Fundraising ideas | Cats Protection

From books, blooms and bingo to baking, making and dancefloor-shaking, there are plenty of fun and unique ways you can make life better for cats.

The best thing about choosing to fundraise your way is picking an activity that fits with your personality, lifestyle and interests. We’ve compiled some of our favourite ideas below to help you on your way. We can’t wait to hear what you decide to do.

Personal fundraising ideas

A day in the life of: Ever wondered what it would be like to live as a cat for the day? You could get sponsored by friends and family to communicate only in meows, or wear paws for a good cause and spend the day dressed up as your favourite cat.

Arts and crafts: Do you have a passion for painting? Nifty with a needle? Create some cat-themed artwork, set up a stall or host a local exhibition and sell your moggy masterpieces.

Celebrations: Instead of cards, money or gifts from loved ones for your birthday, wedding or special occasion, you could ask people to donate to cats instead.

Cook up a storm: Whether you are a whizz with a whisk, or have your own speciality dish, a supper club or bake sale is a great way to bring people together for cats.

Cat-friendly flower sale: Collect donations of cat-friendly plants and flowers from local nurseries or gardeners and sell them on to raise funds. This is also a brilliant opportunity to educate people about plants and flowers that are safe for cats.

DIY cat toy workshop: Cats love to pounce and play. Organise a workshop where your guests make cat toys for their adored pets using inexpensive materials like cardboard, string, and fabric scraps. Charge a small fee for attendance and materials. You can find some homemade cat toy inspiration here.

Get active: Push out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself to a physical endurance event. You could run, cycle, swim, or take on all three in a triathlon! Ask your friends and family to show their support and sponsor you. You’ll feel amazing at the finish line.

Give it up for cats: Hide those delicious chocolate biscuits and lock away the gin! Give up your favourite treat or kick that bad habit for a month, all in the name of Cats Protection.

Raffle: Organise a raffle where people buy tickets for a chance to win exciting, donated prizes. This can be hosted in person or online.

Social media fundraising: Set up a fundraiser or share touching stories alongside a donate button across your socials. Social media fundraising is especially powerful if you have a personal connection to the cause that you can tell people about. Did you adopt a special cat from Cats Protection? Have we been there for you in a way you’ll never forget? Let your community know all about the difference their donations will make.

Group fundraising ideas

If you need some quick and simple fundraising ideas, we’ve got your back. These suggestions are perfect for those who are short on time but still want to make a positive impact for cats.

Cat bingo night: Number four, scratch at the door! Organise a bingo night with cat-themed calls and prizes. Charge for bingo cards and offer additional games or raffles.

A musical number: Does your cat purr to pop or snooze to Sinatra? You could arrange a concert featuring your cat’s favourite musical hits, or a setlist of songs with a cat theme. Love the limelight? Warm up those vocal cords and make it a sing-a-long or karaoke event.

Comedy night: Why did the cat cross the road? How many cats does it take to change a lightbulb? Host a night of stand-up comedy or an improv performance night.

Knitting kitties: Ask your knitting circle to join you for a cosy night in to create cat toys or blankets. The items made can be sold or auctioned off to local cat owners.

Paint and sip: Host a paint and sip night where people pay to join a painting class and enjoy wine or other beverages. Everybody gets to keep their own cat-themed canvas. Provide materials and charge for tickets.

Open garden day: From plants, ponds and peonies, to woodland, wildflowers and water features, the cats of the community get to see it all on their adventures. Ask your neighbours to open their gardens for public tours and explore your cat’s playground! Charge for tickets and sell plants or gardening supplies.

Sporty tournaments: Gather a group for a day of friendly competition, whether it's football, netball, golf or any sport you love. Entry fees and donations are a great way to raise funds.

Quiz night: Think you know your cat trivia? Host a cat-themed quiz night with friends and family at your local pub. Ask for donations to enter.

School fundraising ideas

Kitty craft fair: Organise a fair where local artists and makers sell their creations at the school, with booth fees and a percentage of sales donated to the charity.

Cat’s got your tongue: Get sponsored to spend a day or two completely silent! Who will giggle first?!

Book fair: Arrange a fair where pupils donate their new or gently used books to sell on, with a portion of the proceeds donated to Cats Protection.

Library read-a-thon: Partner with a local library to host a read-a-thon. Children can collect sponsorship from their care-givers, friends and neighbours, who pledge a donation based on the number of books or pages read.

Feline fun run: Organise a local fun-run or walk where the entire school community dresses in cat-themed clothing. Charge registration fees and offer prizes for the best costumes.

Scavenger hunt: A great game for you and your friends! Put together some tricky clues which will lead players to a prize. Ask for a donation to join in on the fun.

Talent show: Showcase the stars of your school by organising a talent show line-up of musicians, magicians, dancers, jokers and jugglers. Sell tickets to family, friends and the local community so they can come and watch.

The cat’s pyjamas: Host a non-uniform day where classmates pay a small fee to dress down for the day. Let them come to lessons in their pyjamas, casual clothes, or dressed up as a cat.

Work fundraising ideas

Breakfast of champions: Start off your workday right by hosting a breakfast event where participants pay for a delicious morning meal. Include activities like raffles or games to raise additional funds.

Cats and cocktails mixer: Host an after work social mixer with cat-themed cocktails and mocktails. Charge for tickets or collect donations on the night.

Clothes swap: Ask your colleagues to bring in all the clothes that they no longer wear and take part in a clothes swap. People can donate to attend, or you could pop prices on the clothes to sell.

Duvet day raffle: Employees can purchase a raffle ticket to be in with the chance of winning an extra day's holiday.

Foodies festival: Mix up the menu and arrange a food festival, where colleagues rustle up their favourite dishes for everyone to sample at lunchtime. Charge an entry fee to raise money.

Lunch and learn: Do your co-workers have skills and talents that they're happy to share? You could host weekly lunch-and-learns, where colleagues share their wisdom and expertise for a small fee.

Step challenge: Arrange a lunchtime walking or running group to boost your daily step count between meetings. Get sponsored for hitting big milestones!

Sweepstake: Whether it’s football, reality TV or an in-house challenge, get colleagues involved in a sweepstake on a competition of your choice. Everyone pays to enter, and half the pot goes to Cats Protection.