15 Fundraising Ideas for Environmental Not-For-Profits That Actually Work!

If you're part of an environmental not-for-profit or community group fighting the good fight for our planet, you know that raising funds can be a challenge.

But what if we brought a bit more FUN in FUNdraising?

It doesn't have to be the same old tasks or a stressful scramble for resources.

In fact, it can be a brilliant opportunity to not only raise funds but also engage your community with creative ideas, attract new volunteers, and make a real impact in more ways than one.

By getting creative with your fundraising ideas, you're not only increasing your chances of reaching your financial goals but also spreading awareness and fostering deeper connections with your supporters.

When people feel involved, especially in ways that align with their passion for the environment, they're more likely to become long-term donors or even volunteer their time and skills. A well-thought-out, engaging event can turn a one-time donor into a regular volunteer, someone who's eager to roll up their sleeves and get involved in your mission. And let's be honest, every environmental cause could use a few extra hands!

Offering a variety of ways for people to engage with your cause is crucial, not everyone has time to volunteer, not everyone has money to give, but offering multiple ways for people to engage with your organisation allows everyone the opportunity to be part of the change and to experience the wellbeing benefits of existing in action rather than apathy.

Whether you're planting trees, cleaning up coastlines, or protecting wildlife, here are 15 creative and fun fundraising ideas that not only support your cause but also inspire people to live more sustainably and, hopefully, join your mission as passionate advocates. Let's dive in!

Eco-Challenge Events

Challenge your supporters to something fun and eco-friendly.

Organise a hike, bike ride, or zero-waste challenge where participants raise funds by getting sponsors. For example, a long-distance hike through a conservation area could raise money for your next big project, and participants can feel good about leaving nothing but footprints behind. This is called Peer to Peer fundraising, and it's hugely popular. There are even websites now that make it easier for individuals to conduct peer-to-peer fundraising for their favourite cause.

TIP: Add a photography challenge or scavenger hunt along the route to keep things interesting!

Green Auctions

An auction, but make it eco-friendly! Gather donations from local businesses or eco-conscious brands and auction off everything from reusable products to nature experiences. You can do this online or in person, and it’s a great way to raise money while promoting sustainable living.

TIP: Make sure all the items up for auction align with your sustainability goals. Think handmade crafts, eco-friendly gadgets, or even guided nature tours.

Community Clean-Up Sponsorships

Turn your next clean-up day into a fundraiser by having local businesses or individuals sponsor each bag of trash collected. It’s a great way to get the whole community involved in keeping the environment clean while raising awareness and funds for your cause.

TIP: Make it a family-friendly event with activities for kids, like nature-themed scavenger hunts or eco-crafts.

Sustainable Product Sales

Selling eco-friendly products is a great way to raise funds while staying true to your mission. Think reusable water bottles, native plant seed kits, or branded tote bags made from recycled materials. You can sell these items at events or online, with all proceeds going back into your environmental work. People love to wear their hearts on their sleeves, and having merchandise can really give way to branding awareness, too.

TIP: Partner with local artisans or sustainable brands to offer unique, locally sourced items that people can’t resist!

Nature Photography Contest

Let your community show off their love for the planet by hosting a photography contest. Charge a small entry fee, and let people submit their best nature or wildlife photos. Offer eco-friendly prizes, like solar-powered gadgets or vouchers for local green experiences, to the winners.

TIP: Create categories like “Best Landscape” or “Best Wildlife Shot,” and showcase the photos in an online gallery or at an eco-friendly venue.

Zero-Waste Swap Event

Encourage your community to live more sustainably with a zero-waste swap! Participants bring items they no longer need (like clothes, books, or household items) and trade them for new-to-them treasures. Charge a small entry fee and watch the magic happen.

TIP: Include a DIY upcycling station where people can learn how to repair or repurpose old items. It’s fun, educational, and eco-friendly!

Online Environmental Education Workshops

Host workshops on topics like sustainable gardening, composting, or biodiversity conservation. Charge a donation-based fee, and offer downloadable resources for attendees to take action afterward.

TIP: Invite guest experts or influencers in the eco-space to co-host and promote the event, helping you reach a wider audience.

Green Dinner Parties

Host a farm-to-table dinner event that focuses on locally sourced, organic ingredients. You can charge for tickets and create an evening full of sustainable food and conversation about how guests can live more eco-consciously.

TIP: Offer eco-cooking tips during the event or provide recipe cards for guests to take home.

Environmental Trivia Night

Who doesn’t love trivia? Host a quiz night with eco-themed questions on topics like climate change, wildlife, and conservation. Teams can pay to enter, and you can give out eco-friendly prizes for the winners.

 TIP: Get creative with your trivia categories, like “Weird Animal Facts” or “Famous Environmentalists,” and add eco-themed decor to make the night even more immersive.

Virtual Documentary Screening

Host an online screening of an environmental documentary followed by a live Q&A or panel discussion with experts in the field. You can charge a small fee for entry and spark meaningful conversations about your cause.

 TIP: Create a downloadable action guide for attendees, outlining steps they can take to support environmental efforts after the event.

Recycled Art Show

Encourage local artists to create works from recycled or repurposed materials and display them at a gallery or online. You can charge for entry and even auction off the pieces, with proceeds going towards your conservation efforts.

TIP: Offer awards for the most creative use of materials and hold live demonstrations where guests can create their own recycled art.

Eco-Friendly Pop-Up Markets

Organise a pop-up market featuring vendors who sell eco-friendly products like organic foods, sustainable clothing, or handmade goods. Charge vendors a fee to participate and promote the event as a zero-waste market.

TIP: Add workshops or demonstrations to the event, like how to make your own beeswax wraps or natural skincare products.

Leave No Trace Hikes

Organise a guided nature hike where participants donate to join. Along the way, teach them about Leave No Trace principles, and end the hike with a clean-up effort to leave the area better than they found it.

TIP: Partner with a local environmental expert who can educate participants on the flora and fauna during the hike.

Zero-Waste Living Challenge

Challenge your supporters to live zero-waste for a week or month, with participants collecting sponsors to support their challenge. Offer eco-friendly prizes for those who go the longest without creating waste.

TIP: Create a leaderboard so participants can track their progress and compete with each other!

Eco-Friendly Cooking Classes

Partner with a local chef to host a cooking class focused on plant-based meals or using local, organic ingredients. You can charge for tickets, and attendees can leave with new recipes and a deeper understanding of sustainable eating.

TIP: Offer a take-home sustainable pantry guide, complete with eco-friendly meal ideas and tips for reducing food waste.

Raise your membership fee.

How long has it been since you raised your membership fee? Many organisations still charge nominal amounts, and while some feel that a small fee is best, giving people the opportunity to contribute in a bigger way can reap massive benefits for your organisation.

TIP: Offer a three-option checkbox on membership fees, allowing people to continue with a nominal amount, a larger amount or a huge amount. Psychology tells us that most people tend to go for the middle amount.

As you can see, fundraising doesn't have to be a routine task—it can be a platform for innovation, creativity, and community building. When you incorporate fun and engaging activities into your fundraising strategy, you’re doing more than just asking for money—you’re creating memorable experiences that deepen the connection between people and the causes they support and care for. When people participate in events that align with their values, they walk away with a sense of fulfilment and connection—and they often want more.

These creative ideas inspire action, whether through donations or direct involvement, and that’s where the magic happens!