3 Creative Christmas Fundraising Campaign Ideas That Work for Any Charity

The holiday season is a powerful time for fundraising. Emotions are high, generosity is in the air, and many people are looking for meaningful ways to give back.

But for many fundraisers, this time of year is also when resources are stretched, staff are on leave, and the pressure is on to hit end-of-year goals, while also trying to enjoy a well-earned break.

That’s where great planning, and the right tools, can make all the difference.

Whether you’re a large organisation or a grassroots team, these Christmas fundraising campaign ideas are designed to be highly engaging, and effective across a wide range of causes.

And best of all? They’re even easier to execute using our platform, built to help fundraisers do more with less stress (especially during the holidays).

1
"12 Days of Giving" Campaign

What It Is: A festive 12-day countdown in December, where each day highlights a different aspect of your mission, a donor challenge, or a beneficiary story.

How to Run It:

Share a daily story, photo, or video across your channels.
Align your donation page with each day’s theme.
Offer themed giving options (e.g. $12 on Day 1, $24 on Day 2, etc.).
Include matching gift days, donor spotlights, impact stories, or volunteer shout-outs.

Why It Works:

Creates daily engagement and momentum.
Builds a strong emotional narrative over time.
Easy to share on social media and via email.

Bonus Tip: Partner with local businesses or influencers to co-promote each day and reach new audiences.

Platform Features That Make It Easy:

Page Flow Automation: Pre-schedule all 12 page updates. Once set, pages automatically switch each day - no manual changes needed (especially helpful if you're on holiday).
Dollar Handles: Show the tangible impact of each gift and match it to the day's theme.
Countdown Timer: Add urgency with a daily or overall campaign countdown.
Social Share Buttons: Make it easy for donors to spread the word.
Progress Bar: Track progress by day or overall to boost engagement.
Matched Giving Multiplier: Add excitement with match days to maximise impact.
Custom Domains: Keep the campaign fully on-brand for a seamless experience.

2
"Sponsor a Wish" Tree

What It Is: A virtual “giving tree” where each ornament represents a real need or wish from the people, animals, or programs you support. Donors select a wish to sponsor.

How to Run It:

Collect specific wishes or needs from your community.
Create visual assets (e.g. a digital tree with ornaments).
List each wish with a donation target.
Donors “pick” a wish to fulfill.

Why It Works:

Personalises the giving experience.
Makes supporters feel directly connected to impact.
Visually compelling and great for social media sharing.

Bonus Tip: Send a personalised thank-you or update to each donor showing how their wish made a difference.

Platform Features That Make It Easy:

Teams Functionality: Each “wish” becomes a team with a fundraising goal - create as many as you need. Having a mix of small and large ‘wish’ goals will help cater to different donor capacities to keep momentum going.
Automatic Page Flow: Update your tree visuals in real-time as wishes are fulfilled.
Custom CSS: Fully customise the visual layout to match your brand.
Merge Tags & Personalisation: Tailor messaging to each donor, including on thank-you pages.
Thank-You Videos: Add a personal touch with video thank-yous after donations.
Countdown Timer: Keep energy high as the campaign deadline approaches.

3
"Carols for a Cause" - Festive Fundraising Event

What It Is: Host a holiday-themed concert, caroling event, or musical livestream to bring people together and raise funds in a joyful, engaging way.

How to Run It:

Collaborate with local musicians, choirs, or schools.
Offer virtual access via a “donate to attend” page.
Share real impact stories between performances.
Run as a live, virtual, or hybrid event to maximise reach.

Why It Works:

Builds community and connection.
Offers entertainment with a purpose.
Highly shareable and easy to promote.

Bonus Tip: Record the event and offer it on replay to late donors or as a follow-up gift.

Platform Features That Make It Easy:

Set up a ‘Donate to Join’ page: Require a donation to access a virtual attendance link which you could add to your thank you page or on the email receipt. This donation amount could be any donation amount or you could set a minimum donation amount on your donation form.
Set up an additional donation page to accept further donations during or after the event. Create a QR code or send an SMS between performances to promote additional giving or to become a regular giver.
Short Links for SMS/MMS: Promote quickly and easily pre, during and post event.
Progress Bars: Show real-time fundraising progress live to drive giving.
Comments: Encourage engagement and community spirit.
Social Sharing Buttons: Make it easy for your audience to spread the word.

Final Thoughts: Fundraise Smarter This Christmas

Christmas is a unique moment for connection, storytelling, and generosity. But it doesn’t have to be overwhelming for your team.

With the right ideas, and tools that automate, personalise, and amplify your campaign, you can run an impactful holiday fundraiser without burning out.

Choose one idea, combine a few, or let them inspire your own Christmas fundraising campaign tailored to your audience, your mission, and your team’s capacity.

Let our platform do the heavy lifting this holiday season - so you can focus on what really matters: making an impact, reaching your goals, and enjoying the break you deserve.

Want Some Advice For Your Next Campaign?

Book a free strategy session and platform demo. Ask any questions you have and get tailored advice based on what you want to achieve.

Book A Demo

Share 0

Tweet 0

Share 0