Fundraising events shouldn’t feel stale. But, with the planning, budgeting, stewarding, and more responsibilities —likely with few staff and volunteers—coming up with engaging revenue enhancers is challenging. Starting from scratch might feel impossible.
It doesn’t have to be complicated.
Add excitement and increase with these ideas for your fundraising events to improve what you already do. Or, if revenue enhancers are new to your events, these proven additions will surely wow your guests.
65%
of nonprofits say they need more revenue streams today than they did two years ago
54%
of nonprofits use events to generate revenue for their missions
Source: The State of Nonprofit Fundraising, Technology and Operations: Impact on Mission Sustainability
Silent and live auction revenue enhancers
Auctions and live programs are a bit of work to plan, organize, and execute. With the right tools and volunteers, these offerings can generate significant revenue for your nonprofit’s mission.
Golden ticket in the auction
Ensure your auction maximizes its return by adding a Golden Ticket Raffle. With a Golden Ticket raffle, you incentivize early ticket purchases, encourage guest registration, and raise money in advance of your event.
A Golden Ticket Raffle winner gets to choose any auction item they want. Set the price of golden tickets and limit the number of available tickets so that if you sell out, you raise $5,000-$20,000 before your event.. For example, sell only 100 tickets for $100 each. You should pull the winner at the start of your event to add a high-energy kick-off moment!
You’re already hosting an auction. Use it to raise even more!
I Spy during your silent auction
Encourage people to browse your auction by asking them to find photos within your auction with your logo or an honoree photo. The first five people to find it win a prize, such as extra raffle tickets. The prizes don’t cost you anything out of pocket, and I Spy encourages browsing, bidding, and spending.
Last paddle standing during your live appeal
A paddle raise is a major opportunity to raise money for your mission. It is also likely the most mission-centered moment of your events.
As you move to the lower levels, a paddle raise can also lose some energy. Last paddle standing infuses some excitement back into this critical moment of your program.
Offer the last person who gives at a lower level a standout prize, such as a nice bottle of wine, airline tickets, or staycation. People can give and donate multiple times at any level. It offers live auction energy and revenue generation without having to solicit a large ticket item.
Paddle raffle during your live appeal
A paddle raffle is very similar to the last paddle standing and offers similar benefits.
Instead of sorting out who raises their paddle last at a certain level, a paddle raffle “surprises” your audience with a chance to give one last time during your event. At the lowest paddle raise level, your emcee or auctioneer shares that everyone who raises a paddle and donates at this level will be able to drop their paddles in a big basket for a chance to win a standout prize.
Then your honoree or hero can draw the big winner, or your emcee can throw them all in the air and snatch one out midair. Ending on a fun moment gives a great last impression to your guests.
Ensure your paddles have a number or name to identify the winner. How much revenue could your organization raise if even just a third or half of your audience participates?
30 Best Silent Auction Ideas That Don’t Cost A Dime
The most desirable auction items are often unique experiences or offerings that can’t be purchased elsewhere. This blog shares 30 creative ideas for silent auction items that ensure a memorable and profitable fundraiser.
Raffle revenue enhancers
Raffles can be big revenue generators and, if your state allows them, they can be a dependable revenue enhancer at your event.
Adding a little flair, participation, and noise to your games of chance excites your guests and creates an environment of participation. All of these options should have limited chances; exclusivity inspires quick action (and spending)!
Balloon pop
This loud revenue enhancer certainly draws attention. Set up helium-filled balloons in a high-traffic area. All balloons have a paper slip inside with a number. Once someone purchases a balloon, they pop it, and the slip of paper corresponds to a list of prizes.
They can be a thank you card from a constituent, a lower-value gift card, or a grand prize. Not everyone wins, just like in other games of chance.
Diamond raffle
This option requires a shift in planning, but it’s a targeted effort that one of your major donors could help you support. Connect with a jeweler and ask if they can donate an unset diamond and their time. (The winner of this would be responsible for getting it set.)
Display a limited number of champagne glasses, with a cubic zirconia at the bottom of each. One glass would contain the diamond. After the guest purchases their glass, the stone is placed in a small envelope to be revealed later. They get a champagne pour and go on their way.
Offer this as the only opportunity to get champagne at your event.
Gift card wall
This visually impressive revenue enhancer is also a space saver. This setup is flat, upright displays with dozens of identical envelopes. As with balloon pop, not all envelopes contain the desired prize.
Some can be mission facts or thank yous from constituents, while another one or two envelopes contain grand prize(s).
Other revenue enhancer ideas
Raffle item in a wine pull
A wine pull is where guests purchase a wrapped bottle of wine. Aside from marking them as red, white, or rose, the other identifiers, such as the value of the bottle and brand, are concealed. This revenue enhancer is an excellent way for your board, honoree family, or committee to get involved in event planning by donating $10-$20 bottles of wine (or even digging into their cellars).
It can lose some luster if you’ve been doing a wine pull for a while. Consider teasing that some blind-wrapped bottles have gift cards or another prize in them.
Incentives work. Offer a little something extra and help your wine pull shine as a revenue enhancer again.
Table captains as a part of ticket sales
It is always best for your organization when ticket sales are steady and plentiful, well before your event. It sets a great tone, makes logistics much more manageable, and builds a strong fundraising foundation for your event.
Do you have engaged volunteers or long-time guests who can act as table captains to pump up sales? Provide them with communication and social media enablement. Set sales goals with them. If they achieve those goals, offer them a VIP happy hour or special recognition.
Voting competition as a peer-to-peer option
Voting competitions are great fundraising campaigns all on their own.
They also offer an untapped opportunity to increase your audience, get guests registered, and raise money before your event. In a voting competition as a fundraiser, each vote is cast with a donation.
Can sponsors create cocktail or mocktail recipes that guests vote on as the option(s) for your event? Can you highlight your mission with constituent artwork voting? How about voting for songs for your after-party playlist?
Offering guests a chance to “have a say” or hosting a revenue enhancer tied to your mission to get non-attendees to give results in additional, needed revenue.
Fundraising events should be as vibrant and impactful as the missions they support. By incorporating engaging revenue enhancers like auctions, raffles, and interactive experiences, you can infuse fresh energy into your events and captivate your audience. These ideas don’t require a massive overhaul of your event plans—many build on elements you already have, making them simple yet highly effective additions.
With thoughtful planning and the right tools, you can transform your fundraising events into dynamic, revenue-generating celebrations of your mission. Don’t be afraid to experiment, get creative, and make your events unforgettable!
