Fundraising Ideas for Youth Groups: 20 Engaging Activities
20 fundraising ideas for scouts, guides, cadets, and youth clubs. Active, fun, and age-appropriate ways to raise money while building skills.
Youth group fundraising should be fun, educational, and age-appropriate. These 20 ideas work for scouts, guides, cadets, youth clubs, and any young people's organisation.
Active & Outdoor
1. Sponsored hike / walk — A classic that teaches resilience. Choose a local beauty spot, collect sponsors per mile. Great for Duke of Edinburgh practice too.
Return: £500-3,000
2. Car wash — Volunteers with buckets and sponges in a supermarket car park. Visible, community-spirited, and teaches teamwork.
Return: £200-1,000
3. Fun run / obstacle course — Build a DIY obstacle course in a park or field. Charge entry, sell refreshments.
Return: £500-2,000
4. Litter pick + sponsored clean — Environmental AND fundraising. Sponsors pay per bag collected. Council may provide equipment free.
Return: £200-1,000
5. Camping fundraiser — Sponsor a night under canvas. Combine with other activities (campfire cooking, stargazing).
Return: £300-1,500
Creative & Skills-Based
6. Talent show — Young performers showcase music, dance, comedy, magic. Sell tickets to parents and community.
Return: £300-1,500
7. Art sale / craft fair — Members create artwork or crafts to sell. Teaches entrepreneurship.
Return: £200-1,000
8. Cookbook / recipe book — Collect family recipes, design a booklet, sell at £5-8 each.
Return: £200-1,000
9. Photography competition — £2 entry fee. Theme it (nature, community, emotions). Display and sell prints.
Return: £100-500
10. Film night — Screen a popular film. Sell popcorn and drinks. Cosy blankets and beanbags.
Return: £200-800
Community Service
11. Community service auction — Members offer services: gardening, dog walking, car washing, tech help. Auction them off.
Return: £300-2,000
12. Bag packing — Supermarket bag packing in exchange for donations. Teaches communication and service.
Return: £200-1,000
13. Plant / bulb sale — Grow plants from seed (a long-term project) and sell at a stall.
Return: £100-500
Challenge-Based
14. Sponsored readathon — Sponsored per book/chapter read. Combines literacy with fundraising.
Return: £500-3,000
15. 24-hour challenge — 24 hours of a specific activity: gaming, dancing, reading, sports. Collect sponsorship.
Return: £500-3,000
16. Penny war — Groups compete to fill jars with pennies. Sabotage by adding silver coins (which subtract). Fun competition.
Return: £100-500
Seasonal
17. Christmas fair stall — Handmade decorations, cards, and gifts sold at local Christmas markets.
Return: £200-1,000
18. Easter egg hunt — Charge per child. Organise in a park or garden. Simple and family-friendly.
Return: £200-800
19. Summer BBQ — Burgers, games, and music. Combine with other activities.
Return: £300-1,500
20. Pancake Day event — Pancake making, races, and competitions on Shrove Tuesday.
Return: £100-500
Tips for Youth Group Fundraising
- Involve young people in planning — they'll be more engaged if it's their idea
- Match fundraising to skills development — every event teaches something
- Keep it safe — risk assessments, adult supervision, safeguarding
- Celebrate the total — share results with the group and their families
- Use digital collection — parents don't carry cash; PledgeNow and QR codes make giving easy
Make Collection Easy
PledgeNow lets parents and supporters donate digitally at youth events. No cash handling. Free for every organisation.
Stop losing pledges. Start tonight.
Pledge Now, Pay Later captures every promise, follows up automatically, and lets donors pay on their own time. No card required. No catch.
Get fundraising tips in your inbox.
No spam. Just practical resources when we have something worth sharing.
Related articles
Online Fundraising Ideas: 25 Digital Ways to Raise Money
25 online fundraising ideas for charities. Crowdfunding, social media campaigns, virtual events, peer-to-peer, and digital donation tools. Complete guide.
How to Apply for Charity Grants: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to find and apply for charity grants in the UK. Where to look, how to write a winning application, common mistakes, and follow-up. Step-by-step guide.
Charity Raffle Rules UK: Legal Guide for Running Raffles
UK charity raffle rules explained. What's legal, what needs a licence, prize limits, and how to run raffles properly. Covers small society lotteries, incidental raffles, and prize draws.