Virtual fundraising isn’t just a “nice option” anymore — it’s one of the easiest ways to raise money fast without chasing checks, sorting papers, or coordinating a big in-person event. With Midland Fundraising’s online platform, your school, team, church, or nonprofit can run a virtual fundraiser that’s simple to launch, easy to share, and convenient for supporters anywhere.
Whether you’re fundraising for new uniforms, classroom supplies, band trips, mission projects, or booster club needs, online fundraising helps you reach more people with way less stress. Let’s break down why virtual fundraisers work so well — and share some of the best virtual fundraising ideas you can run alongside your online sale.
Benefits of Virtual Fundraisers
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Reach More Supporters (Way Beyond Your Zip Code)
One of the biggest perks of a virtual fundraiser is that it removes geography from the equation. Grandparents in another state? Alumni across the country? Friends from past seasons? They can all support your cause with a quick click. That’s a game-changer for school groups like band, choir, cheer, sports teams, clubs, and more.
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Save Money on Event Costs
No venue rental. No food costs. No decorations. No setup crew. Virtual fundraising is naturally cost-effective, which means more of what you raise goes directly to your goals. It’s a great fit for PTA/PTO groups, booster clubs, youth organizations, and nonprofits that want high impact without high overhead.s
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Make Participation Easy for Busy Families
Supporters can buy and donate from their couch, on their lunch break, or while waiting in a pickup line. That convenience typically means higher participation — because people are far more likely to support a fundraiser when it’s quick, simple, and mobile-friendly.
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Top Virtual Fundraiser Ideas to Boost Engagement
You can run your online fundraiser as-is, but adding a fun “virtual event” layer can seriously increase buzz, sharing, and sales. Here are some winning ideas that pair perfectly with an online store.
1) Live-Stream Talent Show or Concert

Perfect for choir, band, theatre, dance, and student groups. Stream performances on Facebook Live, YouTube, or Zoom. Charge a small “ticket” donation or encourage viewers to shop your fundraiser link during the show.
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2) Virtual Bake-Off or Cooking Class
Invite a local baker, teacher, or parent volunteer to host a live class. Participants donate to join, then share photos of their results. Bonus: theme it (holiday cookies, pizza night, “best cupcake,” etc.).
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3) Online Fitness Challenge
Great for sports teams, martial arts, gymnastics, and wellness clubs. Participants track workouts or steps for a week and collect pledges. Add a leaderboard and small prizes to keep it competitive and fun.
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4) Online Auction

Auctions can bring in big dollars when the items are right. Ask local businesses for gift baskets, services, or experiences (and don’t forget “student-made” items). Use an online auction platform and promote it through email and social media.s
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Auction items that perform well:
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Gift cards (restaurants, gas, coffee, local shops)
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“Principal for a day” / “Coach for a day” experiences
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Reserved parking spot
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VIP game seating or event passes
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5) Virtual Raffle
Raffles are simple, fast, and super shareable. Pick a secure platform, sell digital tickets, then host the drawing live so everyone can watch. Keep prizes broad and exciting.
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6) Crowdfunding + Storytelling Campaign

This is a great option for urgent needs, big trips, or one-time projects. The key is the story: what you’re raising money for, why it matters, and what supporters are helping accomplish. Post updates often so donors feel part of the journey.
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7) Virtual Run / Walk / Bike-a-Thon
Choose a set timeframe (like a weekend), let participants track progress with an app, and encourage them to post photos along the route. Add digital badges, shoutouts, and milestone prizes.
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8) Trivia Night on Zoom

Pick a theme (pop culture, sports, “teacher trivia,” local history) and sell team entry spots. Use Kahoot or a simple slideshow. It’s fun, easy, and perfect for schools and community groups.
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9) Virtual Workshop Night

Host mini classes like painting, photography, budgeting, coding basics, “how to start a garden,” etc. Partnering with local experts or parents is a win-win. Donations unlock the class link.
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10) Video Game Tournament
Ideal for middle/high school groups. Use bracket tools and have participants pay an entry fee. Make it even better with sponsors (local pizza shop, arcade, etc.).
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11) Social Media Challenge

Challenges are awesome for visibility. Examples:
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“Show us your school spirit” photo challenge
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“Trick shot challenge” (sports teams love this)
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“Lip sync battle” (clubs and youth groups go wild for it)
Use a catchy hashtag and encourage participants to tag your group + share your fundraiser link.
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12) Virtual Pet Show
Families love this one. Categories like “cutest,” “best trick,” and “most dramatic” make it hilarious. Entry fees or voting donations can raise a surprising amount.
Why Midland’s Virtual Fundraiser Makes It Even Easier
A lot of virtual fundraisers sound great… until you’re the one managing them. That’s where Midland shines.
With Midland Fundraising, you get:
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A mobile-friendly online store
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Easy link sharing for texts, emails, and social posts
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Real-time tracking through your Coordinator Resources Portal
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Orders shipped directly to supporters (or delivered to your group depending on setup)
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No cash handling, no paper sorting, no order form chaos
It’s the kind of fundraiser that keeps coordinators sane — and makes supporters more likely to actually follow through.
Ready to Launch Your Virtual Fundraiser?
If you want a fundraiser that’s easy to run, easy to share, and easy for supporters to shop, a Midland virtual online fundraiser is the perfect fit. You’ll raise more with less stress — and you’ll actually enjoy the process (yes, really).
Get started today and we’ll help you choose the best virtual fundraiser option for your group.