Whether you're raising money for outreach, charity work or a specific fund, the right fundraising activity can unite your congregation and support important causes.
From community bake sales to sponsored walks - for large congregations or a small church - these fundraising ideas can easily be scaled up or down to suit your space, volunteers and budget.
Change lives together this Christian Aid Week. When your church comes together, the impact goes far beyond what one person can do alone.
Food events
Food has a way of bringing people together, and these ideas are among the most profitable church fundraisers going.
Host a community bake sale
Who doesn’t love cake? A bake sale is a classic small church fundraising idea that's easy to organise and always popular.
Encourage congregation members to contribute baked goods, invite the local community to buy and enjoy, and add a themed bake-off competition to raise the stakes - and the funds.
Want to maximise donations? Pair your bake sale with an online fundraising page so people can give even after the event.
Host a Big Brekkie or coffee morning
One of the easiest church fundraising activities going. Bring people together over buttered toast and brewed coffee, ask for donations, and let the conversation do the rest. Minimal space, minimal equipment, maximum community spirit.
We've got a step-by-step guide that will help you plan your event from start.
Host a themed supper club
Choose a cuisine, ask congregation members to cook a dish each, and sell tickets for a sit-down meal. A themed supper club creates a memorable evening and works brilliantly as an annual event. Charge per head and add a raffle to boost the total.
Spruce up the place and inspire guests with our new placemat.
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Host a community lunch
Invite your congregation and local community to share a simple meal together. You could serve soup, sandwiches or a bring-and-share lunch after a Sunday service.
Communities across the country, like the Weston Turville Christian Aid Group whop raised over £1,000 at one of their recent fundraising lunches, are coming together to tackling poverty and injustice around the world
From fun runs to quiz nights and everything in between. Start your own fundraising activity today and help make a lasting impact.
Community events
Get the whole community involved with events that are fun, welcoming and open to everyone. These activities can bring people together while raising vital funds.
Host a film screening
Turn your church hall into a mini cinema. Choose an inspiring film and charge a small ticket fee.
Offer popcorn and drinks to enhance the experience and take a moment before the screening to share information about Christian Aid’s work.
Why not show this year's Christian Aid Week film?
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Organise a charity quiz night for your church
Test your congregation’s knowledge with a quiz night. Church halls have always been a hub for community and togetherness, making them the perfect venue for this type of event.
Include a raffle or refreshments to boost the fundraising total. Save some prep time and use our ready made quiz.
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Plan a family fun day at your church
Organise a family fun day with face painting, games, a bouncy castle and craft stalls.
Raise funds through entry fees, refreshments and small competitions, and promote the event by sharing how the funds will support Christian Aid's work around the world.
Sponsored challenges
Sponsored challenges are consistently among the most profitable church fundraisers - they're easy to promote, work for all ages and give supporters a personal goal to get behind.
Sponsored walk or cycle
Whether it's a local circuit or a longer route, a sponsored walk or cycle is a brilliant way to get the congregation moving for a good cause. You could even sign your church up for 70k in May and travel 70 kilometres in any way they choose throughout May:
- Track your progress with our handy monthly tracker and celebrate every achievement along the way.
- Reward everyone who completes the challenge with a certificate!
Sponsored read-a-thon
Perfect for schools and younger members of your congregation. Participants collect sponsorship for every book or chapter they read over a set period.
It's simple to organise and a great way to involve children and families.
Sponsored silence
Challenge children and adults alike to stay silent for a set period in exchange for sponsorship. Add forfeits for anyone who breaks the silence — like donating an extra pound — to keep things fun.
Sponsored fast
Invite congregation members to fast for 24 hours in solidarity with communities experiencing hunger around the world.
Pair it with a reflection or prayer session to connect the challenge to Christian Aid's mission, and collect sponsorship in advance.
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Church-based activities
Fundraising can also be woven into the life of your church. These ideas connect worship, music and faith with action to support people facing poverty.
Hold a hymn-athon fundraiser
Gather your choir and congregation to sing hymns for a set number of hours and invite people to sponsor the event. Include refreshments and a break area to keep participants going.
Discover songs for you to include.
Plan a themed worship service
Choose a theme like climate justice or global poverty, weave in prayers and resources from Christian Aid, and hold a collection during the service. A themed service connects worship directly to action and gives your congregation a clear way to respond.
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Host a craft fair
Invite local artists and makers to showcase their work, charge a fee for stalls and ask for a percentage of sales to be donated. Add a children's craft table to make it an event for all ages.
Need to promote the event? Use our promotional items for Christian Aid Week.
Run a talent show
Charge an entry fee, encourage participants of all ages to perform — singing, comedy, dance, anything goes — and sell tickets to attend. Add a judging panel with fun prizes to make it even more entertaining.
Online fundraising
Online fundraising extends your reach well beyond your congregation. It makes it easy for friends, family and supporters anywhere in the world to get involved.
Set up an online fundraising page
Create an online collection page the Christian Aid fundraising hub and share it with your congregation, on social media or in your church newsletter.
An online page means people can donate at any time, from anywhere.
Run a social media fundraising challenge
Set a fun challenge (a 30-day kindness challenge, a daily gratitude post or a creative photo series) and invite your congregation to take part and share online.
Ask participants to donate a small amount to join in and tag others to spread the word. It's one of the most accessible church fundraising activities for reaching people outside your immediate community.
FAQ: Church fundraising ideas
What are the best church fundraising ideas?
Some of the most popular church fundraising ideas include bake sales, quiz nights, sponsored walks, craft fairs and family fun days. These events are easy to organise and help bring your congregation and local community together while raising funds for meaningful causes.
What are easy fundraising ideas for church groups?
Simple fundraising ideas for church groups include hosting a car wash, organising a film night, running a bake sale or holding a hymn-athon. These types of church fundraising events require minimal planning and can involve people of all ages in the congregation.
How can our church fundraise for Christian Aid Week?
Christian Aid Week is a chance for churches to come together to give, act and pray in support of people facing poverty around the world. Your church could organise events such as sponsored walks, bake sales, quiz nights or community meals to raise funds and awareness during the week.
How can church fundraising bring communities together?
A church fundraiser creates opportunities for people to connect, volunteer and support a shared cause. Events such as quiz nights, sponsored walks and family fun days encourage participation from both church members and the wider community, helping strengthen relationships while raising funds.
What fundraising ideas work well for small churches?
For small churches, simple and community-focused fundraisers often work best. Events like shared meals, quiz nights, craft sales or sponsored challenges allow everyone to take part and help raise funds without needing a large team or budget.
What makes a church fundraiser successful?
A successful church fundraiser usually has three key ingredients: a clear purpose, strong community involvement and good communication. When people understand why you’re fundraising and how their support will help others, they are much more likely to get involved and give generously.
