Looking for Halloween Fundraiser Inspiration? Here Are 15 Wicked Ideas to Try
Halloween is the ideal occasion to combine some spooky fun with charitable generosity. Halloween fundraising activities can be a great way to reach your audience if you are running a nonprofit or a fundraiser for a good cause. From haunted houses to costume contests, there’s no shortage of creative Halloween fundraiser ideas that can help you raise money while entertaining your guests.
There are many ways to throw an exciting event that gives back, whether you're searching for spooky fundraising ideas, nonprofit Halloween events, or some planning tips for Halloween fundraisers.
I'll walk you through 15 wickedly fun ideas in this blog post to inspire your next Halloween charity event.
Benefits of Hosting a Halloween Fundraiser
- Engages the Community: Halloween fundraisers bring people together, fostering community spirit while supporting a good cause. This is a fantastic approach to include families, schools, and nearby businesses in your event.
- Fun and Memorable Experience: Halloween fundraisers are naturally exciting due to the festive atmosphere, costumes, and themed activities. These events are fun for all ages, making them memorable and encouraging repeat participation year after year.
- Boosts Awareness for Your Cause: Hosting a Halloween fundraiser is a creative way to highlight your nonprofit's mission. The festive event can attract new supporters, helping spread awareness about your cause while raising funds.
- Attracts a Wide Audience: Halloween is a fantastic way to attract a wider audience because it appeals to individuals of all ages, from kids to adults. With events like haunted houses, costume contests, or pumpkin carving, there’s something for everyone.
- Encourages Participation: The interactive nature of Halloween-themed events encourages higher levels of participation. Whether it's a costume contest or a scavenger hunt, guests are more likely to engage, which can lead to higher donations.
1. Haunted House Tour
Nothing screams Halloween like a haunted house! Create a spine-chilling experience by converting an old building, barn, or school into a haunted house. Charge an entrance fee, and watch your donations pile up as guests make their way through creepy corridors and eerie rooms. Partner with local volunteers or theater groups to add a touch of drama to the experience with actors dressed as ghosts, witches, or zombies. This is one of the most effective Halloween fundraising ideas because it promises a mix of fun and fright.
Estimated Budget:
- Venue (if needed): €450–€950
- Decorations: €250–€550
- Lighting & sound equipment: €150–€350
- Costumes & makeup: €150–€350
- Marketing: €50–€250
Total: €1,100–€2,300
Budget Tip:Partner with a local school, theater, or community center to reduce venue costs, or see if any volunteers can donate costumes and props.
2. Pumpkin Carving Contest
Who doesn’t love a good pumpkin carving competition? Set up a station with pumpkins, carving tools, and markers, and let participants get creative. You can charge an entry fee and offer prizes for different categories, like the scariest, funniest, and most creative pumpkin. This is an excellent way to incorporate the community, schools, and families into a fun Halloween charity event.
Estimated Budget:
- Pumpkins (if provided): €3–€5 per pumpkin (up to €150 for 30 participants)
- Carving tools: €50–€100
- Prizes: €50–€150
- Marketing: €50–€100
Total: €100–€350
Budget Tip:Ask participants to bring their pumpkins to save on costs.
3. Zombie Fun Run
Imagine running alongside zombies! This fundraising idea is perfect for fitness enthusiasts who want to support a cause while having fun. Organize a 5K run where volunteers dressed as zombies “chase” the runners. Participants can wear costumes and pay an entry fee to join the race. You can also include a prize for the best costume or the fastest runner to add some competitive spirit to this Halloween fundraiser idea..
Estimated Budget:
- Venue/permits: €100–€250 (local parks may charge for permits)
- Zombie costumes/makeup: €150–€450
- Medals/t-shirts: €150–€350
- Water stations/snacks: €50–€150
- Marketing: €50–€100
Total: €600–€1,200
Budget Tip:Partner with local businesses for sponsorships to cover the costs of t-shirts, medals, or refreshments.
4. Costume Contest & Party
Host a Halloween-themed costume party complete with a contest for the best-dressed attendees. Sell tickets for entry and offer prizes for different categories like the scariest costume, funniest costume, and best group costume. To maximize donations, offer a VIP section with perks like exclusive snacks, drinks, or front-row seats to the costume judging.
A costume contest allows people to get creative while supporting your cause, making it one of the most popular Halloween fundraising ideas.
Estimated Budget:
- Venue: €250–€500
- Decorations: €50–€150
- Prizes: €50–€150
- Food & drinks: €150–€350 (if catering)
- Marketing: €50–€150
Total: €350–€1,500
Budget Tip:Host the party at a local community center, school gym, or even outdoors to reduce venue costs. You could also make it a potluck to save on catering.
5. Halloween Movie Marathon
If you're looking for more laid-back Halloween fundraiser ideas, a spooky movie marathon might be perfect. Set up a big screen at a community center, school gym, or even outdoors if the weather permits, and host a Halloween movie night. You can show classic Halloween films like Hocus Pocus, Beetlejuice, or The Nightmare Before Christmas. Sell tickets and snacks like popcorn, candy, and hot cider to raise money for your cause.
Estimated Budget:
- Venue rental: €50–€250
- Screen/projector: €50–€150 (borrow if possible)
- Licensing fees: €100–€300 (for showing movies publicly)
- Snacks: €50–€150
- Marketing: €50–€150
Total: €450–€1,150
Budget Tip:Use public domain movies to avoid licensing fees or ask for permission from local film clubs.
6. Halloween Bake Sale
Treat your guests to a spooky bake sale! Ask local bakers or volunteers to create Halloween-themed treats like ghost-shaped cookies, pumpkin-flavored cupcakes, and eyeball cake pops. Set up a booth at a community event, local park, or school, and sell these ghoulish goodies to raise money for charity.
Estimated Budget:
- Ingredients (if baking): €100–€200
- Decorations/table setup: €50–€100
- Prizes (if hosting a baking competition): €50–€100
- Marketing: €50–€100
Total: €250–€500
Budget Tip:Ask local bakeries or volunteers to donate baked goods, which can save you a significant amount of money.
7. Escape Room Adventure
Bring some mystery and fun to your Halloween fundraiser by setting up an escape room. Create a haunted house escape scenario where participants must solve puzzles and find clues to escape from a locked room before time runs out. Charge an entrance fee, and offer team-building packages to attract more people. You can even theme the escape rooms with popular Halloween tropes like witches' covens, vampire castles, or mad scientist labs.
Estimated Budget:
- Venue rental: €150–€450
- Props & decorations: €150–€300
- Puzzles & locks: €50–€150
- Lighting & sound effects: €50–€150
- Marketing: €50–€150
Total: €550–€1,250
Budget Tip:Partner with a local escape room company to set up a temporary venue or host the event in a donated space.
8. Ghost Story Night
If you’re aiming for a more low-key event, host a ghost story night at a local community center, library, or park. Invite storytellers or hire actors to share spooky stories that will send chills down everyone's spine. Guests can pay an entrance fee, and you can sell snacks and drinks to raise additional funds.
Estimated Budget:
- Venue rental (if needed): €50–€250
- Sound system (if needed): €50–€100
- Decorations (optional): €50–€150
- Snacks & drinks: €50–€150
- Marketing: €50–€100
Total: €250–€750
Budget Tip:Ask local authors or storytellers to volunteer for the event and host it at a free location like a park or community hall.
9. Spooky Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt can be a fun way for kids and families to get involved in your Halloween fundraiser. Set up clues around your community or event space, and let participants work together to find spooky items hidden along the way. Charge a registration fee and offer prizes for the teams that complete the hunt the fastest.
You can theme the scavenger hunt with Halloween characters like witches, skeletons, and ghosts to make it even more exciting!
Estimated Budget:
- Prizes: €50–€150
- Clue cards & scavenger items: €50–€100
- Decorations/signage: €50–€150
- Marketing: €50–€150
Total: €250–€550
Budget Tip:Keep costs low by creating DIY clues and getting volunteers to help with setup.
10. Halloween-Themed Silent Auction
Get local businesses to donate Halloween-themed items or services, such as spa treatments, restaurant vouchers, or Halloween decorations, and host a silent auction. Display the items at your event and let attendees bid on them throughout the evening. Silent auctions are perfect for charity events because they allow people to contribute while getting something fun in return.
Estimated Budget:
- Venue: €100–€300
- Auction items (donated if possible): Variable
- Auction setup materials: €50–€100
- Marketing: €50–€150
Total: €250–€650
Budget Tip:Partner with local businesses to donate items for the auction, which can significantly reduce your costs.
11. Day of the Dead Festival
Inspired by the Mexican tradition of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), this cultural celebration is a colorful and meaningful way to raise funds for your cause. Host a Day of the Dead festival complete with face painting, sugar skull decorating, traditional foods, and live music. Charge an entry fee and sell food, drinks, and crafts to boost your fundraising efforts.
This is a great option if you want to combine cultural education with your Halloween fundraiser.
Estimated Budget:
- Venue rental: €100–€300
- Decorations: €100–€250
- Entertainment (musicians, dancers, etc.): €150–€350
- Food & drink vendors (if applicable): Variable
- Marketing: €50–€150
Total: €400–€1,100
Budget Tip:Charge vendors a booth fee to help offset costs and offer volunteer-based entertainment.
12. Trick-or-Treat Trail
Set up a safe trick-or-treating experience for kids by organizing a trick-or-treat trail in your community. Charge a small entry fee, and invite local businesses or residents to set up decorated booths where kids can collect candy and treats. To make it a memorable occasion, you can also include entertainment like face painting, live music, and picture booths.
This is a safer substitute for traditional trick-or-treating, in addition to being a fun charitable Halloween event for families.
Estimated Budget:
- Venue/permits: €100–€250
- Decorations: €50–€150
- Candy & treats: €100–€300
- Marketing: €50–€100
Total: €300–€750
Budget Tip:Ask local businesses to donate candy or sponsor a booth along the trail.
13. Spooky Photo Booth
Create a themed photo booth at your Halloween event where guests can take spooky or funny pictures with props like witch hats, vampire teeth, and ghost costumes. Charge a fee for each photo, or offer a photo package that includes digital or printed copies. You can even partner with a local photographer or use a high-quality camera to make the experience professional.
This is a great addition to your fundraiser that is simple to plan.
Estimated Budget:
- Backdrop & props: €50–€150
- Photographer: €100–€250 (or ask for a volunteer)
- Printing costs (optional): €50–€100
- Marketing: €50–€100
Total: €250–€650
Budget Tip:DIY your backdrop and props, and use digital photo delivery to save on printing costs.
14. Witches’ Brew Cocktail Night
For an adults-only event, organize a Halloween cocktail night with spooky drinks like Witches' brew, vampire punch, and zombie cocktails. Partner with a local bar or restaurant and sell tickets for the event, including a set number of drinks or appetizers. You can also have a mixology competition where bartenders create their best Halloween-inspired drinks, and guests vote for their favorite.
This is a fantastic fundraising idea for those who want a more sophisticated yet fun Halloween celebration.
Estimated Budget:
- Venue: €100–€300
- Drinks: €100–€250
- Bartender: €100–€200
- Decorations: €50–€100
- Marketing: €50–€150
Total: €650–€1,200
Budget Tip:Partner with a local bar or restaurant for a discounted venue and drink costs.
15. Murder Mystery Dinner
Host a thrilling murder mystery dinner party where guests play the roles of suspects, detectives, and witnesses. Sell tickets to the event, and include dinner and entertainment in the price. You can choose a Halloween theme for the murder mystery, such as a haunted mansion or a spooky graveyard, to add extra excitement.
This interactive event is perfect for adults who love solving puzzles and enjoy immersive experiences.
Estimated Budget:
- Venue/dinner costs: €300–€600
- Actors/costumes: €150–€350
- Scripts & props: €50–€100
- Marketing: €50–€150
Total: €750–€1,300
Budget Tip:Use volunteer actors or create your DIY scripts to save on costs.
Final Thoughts: Halloween Fundraiser Planning Tips
When it comes to Halloween fundraising, creativity is key. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and customize these ideas to fit your audience and cause. Here are a few extra tips to keep in mind while planning your Halloween fundraiser:
- Promote Early: Use social media, email newsletters, and posters to promote your event well in advance. This will help build anticipation and attract a larger crowd.
- Partner with Local Businesses: Collaborating with local businesses can help you gather resources, sponsorships, and prizes for your event.
- Offer Online Donations: Make it easy for people who can’t attend to contribute by setting up an online donation page.
- Keep It Fun: While fundraising is important, it’s equally essential to ensure that your guests have a great time. Fun events often bring in more participants and donations!
With these Halloween fundraiser ideas, you’ll have no trouble planning an event that’s both spooky and successful! Whether you're hosting a simple bake sale or a full-blown haunted house, there are endless ways to raise money for a cause this Halloween season.