Churches of all sizes depend on donations and fundraising to support their ministries, mission trips, community outreach, building maintenance, and daily operations. However, for small churches, fundraising can be a particular challenge due to limited resources and smaller congregations. The good news? There are countless creative and affordable church fundraising ideas tailored specifically for small churches that can generate big results.
Church fundraising events can serve as both a community-building tool and a means of supporting a church’s mission, programs, or charitable causes. These events vary widely depending on the church’s needs, size, and denomination, but they share a common purpose: to engage people while raising necessary funds.
In this blog post, we’ll share 15+ highly effective and budget-friendly church fundraising ideas for small churches that can be implemented with ease. Whether you’re planning to support a youth group mission trip or fund a new sound system, these ideas can help your church meet its financial goals.
1. “Sip & Shop” Faith Market
What it is: Host a mini marketplace after Sunday service or during a special weekend event where local vendors and church groups sell faith-inspired products (candles, devotionals, Christian T-shirts, Popcorn, etc.). Serve coffee, cider, or mocktails to create a relaxed shopping environment.
Product + Event Combo: Shopping event + product sales
Bonus: Invite youth groups or ministries to sell their own fundraising items (cookies, crafts, etc.)
2. “Bake & Praise” Concert & Bake Sale
What it is: Combine a praise night or youth concert with a homemade bake sale. Attendees enjoy music while sampling and purchasing baked goods, like freshly baked cookie dough, made by members.
Product + Event Combo: Live music + bake sale
Pro Tip: Offer pre-boxed sampler packs for people to buy and take home.
3. “Blessing Baskets” Auction Night
What it is: Ask each ministry or small group to create themed gift baskets (movie night, Bible journaling kit, cozy coffee set, discount cards, etc.). Then hold a fun silent or live auction after a potluck dinner or service.
Product + Event Combo: Product baskets + auction event
Appeal: Tangible gifts + social interaction = higher bids!
4. Faith & Fitness Walk-a-thon with Product Booths
What it is: Organize a walk-a-thon fundraiser, and along the route or at the finish line, set up booths selling chocolate bars, water bottles, devotionals, or faith-themed T-shirts.
Product + Event Combo: Active community event + product sales
Twist: Offer a custom shirt or water bottle as part of registration.
5. “Craft & Cocoa” Family Night
What it is: Invite families for a cozy night of crafting (ornaments, cards, etc.) and hot cocoa. Include a mini market of handmade or seasonal products made by church members.
Product + Event Combo: Craft event + product sales
Holiday Boost: Great for Advent or Christmas fundraising.
6. “Bless the Block” Outreach BBQ + Product Pop-Up
What it is: Organize a free or donation-based BBQ or block party and include a church-run product booth selling items like devotionals, freshly baked cookie dough or other baked goods, or branded merchandise.
Product + Event Combo: Community meal + product fundraising
Impact: Draw in the local community while raising funds and visibility.
7. “Hymns & Honey” Brunch with Local Goods
What it is: Host a brunch event with a local food theme (think biscuits, honey, jam), and sell faith-based home goods like candles, soaps, Golden Katydids Candy tins, Virginia Diner Nuts, or kitchen decor made by members.
Product + Event Combo: Meal event + artisan product sales
Twist: Partner with local farmers or small businesses for shared promotion.
8. Seasonal “Prayer Plant Sale”
What it is: Sell potted plants, herbs, or succulents with attached prayer cards or scriptures. Launch the sale at a spring fair, Earth Day celebration, or gardening workshop.
Product + Event Combo: Plant sale + themed event
Bonus: Add a gardening or spiritual growth workshop for engagement.
9. “Faith & Flavor” Recipe Book Launch Dinner
What it is: Compile a church cookbook with member recipes. Host a dinner or tasting night where people sample dishes from the book and buy copies.
Product + Event Combo: Cookbook + tasting event
Add-on: Offer gift-wrapped editions for holiday sales.
10. “Holy Grounds” Coffee House Night with Merch
What it is: Set up a coffeehouse-style evening with live acoustic worship, coffee and tea, and a merchandise booth selling mugs, devotionals, or branded apparel.
Product + Event Combo: Coffee night + product sales
Twist: Let youth or missions groups run the booth for their fundraising.
