Australia has its own fundraising vernacular: sausage sizzles, trivia nights, P&C fetes, and EOFY appeals. Pick ideas that fit an AU community, not a US church-basement one.
- Low-lift community formats work best: sausage sizzles, trivia nights, silent auctions, EOFY appeals, and virtual events that let regional supporters join.
- Zeffy Australia does not support raffles or lotteries (the feature has been removed). Bingo and community gaming are regulated state by state, so check with your state regulator before running them.
- Only gifts of $2 or more to a DGR-endorsed charity are tax-deductible. Tickets to your gala, trivia night, or fete are not deductible because the donor receives a benefit in return.
- Zeffy consolidates donations, ticketing, peer-to-peer fundraising (P2P), memberships, and auctions in one free platform, so you can stop stitching together a fragmented tool stack.
- If you are planning an EOFY appeal (deadline 30 June) or replacing Shout for Good before it closes, Zeffy is worth a look now.
Planning a fundraising event when you are short on staff, budget, and time can feel overwhelming. Most guides assume you have an events team and thousands to spend on venues, but that is not the reality for most small charities, not-for-profits (NFPs), P&Cs, sports clubs, and community groups across Australia.
You are juggling ten different roles, relying on volunteers who mean well but cannot always show up, and every dollar matters. Many AU charities also cobble together a fragmented tool stack: GiveNow for donations, Humanitix or TryBooking for event tickets, GalaBid for the gala silent auction, Funraisin for the P2P walk, and every layer takes a cut. The last thing you need is another "hire a professional planner" suggestion.
That is why we created this list: 54+ grassroots-friendly fundraising ideas used by real community groups across Australia, from a sausage sizzle at the local footy club to a P&C fete, a trivia night, or an EOFY appeal. All easy to run with volunteers, and 100% free to manage on Zeffy.
Australia's charity sector is large and active: there are approximately 60,000 ACNC-registered charities, with donations and bequests totalling approximately $13.9 billion in the year to 30 June 2023 (ACNC Australian Charities Report series). Your community is ready to support your cause, you just need the right event and the right tools.
In this article:
Low-cost fundraising event ideas for tight budgets
1. Virtual talent show
Turn your community's hidden talents into fundraising gold. Set up a Zoom room where local singers, dancers, comedians, or even pet-trick performers can showcase their skills.
Sell online tickets in advance and encourage live donations during the show. Perfect for community groups with musical members or youth sports teams with creative kids.
A note on tax deductibility: if your charity is DGR-endorsed, remember that event tickets where the supporter receives a benefit (like attendance at a show) are not tax-deductible under ATO rules. Only gifts of $2 or more with no material benefit attached qualify as tax-deductible donations.
2. Recipe exchange fundraiser
Collect beloved family recipes from your community and compile them into a digital cookbook. Grandma's secret pie recipe or the footy coach's famous pre-game pasta can become fundraising stars.
Email supporters asking for their favourite recipes with short stories about why they are special, then sell the digital cookbook for $10 to $15.
3. Drive-in cinema night
Transform your community hall car park or school oval into a drive-in cinema. Rent or borrow a projector, hang a white sheet or hire a portable screen, and charge $20 per car. Sell popcorn, soft drinks, and snacks from a table carried car to car.
Collect car admission fees without losing money to processing. Zeffy's payment tools make car-window payments seamless and fee-free.
Licensing note: if you are screening a commercially released film, you will need a public performance licence. In Australia, contact Roadshow PPL or check with APRA AMCOS for any live or recorded music played at the event.
4. Social media challenge
Create a simple challenge that spreads organically.
Examples: "Post a photo doing star jumps in your team colours and donate $5" or "Share your favourite memory of our community with #OurCommunityFamily and give $10."
The key is making it easy to participate and share. Provide a clear donation link and encourage participants to tag friends.
5. Community garage sale
Ask supporters to donate items instead of cash. Set up in your community hall car park or school gym and price everything to sell quickly.
Recruit a few volunteers to help with checkout, and keep it simple with cash or tap-to-pay transactions. Advertise on local Facebook groups, Gumtree, and community noticeboards.
6. Coin wars between groups
Set up collection jars for different classes, teams, or community groups. Five-cent and ten-cent coins add points to your jar, while silver and gold coins (20c, 50c, $1, $2) subtract points from your total when dropped in opponents' jars. Australia phased out 1c and 2c coins in 1992, so use 5c coins as the base.
7. Online trivia night
Host a Zoom trivia night with questions about your local community, organisation history, or fun general knowledge. Charge an entry fee per team and offer small prizes. Trivia nights are one of Australia's most popular community fundraising formats, and they translate seamlessly online.
How to avoid hidden ticketing fees
Most ticketing platforms charge per ticket sold. In Australia, the real comparison looks like this:
- Humanitix (NFP rate): 2.5% + $0.50 per paid ticket (Humanitix is an Australian-founded PBI that donates profits to charity)
- TryBooking: $0.50 per ticket + 2.5% processing (Australian-owned, data hosted in Australia)
- Eventbrite AU: approximately 5.35% + $1.19 + GST per ticket (hard to defend on price for a charity ticketing its own donor base)
- Zeffy: $0 per ticket, no platform fee, no transaction fee, ever
Re-verify fees on each platform's live AU pricing page before your event, as rates change.
For a charity running a gala dinner or trivia night where attendees already know and support your cause, Eventbrite is difficult to justify on cost. Humanitix and TryBooking are the honest AU alternatives with strong local credentials. Zeffy competes by removing the per-ticket fee entirely, so your $25 ticket nets you $25.
Tickets and tax deductions in Australia
Event tickets and gala dinner tickets are NOT tax-deductible for your supporters, even if your charity is DGR-endorsed. Under ATO rules, only gifts of $2 or more to a DGR-endorsed charity where the donor receives no material benefit qualify as tax-deductible. If supporters want to add a tax-deductible donation on top of their ticket purchase, you can offer that as a separate line item. The canonical AU trust line to use on your receipts: "Donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible." Check your DGR status on ABN Lookup.
Volunteer-friendly fundraising events (no experience needed)
8. Community breakfast
Set up a simple breakfast in your community hall or gym with pancakes, eggs, and coffee. Volunteers handle easy tasks: greeting guests, serving food buffet-style, clearing tables, and manning the donation box. No cooking skills needed, use pancake mix and keep the menu simple.
A sausage sizzle is a natural companion to a morning community breakfast and one of Australia's most reliable low-effort fundraising formats. Add a sausage-sizzle station out front for extra reach.
9. Car wash in your car park
Set up in your organisation's car park with garden hoses, soap, and towels. Volunteers work in teams of 3 to 4 per car: one person handles the initial rinse, two soap and scrub, one does the final rinse and dry. Perfect for youth sports teams because kids can work alongside parents in age-appropriate roles.
10. Bingo night
Rent or borrow bingo equipment and set up in your main gathering space. Volunteers have simple, clearly defined roles: selling cards at the door, calling numbers, checking winning cards, and handing out small prizes. Create a rotation schedule so volunteers can also play.
Important: bingo is regulated as community gaming in every Australian state and territory. Check with your state regulator before you run one: VGCCC in Victoria, NSW Fair Trading in NSW, and OLGR in Queensland. For free legal guidance, visit Justice Connect's Not-for-profit Law.
11. Pasta dinner
Serve a simple pasta dinner with salad and bread rolls. Volunteers work assembly-line style: one person boils pasta, others heat sauce, prepare salad, slice bread, and serve plates buffet-style. No culinary expertise required.
12. Movie night with snacks
Set up a movie screening in your gym or community hall with a projector and a simple snack stand. Volunteers handle ticket-taking at the door, selling popcorn and drinks, and basic setup and cleanup. Choose family-friendly films that appeal to your community. Remember to obtain a public performance licence for commercially released films.
13. Used book sale
Collect donated books and set up tables in your space organised by category. Volunteers sort books by genre, set up displays, handle cash transactions, and help customers find titles. Price everything to sell quickly ($1 to $3 per book).
14. Game day tournament
Set up card tables with board games, cards, or dominoes throughout your space. Volunteers act as table hosts, explaining rules to newcomers and keeping games moving. Charge an entry fee and provide simple snacks. Perfect for recruiting volunteers who love games, they are essentially playing while helping.
15. Sausage sizzle drive-through breakfast
Set up a drive-through breakfast service in your car park. Volunteers have specific stations: order-takers with clipboards, cooks on portable BBQs, a packaging crew with takeaway containers, and runners delivering orders to cars.
16. Community yard sale
Organise donated items on tables throughout your car park or gym. Volunteers price items the night before, help customers on sale day, handle checkout with simple cash boxes, and assist with loading purchases.
17. Ice cream social
Set up an ice cream sundae bar with store-bought ice cream and toppings. Volunteers scoop ice cream, manage topping stations, clear tables, and handle simple cash transactions. Add lawn games like a ring toss or cornhole run by additional volunteers.
Quick fundraising event ideas you can launch in a weekend
18. 48-hour online auction
Gather 10 to 15 donated items (restaurant gift cards, homemade goods, services like lawn mowing or garden tidying), photograph them, and post to a simple online auction. Set it to run from Friday evening to Sunday evening to capture weekend browsing time. Announce winners Monday morning.
19. "Fill the thermometer" challenge
Create a large visual thermometer showing your fundraising target, post it prominently, and challenge your community to "fill it up" over the weekend.
Share updates on social media as donations come in and watch as the visual progress motivates giving and creates urgency. This format works especially well in the lead-up to EOFY (30 June) when donors want to maximise tax-deductible gifts before the financial year ends.
20. Drive-by donation collection
Set up tables in your car park with signs explaining your cause. Supporters drive through, make donations, and receive thank-you items like baked goods or stickers. No elaborate planning needed, just enthusiastic volunteers with collection buckets and plenty of signage for visibility.
21. Social media donation storm
Pick a weekend and flood social media with donation appeals, success stories, and progress updates. Ask board members, volunteers, and supporters to share your posts. Create a hashtag and encourage supporters to post their own content about why they give.
22. Emergency email campaign
Draft a compelling email explaining an urgent need (equipment broke, unexpected expense, opportunity to match a major gift). Send Friday afternoon with a deadline of Sunday night. Include a clear donation button and progress updates.
23. Weekend bake sale blitz
Organise volunteers to bake Friday night, set up Saturday morning at a high-traffic location like a farmers market, local IGA car park, or shopping centre entrance. Price items to sell quickly and accept cash or digital payments. Focus on simple, popular items like biscuits, slices, and brownies rather than elaborate creations.
24. "Sponsor our weekend" campaign
Create sponsorship levels for different aspects of your weekend activities: "Sponsor Saturday's equipment hire for $100" or "Cover Sunday's volunteer lunch for $75." Give sponsors recognition on social media and at events.
Seasonal fundraising event ideas for small not-for-profits
25. Spring plant sale (September to November)
Partner with local nurseries or ask green-thumbed volunteers to grow seedlings. Sell herbs, vegetables, and flowers when people are eager to start their spring gardens. Include planting tips and care instructions to add value.
26. Summer ice cream social (December to February)
Set up in your car park or local park with store-bought ice cream, toppings, and simple games. Add lawn games like cornhole for extra donations. Summer in Australia runs from December to February, so this is a natural fit for end-of-year community events.
27. Winter soup night (June to August)
Volunteers cook large batches of hearty soup and serve bowls with fresh bread rolls for $8 to $12. Run it indoors at a community hall. A winter soup night is a low-effort, low-cost format that suits AU winters perfectly, requires minimal equipment, and is a crowd favourite for community groups and sports clubs.
Setup time: approximately 4 hours. Budget: $75 to $150.
28. Christmas wreath sales (November to December)
Order fresh wreaths wholesale or organise wreath-making workshops where people create their own for a fee. Take pre-orders in November for December pickup. Add ribbon, bows, and small decorations for extra appeal.
29. Start-of-school supply drive (January to February)
The Australian school year starts in late January or early February. Instead of asking for supply donations, ask for monetary donations to "sponsor a student's supplies." Use the funds to buy supplies in bulk at better prices, then donate to local primary schools (Years K to 6) or families in need.
30. Valentine's Day flower sale (February)
Pre-sell roses, small bouquets, or potted plants for Valentine's Day delivery. Partner with local florists for wholesale pricing or create simple arrangements yourselves. Offer delivery to workplaces for extra convenience.
31. Summer sausage sizzle and barbie (December to February)
Host a community barbecue in your car park or local park. Sell plates of sausages, burgers, and salad for $8 to $12. Keep the menu simple and focus on volume rather than variety. Add live music from local musicians or simple games for families. The sausage sizzle is one of Australia's most recognisable community fundraising formats for good reason.
32. Community fete or P&C spring fair (September to November)
The community fete or P&C (Parents and Citizens) spring fair is the canonical Australian school and community fundraiser. Set up a cake stall, plant stall, sausage sizzle, jumping castle, and a silent auction of donated services. Families love the hands-on community atmosphere, and it is a reliable format for primary schools and community groups alike.
Setup time: 8+ hours. Budget: $150 to $300.
33. Christmas cookie decorating workshop (December)
Set up tables with biscuits, icing, and decorating supplies. Charge per family or per dozen biscuits and provide take-home boxes and basic decorating instructions.
34. Spring clean-up service auction (September to November)
Auction off volunteer services like yard clean-up, garage organising, window washing, or garden bed preparation. Volunteers donate their time and labour while community members bid on services they need done.
Family-friendly and school fundraising event ideas for not-for-profits
35. Family fun day carnival
Transform your gym or outdoor space into a mini-carnival with simple game stations: ring toss, beanbag throw, duck pond, and face painting. Charge admission plus tickets for games and activities.
36. Paint night for all ages
Set up tables with canvases, acrylic paints, and brushes for a guided painting session. Choose simple designs that work for both kids and adults, think sunsets, gum trees, or seasonal themes, and charge per participant. Families enjoy creating art together, and everyone takes home a keepsake.
A US example: Dearborn Educational Foundation saved over $2K by switching from PayPal to Zeffy
The Dearborn Educational Foundation, a US not-for-profit that supports innovative educational practices in Dearborn, Michigan, switched from PayPal to Zeffy to help funnel more money to their work.
The result? Since using Zeffy, the foundation has raised over $56K and saved $2K+ in fees (approximately A$3,000), money that has gone directly back to supporting students and teachers instead of being absorbed by processing costs. Read the full case study
37. Family game night tournament
Set up stations with popular family board games and card games throughout your space. Families compete in different games every 20 minutes, earning points for wins and participation. Crown overall champions at the end of the night.
38. Science fair fundraiser
Invite students to showcase science projects while families tour the displays and vote for favourites. Charge admission for families to attend and offer simple experiments or demonstrations.
39. Family photo day
Set up simple photo backdrops in your space and offer mini photo sessions for families. Recruit a volunteer photographer or partner with a local professional who donates their time.
40. Stuffed animal workshop
Partner with a craft supplier to provide plain stuffed animals, stuffing, and accessories. Set up stations for stuffing, dressing, and creating name tags. Kids love the hands-on activity, and parents appreciate the lasting keepsake.
41. Family fitness challenge
Create obstacle courses and fitness stations appropriate for all ages: star jumps, hula hoops, balance beams, and relay races. Families work together to complete challenges and earn prizes.
Use Zeffy's school fundraising idea generator to find even more ideas for primary schools and P&Cs.
42. Story time and craft fair
Set up reading corners with volunteers reading popular children's books, plus craft stations where kids make simple projects related to the stories. Charge per child and include all materials and snacks.
43. Family cooking competition
Host a family-friendly cooking contest with simple challenges like decorating cupcakes, building the tallest sandwich, or creating the most creative pizza. Provide ingredients and basic cooking tools. Families work in teams and judges taste entries.
44. Kids' business fair
Give children opportunities to run their own small businesses for a day: lemonade stands, handmade crafts, baked goods, or simple services like face painting. Charge booth rental fees to participating families and admission for visitors.
A US example: True Blue raised over $48K for free
True Blue, a US not-for-profit focused on empowering young people to attend university, previously used a variety of payment platforms including PayPal, Eventbrite, and Venmo for collecting donations. A system that cost them hundreds in fees.
Once they switched to Zeffy, True Blue 1881 raised over $48K and saved over $2.4K in their first year, savings that immediately translated into rent payments, student meals, and tuition assistance.
"With these savings, we can pay rent, feed students, and cover outstanding balances. Every bit of savings goes straight to supporting our students.", Tiombe O'Rourke
Virtual and hybrid event fundraising ideas for 2026
45. Virtual escape room challenge
Create teams that solve puzzles together over Zoom using online escape room platforms or DIY clues you email out. Perfect for youth groups and community committees who want team-building that raises funds.
46. Online cooking class series
Partner with local chefs or talented community cooks to teach signature dishes over Zoom. Participants receive ingredient lists in advance and cook along from home. Sell individual class tickets or discounted series packages.
47. Virtual pet show
Host categories like "Best Costume," "Cutest Pet," and "Most Unusual Talent" with participants showing off their pets on video calls. Charge entry fees per pet and let audience members vote with small donations.
48. Hybrid auction night
Run a traditional silent auction with bidding sheets for in-person attendees while livestreaming items and accepting online bids through chat or forms.
49. Virtual game show night
Create family-friendly game shows like trivia, charades, or "Name That Tune" using Zoom's breakout rooms and screen sharing. Sell tickets for individual players or family teams. Include local trivia about your organisation's history and community.
50. Online workshop marketplace
Recruit community members to teach skills like knitting, guitar basics, gardening tips, or personal finance over Zoom. Offer multiple workshops on the same day so participants can choose their interests. Charge per workshop or sell day passes.
51. Virtual walk/run challenge
Challenge participants to complete a certain distance over a week or month, tracking progress with fitness apps or the honour system. Create team competitions between different groups within your organisation. Participants fundraise by asking friends and family to sponsor their kilometres. Perfect for health-conscious communities and creates lasting engagement.
52. Hybrid concert series
Stream local musicians performing from your venue while selling virtual tickets to online audiences and physical tickets for limited in-person seating. Feature different musical styles each month to appeal to diverse tastes.
53. Virtual book club fundraiser
Choose a popular book and host monthly discussions over Zoom, charging membership fees for the year or per session. Include author interviews when possible, or invite local book club leaders to facilitate discussions.
54. Online craft kit sales
Assemble craft kits with supplies and instructions for family projects like painting, jewellery making, or seasonal decorations. Sell kits online with optional virtual craft sessions where families create together over Zoom. Perfect for reaching families who want activities for kids while supporting your organisation.
How to choose the right fundraising event for your charity or not-for-profit
Feeling overwhelmed by options? Use this simple decision framework:
Consider your resources:
- 1 to 2 volunteers: photo contests, online auctions, email campaigns
- 3 to 5 volunteers: trivia nights, virtual events, community potlucks
- 6+ volunteers: school carnivals, walk-a-thons, charity galas
Match your timeline:
- This weekend: bake sales, photo contests, community potlucks
- 2 to 4 weeks: talent shows, virtual workshops, Christmas sales
- 2+ months: walk-a-thons, school carnivals, major auctions
Know your community:
- Families with kids: school carnivals, talent shows, fetes
- Active adults: walk-a-thons, fun runs, City2Surf-style community runs, cold plunge challenges
- Seniors: book clubs, community lunches, holiday tea parties
- Mixed ages: community dinners, auctions, seasonal festivals
Check your budget:
- Under $50: photo contests, virtual events, community potlucks
- $50 to $200: trivia nights, small auctions, Christmas sales
- $200 to $500: school carnivals, walk-a-thons, community dinners
- $500+: major galas, golf days, large community festivals
Run your next fundraiser for free with Zeffy
You do not need a big budget, professional event staff, or expensive platforms to run successful fundraising events. Small charities, sports clubs, P&Cs, and community groups across Australia are raising thousands of dollars with simple, community-focused events and keeping 100% of their proceeds using free tools.
Here is how to start planning your next fundraiser today:
- Choose your event from our 54+ proven ideas
- Set up free ticketing, P2P fundraisers, and donation forms with Zeffy
- Keep every dollar you raise for your cause, no platform fees, ever
If your charity is ACNC-registered and DGR-endorsed, Zeffy issues tax-deductible receipts for gifts of $2 or more automatically, so your donors get the paperwork they need and you avoid the end-of-year DGR admin. Verify your DGR status on ABN Lookup and check your ACNC registration on the ACNC Charity Register.
Your community is ready to support your work. Give them an easy, fun way to help while keeping all their contributions where they belong: making a difference through what you do.
Frequently asked questions
What types of fundraising events work best for small Australian charities?
Low-effort community formats work best for small charities, P&Cs, sports clubs, and community groups: trivia nights, sausage sizzles, community breakfasts, online auctions, bake sales, and virtual events like Zoom trivia or online cooking classes. These require minimal budget (often under $200), can be run with a small team of volunteers, and translate well to both in-person and online audiences. For EOFY (30 June deadline), email campaigns and peer-to-peer (P2P) challenges are particularly effective because donors are motivated to make tax-deductible gifts before the financial year ends.
Is Zeffy really free for Australian charities?
Yes. Zeffy charges no platform fee, no transaction fee, and no credit card fee, ever. Australian charities can use Zeffy for donations, event ticketing, peer-to-peer fundraising (P2P), memberships, and auctions without paying anything. The platform is free unconditionally, with no monthly subscription and no hidden charges.
Are event tickets tax-deductible for my supporters?
No. Under ATO rules, event tickets and gala dinner tickets are not tax-deductible because the supporter receives a benefit in return (attendance at the event). Only gifts of $2 or more to a DGR-endorsed charity where the donor receives no material benefit qualify as tax-deductible donations. If supporters want to make a tax-deductible contribution alongside their ticket purchase, you can offer that as a separate donation option. Confirm your DGR status via ABN Lookup. For more information, visit the ATO's not-for-profit hub.
What fundraising events work well for an EOFY appeal?
The end of the Australian financial year (30 June) is the biggest giving moment for many charities, because donors want to maximise tax-deductible gifts before the year closes. High-performing EOFY formats include: email campaigns with a clear deadline and thermometer-style progress updates, peer-to-peer (P2P) challenges where supporters fundraise on your behalf, online auctions, and matching-gift campaigns where a major donor matches contributions dollar for dollar. Set up your EOFY campaign early in May so supporters have time to plan their giving.
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