What Is the Cheapest Fundraiser? Low-Cost Ideas That Actually Raise Money
Dec, 23 2025
Fundraiser Earnings Calculator
Estimate your potential earnings for the cheapest, most effective fundraising events.
If you’re trying to raise money for a cause but don’t have a big budget, you’re not alone. Many small groups - school clubs, neighborhood teams, local nonprofits - need to raise cash without spending much. The good news? Some of the cheapest fundraisers bring in the most money. You don’t need fancy gear, big venues, or paid ads. Just people, effort, and a smart plan.
Car Washes Still Work (And They’re Cheap)
Think car washes are old-school? They’re still one of the most reliable low-cost fundraisers around. All you need: buckets, sponges, soap, water, and a parking spot. A local scout troop in Melbourne raised $1,200 in one Saturday by washing cars at a church lot. Their total cost? $40 for soap and towels. They got donations from a local auto store for supplies, and volunteers showed up with their own hoses.
Here’s how to make it work: pick a weekend when the weather’s good. Ask a business to let you use their parking lot - many will say yes if you offer to put up a small sign thanking them. Charge $10 per car. If you get 100 cars, you make $1,000. Add a bake sale next to the wash station, and you’re already at $1,500. No fancy equipment. No permits needed in most cases. Just sweat and smiles.
bake Sales Are Simple - But Do Them Right
Bake sales are the classic low-budget fundraiser. But a messy table with a few cookies won’t cut it. To make money, you need variety, presentation, and timing.
One PTA group in Frankston raised $1,800 in two hours by selling mini pies, cupcakes, and gluten-free brownies. They didn’t bake everything themselves. They asked parents to donate 2-3 items each. That cut labor and cost to near zero. They used free paper plates from the school, printed simple signs on their home printer, and set up near the local library on a Saturday morning.
Pro tip: Price items at $3 or $5. Don’t sell single cookies for $1 - people won’t buy them. Bundle: 3 cookies for $5, or a cupcake and a drink for $6. Add a donation jar labeled “Extra love? Add $2.” People give more when it’s easy.
Walk or Bike Challenges Beat Runners
Walk-a-thons and fun runs cost a lot to organize - permits, insurance, T-shirts, music, first aid. Skip all that. Try a simple “Walk for a Cause” challenge.
Here’s how: Ask participants to get sponsors for every kilometer they walk. No registration fee. No entry form. Just a Google Form to collect names and sponsor pledges. A group in Dandenong raised $2,300 by having kids and parents walk 5km around a local park. Sponsors paid $1 per km. One dad donated $50 because his daughter walked 50km over a week.
It’s free to run. You don’t need a route permit if you’re on public footpaths. Use free apps like Strava or Google Maps to track distance. Post updates on Facebook. People love seeing progress. And since there’s no cost to join, more people sign up.
Online Crowdfunding With Zero Fees
Platforms like GoFundMe charge 2.9% + $0.30 per donation. That eats into your profit. But you don’t have to use them.
Use direct bank transfers. Create a simple page on your group’s free website (Wix, WordPress.com, or even a Facebook Page) explaining your cause. Add a photo of the kids, the dog shelter, or the community garden you’re helping. Include your BSB and account number. Make it clear: “Send money directly to this account.”
A small animal rescue group in Geelong raised $4,500 in three weeks this way. They didn’t pay a cent in fees. They shared the link in 12 local Facebook groups. People trusted them because they posted daily updates: photos of the animals, receipts for vet bills, videos of the dogs being walked.
People give when they feel connected. No platform needed. Just honesty and consistency.
Donation-Based Talent Shows
Got a choir, a dance group, a kid who plays the ukulele? Host a talent night. Rent a community hall? No. Use your school gym, church basement, or even a backyard.
A group in Footscray raised $900 by hosting a “Talent at the Park” event. They brought portable speakers, asked families to bring lawn chairs, and set up a donation box. Performers didn’t pay to enter. They just signed up. The event lasted two hours. Over 120 people showed up. No tickets. Just a sign: “Love the show? Leave a donation.”
People gave $5, $10, even $20 - not because they had to, but because they enjoyed it. And since there were no costs for stage, lights, or sound tech, nearly every dollar went to the cause.
Used Book or Toy Swap
Instead of selling things, host a swap. People bring books, toys, or board games they no longer use. They get a ticket for each item. Then they trade. After the swap, they can donate leftover items - or pay $2 to take one home.
A school in Preston raised $1,100 this way. They didn’t charge entry. They asked for donations at the door: “$5 to enter, or $2 if you’re just browsing.” Most people paid $2. They got 180 items donated. 140 were swapped. The rest were donated to a local charity - and the group kept the $2 donations from the 70 people who took home extra stuff.
It’s clean, quiet, and needs almost no setup. Tables, signs, and volunteers. That’s it. And it’s eco-friendly too.
Why These Work When Others Fail
Not every fundraiser makes sense. A gala dinner costs $5,000 to host and nets $2,000 profit? That’s a loss. A raffle with $1 tickets and a $500 prize? You break even.
The cheapest fundraisers share three things:
- No upfront cost - you use what you already have: space, time, people.
- Low barrier to entry - anyone can join, donate, or help.
- High emotional connection - people give because they see the impact, not because they’re pressured.
Don’t waste time on things that need permits, insurance, or expensive equipment. Focus on what’s free: your community, your voice, and your willingness to ask.
What Not to Do
Some ideas sound cheap but aren’t. Here’s what to avoid:
- Selling candy bars - profit is low, storage is messy, and kids get overwhelmed.
- Door-to-door fundraising - it’s time-consuming, often unwelcome, and rarely legal without permits.
- Online auctions - you need donated items, shipping costs, and tech help. Too much work for little return.
- Buying items to resell - if you spend $300 on candles to sell for $5 each, you need to sell 100 just to break even.
Stick to ideas where your only cost is your time. Everything else is profit.
Final Tip: Make It Fun
The best fundraisers don’t feel like fundraising. They feel like community events. A bake sale with live music. A walk with themed costumes. A book swap with hot chocolate.
People don’t give because they have to. They give because they want to be part of something. Make your event feel like a party. The money will follow.
What is the cheapest fundraiser you can do with no money at all?
A walk or bike challenge with sponsor pledges is the cheapest. You need zero cash upfront. Just ask people to donate per kilometer walked. Use a free Google Form to track pledges. Share the link on social media. The only cost is your time.
Can you really raise $1,000 with a bake sale?
Yes - if you plan it right. Don’t sell single cookies. Bundle items: 3 cookies for $5, or a cupcake and drink for $6. Get 15 families to each donate 3 items. Set up near a busy spot on a Saturday. Add a donation jar. With 200 people stopping by and an average donation of $5, you hit $1,000 easily.
Is online crowdfunding better than in-person events?
Not always. Online platforms take fees. Direct bank transfers cost nothing. If you have a local audience, in-person events build trust faster. If you’re trying to reach people far away, online helps. But the best results come from combining both: use a simple Facebook page to share your story, then collect donations via bank transfer.
Do I need permission to hold a car wash on the street?
Usually not - if you’re on private property like a church lot, school parking area, or a business driveway. Most councils don’t require permits for small, one-day events on private land. Always ask the property owner first. Avoid blocking public sidewalks or roads. Safety first.
What’s the fastest way to raise $500?
Host a 2-hour talent show in your backyard or school hall. Ask 10 performers to sign up. Invite 50 people. Charge $10 at the door or ask for donations. No stage, no lights, no cost. With 50 people giving $10 each, you hit $500. Add a raffle with donated prizes, and you’ll likely go over.
Next Steps: Start Small, Think Big
Don’t wait for the perfect idea. Pick one that feels doable. A bake sale this weekend. A walk challenge next month. A book swap in January. The goal isn’t to be perfect. It’s to start.
Every dollar raised starts with one person saying yes. One neighbor. One parent. One friend. You don’t need a big team. You just need to ask.