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New Update: Boost Social Proof with Reviews & Automation
Stacey Corrin
Stacey Corrin
John Turner
John Turner
When I helped organize my first charity fundraiser, I had no clue what would actually motivate people to give. We had a good cause, but our social posts were getting ignored. The donation form felt like a dead end.
That’s when I started exploring charity giveaway ideas. Adding a giveaway instantly boosted engagement, donations, and shares. It gave people a reason to act and something fun to talk about.
In this post, I’m sharing 11 giveaway ideas that work well for charity campaigns. If you’re trying to get more eyes on your mission, build momentum, or bring new supporters into your community, these examples will help you make it happen.
You can build any of these campaigns quickly with RafflePress, the best WordPress giveaway plugin. I’ll also share tips and tools I use to run successful charity contests from start to finish.
Charity Giveaway Ideas:
A charity giveaway is a campaign where participants can win a prize by supporting a good cause. Instead of buying a ticket or entering for fun, people enter by donating, volunteering, sharing your message, or completing a mission-aligned action.
You get more visibility. They get a chance to win something meaningful. And your cause stays front and center the entire time.
Charity giveaways can help you:
You don’t need to run a big nonprofit to pull this off. With the right tools and a clear goal, anyone can launch a charity giveaway in just a few clicks.
Not sure where to start? I’ve put together a list of proven charity giveaway ideas that help with different goals. Some focus on raising funds. Others are great for growing your community. You don’t need a big team or complex setup. Just choose the one that fits your mission and make it your own.
| Best For: Awareness and social reach |
| Entry Type: Photo, video, or story post |
| Effort Level: Medium |
| Promotion Tip: Use a branded hashtag and tag relevant influencers |
This type of giveaway is perfect when you want to spread the word fast. You ask people to complete a small challenge and post about it on social media. That might be sharing a photo, tagging a friend, or telling a quick story that connects to your cause.
It works because it gives supporters something fun to do and share while putting your mission in front of a wider audience.
One of the most powerful examples of this in action was the Ice Bucket Challenge. Participants dumped ice water on themselves, donated to ALS research, and challenged their friends to do the same. The campaign raised over $220 million for ALS research and helped fund a major scientific breakthrough.
A more recent version, called #SpeakYourMIND, encouraged people to post videos about mental health while donating and sharing resources. That campaign raised over $300,000 in just a few days.
| Best For: Fundraising campaigns or Giving Tuesday |
| Entry Type: Donation confirmation |
| Effort Level: Medium |
| Promotion Tip: Highlight the prize and deadline in your donation form and emails |
This is one of the simplest and most effective charity giveaway formats. People enter the giveaway by making a donation. Each dollar can count as one entry, or you can set fixed tiers (like €5 for one entry, €20 for five, and so on).
It works especially well during giving holidays, year-end campaigns, or awareness months tied to your cause.
A great real-world example comes from Dogs Aid Animal Sanctuary in Dublin.
They offered supporters the chance to win two tickets to the sold-out Oasis reunion concert at Croke Park. Each donation counted as a raffle entry, helping raise funds toward their €20,000 goal.
You can collect entries through a donation form, then ask donors to upload a receipt or use email matching to verify their entry. Just make sure your giveaway rules are clear and include a free entry option to stay compliant.
This format gives people an extra reason to donate, especially when the prize feels exciting or exclusive. It also helps build momentum when tied to a short deadline or matching gift.
| Best For: Campaigns with brand partners or community sponsors |
| Entry Type: Any standard giveaway action |
| Effort Level: High |
| Promotion Tip: Let your sponsor co-promote to their audience and tag them in your posts |
In a sponsor-matched giveaway, you partner with a business or brand that agrees to donate a set amount for every giveaway entry. It’s a win for everyone. You raise money. They get positive exposure. And your audience feels their entry makes twice the impact.
A great example is the UK-based charity platform The Big Give. It runs campaigns like the annual Christmas Challenge, where philanthropists and foundations match public donations.
In 2024, The Big Give raised £44.7 million during their week-long match-funding event. That momentum shows how powerful a matching model can be.
You can also feature the sponsor’s logo, link to their site, or include one of their products as part of the prize. Just highlight the match clearly, for example: Every entry = £1 donated by [Sponsor Name] to support clean water projects.
This format works especially well when the sponsor is connected to your cause. Local businesses, eco-friendly brands, or mission‑aligned eCommerce stores can all make impactful partners.
| Best For: Community-building and cause storytelling |
| Entry Type: Story, photo, or video of a kind act |
| Effort Level: High |
| Promotion Tip: Feature selected entries on social media to encourage participation |
This giveaway flips the usual format. Instead of asking people to give money or share your message, you ask them to share a kind act they’ve done. They might submit a short story, photo, or video.
An example I particularly like is #FeedTheDeed, a social media initiative that went viral in 2014. Participants performed a random act of kindness, like donating food or helping someone in need, then posted it online and tagged friends to continue the chain.
The campaign racked up over 10,000 posts in more than 30 countries.
You can select a winner randomly, internally, or through public voting. This format works especially well for causes focused on kindness, mental health, or community support, and it gives you authentic stories to share long after the campaign ends.
To make this simple, a school I know ran a weekly version where students submitted “kindness slips” nominating classmates. One student won a small prize each week, yet the goodwill continued long after the contest ended.
| Best For: Visual storytelling and awareness campaigns |
| Entry Type: Themed photo submission |
| Effort Level: Medium |
| Promotion Tip: Share standout entries and create a gallery to build buzz |
This type of giveaway is perfect if your cause has a strong visual element, like animal rescue, the environment, or community art. Ask supporters to submit photos around a theme, then share the entries on your site or social channels.
You can run the photo contest with a judging panel or open it up to public voting. That way, your audience becomes part of the story and shares it with others.
One great example is the Audubon Photography Awards.
While not a traditional giveaway, it engages nature lovers and raises awareness through stunning user-submitted bird photos. You can take the same idea and scale it down for a local or cause-specific campaign.
Photo contests tend to get shared more than written entries. If your goal is visibility, this is a smart option to try.
| Best For: Local events and service-based causes |
| Entry Type: Proof of volunteer activity |
| Effort Level: Medium |
| Promotion Tip: Promote through partner organizations and community centers |
If you rely on volunteers, this giveaway idea is a great way to recognize their efforts and attract new helpers. Supporters earn entries by showing they completed a volunteer task, like helping at an event, organizing a drive, or delivering supplies.
You can ask them to upload a photo or short description of what they did. If needed, you can review submissions before officially approving entries.
A powerful example of this concept is the #Trashtag challenge. Participants cleaned up littered public spaces, then posted before-and-after photos to inspire others to do the same.
The campaign went viral and encouraged thousands of community cleanups around the world. BBC News highlighted the global movement here.
This type of giveaway not only rewards effort, it motivates people to take real-world action and lets you spotlight your volunteers in a meaningful way.
| Best For: Peer-to-peer campaigns and personal fundraising |
| Entry Type: Hosting or donating to a birthday fundraiser |
| Effort Level: Low |
| Promotion Tip: Remind your supporters monthly and reshare birthday shoutouts |
This format turns birthdays into opportunities to support a cause. Participants either run a birthday fundraiser or donate to someone else’s. You can then enter them into a giveaway as a thank-you.
One of the best-known examples of this is Facebook birthday fundraisers. Since the feature launched, supporters have raised more than $1 billion for nonprofit causes just by asking friends to donate in place of birthday gifts.
It’s something I’ve even taken part in myself, where I raised money for a local children’s hospital.
You can promote your own version each month and spotlight people who used their birthday to give back. Adding a giveaway brings extra energy to the campaign and helps show appreciation.
Just make sure to explain how people can enter, whether it’s uploading a receipt, tagging your page, or filling out a quick form to confirm participation. And of course, ensure there’s a free entry option to ensure your giveaway is legal.
| Best For: Team-based fundraising and company events |
| Entry Type: Team participation or fundraising total |
| Effort Level: High |
| Promotion Tip: Ask teams to share updates and photos on LinkedIn and tag your org |
This idea is perfect for companies that want to get employees involved in giving. Teams compete to raise the most money, collect supplies, or come up with creative ways to support your cause. It adds a layer of friendly competition while promoting teamwork and impact.
A strong example comes from the mobile gaming platform Skillz. They partnered with Susan G. Komen to host a global charity tournament. More than 25,000 players took part, raising over $120,000 for breast cancer research and awareness.
Smaller companies can do this too. You might run a “Jeans Day,” where employees donate to dress casually, or set up a team challenge where departments fundraise against each other. Offer a prize to the winners, like a team lunch or custom trophy, and spotlight them in your newsletter or social channels.
Encourage teams to post updates and tag your organization. That visibility builds momentum and helps spread your message to even more people.
| Best For: Seasonal campaigns and end-of-year giving |
| Entry Type: Donation, volunteer act, or share during a holiday |
| Effort Level: Medium |
| Promotion Tip: Use a countdown timer and feature daily winners or highlights |
Holidays are a natural moment for generosity and a great time to run a themed giveaway. Whether it’s Giving Tuesday, the 12 Days of Giving, or a Valentine’s kindness challenge, holiday tie-ins can boost awareness and inspire giving.
You can run a flash 24‑hour giveaway, or spread the event over several days with a new prompt or prize each time. A countdown clock adds urgency, and holiday-themed rewards feel extra meaningful.
A great example is Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day. Every December, supporters wear festive jumpers and donate to support children in need. It’s fun, visual, and easy to share, exactly what makes holiday campaigns take off.
If your nonprofit already runs a seasonal appeal, adding a giveaway layer can increase engagement—without having to build a campaign from scratch.
| Best For: Collecting in-kind donations for urgent needs |
| Entry Type: Wishlist purchase or alternate free entry |
| Effort Level: Low |
| Promotion Tip: Link your wishlist in stories, bios, and emails with a clear CTA |
If your organization needs physical items, like hygiene kits, school supplies, or snacks, an Amazon Wishlist Giveaway can be a great way to fill those needs fast. Supporters enter by buying something directly from your wishlist, which gets shipped straight to you.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Cincinnati uses this method to collect high-demand items like toiletries and food. Their public wishlist gives donors a clear way to help.
To run a giveaway legally, make sure to include a no-purchase entry option, such as a short form where someone can enter without donating. This keeps your contest fair and compliant with sweepstakes laws.
From there, you can choose a winner randomly and publicly thank everyone who supported your wishlist. It’s a smart way to meet real needs while giving back to your most generous followers.
| Best For: Budget-friendly campaigns and email list growth |
| Entry Type: Downloading or accessing a digital item (e-book, course, guide) |
| Effort Level: Low |
| Promotion Tip: Use popups or lead magnets to promote your digital giveaway item |
Digital giveaways are affordable, scalable, and easy to deliver. You create the product once, like an e-book, checklist, or mini-course, and give access as a prize for people who support your cause or complete an entry action. It’s a great way to build your email list while raising awareness.
A great example is the Clover Press Art & Storytelling Book Bundle on Humble Bundle. Supporters receive a collection of digital books on comic art and storytelling, and a portion of every purchase goes to The Hero Initiative, a nonprofit that supports comic creators in need.
To run your own version, create something that aligns with your mission, like a “Healthy Habits Workbook,” “Back-to-School Guide,” or “Holiday Recipe Collection.” Then set it as the giveaway prize and invite people to enter through email signup, sharing, or referring a friend.
This is one of the easiest giveaway types to manage. There’s no shipping involved, no inventory to store, and everyone gets something valuable just for entering.
Once you’ve picked a giveaway idea, a few simple steps can help you run it smoothly and get better results. These tips work for any type of charity contest, no matter your budget or experience level.
And finally, promote your giveaway everywhere you can. Add it to your homepage, newsletter, and social media. The more people who see it, the bigger impact you’ll make.
RafflePress is the best WordPress giveaway plugin I’ve used. It helps you create viral contests and giveaways that grow your audience, raise more money, and promote your mission without coding.
It works by letting you build a custom giveaway form right on your WordPress site. You choose your prize, add entry actions (like donating, sharing, or following), and then publish the form on any page or post. People enter by completing the actions you set, and RafflePress tracks it all for you.
I use it for every campaign because it’s fast, easy, and designed with beginners in mind. You can run simple giveaways or advanced multi-day contests, and it only takes a few minutes to set up.
You can launch your first charity giveaway in minutes with RafflePress. For a full walkthrough, see my guide on how to create an online contest.
Here are some common questions people ask when planning a charity giveaway. If you’re just getting started, these quick answers should help you move forward with confidence.
Charity giveaways are one of the easiest ways to turn supporters into active participants. Whether you’re raising money, collecting supplies, or growing your community, the right giveaway idea can help you build momentum and make a bigger impact.
You don’t need a huge budget or a marketing team, just a cause you believe in and the right tools to share it with the world.
You can launch your first charity giveaway in minutes with RafflePress. It’s the easiest way to create viral giveaways on WordPress that actually support your mission.
If you need some pointers, check out these essential giveaway guides:
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