. Since the movement began in 2003, the charity has raised over $1 billion through peer-to-peer fundraising, showing how digital platforms and volunteer efforts can help generate huge profits.

Charity: Water Has Raised Over $100 Million

Charity: Water is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing clean and safe water to people around the world and ending the global water crisis. 100% of their public donations go toward funding clean water projects (while private donors fund their operations), allowing them to make a bigger impact.

Obviously, being a global charity requires consistent sources of revenue — and Charity: Water has achieved this by becoming masters of online fundraising, branding, and storytelling. Their website is filled with inspirational videos of the individuals, families, and communities they’ve positively affected by providing access to clean water. Their name is promoted through partners like Soma and Pure Fix that display their brand graphic on water filters, hoodies, iPhone cases etc.

All this generates a lot of brand recognition and goodwill — and Charity: Water leverages this in their fundraising. Every September, supporters born in that month are encouraged to ask their friends and families to donate to Charity: Water in place of the usual gifts. The charity also employs digital technology creatively — sending automated email reminders to supporters to remind them to take part in the birthday pledge campaign — which increases participation and draws in funding from everywhere.

Success story examples

Organization                     Fundraiser Type               Strategy                             Outcome

Charity: Water                  Pledge Drive                      Online promotion            Millions raised

Movember                         Peer-to-Peer                      Online challenge              Over a billion raised

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Let’s take a closer look at some frequently asked questions about producing profitable galas:

What are low-cost, high-profit fundraisers?

Budget-friendly fundraising options include crowdfunding, which allows online donors to contribute small amounts toward a large goal, and a peer-to-peer campaign where staff and volunteers build their own donation pages and circulate them among their personal social networks. Virtual events, such as online auctions or live streamed concerts, also tend to easier to afford than their in-person counterparts.

How can nonprofits market profitable fundraising events?

Leveraging social media and email marketing can be a cost-effective way to reach out to many potential guests. To maximize your chances of connecting with your target demographic(s), research which social media channels your donors frequent and create posts and ads with eye-catching visuals to make them stand out in their feed.

Use your donor database to personalize all email communication, addressing potential guests by name and mentioning any past dealings they’ve had with your NPO and your mission. Emphasize that your fundraiser will help support causes they’re passionate about to engage their support.

What legal issues affect profitable fundraising events?

Nonprofits need to adhere to federal, state, and local laws when raising money. These laws govern everything from what NPOs need to disclose about charitable donations to what donors can deduct from their taxes. As these laws can vary and be updated periodically, it’s advisable to spend time researching the laws that apply to your nonprofit and/or hire a legal advisor to inform you of your legal obligations.

Nonprofits need to be registered as 501(c)(3) organizations to receive federal tax exemption (and possibly exemption from state and local taxes) on income related to their purpose. 501(c )(3) status also allows you to apply for certain grants from governments, corporations, and private foundations.

If you intend to host fundraising activities, like raffles and casino nights, you’ll need to obtain specific permits well in advance of the event. Again, it pays to hire legal help to advise you of the steps you need to take while planning your fundraiser.

How to engage donors in profitable fundraising events?

Donors desire authenticity from nonprofits and want to know that their contributions are making a difference. Offer impact stories that show the real-world effects of their donations and establish your NPO as a proven change agent. This generates confidence in your nonprofit and encourages continual support.

Make your events interactive. Introduce gamification elements into your activities — such as a leaderboard to show fundraising progress and encourage friendly competition between donors. Points and prizes create a fun, game-like atmosphere that promotes participation and increased generosity.

What are virtual options for profitable fundraising events?

Online campaigns, such as crowdfunding and peer-to-peer fundraisers, provide profitable and cost-effective ways to raise money online. Livestreams are also a good way to connect with donors from diverse backgrounds and provide them with a way to interact and pool their resources. Aside from livestream concerts, webinars and online networking sessions are a great draw for donors eager to connect and contribute in a virtual setting.

FAQ quick-reference

Question                                                                                         Answer Summary

What are low-cost/high-profit fundraising campaigns?    Crowdfunding campaigns, online auctions

How to market profitable events?                                         Leverage social media and email campaigns

Legal issues surrounding fundraisers?                                  501(c)(3) status, state permits, federal laws

How to engage donors?                                                          Gamification and impact stories

Options for virtual fundraisers?                                             Livestreaming and peer-to-peer fundraisers

Conclusion

Identifying the events that generate the best ROI for your nonprofit enables your NPO to sustain both your programs and your impact on your community. As these profitable types of fundraisers change periodically due to donor preference and general trends, it’s advisable to regularly reassess your fundraising strategies and update your tactics.

Focus on your most valuable donors and the demographic groups they fall into. Are you practicing good donor stewardship? Are your donors engaging more with certain fundraising activities than others? Are they offering you any feedback that can help shape your future fundraisers? Adapting your fundraising events to current donor preferences can lead to a measurable increase in profitability.

Consider expanding your donor pool to include younger supporters. While they may not have the financial resources of older donors yet, millennials and Generation Z will eventually form the core of your main sources of funding. Incorporate popular trends such as gamification into your fundraisers and highlight the social values you share with younger groups — such as belief in sustainability and social justice. Connecting with younger demographics now can lead to more stable funding in the future.

Invest in digital technology and learn how to build the most lucrative fundraisers with online platforms. Not only can this save you time and effort through automation, it will also help you reach out to wider audiences, discover new sources of grant funding, and recruit volunteers. As your support network grows more digital-savvy, you can allow them to take a more active role in fundraising by starting peer-to-peer and crowdfunding campaigns.

If you’re ready to start learning how modern fundraising technology can give you a better ROI on your galas, start by checking out PayBee’s blog resources. We have dozens of articles detailing how to plan, market, and manage profitable fundraisers for every type of nonprofit and donor pool. From 5K fun runs to virtual concerts to silent auctions, you’ll find resources for how to expand and refine your revenue generating tactics.

Need more advice? Sign up for a free demo of PayBee’s online platform and connect with our team of experts. They’ll be able to show you how using the digital tools on our online platform can make your efforts simpler and more profitable.

Key takeaways for organizing a profitable drive fundraiser

Profitable events have:

• Low cost compared to the ROI
• High engagement from guests
• Wide reach towards existing and new donors

META DESCRIPTION: Hosting low-cost fundraisers with a high ROI is key to providing your nonprofit with sustainable funding. Here’s how to build the most lucrative events.

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