If you’re looking for fun and interactive ways to raise money, events like “Pie-in-the-Face” are always crowd-pleasers. These fundraisers are successful because they’re entertaining, easy to organize, and involve the community. If you want to keep the fun going but try something new, here are creative fundraising ideas that generate excitement and donations.
1. Dunk Tank Challenge
Similar to pie-in-the-face, a Dunk Tank fundraiser allows participants to dunk a teacher, boss, or community leader into a tank of water. Attendees pay for chances to hit the target and send the volunteer into the water.
- How it Works: Set up a dunk tank at a local event or festival. People pay to throw balls at a target to dunk the volunteer.
- Why It Works: The suspense and laughter draw in crowds, and everyone loves seeing someone take the plunge!
2. Balloon Pop
In this fun, suspense-filled game, balloons are filled with prizes or notes that represent different donation amounts.
- How it Works: Fill balloons with slips of paper, some with prizes and others with different donation amounts. People donate to pop a balloon and see what they get.
- Why It Works: People love the element of surprise, and they could walk away with anything from a small prize to a large donation pledge.
3. Tape the Boss to the Wall
This simple but highly entertaining idea involves taping someone (often a boss, principal, or teacher) to the wall.
- How it Works: Sell strips of duct tape for a small fee, and participants take turns taping the willing volunteer to a wall. Once enough tape is applied, the chair is removed to see if they stay stuck!
- Why It Works: It’s visual, funny, and participants love the chance to “stick” it to someone in charge!
4. Water Balloon Toss
A classic summer favorite, this event is perfect for outdoor fundraisers. Participants toss water balloons back and forth, and the last pair standing wins.
- How it Works: Teams of two pay an entry fee to participate in a water balloon toss. As the tosses get longer, teams get eliminated when their balloons pop.
- Why It Works: It’s lighthearted and fun, and as the toss distance grows, so does the excitement!
5. Kiss the Pig Contest
This quirky fundraiser can get a lot of attention, especially with an amusing twist.
- How it Works: Have a group of volunteers (teachers, coaches, etc.) compete to see who can raise the most money. The “winner” (who raises the most) has to kiss a real pig at the end of the event.
- Why It Works: The humorous nature of this event makes it great for attracting donors, especially when they want to see someone kiss a pig!
6. Ice Bucket Challenge
Inspired by the viral ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, this fundraiser lets participants “nominate” others to get soaked for a cause.
- How it Works: People donate to dump a bucket of ice water over someone’s head. Nominees can donate to avoid getting dunked or challenge others to take their place.
- Why It Works: The shock factor makes it entertaining, and it easily spreads awareness via social media, especially if participants challenge others.
7. Egg Roulette
This high-stakes game involves eggs—some hard-boiled, others raw.
- How it Works: Participants pay to take part in a challenge where they smash an egg on their head. The catch? Some eggs are hard-boiled, and others are raw. The game continues until one player is left standing without a raw egg on their head.
- Why It Works: The uncertainty and messiness make this an entertaining event for spectators and participants alike.
8. Soak the Teacher (or Boss)
Similar to a dunk tank but with a twist, this event involves dumping buckets of water over a volunteer’s head.
- How it Works: Participants pay to dump water on a volunteer—usually a teacher or boss. For extra fun, add water balloons or squirt guns into the mix.
- Why It Works: Simple and enjoyable, especially in warm weather. It’s great for outdoor events!
9. Chili Cook-off with a Twist
Turn a classic chili cook-off into a fundraiser with a fun competitive edge.
- How it Works: Local participants or teams enter their best chili recipes, and attendees donate to sample and vote for their favorites. To add a twist, let the losing team face a funny consequence, like wearing silly costumes or being “pied” at the end.
- Why It Works: It brings people together over food, and the competitive aspect adds excitement. Plus, people love being part of the judging process.
10. Spin-the-Wheel Challenge
This is a fun, game-show-style event where participants spin a wheel of “consequences” or “prizes.”
- How it Works: Set up a wheel with different outcomes—like “pie in the face,” “silly dance,” or “free prize.” Participants pay to spin, with everyone receiving some type of prize or challenge.
- Why It Works: The randomness and lightheartedness make it fun, and spectators enjoy watching people face silly challenges.
11. Jail-and-Bail Fundraiser
In this entertaining event, participants pay to have a friend or volunteer “arrested,” and the person must raise a certain amount of bail (donations) to get out.
- How it Works: Volunteers get “arrested,” and their friends, family, or co-workers must donate to “bail” them out. You can set a specific fundraising goal for release.
- Why It Works: It adds a playful, competitive element to fundraising, and people love the interaction of trying to bail someone out.
12. Sponge Throw Fundraiser
A variation on the dunk tank, but simpler, this involves throwing wet sponges at a willing volunteer.
- How it Works: Set up a booth with a volunteer standing behind a cutout. People pay to throw soaked sponges at the volunteer.
- Why It Works: It’s inexpensive, easy to organize, and gives people a chance to “soak” someone, adding to the fun!
13. Lip Sync Battle
Host a lip sync competition where participants perform their favorite songs in exchange for donations.
- How it Works: Participants compete to see who has the best lip-sync performance. Charge entry fees and encourage donations from the audience to vote for their favorite performances.
- Why It Works: People love the playful and competitive nature of a lip sync battle, and the audience can get involved by donating to cast their votes.
14. Car Smash
This adrenaline-packed fundraiser lets participants take out their frustrations on an old car.
- How it Works: Obtain an old car and set it up in a safe space. Participants donate to take a swing with a sledgehammer.
- Why It Works: It’s thrilling and stress-relieving, and people are willing to pay for the unique experience of smashing a car for charity.
Final Thoughts
Fun fundraisers like Pie-in-the-Face work because they engage the community, create excitement, and provide a sense of entertainment and participation. Whether it’s taping someone to a wall, dunking a teacher, or hosting a lip-sync competition, these lighthearted events make giving back enjoyable while raising much-needed funds for your cause.