Soapbox Engage Blog

When most development professionals think of winter fundraising, their minds go directly to year-end giving drives and holiday-themed fundraising events. While those are significant parts of fundraising during that time of year, there are many other opportunities to fundraise successfully throughout the winter season, not just during the holidays.

In fact, the months after the holidays can be quieter (as far as events and distractions go), leaving more space for your nonprofit's events to garner attention from current and potential donors.

We know the challenge of fundraising during winter. Before the holidays, your team is deep into year-end giving campaigns. After the holidays, you're ready to take a break. Here are some fun and easy fundraising events that will help you build on your year-end giving momentum and make the cold winter months a hot fundraising season for your nonprofit.

Table of Contents

• Challenge fundraiser or virtual fitness fundraiser
• Outdoor winter fundraising events
• Snow removal winter fundraiser
• Super Bowl (or "Souper Bowl") party winter fundraiser
• Valentine's Day fundraising ideas

Challenge Fundraiser or Virtual Fitness Fundraiser

This is the "New Year's Resolution" season. Many of your donors are likely in the mindset to take on a personal challenge. Why not help them accomplish those resolutions and make a difference at the same time!

You can challenge your audience to give up something (alcohol, sweets, meat, or something else) or do something extra like a new diet or a viral dare like the Ice Bucket Challenge. Or, you can host a virtual fitness challenge to help people jump-start their New Year's fitness resolutions!

With challenge fundraisers, donors get to do something in their daily life that reminds them of your cause, and they get to donate money to your organization.

You can encourage them to pledge or donate at the beginning of the event as part of admission, or they can donate every time they fail.

If you create a clever hashtag, you can run an interactive campaign on your social media, and your cause could be the next challenge to go viral!

Outdoor winter fundraising events

There's not much to do outdoors during the winter, which makes it prime time for your organization to stand out with an event that helps people get out and get some fresh air while supporting a good cause. You can promote ticket sales in advance and then ask for donations at the event. Here are a few event ideas to get you started!

Polar Plunge: We don't need to say too much about this annual fundraising favorite. If you're located near any kind of body of water (lakes, ponds, rivers, or the ocean), this is a prime winter fundraising event. People love the challenge--and bragging rights of jumping into frigid waters for a good cause.

A polar plunge is also a great event to leverage as a way to partner with local businesses to gain a little extra visibility for your nonprofit. Challenge businesses to get their employees involved and invite a local restaurant or food truck to show up with hot soup, hot chocolate, and other foods to warm the spectators and participants.

Outside movie screening: Despite the cold temperatures, as winter drags on, people are more eager to get out of the house and do something fun. If you live in an area where the temperatures don't drop too low, consider hosting an outdoor movie event. Rent a lot for a drive-in movie or a park for an evening picnic-style showing.

You can sell hot beverages, disposable hand warmers, and concession snacks for your audience. Don't forget the donation jar to prompt a few extra donations!

Sledding or ice skating winter fundraising event: Bring out the kid in everyone with a sledding, skiing, or ice skating winter fundraising event. Partner with a local ice rink or ski slope to boost your fundraising potential by nabbing discounted tickets. Don't forget to set up a table or booth featuring your nonprofit and offering both online and in-person donation options.

Add a little extra to this event by making a hot chocolate stand! Nothing goes better with sledding or ice skating than a cup of hot chocolate, tea, or cider to warm up after all the fun.

If you want to get extra crazy, put on some funny contests throughout your event. See which attendee can do the best figure-skating routine or challenge people to a sledding race. These kinds of events might not be "high-rollers." Still, they do build trust and create opportunities for people to have a great time and get to know your nonprofit a bit more--and that goes a long way over time!

Ski-a-thon winter fundraising event: If you live in an area where cross-country or downhill skiing is a popular winter sport, a ski-a-thon might be just the winter fundraiser for you! The Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa raises around $150 thousand with their annual ski-a-thon fundraiser. People pay (or fundraise) for the opportunity to attend this fun event and ski with professional skiers and other big-name attendees.

Snow removal winter fundraiser

Are you located in an area of the world that gets regular snow during the winter months? If so, there's a good chance quite a few people in your community either can't or really dislike shoveling snow from their driveways, walkways, and even roofs (yes, this really is a thing).

If you've got the people available, serve your community and raise money in the process by offering snow removal services. You'll need some volunteers at the ready each time it snows, shovels, snow-blowers, de-icer, and whatever other snow removal equipment you prefer. When the weatherman gives the "snow's coming" warning, call up the snow-removal troops and stand by to get to work!

Some nonprofits advertise this service regularly and provide a phone number to call to make a "reservation." Other nonprofits use a mix of phone, online sign-ups, and word-of-mouth to get snow-removal business. Consider using the Soapbox Engage Forms app to help people sign up early for your snow removal services, and it will help your volunteers stay organized with the addresses of each "customer."

Super Bowl (or "Souper Bowl") party winter fundraiser

The Super Bowl offers a great fundraising event opportunity for everyone--whether you love football or not! Put together a Super Bowl bash with great food and show the game on the big screen. Whether your football team makes it to the big game or not, everyone loves to have a good time and enjoy tasty food.

If bar food isn't your jam, consider putting on a festive "Souper Bowl" party featuring a variety of your favorite soups, bread, and sides. Soup is always a great choice in the cold winter months. This kind of soup event goes well even if you decide to host it on a different night than the big game!

You can ask attendees to purchase a "ticket" for the event, or you can ask for donations throughout the event (tastefully, of course). If you decide to sell tickets, consider using the Soapbox Engage Events app to make this process a breeze for your staff and guests!

Valentine's Day fundraising ideas

Valentine's Day is another winter holiday that presents a great fundraising opportunity. Whether you want a simple, easy fundraising idea or you're ready to put on a swanky Valentine's gala, fundraising options are endless--and many people are keen to support a good cause while treating their Valentine to some treats or a great evening out.

Valentine's Day gala: If you and your team are eager to go all out, consider hosting a swanky gala for your donors to enjoy a gorgeous evening of great food in a romantic setting. Many couples are willing to pay top dollar for a romantic Valentine's dinner, and they'll be extra excited to support a great cause at the same time!

Singing telegrams: Anyone can do chocolate and roses for their Valentine. Help your supporters step it up a notch this Valentine's Day with singing telegrams! Round up some volunteers with a little musical talent for this fundraiser. Donors pay to have their special someone serenaded. It's a fundraiser that's bound to make everyone smile and feel loved.

Wine and chocolate tasting: Nothing says romance like wine and chocolate. Partner with a local winery and chocolatier to host a luxury wine and chocolate tasting or pairing event. People will love learning about local wines and chocolates and really enjoy tasting new varieties while supporting an organization they love.

There are loads of other winter fundraising ideas to breathe a little life and fun into those cold, dark winter months. From simple to elaborate, the options are endless, and you can turn this season that many consider "dry" into a fundraising goldmine!

Here are three more resources to take your winter fundraising plans to the next level.

• Church Year-End Fundraising Checklist: Winter brings year-end fundraising efforts, one of the most important times of the year for nonprofits. Many churches and nonprofits depend heavily on this season of charitable giving for year-round financial stability. This blog includes a basic year-end giving checklist that will help make your church fundraising a smashing success this holiday season.
• E-Newsletters: Best Practices for Nonprofits in 2021: These days, digital communication and engagement is more important than ever in 2021. E-newsletters might seem “old” but they certainly haven’t lost their impact. This tried and true tactic is a great way to stay connected adn keep supporters engaged about how projects are going. Head over to this blog to learn the ins and outs of how to get the most out of e-newsletters this year.
• 9 Steps to Plan and Host a Virtual Fundraiser: Virtual fundraising events became popular in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic but many nonprofits had so much success that these kinds of fundraising events are likely to stick around much longer. This blog includes some of the benefits of hosting virtual fundraising events and easy steps to help you plan your first virtual fundraiser this winter.