Give your supporters a warm welcome to visit your office(s) and meet the faces behind the good work you do! Not only will this provide transparency, but it’ll also strengthen the bond between you and your donors. In addition to an in-person event, offer virtual experiences that can be shared all over, like little interviews with your staff and day-in-the-life video tours. Providing such intimate glimpses into your winter projects will leave a lasting impact and bring your community closer.

Instead of your annual spring bake sale, organise a plant sale where each purchase contributes to your cause. Partner with local nurseries or garden centres willing to donate a portion of the sales or provide plants at a discount for this event. Offer a variety of plants ideal for spring planting in your region, including flowers, herbs, and vegetables. This fundraiser can be easily adapted for online sales using your fundraising platform, expanding your reach beyond the local community. You can also add an online auction, in which you offer items complementary to your theme, such as time with a master gardener, a native plant package, outdoor decor items, and the services of an outdoor space planner.

Organise a yoga class on the day of the spring equinox. You can partner with a local yoga studio or instructor, or perhaps one of your organisation’s current donors is also a certified yogi and would love to donate their time! Using your fundraising platform, you can ask participants to register and pay a small fee or donate what they can. To include supporters who can’t participate in person, livestream the class so people can get their stretch on wherever they are! You can use social media, email, or text messages to invite and remind your supporters to join your yoga event.

Raffle off a spring break getaway package, such as a hotel stay, a spa treatment, or an exceptional raffle basket packed with self-care weekend treats (like dinner at a local restaurant) and gift cards. You can sell raffle tickets online or in person and draw the winner on the spring equinox. You can also have smaller raffle prizes for runners-up, such as books, films, or gift cards. That way, your supporters have more chances at winning something great, which helps to sell raffle tickets. Read our free how to raffle e-book for detailed tips and strategies on running a raffle that reaches your fundraising goals.

Put together a fun scavenger hunt that involves finding items or completing tasks related to spring, such as flowers, birds, eggs, or planting seeds. You don’t have to make the hunt items literal! For example, your clue for flowers could lead hunters to a specific painting at a local community centre or art gallery. Your spring scavenger hunt could be a team or an individual challenge, with clues and hints shared on your nonprofit’s social media (this is a great way to build followers, too!). Raise money by charging an entry fee or by asking for donations from participants through your fundraising platform. You could also arrange for sponsorships from local businesses, and then plan the hunt to include items at their locations. Participating businesses can offer discounts or coupons to your participants.

Everyone wants to get outside with their pets! Invite participants to submit photos of their pets enjoying the spring season, whether it’s playing in a field of flowers, going for a swim, or just enjoying a sunny day. Charge a small fee for each photo submission and allow the community to vote for their favourites by making a donation for each vote. Partner with local businesses to offer prizes for the winners, such as pet supply gift baskets, training coupons, and grooming gift cards

Host an online auction featuring spring-themed items, experiences, and services. This could range from a weekend getaway in a scenic location to gardening consultation services. An online auction allows supporters from far and wide to participate, increasing the potential for higher bids and more funds raised.

Like everyone else in the Southern Hemisphere, your supporters are itching for more fresh air. Capitalise on that inclination with a virtual spring fitness challenge fundraiser! Participants pledge to complete a certain distance walking, running, biking, rock climbing, or any activity they choose. Each participant then creates a personal fundraising page that they share throughout their social networks to raise money and awareness.

Host a spring gardening contest where participants create their own garden projects—from flower beds to vegetable gardens—and share their progress online. Supporters can raise funds by seeking sponsorships for their gardening efforts or by competing for votes (in the form of donations) for their projects. This idea connects the themes of growth and renewal directly with your fundraising efforts.

Inspire your supporters to take on eco-friendly challenges that promote sustainability and environmental consciousness, aligning with the spirit of renewal that the spring equinox embodies. Challenges can range from a week of zero-waste living, planting trees, or reducing personal carbon footprints, with participants raising funds through their advocacy and action.

Organize a walk or hike where participants can enjoy the beauty of spring with their pets. Participants in this furry-friend peer-to-peer fundraiser can secure pledges for every mile they complete. If you host an in-person walk, choose scenic routes that are suitable for pets and their owners, and end the event with a small festival or picnic where everyone can relax and enjoy the spring weather together. If you include a virtual element, make sure you include mention of all furred companions—some people walk their cats on leashes, and horseback riders can ride on the trail for your cause!