Top cheap fundraising ideas
Raising money for charity doesn’t need to put you out of pocket or cost your supporters the earth – here are Teenage Cancer Trust’s favourite cheap fundraising ideas.
Birthday fundraiser
Perhaps the cheapest and easiest way to fundraise for charity; ask friends and family to donate to a good cause like Teenage Cancer Trust instead of buying you a gift. A birthday fundraiser won’t cost you a penny, and your loved ones will be spending what they would already. It’s a win-win cheap fundraising idea which can be run entirely on your social media platforms.
eBay your clutter
Thinking about having a clear-out? Then make it count for charity. You can choose what percentage of the sale price you donate to Teenage Cancer Charity, and eBay will automatically make sure your donation reaches us.
Matched giving
Many workplaces offer what’s known as matched giving, or matched funding, to employees. Matched giving is when your employer doubles the amount you have raised for your chosen cause. Find out if your company offers this, and give your fundraising a boost.
Book club
Calling all bookworms! Turn your passion for reading into cash for teenagers facing cancer. Choose a monthly title and ask friends, family, neighbours and colleagues to join for a small fee. Meet in person to chat about the book you’ve read or hold the club virtually.
Gaming for charity
A Game-a-thon is a fun and cheap way for you to fundraise for a cause you care about. Take part in a sponsored live-streaming gaming event from the comfort of your own home, and on a date and time that suits you. Just ask friends and family to sponsor you.
Online pub quiz
Try your hand as a quizmaster and put the brains of friends and family to the test. Holding a pub quiz online is a cheaper and easier alternative to an in-person event. Ask everyone to pay an entry fee with the prize pot going to the winning team to donate to an important cause like Teenage Cancer Trust.
Community car wash
You’ll just need a bucket of water, car shampoo and a sponge for this cheap fundraising idea. Set aside a day to go around your neighbourhood offering car washes in return for a donation to charity. It’s a physically demanding but cheap way of raising money for charity. If car washing isn’t for you, how about picking up your gardening tools and selling your pruning or mowing services instead?
Grow and sell your own veg
This cheap fundraising idea is one for the green-fingered among us. If you haven’t got one already, set up a vegetable patch in your garden or at your local allotment and sell your surplus produce to neighbours, friends, family or colleagues. Not only will it bring in vital cash for young people facing cancer, but it’s also a sustainable and environmentally-friendly way of fundraising.
Don’t forget to Gift Aid
No matter your fundraising idea, be sure to encourage your supporters to Gift Aid their donations when it’s applicable. It allows charities to reclaim 25% of tax back on eligible donations.
Still in need of inspiration?
You’ll find more purse-friendly ways of raising money for charity in our easy fundraising ideas.
How do I get the money raised to Teenage Cancer Trust?
If you’ve set up an online fundraising page for your school’s event or challenge, we’ll automatically get the money. If you’ve raised cash donations yourself, check out our paying in money to us guide. And be sure to register your event in advance to get all of the help and resources you need to make it a success.