Halloween is all about costumes, candy, spooky stories, and decorations that bring out the fun in everyone! With its ghostly charm and playful spirit, this spooky season is a perfect time to rally your community and raise funds for a great cause. Whether you’re going for family-friendly thrills or spine-chilling frights there’s no shortage of ways to weave a little Halloween hocus pocus into your nonprofit’s fundraising efforts. From haunted houses to pumpkin carving contests, here are 21 spooktacular Halloween fundraising ideas that will thrill, chill, and make a lasting impact.
Nothing screams Halloween quite like a haunted house! This classic event draws in everyone from families looking for a good scare to adrenaline junkies. You can make a haunted house out of anything. Think of transforming a barn, donated space (warehouses or car washes), or even your nonprofit’s property. Deck it out with fog machines, eerie lighting, creepy sound effects, and volunteer actors ready to make everyone jump. You’ll be surprised how much a cobweb can do to “spook” up a place!
Depending on the level of “scare” you wish to achieve, try a more family-friendly haunted house for younger kids, an “adults-only” version for the brave-hearted, or even a combo of both. Consider adding themed rooms like a haunted forest or zombie apocalypse to cater to every level of fright-seeker.
Admission fees will get the fundraising going, but you can up the ante with VIP tours or fast passes for guests who want to skip the lines. To make the experience even more memorable, hand out printed tickets, wristbands, or maps that guide visitors through the various “scare zones.” And don’t forget to drum up excitement with promotional flyers leading up to the event!
Get local businesses into the frightful fun by having them sponsor the event, donate spooky supplies, or send a team of volunteers. Check to see if a local art store would be willing to do some face painting as people wait outside the haunted house or have a restaurant sponsor a witch’s brew refreshment stand. To really rake in the profits, set up the house early in the fall season and run it until Halloween.
IMPORTANT: Don’t forget to haunt your local fire inspector to ensure you have all the proper safety measures in place for your event!
Hosting a Halloween costume contest is a fun way to bring your community together for a good cause. It’s an event that invites kids, adults, and even pets to show off their best looks. You can even crown different winners for various age groups, making it a family-friendly celebration!
Charge a small entry fee for participants and offer prizes donated by local businesses for the best costumes in categories like scariest, funniest, or most original. Don’t forget about group costumes! There’s nothing like seeing a whole crew decked out in matching outfits to bring the festive spirit alive.
Choosing a vibrant public park or community space for the event not only boosts visibility but also creates a lighthearted atmosphere. Set up food and drink stalls to keep the energy up and add to your fundraising efforts. Just don’t forget to get all the necessary permits!
Get the word out with printed posters and flyers, and make sure to have voting ballots and winner certificates on hand to add a touch of flair to the festivities. To keep it all organized, printed templates can help with the promotional process and make it easy to print everything in one batch. Don’t forget to promote the contest on social media!
For those who love to get out and soak up fall, a Halloween-themed fun run or 5K is a thrilling way to get the community moving! A Zombie run can offer a unique twist. Have volunteers dressed as zombies hide through the course to give runners a chase. Runners can also dress up in costumes themselves. Just make sure they can outrun the undead in whatever they wear!
Get local businesses to sponsor water stations, shirts, and more. Consider custom race bibs and banners at the finish line. Don’t forget about the mile markers. Printing them in a creepy zombie theme will really amp up the eerie atmosphere for everyone involved! Charge an entry fee for runners, and don’t forget to offer some spooktacular-themed T-shirts and medals to boost your fundraising efforts.
A pumpkin carving contest is a fantastic family-friendly fundraising option that can unite the community! Organize a community-wide pumpkin carving contest and send out printed invitations to local supporters, businesses, and schools to get everyone involved.
Have participants bring their own pumpkins or purchase them on-site. Any carver who takes part in the contest will pay a small entry fee for the fun. Create categories for the contest that will ignite everyone’s imagination! Who can carve the scariest face that would make even the bravest soul scream? Or who will come up with the funniest design that leaves everyone in stitches?
Ask local businesses to sponsor some contest prizes with gift certificates or coupons. These can incentivize participation but also foster community support. Imagine the thrill of winning a local dining experience or a fun day out while showcasing your pumpkin prowess!
Printed invitations, scorecards for judges, and participant badges will add to the fun, while programs listing participants and sponsors will showcase just how involved your community is in this good cause. It’s sure to be a carving extravaganza that everyone will remember!
Another spooky yet heartfelt fundraiser to consider is a "Vampire Blood Drive," where nonprofits can partner with a local blood bank to give back to the community in a truly impactful way. Fill the venue with eerie decor and have volunteers dress as vampires to create an atmosphere that’s both fun and delightfully spooky!
Offer incentives like free Halloween treats, local business coupons, or printed thank-you cards to show appreciation. Be sure to have posters, flyers, and lawn signs outside where the blood drive is hosted to attract attention. You can sprinkle in some clever vampire puns that playfully invite people to "suck it up" and donate blood This not only raises awareness about the importance of blood donation but also makes a tangible difference in the lives of those in need. It’s a frightfully good way to blend community spirit with a cause that truly matters!
We know people love young children in costumes, but what about pets? Host a Halloween pet costume parade and contest where pet parents pay to enter their beloved companions. They can then strut their stuff in a parade where the cuteness levels will be off the charts.
Get ready for some spirited competition with fun categories like cutest, funniest, scariest, or most original. If pet parents can’t decide between multiple pets, encourage them to dress up together for a chance at the coveted best group costume award!
Partner with local pet businesses, such as groomers, pet stores, or even veterinary offices, and offer them the chance to share Halloween promotions and goodies at the event. Promote the event through social media, posters, and flyers, and don’t forget to print adorable certificates for the winners. Donated prizes for the champions will sweeten the deal, making this event a howling success for pets and their humans alike!
Chances are, you’ve been to a bake sale before. But have you ever been to a Halloween-themed bake sale? For a twist on a classic fundraiser, have all bakers only provide fall-themed desserts, like pumpkin spice cupcakes, monster cookies, or ghost-shaped cakes. Don’t forget dirt cups with creepy crawly gummy worms! Set up shop in a bustling community spot to attract passersby to make sure no one misses out on the deliciousness. To keep things safe for all, have bakers create printed menus complete with allergen information and donation recommendations.
And don’t overlook recipe cards! Recipe cards can be a fun takeaway, teaching people how to make the Halloween spirit at home long after the sale is over. To ensure maximum excitement, don’t forget those eye-catching promotional posters! Place them strategically around the neighborhood, at local businesses, and on community bulletin boards to create buzz leading up to the sweet event.
Why settle for just tasting delicious treats when you can learn to whip them up yourself? Hosting a spooky baking class can teach people how to make Halloween-themed treats, such as pumpkin pies, ghost cookies, or caramel apples all for a good cause. This could be a good option to combine with a bake sale, or plan after the bake sale to entice people to take the baking class.
Partner with a local bakery or a talented volunteer to teach attendees how to create Halloween-themed desserts. Consider going virtual and get others to take the class from the comforts of their own home so they don’t have to share kitchen space.
Charge an entry fee for the class and think about creating themed merchandise, such as custom aprons or kitchen gadgets, which participants can purchase during the class. Offering pre-packaged baking kits for attendees to take home and recreate the treats afterward can also help your fundraiser!
When did the first Spirit Halloween stores open? Which famous person died on Halloween: Audrey Hepburn, Harry Houdini, Aretha Franklin, or Edgar Allen Poe? These are just some of the questions you can ask during a spooky Halloween trivia night!
Gather teams to compete for bragging rights, and don’t forget to offer prizes for the winning teams. Sell delicious food and drinks donated by a local restaurant or partner with one and have them be the host of your fundraiser. Be sure to have table tents ready to announce the trivia night and create a buzz ahead of time.
Print flyers to promote this eerie event, prepare question sheets and scorecards for teams, and encourage participants to arrive in their most creative costumes. With laughter, competition, and a dash of Halloween spirit, your trivia night will be a frightfully fun way to raise funds!
What’s Halloween without pumpkins? A pumpkin patch fundraiser is a delightful way to celebrate the season while raising funds for your nonprofit. Partner with a local farm or set up a pumpkin-selling station at community events to attract eager pumpkin lovers.
Alongside pumpkins, consider offering pumpkin carving kits or seasonal treats to sweeten the deal. The sight of vibrant pumpkins and smiling faces will surely draw in the crowds. To get the word out, use printed flyers, posters, and banners. Let your community know where the fun is happening, and watch as they flock to your event, ready to find their perfect pumpkin for the Halloween season! Consider pairing this fundraiser with the pumpkin carving contest to an even bigger fundraiser.
Not everyone lives in a neighborhood with plentiful trick-or-treat options, but who doesn’t love the thrill of trick-or-treating? A planned “trunk-or-treat” is a great option to provide a space safe for families to get candy while also raising some money for a great cause.
While these events are often called “trunk-or-treat,” you can host your spooktacular gathering anywhere, not just in a parking lot! Try partnering with a local school, college, community center, or use a park for a space large enough to hold a crowd of eager trick-or-treaters. To spread the word, create eye-catching flyers and posters to advertise the event, as well as lawn signs or feather flags that can draw attention.
Encourage participants to decorate their car trunks or tables with spooky themes. Picture this: one participant transforms their car into a Frozen wonderland, complete with snowflakes, twinkling lights, and a speaker blasting "Let It Go" on repeat. Elsa herself might even make an appearance! Meanwhile, just a few spaces down, another car offers a warm escape from the chilly vibes with a beach scene, complete with a blow-up beach ball, colorful towels, and palm tree cutouts.
Bring the community together with a delightful harvest dinner featuring seasonal foods like pumpkin pie, apple cider, and roasted vegetables. Charge for tickets and let the proceeds support your nonprofit's mission while enjoying a heartwarming meal.
This harvest dinner offers a more formal yet cozy fundraising option. Partner with a local farm or chef to ensure your menu is bursting with fresh fall flavors such as sweet potatoes and turkey. Elevate the dining experience with printed menus that highlight the dishes, place cards for each guest, and thank-you cards to express your gratitude.
Create an unforgettable haunted maze that serves as the centerpiece of your Halloween festivities. This immersive experience is a classic fall activity that can draw in crowds looking for a thrill. Construct a maze out of hay bales or other materials and fill it with spooky surprises and chilling encounters.
Consider offering a family-friendly version of the maze during the day, then switch to a more frightful experience for the brave adults later in the evening, maximizing the fun for everyone involved. To enhance visitor engagement, use printed maps, signs, and sponsorship boards to guide participants through the maze while promoting local businesses. This haunted maze will surely become the talk of the town.
Capture the magic of Halloween with a spooky photo booth that adds a fun and memorable element to any event. Setting up a booth with themed backdrops and props like witch hats, vampire fangs, and ghost masks can create a delightful experience for guests eager to snap the perfect picture.
Charge a small fee for each photo, whether printed or digital, to help raise funds for your cause. Branded backdrops and props featuring the nonprofit or sponsor logos can also spread awareness. To elevate the experience, consider partnering with local photographers who can provide professional photo services, ensuring everyone leaves with a cherished memory. With a sprinkle of creativity and a focus on fun, your spooky photo booth is bound to be a hit!
For a family-friendly evening, a Halloween movie night offers a chance to screen classic Halloween films. Picture an outdoor screen under the stars or a cozy indoor venue showcasing classic films like Hocus Pocus or Beetlejuice. Families can gather for a night of nostalgic Halloween entertainment. Charge admission, and sell popcorn, candy, and other spooky-themed snacks to help raise money.
Printed movie tickets, eye-catching flyers, and concession stand menus will set the scene. Don’t forget to sprinkle in some Halloween decorations and encourage attendees to come in costume for an extra layer of festive fun!
What’s better than a good old-fashioned raffle with a Halloween twist? Entice your community with the chance to win eerie-sistible prizes! Offer themed gift baskets filled with fall decorations, candy, and cozy autumn goodies, or donated tickets for local experiences such as wine tastings or art classes. The excitement of winning combined with the seasonal theme will have everyone lining up to buy raffle tickets.
Create a polished look for the event with printed raffle tickets, a prize list to showcase what’s up for grabs, and personalized thank-you cards for local businesses that contributed prizes. Your Halloween-themed raffle will not only raise funds but also foster a stronger community connection.
Give a traditional silent auction a spooky spin! Ask local businesses and supporters to donate items such as Halloween decorations, themed gift baskets, or tickets to local attractions. Set the scene with eerie lighting, cobwebs, and unsettling background music. To add to the fun, have volunteers dress in costume, or even assign a costume theme for participants to follow! More like a “silent as the tomb” auction!
Printing catalogs of the auction items, bid sheets, and signage explaining how the auction works will ensure that the event runs smoothly. Promote it with flyers, posters, and social media posts to stir up excitement leading up to the night!
A Halloween-themed scavenger hunt offers the perfect blend of mystery, adventure, and fun for participants of all ages. Participants can search for hidden objects or solve riddle-based clues for teams to solve throughout the community or event space.
Start by charging a small entry fee for each team, adding a competitive element by offering enticing prizes to those who solve the most clues or find all the hidden treasures. You can tailor the scavenger hunt to different skill levels or even offer different themed routes, one for families with younger children, and another with scarier challenges for older participants. To ramp up the excitement, have participants dress in costume, awarding bonus points or prizes for the most creative or terrifying getups.
Printed materials are key to setting the tone and guiding participants through their hair-raising journey. Create maps, riddle sheets, and clue cards with eerie graphics and cryptic instructions. Signs with spooky messages can be placed around the event space to help people find their way around while also adding to the overall ghostly ambiance.
Encouraging families and friends to form teams and join the Halloween fun with printed marketing materials ahead of time. A Halloween scavenger hunt isn’t just about solving clues, it’s about creating lasting memories, engaging the community, and bringing people together for a thrilling day of adventure, all while raising funds for a worthy cause.
Bring spine-tingling tales to life with a ghost story contest! Which story can scare the most guests? Imagine the lights dimming, the room filled with anticipation, as local storytellers, authors, and brave contestants take the stage to share their most terrifying tales. Charge an admission fee for eager listeners and let the atmosphere build as each storyteller takes a turn trying to scare the audience out of their seats.
To keep the event family-friendly, offer “fear levels” so people can figure out which stories will be better for younger and older audiences. Provide prizes for the scariest stories to different age categories to ensure that every ghostly tale finds its perfect audience.
Print programs, scorecards for judges, and certificates for winners, and offer to print the scariest story as a prize. Hosting a ghost story contest is more than just an entertaining evening—it’s an immersive experience that will have participants and audience members alike sharing stories long after the final tale is told. With a mix of spooky décor and Halloween-themed snacks, this event will be the perfect combination of fright and delight for everyone involved!
Have you ever wanted to learn how to make a pumpkin spice latte? How about a Halloween-inspired cocktail? Or what about a pumpkin wreath for your front door? A Halloween-themed class on crafting, costume-making, home decorating, cocktail-shaking, or specialty drink-making is another great way to engage your community and fundraise for your non-profit. People love the chance to tap into their creativity and learn a new skill especially if it's on theme for the season!
Partner with a local barista, decorator, or bartender to lead the session in person or virtually. Charge a participation fee and provide all the supplies necessary for the class. Print instructional guides, supply lists, and promotional materials to make sure attendees have everything they need before going to their classes.
A fall festival or carnival is the ultimate fundraising event, offering a little bit of everything for everyone! Set up game booths, food vendors, pumpkin carving stations, and even a haunted house to create a full day of autumn fun. Admission fees and proceeds from game booths, food sales, and special attractions can all go toward supporting your nonprofit’s mission.
You can even incorporate many of the fundraising ideas from this list into the festival, like a costume contest, spooky photo booth, or haunted maze, to maximize both attendance and donations. Promote the event with printed flyers, banners, social media posts, and word of mouth to ensure a big turnout and a full day of fall festivities!
Fall is the perfect season for nonprofits to conjure up creative fundraising opportunities. From spine-tingling haunted houses and lively costume contests to delicious bake sales and pumpkin carving competitions, there’s no shortage of spooky and fun ways to engage and inspire supporters.
Each event offers its own unique twist, ensuring there’s something for everyone—families, fitness enthusiasts, pet lovers, and more! When it comes to getting all of your printed materials ready to go, there are resources like Mission Print that can help nonprofits get everything printed efficiently and affordably. Whether you're printing tickets for a Halloween raffle, scorecards for a costume contest, or flyers to spread the word, working with a trusted printing partner takes the stress out of event planning and lets you focus on what really matters: raising money for your cause.
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