Best Church Fundraising Ideas

Top Church Fundraising Ideas and Programs for Better Results

Looking for church fundraising ideas that actually work—and feel like a good fit for your congregation? Midland Fundraising makes fundraising for churches simple, profitable, and easy to support with our high-performing catalog fundraiser. Instead of asking families to sell something people don’t really want, you’ll offer a variety of popular, high-demand products that supporters genuinely enjoy buying.

A church catalog fundraiser is a great option when you need to raise money for youth programs, mission trips, outreach events, ministry resources, building funds, or general church expenses. It’s also ideal for churches that want a fundraiser that feels positive and community-driven—because it gives people an easy way to participate, even if they can’t attend events in person.

What makes the Midland Fundraising catalog fundraiser stand out? It’s designed to be easy to run, easy to share, and easy to buy from. Your church can promote the fundraiser through Sunday announcements, flyers, email, and social media, and members can share it with friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers. That means you’re not limited to just the people sitting in the pews—your fundraiser can reach the larger community that already loves supporting your church.

Most importantly, this is a church fundraiser that doesn’t feel overwhelming. It’s organized, straightforward, and flexible enough to match your church’s size and goals. If you want a fundraiser that brings people together, supports a meaningful mission, and helps you raise real funds without a ton of stress, the Midland Fundraising catalog fundraiser is a strong place to start.

Your Guide to Successful Church Fundraisers

Top 8 Fundraiser Ideas For Churches

Holiday Wishes Fall Fundraiser

Fall is one of the best times for church fundraising, and an autumn-themed product program makes it easy to build excitement. This collection includes warm, seasonal items like home décor and kitchen essentials that supporters enjoy purchasing. It’s timely, simple to promote, and a great fit for churches looking for fundraising ideas that work during the cooler months.

Popcorn and Chocolates Fundraiser

Delight your supporters with a popcorn and chocolate fundraiser that’s easy to run and hard to resist. This crowd-favorite combo is perfect for church fundraisers because it’s simple to sell, easy to share, and appealing to all ages. It’s a sweet way to boost participation, keep your fundraiser exciting, and raise more for your ministry with products people genuinely want to buy.

On The Go Tote Fundraiser

Bring style and purpose together with a tote bag fundraiser your supporters will actually use. Our Totes program features practical, reusable bags that are great for everyday errands, school, work, and events—making it an easy sell for church fundraising. It’s a smart option for churches that want a fundraiser with an eco-friendly feel, strong community appeal, and products people are happy to carry year-round.

Candle Fundraiser

Create a cozy, feel-good candle fundraiser that supporters love. Our Candle program features a variety of popular scents and styles that make easy gifts and everyday home favorites—perfect for church fundraisers any time of year. With candles that bring warmth and comfort to any space, this is a simple, high-appeal way to boost participation and raise more for your church.

Spring In Bloom Spring Fundraiser

Refresh your church fundraiser with a spring-themed catalog supporters will love. This seasonal program includes bright, practical products that match the energy of renewal—like garden favorites, home essentials, and spring décor. It’s an easy way to run church fundraising in the spring while giving your community a fun, timely reason to participate and support your mission.

Popcorn & Peanuts Fundraiser

A popcorn and peanut fundraiser is a fun, profitable option for church fundraisers because it’s simple to sell and loved by all ages. Supporters get a classic snack they’re excited to buy, and your church gets an easy program that boosts participation and keeps fundraising momentum strong. Perfect for events, Sundays, and community outreach—anytime you want a popular, low-stress fundraiser.

Cookie Dough Fundraiser

Bring everyone together with a cookie dough fundraiser that’s easy to run and always a crowd-pleaser. With a variety of delicious options, this program is perfect for church fundraising because supporters love stocking up (and sharing with friends). It’s a simple, profitable way to boost participation, build excitement, and create that warm community feel—one sweet order at a time.

Sweets And Treats Fundraiser

Add a little “wow” to your church fundraiser with our Sweets and Treats program—packed with gourmet-style goodies supporters love. It’s especially popular during the holidays, when people are already shopping for gifts, gatherings, and thank-you treats. With delicious options that feel a bit more elevated, this is a tasty, profitable way to boost participation and make church fundraising feel fun (and easy) for everyone.

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Donation Drive

A donation drive fundraiser is one of the simplest and most profitable options for church fundraising because there’s no product inventory to manage and very little overhead. Instead, church members invite the congregation, friends, and local businesses to give directly toward a clear goal—like building repairs, outreach programs, mission support, or event costs. When supporters know exactly what they’re helping fund, they’re more likely to donate (and share the campaign).

Two proven ideas that work especially well for churches:

  • “Give What You Can” / Name Your Price: Supporters donate any amount that feels meaningful to them.

  • “Sponsor a Program”: Donors give toward a specific ministry, youth event, outreach project, or church program.

Donation drives don’t just raise funds—they also strengthen community connection and make it easy for people near and far to support your mission.

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Direct Sale

Direct sale fundraisers are a fast, high-energy way to boost church fundraising by selling popular, easy-to-carry items directly to supporters. Church members can offer high-demand favorites like $2 Candy Counter Smencils, $2 Gourmet Pretzel Rods, and $1 America’s Variety Candy Bars to the congregation, friends, neighbors, and the local community. Because these items are affordable and impulse-friendly, they’re perfect for quick sales after service, at youth group nights, and during church events.

This strategy is also highly profitable—often generating up to 45% profit per item sold—which can make a big impact on needs like outreach programs, building projects, mission support, and event costs. Simple sellers like lollipops, fruit snacks, and candy bars tend to move quickly and keep participation high, making direct sale one of the easiest ways to raise funds while bringing your church community together.

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Maximizing Impact: A Guide to Successful Church Fundraising

Running a church fundraising campaign can be exciting (and a little overwhelming) if you don’t have a clear plan. The good news? With the right strategy, fundraising for churches can be simple, organized, and seriously effective—without burning out your volunteers or asking too much of your congregation.

This guide walks you through the key steps to hosting a successful church fundraiser, from choosing the best fundraiser for your church to promoting it, staying organized, and keeping participation high. Whether you’re planning a seasonal catalog sale, a product fundraiser, or something more community-based, the goal is the same: raise more funds while strengthening connection and engagement within your church family.

Inside, you’ll find practical tips to help you:

  • Pick a fundraiser that fits your church’s goals, schedule, and audience

  • Build excitement with easy promotion ideas (online + in-person)

  • Manage orders smoothly and keep your team on track

  • Thank supporters and use momentum to fuel future fundraising

Let’s jump into the simple, proven steps that help churches run smoother fundraisers—and see better results.

Select the Perfect Fundraiser

Kick off your church fundraising campaign with fundraiser kits that make everything easier. With the right tools in hand, volunteers stay organized, share confidently, and keep your church fundraiser running smoothly from day one.

Comprehensive Fundraiser Kits

Kick off your church fundraising campaign with ready-to-use fundraiser kits. They include the essentials your volunteers need to stay organized, promote confidently, and run a smooth, successful church fundraiser.

Flexible Sales Options

Offer both online and paper ordering for your church fundraiser so everyone can participate. This keeps church fundraising simple and inclusive—supporters can buy the way they prefer, and your team can collect orders smoothly.

Online Sales Boost

Boost your church fundraising with a strong online push. Encourage your team to share the fundraiser on social media, text, and email to spread the word fast, reach more supporters, and bring in more orders.

Streamlined Delivery System

Make deliveries simple for your church fundraiser by using direct-to-customer shipping for online orders. For paper orders, have items delivered to one central pickup location after the fundraiser—easy to organize, easy to distribute, and a smooth finish for your team.

Efficient Order Management

Stay organized as orders come in by packing, labeling, and grouping items clearly. A little structure goes a long way—making your church fundraiser easier to manage, faster to distribute, and a better experience for supporters and volunteers.

Schedule Your Fundraiser Today!

Elevating Church Fundraising: Options That Drive Results

Midland Fundraising makes church fundraising easier with a variety of flexible programs designed to fit your congregation. Choose from 9 catalog selections featuring 800+ items, so supporters can find something they actually want to buy—snacks, gifts, home favorites, and seasonal picks.

To keep your church fundraiser inclusive and simple, you can offer both online ordering (great for sharing with friends and family) and traditional paper orders for in-person supporters. With more product variety and more ways to participate, your church can reach a wider audience, boost engagement, and hit your fundraising goals with less stress on volunteers.

Why Us? The Midland Fundraising Edge in Church Fundraising

Maximize Your Church's Earnings

Midland Fundraising helps your church fundraiser reach more supporters and raise more—without extra stress on volunteers. Promote through social media, text, and email, collect orders with easy online ordering, and run a custom church “pop-up store” to expand beyond in-person sales. It’s a simple, modern way to keep participation high and hit your church fundraising goals faster.

Zero-Cost Promotional Tools

Jumpstart your church fundraiser with zero start-up costs. Midland Fundraising includes free promotional materials to help you spread the word fast—so your church can maximize participation and profits without spending extra money upfront.

Hassle-Free Distribution

Say goodbye to the sorting chaos. With Midland Fundraising, you’ll get neatly collated catalogs and customized parent letters ready to hand out—plus product orders that are pre-sorted by seller. It’s one of the easiest, most organized ways to run church fundraising without the usual headaches.

Detailed Seller Insights

Track your church fundraising progress with custom reporting from Midland Fundraising. You’ll get clear insights—like profit breakdowns by seller—so you can spot what’s working, motivate your team, and make smarter decisions to raise even more.

Attractive Incentives & Bonuses

Boost participation in your church fundraiser with fun, built-in incentives. Parents can earn holiday wrap bonuses, kids can work toward customizable prizes, and Midland Fundraising also recognizes teachers and coordinators for their effort. It’s a simple way to keep everyone motivated and make church fundraising more engaging from start to finish.

Convenient Online Purchases

Make it easy for everyone to support your church fundraiser with direct-to-buyer delivery for online orders. Friends and family can participate from anywhere, which expands your reach, increases sales, and keeps church fundraising simple for both supporters and volunteers.

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A Midland Guide: Engaging Parents in Church Fundraising

A successful church fundraiser gets a whole lot easier when parents are involved. When families feel included and know exactly how to help, participation goes up—and so do results. Below are six simple, proven tips to help you engage parents, build momentum, and make your church fundraising campaign more fun (and more profitable) for everyone.

Create a Personal Connection

Make your church fundraiser feel meaningful by sharing the “why” behind it. Explain exactly how the funds will help your church and community, and use a quick, relatable example. If you’re raising money for a new playground, mention how it supports kids’ health, friendships, and a safe place to gather—when parents feel the impact, they’re more likely to jump in and help.

Simplify Participation

Make your church fundraiser easy to join by giving parents clear instructions and simple options. Offer more than one way to participate—like online ordering/donations, quick volunteer sign-ups, or paper forms for in-person supporters. The easier it is to say “yes,” the more parents will jump in and help.

Offer Varied Roles

Not every parent can help in the same way, so give people options. Some are great planners, others are better at selling, baking, decorating, or making phone calls. When parents can choose a role that fits their time and strengths, participation feels easier—and your church fundraiser runs smoother.

Communicate Regularly

Keep your church fundraiser top of mind with quick, consistent updates. Use email, social media, texts, and church bulletins to share progress, deadlines, and what help is still needed. When parents can see the impact and momentum, they’re more likely to stay engaged and keep supporting.

Acknowledge Contributions

Recognition goes a long way in church fundraising. Thank parents publicly and privately—send a quick note, give a shout-out during service, or highlight helpers on your church’s social media. When people feel appreciated, they’re more likely to stay involved and help again next time.

Involve Kids

Get kids involved in your church fundraiser whenever you can—because their excitement is contagious. Give them simple roles like handing out flyers, sharing the fundraiser with family, or helping at an event table. When it becomes a family effort, parents are more likely to participate, and your church fundraising campaign builds stronger community connection along the way.

By using these tips, you can boost parent involvement in your church fundraiser and keep your church fundraising campaign organized, positive, and fun for the whole community—while raising more to support your mission.

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