Greek organizations have a long history of philanthropy. In the 2022–23 academic year, collegiate and alumnae members of National Panhellenic Conference sororities reported raising more than $28 million and volunteering over 5.2 million hours for charitable organizations in a single year.
Fraternities also generate multi‑million‑dollar impact, with individual organizations like Tri Delta surpassing $100 million raised for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital over their 25‑year partnership, and hundreds of fraternity chapters together raising millions of dollars annually for causes like St. Jude, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
Whether you’re raising money for your chapter’s designated philanthropy, covering operational expenses, or funding special events, these fundraising ideas will help your sorority or fraternity meet its goals.
Overview
Event-Based Fundraisers
1. Dance Marathon
Dance marathons remain one of the most successful Greek fundraising formats. Participants collect pledges for every hour danced, often raising thousands of dollars in a single event. Set up peer-to-peer fundraising pages so each dancer can collect donations independently. Award prizes for top fundraisers and create team competitions between chapters to drive participation.
The format works because it combines physical challenge, social engagement, and clear fundraising mechanics. Plan for 8 to 12 hours, secure a venue with adequate space, and partner with local businesses for food and prize donations.
Example: Miracle Network Dance Marathon, a student‑led movement on 400+ campuses that has raised over $400 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals since 1991; many Greek chapters field teams and lead fundraising.
2. Sporting Tournament
Host a volleyball, basketball, dodgeball, or flag football tournament and charge entry fees per team. Fraternities and sororities can compete against each other, creating natural rivalries that boost participation. Sigma Chi’s Derby Days model demonstrates how multi-day competitions between chapters generate sustained engagement and donations.
Contact a campus coach to help with rules and logistics. Reach out to local businesses for prize donations. Typical entry fees range from $50 to $150 per team, with additional revenue from spectator admission and concessions.
Example: Kappa Kappa Gamma’s annual “Capable” flag football tournament at Chapman University, which raises money for The Jed Foundation through a Greek‑wide philanthropy event.
3. Outdoor Movie Night
Reserve a campus lawn or courtyard, rent projection equipment, and sell tickets for an outdoor screening. Let ticket buyers vote on the movie selection to increase engagement. Sell concessions like popcorn, candy, and drinks for additional revenue.
Plan around weather forecasts and sunset times. Partner with your student activities office for venue access and promotion. This low-effort event typically generates $500 to $2,000 depending on ticket prices and attendance.
Example: UOE’s guide on hosting an outdoor movie with your sorority or fraternity, showing how chapters turn a campus screening into a ticketed fundraiser.
4. Greek Week Carnival
Organize games, food booths, and activities across multiple chapters. Charge admission and sell tickets for individual attractions. Include classic games like ring toss, dunk tanks, and relay races alongside food vendors.
The multi-chapter format spreads logistics across organizations while creating a campus-wide event that attracts non-Greek students. Coordinate with your Greek council to schedule around other campus events.
Example: Southeast Missouri State University’s Greek Week 2024, which combined multiple Greek events and activities and raised more than $25,000 for local nonprofits plus thousands of donated items.
5. Talent Show or Lip Sync Battle
Each chapter enters an act. Charge admission and implement a donate-to-vote system where audience members can pay to support their favorite performers. The competitive format drives additional donations as chapters rally support.
Secure a venue with stage and sound equipment. Recruit faculty or local celebrity judges. Typical revenue ranges from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on participation and ticket sales.
Service-Based Fundraisers
6. Move-In Day Assistance
Offer moving services during freshman move-in week. Charge families a flat fee or suggested donation to help carry boxes, set up rooms, and provide campus directions. Your chapter provides labor while parents provide funding.
This fundraiser requires minimal upfront investment and positions your organization positively with incoming students and their families. Coordinate with your housing office for scheduling and promote through new student orientation channels.
7. Tutoring Services
Leverage academic strengths within your chapter to offer paid tutoring. Charge hourly rates ($15 to $25 per hour) for subjects where members excel. Market services through student organizations, residence halls, and academic support centers.
Create a scheduling system and hold sessions in accessible campus locations. This ongoing revenue stream works throughout the academic year, not just during single events.
8. Event Staffing
Offer your chapter as event staff for local businesses, campus organizations, or community events. Services include setup, teardown, bartending, serving, and crowd management. Charge per-member hourly rates to the event organizer.
This model scales well and provides reliable income while building community connections. Maintain professional standards to secure repeat bookings.
Product-Based Fundraisers
9. Custom Merchandise
Design limited-edition apparel featuring your chapter letters, philanthropic cause, or campus landmarks. Sell through pre-orders to avoid inventory risk. T-shirts, hoodies, hats, and accessories work well.
Use print-on-demand services or partner with local screen printers. Mark up products 30% to 50% above cost. Promote through social media and Greek events.
10. Bake Sale
Simple but effective. Set up during high-traffic periods like finals week when students crave comfort food. Position your table in central campus locations like the student union or library entrance.
Coordinate with members to contribute homemade items, reducing costs. Accept cash and digital payments. A well-placed bake sale during finals can generate $200 to $500 in a few hours.
11. Shoe Drive
Partner with organizations like Funds2Orgs to collect gently used shoes. Place collection bins in residence halls, student centers, and academic buildings. The organization handles pickup and provides your chapter a check based on total weight collected.
This fundraiser requires minimal effort and generates both revenue and positive community impact. The shoes support microenterprise opportunities in developing countries, adding a philanthropic dimension beyond direct donations.
Digital and Partnership Fundraisers
12. Restaurant Partnership Night
Partner with a local restaurant for a designated evening where a percentage of sales goes to your cause. Promote heavily through social media and chapter networks to drive traffic.
Popular chains like Chipotle, Buffalo Wild Wings, and local favorites often have established programs for nonprofit partnerships. Typical revenue shares range from 15% to 25% of sales from customers who mention your organization.
Example: National and local chains run formal “spirit night” programs; St. Jude’s Greek fundraising hub specifically recommends restaurant give‑back nights for fraternities and sororities raising money for the hospital.
13. Crowdfunding Campaign
Launch a dedicated online fundraising page through platforms like GoFundMe, CrowdChange, or BetterWorld. Set clear goals, share compelling stories about your philanthropic impact, and leverage social media for distribution.
Peer-to-peer campaigns where each member creates their own fundraising page can expand reach significantly. Chapters using structured crowdfunding platforms report raising 235% more than traditional methods.
14. Alumni Giving Campaign
Your alumni network represents your most reliable donor base. Launch targeted appeals through newsletters, social media, and direct outreach. Highlight specific funding needs and share impact stories from current members.
Promote employer matching gift programs. According to Double the Donation, 84% of donors are more likely to give when they know their donation will be matched. Many alumni work for companies that offer 2:1 or 3:1 matching, effectively multiplying your fundraising without additional effort.
Example: Double the Donation’s research on matching gifts shows that 84% of donors are more likely to give when a match is offered and many employers offer 2:1 or 3:1 matches, which you can cite to alumni.
Managing Your Fundraising Finances
Successful fundraising requires more than creative ideas. It demands financial discipline. Track every dollar collected and spent. Maintain clear records for your chapter treasurer, house corporation, and national organization.
If your chapter handles significant funds, consider these financial management practices:
Separate chapter finances from personal accounts. Use dedicated payment tools and expense tracking systems. Implement spending controls so individual members cannot exceed budget limits. Maintain documentation for every transaction, especially for events with multiple revenue streams.
Corporate card solutions designed for nonprofits can help chapters establish proper financial controls without requiring personal guarantees from officers or advisors. Features like real-time expense tracking, receipt capture, and spending limits by category help maintain transparency and accountability.
Setting Your Chapter Up for Success
Before launching any fundraiser, clarify your goals. Are you supporting your national philanthropy, funding chapter operations, or building reserves for a specific project? Different goals may require different approaches.
Calculate potential return on investment. High-cost events like formal galas can generate significant revenue but require substantial upfront investment. Low-cost options like bake sales or shoe drives minimize risk while still contributing to your goals.
Ensure your chapter maintains valid 501(c)(7) tax-exempt status. This designation means your fraternity or sorority does not pay federal income tax on membership dues and fundraising revenue related to your exempt purposes. Work with your chapter advisor and national organization to maintain compliance.
Finally, remember that the best fundraisers do more than generate money. They build community, strengthen member bonds, and advance your chapter’s mission. Choose ideas that align with your values and engage the full membership.
Looking for more resources on nonprofit financial management? Charity Charge provides payment solutions designed specifically for nonprofit organizations, helping chapters and charitable organizations manage expenses, track spending, and maintain financial accountability.
