Summer is the perfect time to take fundraising outdoors with bike-a-thons, swim-a-thons, and run-a-thons. These low-cost, donor-friendly events are ideal for peer-to-peer fundraising and are easy to scale.

Skip the event planning by encouraging supporters to set personal goals and collect peer-to-peer pledges, or invite them to join existing local events to fundraise on your behalf.

Real Fundraising Inspiration: 

SickKids hosts their annual Great Cycle Challenge every August. Riders of all ages hit the pavement to raise peer-to-peer funds by tracking their progress virtually and hitting their distance goals. 

Get your donors involved with a seasonal photo contest. Ask supporters to submit themed entries—like best pet pic or vacation snap—and let your community vote on the winners.

Charge a small entry or voting fee, offer a fun prize, and turn submissions into engaging content for your social channels. Bonus: it’s a great way to stay connected while your donors are out of office.

Real Fundraising Inspiration: 

The Montreal SPCA raised $58,000 with their summer pet photo contest. Each vote cost just $1, and the winners ended up in their yearly calendar!

Team up with a local ice cream shop (or café, or brewery) for a summer give-back day. A portion of the proceeds goes to your nonprofit, and you get to engage a broader community without planning a full-scale event.

Make it family-friendly and easy to drop in. You promote the business, they support your cause—it’s a win-win.

Real Fundraising Inspiration: 

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream partners with nonprofits to host easy ice cream socials. On the day of your event, 25% of all their ice cream sales go back to your nonprofit for a fun, seasonal way to engage local supporters and beat the heat.

Skip the dress codes and dinner with a "No-Show Gala". This tongue-in-cheek fundraiser invites guests not to attend, and instead donate what they would have spent on tickets, valet parking, or drinks.

Include playful language (“You’re invited to stay home!”), offer virtual donation tiers, and keep planning to a minimum while still raising funds.

Real Fundraising Inspiration: 

CVRM ran a "No-Show Gala" and funneled 100% of donations directly to senior care. No event expenses, no tuxedos needed, and they still raised significant funds to support vital services 

Nothing says summer like a pool party—and it makes for a fun, low-pressure way to bring your community together.

Partner with a local community pool to host a backyard bash with BBQ, lawn games, pool floats, and music. Sell tickets, offer drink bracelets, and add a raffle or mini auction to raise funds while keeping the vibe relaxed and social.

Real Fundraising Inspiration: 

For a fun twist, Animatch Dog Rescue hosted an end-of-summer "Dog Splash Bash". For just $5 an entry, guardians and their four-legged friends got to splash and play in a local pool in support of animal adoption services. 

As back-to-school season approaches, many supporters are eager to give back. Host a backpack or school supply drive to support local students or families in need, or tie in with your educational programs.

You can collect physical items or raise funds to supply classrooms—either way, it’s an easy summer appeal with a clear impact.

Real Fundraising Inspiration: 

Welcome Hall Mission doubled their impact with a $50 backpack campaign. Each gift provided a full set of supplies for a child and was matched to help kids start school strong.

Put together a themed raffle basket with seasonal items like wine, beach gear, outdoor games, or picnic essentials, then raffle it off online. Add in an all-inclusive resort getaway to really get those raffle tickets moving. 

It’s an easy lift with a seasonal twist—and perfect for donors who want to give, but don’t want to attend an event.

No event? No problem. Promote a limited-time travel experience that your donors can bid on digitally.

Choose something aspirational and seasonal—like a private villa, wine country escape, or luxury resort—and market it as the perfect end-of-summer getaway.

Pick a single day in July or August and ask your community to help you reach a fundraising milestone.

Use a fun hook (“Beat the Heat to Meet the Goal”) and keep messaging clear and time-bound. For best results, pick one specific goal, like funding a new shelter for farm animals or helping 15 kids go to camp.  A short timeline drives urgency and makes planning easy for your team.

Summer is the perfect time to build anticipation for your biggest fall auction items, especially those show-stopping auction vacation packages.

Tease 1–2 of your top packages on social or in a quick email. Let your supporters know something exciting is coming soon, and keep them thinking about your event even while they’re poolside.

Summer’s also a great time to surprise and delight your supporters.  Send a note of appreciation, ship out summer-themed thank-you gifts like totes or reusable water bottles, or host a casual social hour.

These simple, "no-ask" gestures build relationships that pay off when fundraising season ramps back up.

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