Fundraising ideas

If you want to raise money for Cardiff University research but aren’t sure where to start, here are our top fundraising ideas to get you on your way. We’ve got year-round inspiration of easy ways to raise.

Spring

St David's Day (1 March)

Celebrate all things Welsh! How about hosting an afternoon tea and featuring some Welsh favourites such as Welshcakes and bara brith in return for a donation.

World Book Day (2 March)

Do you love books? To mark World Book Day, why not set yourself to the challenge to read a number of books over a set period of time in return for sponsorship, or hold a second-hand book sale in your office. Or if you’re part of a book club, organise to host a lunch or dinner to raise funds at your next meet.

Declutter for cash

It’s a great time to declutter and sell your unwanted items to add to your fundraising pot. You could arrange to have a stall at a local boot sale or summer fete or even sell your items online. After all, they do say one person’s trash is another person’s treasure!

Easter fun

There are so many eggs-cellent ways to fundraise and celebrate Easter! From baking, egg hunts, sponsored hop-athons to organising a chocolate hamper raffle.

Eurovision sweepstake (May)

A sweepstake is a fun way to make the Eurovision Song Contest that little bit more exciting, and raise some money. In return for a donation, allocate participants a country at random and whoever gets the winner, bags a prize!

Bake up a storm! (29 May)

To mark National Biscuit Day on 29 May, why not hold a bake sale or coffee morning, and invite your friends, family or colleagues to taste some of your delicious treats in return for a donation.

Summer

Game, Set, Match

Early July marks the start of Wimbledon and it’s an ace way to raise funds. You could host a garden party, summer BBQ, serve up strawberries and cream in return of donations, or organise a sweepstake which runs throughout the tournament.

National Burger Day

The Thursday before the August Bank Holiday marks National Burger Day and what better way to raise funds than over a summer BBQ with family and friends. You could ask for donations in return for their favourite burger or even run a burger-themed sweepstake to mark the occasion.

Charity car wash

This popular summer fundraiser is a great and simple way to secure donations. Why not see how much you can raise by offering to clean your families’, friends’, neighbours’ or colleague’s cars in return for a donation.

Picnic lunch

Make the most of the sunshine and throw a picnic fundraiser. There are so many ways to do this whether your hold a picnic bake-off or simply invite your colleagues, housemates or friends to come together over tasty food and drink.

Summer garden party

Why not hold your own party in the garden! Serve up some delicious summer food and drink, play some garden games or set up an outdoor film night, complete with popcorn. It can be as easy as asking for a donation from everyone that attends.

Concert or comedy night

Organising a concert or comedy night can be a fantastic way to bring people together, whilst also raising vital funds. Once you’ve secured the line up and venue, you just need to get sharing the event and selling your tickets!

Autumn

Games night

A fundraiser perfect for all ages! Dig out your boardgames or consoles and invite your friends, family or colleagues around for some friendly competition. Simply ask for a donation in return and you could even boost funds by having a bake sale or raffle as well.

Halloween (31 October)

Arrange to wear spooktacular fancy dress and charge a donation for doing so or why not host a spooky themed bake sale to raise funds!

Autumn quiz night

A classic fundraiser and a great way to get family and friends together. You could hold it virtually or in person, charging an entry fee to take part and awarding the winners with a small prize.

Winter

Christmas fundraiser

Whether you put up a spectacular light display for donations, get crafting Christmas cards or gifts, host a Christmas Jumper Day, organise a Christmas hamper raffle, or dish up some yummy mince pies and mulled wine (or juice!), Christmas is a fantastic time to fundraise.

Take on a new challenge

January is a perfect time to set yourself a goal or challenge. Whether it be learning something completely new, giving something up (chocolate, social media, biting your nails!) or setting yourself a sporty goal, there's something for everyone. Simply choose your challenge and ask friends and family for sponsorship.

Six Nations Rugby

If you’re a rugby fan, how about organising a viewing event at home and provide food and drink to your guests, in return for a donation. It’s sure to be an entertaining fundraiser!

No resources required ideas

Loose change collection

It really is as simple as it sounds. Why not ask people to donate any loose change that they have. As they say, every penny counts!

Special occasion or birthday

Whether you’re celebrating a wedding, civil partnership, birthday, anniversary, or other important milestone, you may wish to ask for donations towards your chosen research cause in lieu of gifts.

Organise a gameathon

Set yourself a gameathon challenge and host your own sponsored live stream. You pick what you play, how long you play it for and when you do it, in return for donations.

Head or beard shave

If you’re feeling bold (or bald!) brave the shave and get sponsored to shave your head or beard. If that’s a step too far, get the hair dye out and pick a crazy colour!

Dog walking

The ‘paw-fect’ fundraising idea! Help your friends, family and neighbours out with dog walking duties in return for donations.

Bucket or bag pack

Hold a bucket collection or bag-pack in your local supermarket – we have buckets available upon request and can provide a letter of authority. Remember, you need permission from the landowner to hold a collection.

Dress-down or dress-up day

Organise a dress-down or a fancy-dress day at work, Uni or school and ask people to make donations or get sponsored.

Get in touch

If you’ve got any further questions or want to chat through your #TeamCardiff fundraising plans, get in touch and we can help with all the advice and support you need.