College and university fundraising ideas
College and university fundraising ideas
Looking for a way to get fundraising at your college or university? From the classic bake sale a campus wide game of tag, there are lots of ways for you and your fellow students to get
involved
Involved is being included in something or taking part in something.
and raise vital funds for Mencap.
Autumn Term
One Big Walk – tie up those shoelaces and get involved in One Big Walk during September. Choose your distance, route and get raising funds with every step! Find out more about One Big Walk.
Bake sale – a classic for a reason! Get everyone baking up some tasty treats to sell to raise money. How about setting a theme for your bake sale to add an extra level of fun?
Calendar – college and universities are full of creative talent, so why not reach out to art or photography students to submit their best pieces to be included in a calendar? Get the calendar printed online and sell to raise money for Mencap to students, staff and family and friends.
Movie night – show a film on the big screen, either in the hall or lecture theatre using a projector. Either charge for tickets or ask for donations on the door. You could also sell popcorn and other cinema snacks to raise even more.
Library fine donations – ask the library at your institution if for one month any fines that are paid for overdue books can be donated to Mencap.
Cookbook – ask fellow students to submit their go-to recipes and put together a cookbook. Get the book printed online or sell digital copies to fellow students, friends and family. They’d make great Christmas gifts!
TikTok challenge – many students at your college or university will be on TikTok, and some may have a huge following. So use the power of social media and come up with an entertaining challenge for people to take on. Those taking part can use the ‘Support Nonprofit’ sticker and nominate Mencap to enable viewers to donate directly.
Spring Term
Clothes swap – hold a clothes swap and ask people to donate their pre-loved clothers, shoes and accessories. Promote the event around campus for people to come and pick up something ‘new’ to wear in return for a donation.
Theatre performances – most colleges and universities have a Drama department that put on performances during the year. Hold a collection at the performance and ask the audience to make a donation to Mencap.
Rock Your Socks – Celebrate World
Down Syndrome
Down syndrome, also known as Down's syndrome, is a type of disability. People with Down syndrome may find it hard to learn new things and may need support. They may have more problems with their health too.
Day on 21 March by wearing your funkiest socks! Add to the fun and organise a Rock Your Socks party, quiz or bake sale. Find out more about Rock Your Socks.
Open mic night – give students the opportunity to take to the stage to deliver a poetry reading or stand-up comedy. An open mic night is a great fundraising idea that provides an evening of entertainment for everyone. You could sell tickets for the audience to attend and sell refreshments on the night. Or how about holding a battle of the bands?
Quiz night – invite your friends and fellow students to get into teams for an evening of quizzing fun! Charge an entry for each team, and sell refreshments on the night to raise even more. You could also ask local business to donate prizes for the winning team.
Dance-athon/Spin-athon – bring out everyone's competitive side! See how long you can keep going on the dancefloor, or keep pedaling. Get sponsored for how long you are able to keep going. And why not give friends the chance to choose what dance or pedal to for an extra donation?
Summer Term
Car wash – open up the car park and hold a car wash onsite to raise funds for Mencap. Not only is it a great fundraising idea, but lots of fun too!
Campus game of tag – hold a campus wide game of tag for an exhilarating fundraising idea! Divide participants into two teams and ask for a donation from participants to play. Give participants a coloured armband or similar which they have to capture when they’ve caught an opponent. The winning team is the one that catches the most opponents by the end of the game.
Sporting Match – most colleges and universities have a whole range of sporting societies, making a sports match a great fundraising event. Ask participating teams for a donation to take part, plus sell refreshments on the day to raise even more.
Campus scavenger hunt – hold a scavenger hunt on campus and charge teams to take part. You could make your hunt themed such as have a sports scavenger hunt with activity stations along the route. Or how about holding a spooking themed scavenger hunt for Halloween? Alternatively, you could do an escape room inspired challenge.
Nominate us for RAG week – most universities invite students to nominate charities for their RAG week activities, so put Mencap in the running to be one of those supported in your upcoming event.