5 Fundraiser Formats Perfect for Summer (and How to Organize Them)

School’s out, the sun’s out, and your community’s ready to show up and give back! Summer is prime time for fun, feel-good fundraisers that bring people together and raise serious support for your cause.

With more daylight and more downtime, people are eager to connect, pitch in, and make a difference. And with SignUpGenius, organizing your fundraiser is as easy as a summer breeze. From collecting donations to coordinating volunteers, we’ve got everything you need to pull off a successful event.

Here are five creative fundraiser ideas perfect for summer and how to bring each one to life with SignUpGenius.

1. Summer cookout fundraiser

Few things bring people together like food. A summer cookout or potluck is a classic, budget-friendly way to rally your community and raise funds.

With an RSVPsign up, you can get easily track who’ s attending your event while also getting sign ups for items like burgers, veggie trays, desserts, and drinks.

UseSignUpGenius Donations to collect donation funds directly on your sign up. Add a suggested donation amount, or allow participants to give what they can.

Funds can go straight to your organization’s bank account, making transactions seamless and secure.

2. Outdoor movie night with concessions

Transform a backyard, park, or church lawn into a nostalgic open-air cinema. With a simple projector setup and a family-friendly movie, you can host a relaxing movie night under the stars and raise money while doing it.

Start by creating a sign up to easily manage volunteer roles for event setup, popcorn popping, and post-event cleanup. Your volunteers will love how easy it is to use your online sign up — and you’ll love the simple set up and easy event management.

Raise funds by charging admission or selling concessions like popcorn, candy, and drinks. You can even pre-sell tickets right on your sign up with SignUpGenius’ easy collect money feature. Make your Donations online fundraiser available at the event so attendees can give on the spot, even if they didn’t bring cash.

3. Online summer auction

When summer gets busy, not everyone can make it to an in-person fundraiser. That’s where an online auction shines. You can raise significant funds without needing a physical venue, allowing supporters to participate from anywhere.

With SignUpGenius Auctions, you can easily create and manage a virtual fundraising auction. Upload item photos, set starting bids and minimum increments, and schedule the event start and end times. Whether you’re offering restaurant gift cards, sports memorabilia, or themed baskets, it’s simple to customize listings and track bids in real time.

You can even accept payment directly through the platform once the auction closes. This means no chasing down winners and no awkward delays in your fundraising total.

A few tips for success:

• Gather donated items from local businesses or community members well in advance.
• Promote your auction on social media and email newsletters using the auction link.
• Consider pairing the auction with another event, like a summer fair or virtual talent show, to increase visibility.

4. Neighborhood yard sale for a cause

A group yard sale is a win-win: people clear out their clutter, shoppers find bargains, and your organization raises funds. Summer is prime time for these events, and you can make yours stand out by turning it into a charitable community happening.

Use a sign up to get a list of sellers and coordinate any volunteer roles, like putting out yard sale signs, putting items out on display, or managing payments. Include custom questions in your sign up to ask about the types of items being sold or if tables are needed.

If you want to centralize the sale in one location, like a school parking lot or church lawn, create a sign up with all-day volunteer time slots.Our automated time slots feature makes it easy to populate time slots.

To raise funds, ask each participating household to contribute a portion (or all) of their earnings to your cause. You can also make donating easy by providing a mobile payment option via SignUpGenius Donations.

5. Summer sports tournament or field day

From kickball games to mini-Olympics, an outdoor sports event gets people moving and giving. It’s a great way to bring in families, youth groups, or neighborhood teams while promoting healthy fun and friendly competition.

Create a sign up for:

• Team registrations (you can easily collectcontact info and t-shirt sizes on your sign up)
• Volunteers for refereeing, first aid, or check-in tables
• Event setup and takedown help
• Vendor registration

If you’re charging entry fees, collect cashless payments right on your sign up. Participants will love being able to sign up and pay all in one place.

Want to take your sports event a step further (and raise more money)? Host a halftime raffle or silent auction using SignUpGenius Auctions. With mobile-friendly bidding, guests can participate on their phones while they cheer on their favorite team.

Use SignUpGenius for your summer fundraiser!

Summer’s here and so is your golden window for fundraising success. Schedules are lighter, the sun’s shining, and your community’s ready to connect. That makes it the perfect time to try a fresh fundraising format and rally your biggest supporters.

Whether you’re grilling burgers, hosting a field day, or launching a virtual auction, SignUpGenius makes it easy to organize, energize, and maximize your impact. With our tools in your corner, getting people to show up and chip in is a breeze.

Summer won’t last forever! Start planning your fundraiser today and make this season one to remember.