What do Beetlejuice and your next Halloween fundraiser event have in common?
They’re both unforgettable.
In our opinion, the best way to bring your community of donors together and receive more contributions is to throw a Halloween event.
How do we know this? Because at Eventbrite, we’ve been bringing the world together through live experiences for the past 10+ years. We’ve helped sell 300 million event tickets across the globe so far and assisted event organizers plan spooktacular Halloween events, so we know what works.
In this article, we’ll provide expert advice on the best Halloween fundraiser ideas with specific examples of how to attract as many attendees as possible and maximize profits for your worthy cause.
Skip ahead to find your favorite Halloween fundraiser ideas
Halloween party fundraising ideas and themes
Ideas for a classic fundraising event (with a Halloween twist)
Scary movie-themed Halloween fundraiser ideas
Spooky immersive experience ideas
Halloween party fundraising ideas and themes
Did you know that 73% of Americans planned to participate in Halloween celebrations in 2023? That’s a massive audience you can target with your event.
People just love Halloween.
So, here are a few terror-ably good Halloween event themes and ideas to get you started.
1. Haunted house
Spookiness: 👻👻👻
Budget: 💵💵💵
Difficulty: 💪💪💪
Kick off the Halloween season by hosting an outdoor rave fundraiser that combines the terror of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre with the wonder of the Wizard of Oz. You can charge entry at the door to raise funds for your charity.
Picture this: You book a venue in a wide-open space with a barn and transform the space into a creepy, distorted version of the Wizard of Oz’s town square. Think bright flowers caked in fake blood and a sinister version of the “scarecrow” from the Wizard of Oz clutching a chainsaw and wearing a terrifying mask.
Then, decorate the inside of the barn as if the Wicked Witch of the West had teamed up with Leatherface, with a cauldron of bubbling green potion, and chainsaws hanging from the ceiling, dripping with “flesh.” Complete the scene with red strobe lights, and bring in a DJ to spin eerie techno tracks like Rrose’s Waterfall.
💡Pro tip: 33% of adults used Instagram as Halloween costume inspiration in 2022, so partner with a costume store, offering attendees a discount when they purchase through your event’s unique link.
2. Ghost story night
Spookiness: 👻👻
Budget: 💵💵
Difficulty: 💪💪
If you’re looking for a Halloween party idea that’s a bit different, find a large cabin in the woods using the VenueReport, and transform each room to represent a different era.
You can charge an entry fee for each themed room, and place signs throughout the event to inform guests which specific programs or initiatives their contributions will support. For example, the funds from the 18th-century room could go towards historic preservation efforts, while the 70s room supports youth education programs.
Imagine framed photos from the 18th century in one room, a groovy 70s vibe in the next, and in another, an escape room where someone is reading a spooky ghost story in the corner.
💡 Pro tip: Boost your fundraising by allowing local businesses to sponsor each themed room for a donation. In return, they can have their branding subtly incorporated into the room (e.g., “This room is brought to you by XYZ Company”).
3. Beware of the candy apples
Spookiness: 👻
Budget: 💵
Difficulty: 💪💪
Turn candy land into a family-friendly nightmare by creating a Brother’s Grimm “Hansel-and-Gretel-themed” maze that leads attendees to a “witch’s lair” (aka, your main fundraising event).
To do it, book an outdoor venue like Konow’s Corn Maze and deck out each section with candy-land decor, like giant lollipop blowups. Add some jumpscares around each corner, and up your community involvement by having volunteers dress as killer sweet treats.
When guests finally reach the “witch’s lair,” set up communal dining tables where guests can donate to your cause to participate in candy apple-making classes, sip on spooky fruit punch, and enjoy other themed treats.
💡Pro tip: Make it easy for attendees to donate by placing QR codes at vendor stations throughout the maze. Then, use the Eventbrite Organizer app to track on-site sales in real time.
Find out more about Eventbrite’s Organizer app
4. Flesh, bone, and fundraising milestones
Spookiness: 👻👻
Budget: 💵💵
Difficulty: 💪💪
If you want to host a Halloween event that showcases your nonprofit’s mission, then how about a silent disco event… at a pretend cemetery?
First, find a venue, like an abandoned warehouse, that’s in the middle of nowhere using Peerspace. Then, decorate it with wrought iron gates and flickering lanterns. Set up a bar with themed drinks like, “Blood-of-Mary” cocktails and a dance floor where guests can literally dance on the graves.
💡Pro tip: Create customized tombstones engraved with different reasons why your cause is important — and the scary reality behind ignoring it. For example, if you’re a nonprofit supporting homelessness across the U.S., one tombstone may read, “653,104 people experienced homelessness in a single night in January 2023,” with a QR code so guests can easily donate to help combat homelessness.
To bring this idea to life, purchase realistic fake graves from Realistic Tombstones, write your messages using invisible ink, and provide blacklight torches so guests can reveal the hidden inscriptions.
5. Spooky season sesh
Spookiness: 👻👻👻
Budget: 💵
Difficulty: 💪💪
Instead of hosting a single Halloween fundraising event, why not create a Halloween month, with a new spooky theme each weekend, offering exclusive perks that encourage attendees to spend more at your event to support your nonprofit organization?
For instance, one week, you could take a cue from BLACC FIRE HOSPITALITY‘s RollingWeen event and throw a classic costume party. Let attendees know that if they pay more for a “VIP costume ticket,” they’ll automatically get a spot in the “best costume” competition with a chance to win a special prize.
Then, the next week, you could host a “zombie apocalypse” rave with The Walking Dead-themed decor, where guests purchase a premium ticket to an exclusive after-party event.
💡 Pro tip: Use your social media platforms to promote that VIP ticket holders will be eligible to participate in weekly costume contests for epic prizes, like $100 gift certificates.
Ideas for a classic fundraising event (with a Halloween twist)
Raise the fun at your next event by taking a classic fundraising idea and giving it a Halloween twist. Can’t think of any ideas? Don’t worry, we’ve got a few that’ll get your blood pumping!
6. Pumpkin carving alley
Spookiness: 👻👻👻
Budget: 💵💵💵
Difficulty: 💪💪💪
Okay, straight off the bat, we’re thinking: Classic block party event, mixed with some childhood trick-or-treating vibes.
Here’s how it’ll work: Invite vendors to come to your block party event and then turn each booth into a miniature suburban house, complete with “brick” walls, and an archaic-looking doorbell.
Incorporate fundraising activities centered on pumpkins to introduce additional donation opportunities. Think pumpkin carving contests, a pumpkin sale for those who want to take home their creations, and pumpkin painting stalls for some hands-on fun.
💡Pro tip: To really set the scene, drape fake cobwebs over the booths, use smoke machines to puff black smoke from the booths’ “chimneys,” and have stilt walkers blow orange bubbles into the air.
7. Silent auction nightmare
Spookiness: 👻
Budget: 💵💵
Difficulty: 💪💪
Put a killer twist on your next Halloween fundraiser by turning a silent auction into the lair of the fictional murderer. Market the event as an underground art show where guests can bid on chilling art pieces said to be crafted by the murderer after “silencing” her victims. All the proceeds from the auction will be donated to your cause of choice.
💡Pro tip: To enhance the experience, collaborate with local artists who specialize in dark and eerie art, and donate the proceeds to a nonprofit organization
8. Spooky fun run
Spookiness: 👻
Budget: 💵
Difficulty: 💪💪
Not everyone wants to be scared to death on Halloween. Some attendees just want an excuse to dress up as their favorite Halloween character and flaunt a killer costume. Plus, a fun run offers lots of fundraising opportunities.
Offer “Casper the Friendly Ghost” levels of fright with a family-friendly, dress-up 5K fun run. At the end of the race, set up booths where attendees can purchase everything from post-run blood-orange juice to ghostly cupcakes, all in support of your organization.
💡Pro tip: Encourage attendees to gather donations from friends and family to support their run and then offer a prize, such as a gift card to a local restaurant, to the person who raises the most money.
9. Horror movie night (with a twist)
Spookiness: 👻👻👻
Budget: 💵💵💵
Difficulty: 💪💪💪
Horror movie nights on Halloween are like Eggnog on Christmas — it’s tradition. But it’s also a bit predictable. So instead why not raise funds by charging ticket entry for an immersive experience, like Terror Trader do at their Halloween events?
Choose a venue in an open stadium or field, then, transform it into a mash-up of iconic Halloween horror films.
💡Pro tip: Add VIP seats with a movie-themed twist to increase donations. For example, if you’re showing Nightmare on Elm Street, set up chairs with claw armrests, draped in blood-red velvet, and leave room for custom popcorn and drink holders shaped like Freddy’s glove.
10. Trick or treat fundraising raffle
Spookiness: 👻
Budget: 💵💵💵
Difficulty: 💪💪
Turn traditional trick-or-treating into a mysterious raffle night where guests buy raffle tickets for charity without knowing what they’re betting on. In your event marketing campaign, make sure to point out that they could win a luxurious cruise or they could get something quirky and unexpected.
💡Pro tip: To increase fundraising, add another layer of mystery by offering an “all-inclusive surprise menu,” where guests pay extra to receive a variety of unexpected gourmet dishes and drinks throughout the event.
11. Horror stories trivia night
Spookiness: 👻
Budget: 💵
Difficulty: 💪
Instead of the usual trivia night setup, transform your venue into a 70s late-night talk show, and invite participants on stage for an “exorcism” like in Late Night with the Devil. Add a “pay to play” element, where each round requires a donation, making fundraising part of the fun.
Attendees must answer all the trivia questions correctly while facing sudden blackouts, creepy whispers, and a “possessed” doll suddenly landing on their lap.
💡Pro tip: Base your trivia questions on specific Halloween TV episodes.
Scary movie-themed Halloween fundraiser ideas
A good portion of the best Halloween fundraiser ideas we’ve seen are based on classic scary movies. Some organizers capture the essence of the film, adding their own creative twist, while others recreate the exact atmosphere of the horror. Either way, it’s always a great time.
To inspire you, we’ve pulled together some ideas that are a playful take on traditional Halloween movies.
12. The night before Christ-o-ween ball
Spookiness: 👻👻👻
Budget: 💵💵💵
Difficulty: 💪💪💪
Blend the charm of Halloween and Christmas by hosting a Nightmare Before Christmas– inspired charity gala ball.
Picture skeletons in Santa costumes lounging by gothic Christmas trees, food draped in edible spider webs (cotton candy), and a cocktail menu filled with Christ-o-ween creations, like “Graveyard Nog” aka spiked eggnog with a hint of cinnamon and a black sugar rim.
Market this as a luxury Halloween event and charge $100-200 per ticket, explaining that the ticket price not only serves as a donation but also provides an all-inclusive experience, covering gourmet treats, and live entertainment throughout the evening.
💡Pro tip: To create an immersive event, use an LED projector to cast a giant moon on the ceiling, then set up a rooftop ledge prop with evil pumpkins littered on the floor.
13. The witches are back scavenger hunt
Spookiness: 👻
Budget: 💵💵
Difficulty: 💪💪
When people think of witches, they often picture dark folklore, but what if you hosted a night where guests dress up as one of the three Sanderson sisters from Hocus Pocus and embark on a fundraising scavenger hunt?
Start with a 90s playlist and a lively dance floor, then launch a scavenger hunt where participants piece together a magic spell book. Each page of the spell book represents a different program or initiative of your nonprofit organization and a crucial piece of the puzzle.
To unlock the next page, participants must make a donation of their choosing — the more they pay, the more detailed the clue they receive on where to find the next piece.
💡Pro tip: Get inspiration on crafting a witchy atmosphere, by taking a look at some of the Court of De Luna events.
14. BIG Shop of Horrors market
Spookiness: 👻👻
Budget: 💵💵
Difficulty: 💪💪
For your next Halloween fundraiser, transform a conference hall into your very own Little Shop of Horrors. Decorate the venue to resemble a creepy, overgrown botanical nightmare, with twisted vines, dim lighting, and giant, man-eating plants that snap open when guests get too close.
Charge an entry fee at the door, then invite weird and wonderful vendors to your market, like apothecaries and plant vendors selling ‘carnivorous’ plants, with a percentage of their sales going to support your charity.
💡Pro tip: For a more adult-themed twist, organize a hilariously (albeit slightly creepy) burlesque show, featuring performers in monstrous plant-themed costumes.
15. I Saw that murder mystery event
Spookiness: 👻👻👻
Budget: 💵💵💵
Difficulty: 💪💪💪
Rather than hosting a murder mystery dinner, do what Halloween New Orleans do with their Halloween camp events and invite your attendees to a “Halloween retreat” — that just so happens to be a charity murder fest.
Transform a campsite into a horror-themed escape experience; when guests arrive, it should feel like they’ve stepped onto the set of a Saw movie. Then, create different challenges throughout the campsite, such as a “Key to Survival” room where participants must find a hidden key in a pit of fake (but convincing) guts, or a “Twisted Riddle Relay” where teams must solve mind-bending riddles while being chased by masked figures.
Charge participants an entry fee and offer additional “lives” or hints for a donation when they get stuck in a challenge. You can also have special fundraising stations where guests can purchase survival kits (with items like fake blood-stained maps or eerie flashlights), with all proceeds supporting your nonprofit. This way, every scare and challenge not only entertains but also contributes to your cause.
💡Pro tip: Live stream the event and encourage viewers to bet on which participants they think will “survive the challenges,” with all proceeds going to your nonprofit organization.
Spooky immersive experience ideas
If there’s ever a time to go “all out” with your event decorations it’s at Halloween. The more you commit to immersing your attendees in a journey they’ve never experienced before, the more memorable your event will be.
Here are our top picks for making your Halloween fundraiser event truly unforgettable.
16. Ghost-hunting tour
Spookiness: 👻
Budget: 💵💵
Difficulty: 💪💪
Encourage guests to arrive dressed as their favorite Ghostbuster, then transform your venue into a neon-lit haunted maze. It should feel as if the thrill of a ghost-hunting tour met the energy of a silent disco and the excitement of laser tag.
Raise funds by charging an entry fee that includes the full experience — a laser gun, a sensor vest, and VR goggles to fully immerse them in the adventure. Once the maze challenge is complete, switch to headphones and transition into a ghost-free silent disco celebration.
💡Pro tip: Boost your fundraising efforts by offering “Please Don’t Ghost Me” t-shirts and “I Ghosted You” hoodies for purchase, with all proceeds going to support your nonprofit. You can also encourage donations during the event by offering special perks like upgraded gear or exclusive access to VIP sections of the maze.
17. Haunted hike
Spookiness: 👻
Budget: 💵
Difficulty: 💪💪
Halloween fundraiser ideas that tap into people’s imaginations are always a hit. So what about hosting an event where guests have to hike through a “haunted” forest to reach the best party of their lives?
Here’s how you do it: Set up an “entrance zone,” and have a “ghost whisperer” take small groups of attendees through a dark forest and charge for it. Fill their journey with creepy surprises and jumpscares — like cries for help and shadowy figures hiding behind trees.
💡Pro tip: Take a look at Landoll’s Mohican Castle’s vibe on their Ghost Walk and Haunted History Tour events.
18. After school hours event
Spookiness: 👻👻👻
Budget: 💵💵💵
Difficulty: 💪💪💪
Invite attendees to dress as Wednesday Addams and purchase tickets to attend the School for the Horrible. Each room should offer a unique experience, such as a “Detention Dungeon,” aka a small room filled with strobe lights, destroyed desks, heavy metal music, and eerie figures in werewolf masks lurking in the shadows.
Offer a “VIP Pass” at a higher donation level that allows guests to skip to the front of the line for the most popular rooms or receive a special guided tour with behind-the-scenes stories. Encourage attendees to participate by emphasizing that all proceeds go toward your fundraising cause, adding a meaningful twist to the spooky fun.
💡Pro tip: Host a sinister fundraising bake sale at the event, and offer scary-good treats like “witch’s fingers” cookies and “monster brain” cupcakes.
19. “Bags of candy'” carnival
Spookiness: 👻👻
Budget: 💵💵💵
Difficulty: 💪💪💪
Valentine’s Day isn’t the only day when singles like to dress up and mingle. So for your next Halloween fundraiser, channel the excitement of Intellectual Blonde™ Events’s Halloween costume party, and host a seductive “singles only” Halloween charity carnival.
Picture adult-themed attractions, like a “Bloodbath” wrestling competition where attendees dive into a pit filled with thick, fake blood, all atop a slippery floor covered in candy corn.
💡Pro tip: Charge your attendees a 5–10 donation for elaborate attractions like a ghost train ride called the “Tunnel of Love… or Terror.”
Are you ready to throw an awesome Halloween fundraiser?
Let us answer that question for you: YES.
You have the experience behind you to plan, the knowledge of your target audience and donors, and the creativity to produce an awesome event. And now, you have a list of scary-good Halloween fundraiser ideas at your fingertips.
You’re unstoppable.
Once you’ve chosen your Halloween event idea, we can also help you promote it, sell tickets to your supporters, and reach a wider audience on various social media platforms, from TikTok and LinkedIn to Instagram.
