Fundraising ideas - Eden Project communities

Super simple

Easy ways to raise money at your event

3 Ladies laughing and smiling whilst trying on clothes and hats

Donation box – the simplest and easiest way to raise money is to just pop a donation box out at your event. Or, print out a poster with a JustGiving link or QR code to allow people to donate directly to your cause!
Raffles, tombolas and sweepstakes – Lotteries held at events are classed as ‘Incidental Lotteries’ – this means they don’t require licensing or registration*. These are an easy way to get people to donate to your cause, as there is the lure and excitement of potentially winning! Check out some of the different types of raffles. *Gambling regulations don’t apply if tombola or raffle tickets are sold on the day and the prizes aren’t worth more than £500 in total. Read the legal know-how.
Wet sponge throwing – throwing wet sponges at people is a very easy fundraiser to organise and will prove a popular activity at your Big Lunch! These fundraising games need to be talked up so call your stall something imaginative. Soak The Sucker! Or Drown the Drip! Or Punish The Principal! Children particularly love it when you strike a mum or dad on the cheek!
Bingo – split half the money with your Big Lunch Fundraiser and half to the winner. Savvy organisers will often seek out local businesses who will supply prizes in exchange for a mention or a spot of advertising. The basics you’ll need are: bingo singles, bingo balls, bingo pens and a bingo cage.

Fundraise with your Big Lunch

Did you know that The Eden Project (home of The Big Lunch) is a charity? Add a fundraising twist to your event and help us take positive action for people and the planet.

By donating even a small amount of your total fundraising to the Eden Project, you can support our work to bring nature back, build stronger communities and create a more sustainable future for us all.

Fundraise for the Eden Project

Tuck in for a good cause

Tasty ways to fundraise

Bake a difference – host a cake sale or bake-off where people donate to taste, judge, or take home their favourite treats.
Showstopper challenge – get creative with a cake decorating competition! Charge a small entry fee and award a prize for the best-decorated cake.
Closest guess wins – a classic guessing game where people donate to have a go — it could be the weight of a cake or number of jelly beans in a jar. Nearest guess wins!
Lucky dip lunch – invite everyone to bring a packed lunch, make a donation to join, and take part in a random swap! It’s a lucky dip for the taste buds.
Foodie prize draw – arrange a food-themed raffle, ask for prize donations to be local produce, café vouchers, hampers and other delicious goodies.

Games that give back

Putting the fun into fundraising

Get quizzical – host a pub-style quiz, charging teams to enter.
Test the senses – set up a blind taste test challenge. Blindfolded people donate to guess the mystery flavour (it could be herbs, spices, chocolate or tea) – prize for the best palate!
Pup portrait – set up a ‘photo booth’ area with props for dogs (and their humans) and ask for a donation in return for a cute photo.
Buzzy bingo – play a round of food or nature-themed bingo where participants donate to join in and win small prizes.
Best in show – host a fun dog show, charge a small entry fee per dog, per category. You could invite a local vet or dog walker to judge, and keep it fun with waggiest tail, best trick and best dressed.

Planting with purpose

Grow and give

Grow big or grow home – who can grow the tallest sunflower or biggest marrow? Charge a small fee for people to enter a friendly growing competition!
Sow and share – host a mini marketplace where people bring spare seeds to swap or sell.
Potty about plants – ask for donations of old pots and run a craft activity where people pay a small fee to decorate a pot and plant seeds to take home.
Nature detectives – organise a nature-themed scavenger hunt or trail, charge a small entry fee and let the adventure begin!

Your Eden Project fundraising toolkit

Here is everything you need to fundraise for the Eden Project at your event. From invitations and posters to playful activities, it’s full of handy resources to make it easy as pie for people to chip in. Every pound raised makes a differerence, so thank you for your support!