Tips for Running a Halloween Costume Fundraiser

With cute pet costumes lining store shelves, Halloween has become a popular holiday to include beloved furry friends. What is better than a pup dressed as a dino, or a kitty dressed as a shark?

Reason #1: Too exclusive

Reason #2: Prizes are not enticing enough

Everyone wants their pet to be a star, which is why some of the highest-performing fundraisers on our platform feature prizes that give the winner a little bit of celebrity status — such as appearing in a wall calendar or on a beer label.

These types of prizes are essentially priceless. Because there is no clear dollar value attached to seeing your pet featured on a calendar or label, there is also no obvious ceiling on how much someone might be willing to donate to win.

Halloween costume contests are a little different. Since you probably aren't creating an entire wall calendar filled with pets in Halloween costumes, these contests often rely on prizes with a defined monetary value, such as gift cards or prizes donated by local businesses.

There is nothing wrong with those prizes, but they can naturally limit fundraising. We've found that many participants vote heavily for their own entries, and once the amount they've donated approaches the value of the prize, they may be less motivated to keep going. It's simply human nature.

It may also be tempting to offer a cash prize, but we don't allow cash prizes on our platform because they generally aren't a good fit for donation-based fundraising. Participants typically want to feel that their donations are supporting your organization and its mission, rather than funding a cash payout to the winner.

Related: What are appropriate prizes for winners?

Reason #3: Your supporters are facing burn out

Halloween Contest Tips:

1. Keep expectations in check.
It probably won't be your biggest fundraiser of the year, but it can be a great way to involve your community in something light-hearted and fun. The average Halloween contest raises between $500 and $1,000.

2. Make your contest as open and inclusive as possible to encourage the most participation.

• a special feature on a local billboard
• a spotlight profile in a community magazine or a monthly newsletter
• a piece of art by a local artist or photographer that features the winner(s)

4. DON'T end your Halloween contest ON Halloween!
Unless you are tying your contest into an event that is happening on the 31st, try to avoid ending on Halloween. Most of your participants will be out trick-or-treating and celebrating the holiday instead of paying attention to the ending of your contest, which means you miss out on last minute voting and donations.

✅ To capture those last minute entries and donations, think about ending your contest on November 1st.
 

Halloween Contest Examples:

Here are some examples of some successful Halloween contests, to give you ideas when thinking about your own fundraiser.