Holiday fundraising ideas: Five ways to help children in need this season 

When you start your fundraiser, you can enjoy the moments that matter with those you care about and give children the priceless gift of a loving family.  

And with this comprehensive fundraising guide, it’s easy to turn your compassion into action and enjoy creative events that put the “fun” in fundraiser this holiday season. 

Five holiday fundraising event ideas for children’s charities 

Mobilizing your community to help children doesn’t have to include an event. But if you’re looking for creative ways to bring your loved ones together and deliver lasting change for children, check out these fun ideas. 

1. Host a no-gift holiday party 

Skip the gift exchange this year and invite your friends, family and colleagues to support a holiday fundraiser in lieu of buying presents for a holiday celebration you’ll never forget. 

How it works: Ask guests to donate what they would have spent on gifts to your online SOS fundraiser. A group of 20 guests who each gave $50, could raise $1,000—delivering a month of new clothes to 30 children growing up in an SOS family in Venezuela!  

2. Move with purpose 

Put the “fun” in fundraising when you organize a run—like a turkey trot—bike race or community hike! Every mile can deliver hope to a child—and your community’s energy and enthusiasm can inspire others to join in on the fun. 

How it works: Create an online fundraiser for participants to donate their “entry fee” and enjoy a morning outside with those you love! 

3. Create a company giving competition 

Rally your workplace for good with a friendly office fundraising challenge. Whether you create a team challenge, office game or other friendly competition, you’ll build camaraderie while giving a child a loving family. Talk about a win-win! 

How it works: Divide your company into teams and track progress on a shared physical or virtual leaderboard. Winners get bragging rights or matching merch, and everyone gets the heartwarming knowledge they helped a child in need this holiday season! 

Pro tip: Check your workplace’s matching gift program to double or even triple your impact on vulnerable children! 

4. Honor a loved one 

We all have special people in our lives whose encouragement, love or guidance helped shape us for the better. When you ask others to give in their honor, you’re celebrating a loved one by passing forward their support to a child who needs it. 

How it works: Create your fundraising page in your loved one’s honor or memory. You can share meaningful stories about their life, impact or why they would have championed this cause. 

5. Help young people host a field day or school dance. 

Engage children and young people in making a difference! Help schools, youth groups or organizations create fun events like a holiday field day, bake sale or a winter formal—and teach the next generation the collective power of community.  

How it works: Partner with local schools, youth organizations or a young leader in your life to provide your mentorship, guidance and support as they fundraise for children in need around the world.  

Ready to get started? Start your online fundraiser in five simple steps 

Ready to launch your holiday fundraiser? Our online platform makes fundraising easy—just follow these five steps to transform children’s lives this winter! 

Step 1: Choose your cause. 

Select a life-saving area of impact that matters most to you:  

— Supporting children in crisis 

— Providing loving homes for children who’ve lost their parents 

— Empowering girls and women to reach their full potential 

Then, set your goal, start date and end date.  

Step 2: Customize your We-R-SOS fundraising page. 

This is the perfect opportunity to tell your friends, family and colleagues why you’re inviting them to join you! Your heartfelt story can inspire others to give, so upload your photo and a few sentences—or more—about why this cause matters to you.  

Step 3: Invite others to champion your cause. 

Write a note, make a call, grab coffee, send a text—there are so many ways to invite your loved ones to join you in making a life-changing difference!  

Feeling overwhelmed? Start with telling five friends, family members or colleagues.  

Step 4: Track and share your progress. 

Look at your community go!  

Celebrating milestones with those who have given and updating your friends on social media can motivate others to be a part of how your village is changing the world. 

Step 5: Thank everyone who supports your passion! 

Sharing truly is caring—and it’s clear those who support your cause care about what’s important to you.  

You can mail a thank you card, send an email, make a call or even share an impact story from the SOS newsletter to express your gratitude.  

Ready to transform children’s lives this holiday season?  

“It takes a village” isn’t just a phrase—it’s the collective strength of a community who believes every child deserves to grow up in a safe, loving family.  

Start your holiday fundraiser today and enjoy time with those most dear to you while giving   child the most precious gift: a loving family.  

Because love matters. 

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