Church and Marae Fundraising Ideas

The best way to raise money for a church, marae, or cultural group in New Zealand is to lead with relationships, not transactions. Start by identifying what your community already does well — cooking, gardening, crafting, or hosting — and build a fundraising plan around those strengths, using a digital page on Generous.nz to manage donations and voucher sales so your volunteers can focus on people, not paperwork.

Churches and marae share something powerful: they are trusted gathering places. That trust is your greatest fundraising asset. Whether you're raising funds for a new roof, a wharenui restoration, a youth camp, or weekly community meals, the approaches below work because they respect your community's culture, time, and generosity.

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Start with a clear kaupapa (purpose)

Before you plan any event, be crystal clear about why you're fundraising and what success looks like. Write one or two sentences that explain the need and the outcome.

For example: "We're raising $15,000 to repair the wharekai kitchen so we can keep serving 200 free meals each week."

This clarity matters for three reasons:

• It helps your volunteers stay motivated.
• It makes it easy for people to give — they know exactly where their money goes.
• It gives local businesses a simple reason to support you.

Once your kaupapa is clear, set up a fundraiser page that tells that story well. Include photos of your community in action, a simple breakdown of costs, and a note on how donations will be acknowledged. A well-crafted page can be the difference between a campaign that limps along and one that gains real momentum — read our guide on how to build a fundraiser page that actually converts for practical tips on layout, wording and imagery.

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Run events that suit your space and people

Not every church or marae has a big hall or a large volunteer base. Choose events that match what you have. The best events are those that feel natural to your community and don't require weeks of preparation.

Shared kai events are almost always winners. Food brings people together, and it's something most communities know how to do well. Think:

• A hangi fundraiser, with pre-ordered tickets and pick-up times. This works especially well for marae that have the facilities and the whānau knowledge to pull it off.
• A sausage sizzle or bake sale after Sunday service or at the local farmers' market. These are simple, low-cost and repeatable.
• A community dinner where the proceeds go to a specific project — charge a koha or a set price. Consider a themed dinner (curry night, pasta night, or a traditional Māori boil-up) to make it feel like an occasion rather than just another meal.

Cultural celebration events work well for marae and Pasifika churches:

• A concert or kapa haka showcase with a gold coin entry. These events celebrate your culture while raising funds — a powerful combination.
• A crafts market featuring local weavers, carvers, and artists, with stall fees going to the fundraising pot. This also supports local makers, which builds goodwill.
• A language or culture night, where tickets include a meal and a short talk. For example, a te reo Māori evening or a Samoan language and storytelling session can attract both community members and those wanting to learn.

Practical working bees with a twist:

• A "pay what you can" working bee where whānau come to help with maintenance, and lunch is served for donations. This turns a necessary chore into a community event.
• A plant sale — pot up seedlings from your own gardens and sell them on a Saturday morning. Spring is an especially good time for this in New Zealand, when gardeners are eager to get planting.
• A car wash run by youth group members. It's low-cost, easy to organise, and gives young people a sense of ownership in the fundraising effort.

The key is to keep events simple, repeatable, and enjoyable. One good event run twice a year beats five complicated ones that exhaust your volunteers. Think about the rhythm of your community — school terms, sports seasons, and church holidays all create natural moments when people are already gathering.

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Sell goods and services your community already needs

Goods and services fundraising works well for churches and marae because it doesn't rely on people feeling guilty — it gives them something useful in exchange. It also taps into skills and resources your community already has.

Digital vouchers are a practical option for groups without storage space. You can sell vouchers to local cafes, hardware stores, or supermarkets, and your supporters use them like gift cards. This is a popular approach because it supports local businesses at the same time. On Generous.nz, fundraisers keep at least 10% of every voucher sale, and vouchers are delivered instantly by email — no printing, no postage, no handling physical cards. Learn more about how digital vouchers work and why they're a highly effective fundraising product.

Physical goods that suit your community include:

• Honey, jam, or preserves from members' gardens. These make excellent Christmas gifts, so consider timing your sales for November and early December.
• Firewood, if you have access to a supply. Winter is the obvious selling season, but people also buy ahead in autumn.
• Christmas hampers assembled from donated goods and sold before December. Local businesses are often happy to contribute items.
• Reusable shopping bags or tea towels printed with your church or marae logo. These work as both a fundraiser and ongoing advertising for your community.

Services are often overlooked but can be very effective:

• A lawn-mowing or gardening service offered to elderly neighbours, with all fees going to the fundraiser. This builds genuine community connection.
• A "skills auction" where members offer lessons — guitar, cooking, weaving, or budgeting — and people bid. This is a fun event in itself and showcases the talents within your community.
• A rubbish removal or green waste service for a weekend, if you have access to a trailer or ute.

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How local businesses can support you well

Businesses are often willing to help, but they need to be asked in the right way. A respectful approach is to offer partnership, not just ask for a handout. The key is to make it easy for them to say yes, and to genuinely value the relationship beyond the money.

What to ask for:

• Goods for a raffle or auction (check the legal requirements for raffles first).
• Vouchers you can sell, with a portion of proceeds going to your cause. This is attractive to businesses because it brings them customers they might not otherwise reach.
• Sponsorship of a specific event or project, in exchange for acknowledgement in your newsletter or on your page.

What to offer in return:

• A thank-you post on your Facebook page tagging the business.
• A small ad in your weekly or monthly newsletter.
• A mention at your event, from the stage or in the programme.
• A certificate of appreciation you can present in person — this matters more than many people realise.

How to make it easy:

• Write a short one-page proposal explaining the cause, the amount you need, and what you'll offer in return.
• Suggest specific amounts — "$200 covers the cost of ingredients for the community dinner" is easier to say yes to than "any amount helps."
• Follow up with a handwritten thank-you card. This is the single best way to build a long-term relationship.
• Keep a record of which businesses have supported you, and make a point of supporting them in return when you can.

For more ideas on getting businesses involved, read our guide on how to get local businesses excited about your fundraiser.

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Use a digital page to reduce volunteer workload

Many churches and marae rely on a small group of dedicated volunteers. A digital fundraiser page helps you avoid burning them out. This is one of the biggest advantages of modern fundraising platforms — the administration that used to take hours can now happen automatically.

With a page on Generous.nz, you can:

• Accept donations and voucher sales online, 24/7.
• Share one link on Facebook, in emails, and on QR codes at your events. QR codes are a simple way to boost sales — print them on flyers, put them on table cards at events, and display them at the door.
• Track progress publicly, which encourages more giving. People are more likely to donate when they can see a campaign moving toward its goal.
• Use our AI fraud screening to protect your campaign, and receive payments securely through Stripe.

You can also set up monthly giving for supporters who want to give regularly — this is especially useful for ongoing costs like power, insurance, or kai for community meals. A small group of monthly donors can provide a stable income stream that makes budgeting much easier.

If your volunteers are already stretched, a digital page means you don't need someone to handle cash, keep records, or bank money. The platform does the heavy lifting. See how zero-cost fundraising can work for groups with minimal resources, and read about how to run a fundraiser with no volunteers if your team is very small.

It's also worth understanding the fee structure before you start. On Generous.nz, the 5% + GST platform fee is invoiced separately and is never taken from donations — so every dollar your supporters give goes directly to your cause. This is an important point of difference, and it's explained in detail in our guide to fundraising fees.

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Respect tikanga and traditions in your fundraising

If you're fundraising for a marae, or on behalf of a Māori or Pasifika community, cultural protocols matter. Getting this right is not just about avoiding offence — it's about building genuine trust and strengthening the community.

• Always seek guidance from kaumātua or church leaders before approaching external businesses or running public events. They will know what is appropriate and what might cause unintended harm.
• Acknowledge the marae or church as a taonga — frame the fundraising as a way to strengthen the community, not just to fix a building. The story you tell should be about people, not just projects.
• Use koha where it fits, but also be clear when a set price is needed to cover costs. There's a balance to be struck, and your leaders can help you find it.
• Thank people publicly and sincerely. In many communities, the acknowledgment is as important as the money. A public thank-you at a service or hui, and a personal note to significant donors, goes a long way.
• Consider how your fundraising activity fits with the wider calendar of community events. Don't compete with other important gatherings — work with them.

When in doubt, ask. A quick conversation with your elders or leadership team will save you from missteps and build trust.

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The best times of year to fundraise

Timing matters more than most people think. In New Zealand, the rhythm of the year creates natural opportunities:

• Term 1 and early Term 2 (February–May): People are fresh after summer and often have more discretionary income. This is a good time for larger appeals.
• Winter (June–August): A great time for comfort-food events — soups, stews, and hangi — and for firewood sales.
• Spring (September–November): Plant sales and working bees fit naturally here as gardens come alive.
• Advent and Christmas (November–December): Hampers, crafts markets, and carol services all work well. People are in a giving mood.
• Lent and Easter (for churches): A natural season for reflection and generosity.

For a fuller picture, read our guide on the best times of year to launch a fundraiser in New Zealand.

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A practical starting plan

Here's a simple sequence to get moving:

1. Week 1: Write your one-sentence kaupapa. Set up your fundraiser page.
2. Week 2: Talk to 3–5 local businesses about vouchers or sponsorship.
3. Week 3: Plan one simple event — a shared meal or a plant sale — and promote it on Facebook and in your newsletter.
4. Week 4: Run the event, thank everyone publicly, and update your page with the new total.

Repeat the cycle every few months. Consistency beats intensity. Each time you run a successful event, you learn what works for your community — and you build a track record that makes the next fundraiser easier.

Before you launch, work through our ultimate checklist for launching a fundraiser to make sure you haven't missed anything important.

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Frequently asked questions

Can a church or marae use Generous.nz for free?

Yes. Generous.nz is designed for community fundraising, and you can get started without upfront costs. The 5% + GST platform fee is invoiced separately and is never taken from donations, so every dollar your supporters give goes directly to your cause. The full fees structure is explained clearly before you launch, and fundraisers keep at least 10% of voucher sales.

Do we need to be a registered charity to fundraise?

No. Churches and marae can fundraise for their own projects without being a registered charity, but there are rules about how money is used and whether donors can claim donation tax credits. Check the current official guidance from Charities Services and IRD to confirm your situation — the rules can change, and it's important to be on the right side of them.

Is selling raffle tickets legal for our group?

Raffles are legal in New Zealand under certain conditions, including limits on prize values and ticket prices. The rules depend on the type of organisation you are and the scale of the raffle. Read the guide to running a raffle to make sure you stay within the rules, and check the current requirements from the Department of Internal Affairs if you