Beat the Summer Slump: Creative Fundraising Ideas
- Amanda Davis
- Jun 17
- 4 min read
As a nonprofit consultant working with incredible organizations across Kansas and beyond, I’ve seen firsthand how tricky the summer months can be when it comes to fundraising. The weather’s warm, the kids are out of school, and people’s attention tends to drift toward vacations, barbecues, and relaxation. If your development calendar is feeling the heat, you’re not alone. Many nonprofits experience what we call the "summer slump," a slowdown in donor engagement and giving that can throw a wrench in year-round fundraising goals.
But here’s the good news: with a little creativity and planning, summer can actually be a vibrant and productive time to build relationships and bring in much-needed support. In this blog post, I’ll explore why the summer slump happens, offer actionable ideas for creative summer fundraising, and share tips for keeping your donors engaged and inspired when the thermometer rises.
Why Does the Summer Slump Happen?
Let’s start by talking about why fundraising can feel like such an uphill climb in June, July, and August. A few common reasons:
Donors are distracted. Families are traveling, attending weddings, or enjoying time outdoors. Their inboxes are full, and your appeal may not be top of mind.
Fewer events. Many nonprofits take a breather from big events during the summer, especially when staff are taking vacation, too.
End-of-fiscal-year fatigue. If your organization operates on a July to June fiscal year, your team may be catching its breath after the year-end push.
But just because it’s a slower season doesn’t mean it has to be a lost one. Here’s how to flip the script…
Creative Summer Fundraising Ideas
1. Host Outdoor Events That Embrace the Season
Take advantage of the weather and plan something outside! Think about events that are cost-effective, low-lift, and offer something fun for your community.
Picnic in the Park: Invite families for an afternoon of lawn games, food trucks, and a short program about your mission. Sell tickets or offer suggested donations.
Summer Movie Night: Partner with a local park or community center to host an outdoor movie screening. Sell concessions and raffle tickets.
Charity Car Wash or Lemonade Stand: This old-school fundraiser is especially great if you work with youth. It builds visibility and gives younger participants a way to give back.
Dog Wash Day: If you’re in a pet-friendly town like Lawrence, this is a great twist that draws people (and pups) in. Partner with a groomer or vet clinic to make it easy.
2. Launch a Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Challenge
Just because people are on vacation doesn’t mean they’re totally disconnected. In fact, summer is a perfect time to tap into your supporters’ networks with a fun peer-to-peer campaign.
Fitness Challenge: Encourage participants to walk, run, bike, or swim a set distance during July and collect pledges along the way.
Birthday Fundraisers: Summer birthdays? Ask supporters to dedicate their big day to your cause by setting up a Facebook or Givebutter fundraiser.
Team Fundraising: Invite volunteers, board members, or program alumni to set up their own fundraising pages and see who can raise the most by a certain date. Offer prizes or recognition for the top team.
3. Embrace Themed Online Campaigns
Summer lends itself to creative online fundraising ideas that don’t require a ton of overhead.
Christmas in July: A clever, themed online campaign with donor perks like ornaments, shoutouts, or sneak peeks at your end-of-year plans.
Back-to-School Supply Drive: Partner with local schools to provide backpacks and classroom supplies to students in need. Set up an online donation form and an Amazon wishlist.
Freedom to Give: Around the 4th of July, celebrate the freedom we have to make a difference by spotlighting stories of impact and asking for monthly gifts.
4. Try a Pop-Up Experience or Flash Fundraiser
Pop-ups and flash fundraisers are short, sweet, and fun. They create urgency and tap into spontaneous summer energy.
Flash Matching Gift Day: Announce a 24-hour challenge with a matching gift. Use email, social media, and text messaging to drive excitement.
Pop-Up Shop or Art Market: Collaborate with local artists, makers, or even your own program participants to sell goods with proceeds supporting your mission.
Food Truck Fundraiser: Host a food truck rally with each vendor donating a percentage of sales to your nonprofit.
Tips to Engage Donors During the Summer
No matter what kind of fundraiser you pursue, you need a strategy to stay connected with your donors. Here are some of my favorite tips to keep engagement strong during the summer slump.
Keep It Personal
Send handwritten notes or postcards to your top donors.
Share stories of impact that make them feel like part of the team.
Highlight behind-the-scenes work or summer programs they’re helping support.
Offer Flexible Giving Options
Promote monthly giving as a set-it-and-forget-it way to help during the slower season.
Provide QR codes at summer events so it’s easy to give on the go.
Include Venmo or mobile giving options if your audience skews younger.
Use Visuals and Video
Post short, engaging videos from your staff or program participants.
Create Instagram Stories or Reels showing the real-time impact of your work.
Use Canva or Adobe Express to design eye-catching social graphics.
Celebrate Your Donors
Feature donor spotlights in your newsletter or social media.
Thank summer donors publicly (with permission) to encourage others.
Send a mid-year impact report to show progress and momentum.
Final Thoughts
Summer doesn’t have to be a fundraising desert. In fact, it can be a great time to get creative, try something new, and build stronger relationships with your supporters. Whether it’s a lemonade stand or a peer-led fitness challenge, a summer fundraiser can be meaningful and memorable—for both your donors and your team.
As always, if you need help planning or executing your summer campaign, I’d love to connect. Whether you’re a small nonprofit with big dreams or a seasoned organization looking for fresh ideas, there’s always a way forward, even in the heat of summer.
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