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© 2025 KidsCan. All rights reserved.

KidsCan Charitable Trust is registered under the Charities Act 2005 CC10386

Join our epic fundraising community

Every year hundreds of Kiwis organise and take part in fundraisers for kids living in hardship. Will you join our community?
Register your fundraiser now
A child stands behind a table displaying colorful bracelets for a KidsCan fundraiser, with a sign indicating a price of $3 each
Two people stand in front of a welcome sign for Havelock, adorned with a large mussel sculpture, on a sunny day

How to Fundraise

It doesn’t matter if your fundraiser is big or small, your support is priceless to us. Whether it’s running a marathon in your wedding dress (yes, that happened), holding a raffle or a clothes swap, or selling cakes at work, you’ll be doing something amazing for kids in need. ​ 

​If you are looking for ideas to get you started, you can download our toolkit or check out our guide to fundraising for a charity in NZ.

Fundraiser Tool KitFundraising guide

Ways to Fundraise

  • School

  • Workplace

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    Community

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    Individual

Got an idea for a cool fundraiser? Need help/inspo or just a wee friendly chat with our team? We’d love to hear from you. Contact us at fundraise@kidscan.org.nz.

Need Fundraising ideas?

If you're looking for ideas to get you started. We've got plenty of fundraising ideas to help you bring people together and make a real difference for Kiwi kids.

Fundraiser tool kitFundraising guide
Participants running past a Wellington College tent during a marathon, with others seated nearby

School

Get your school community behind a great cause. From mufti days and bake sales to colour runs and readathons, every dollar raised helps Kiwi kids thrive.

Wellington College students, staff and supporters came together for Runathon 2025, completing 15,784 laps over 15 hours and raising nearly $100,000 in support of five charities.

Fundraising for SchoolsRegister your fundraiser
A group of people, some in bright safety jackets, stand indoors holding a large check. They're smiling and posing for the photo

Workplace

Bring your team together while making a difference for children in need. Morning teas, quiz nights and team challenges are a fun way to give back.

Through its staff giving programme, Door + Window Systems donated $2,000 to KidsCan, made up of employee contributions matched dollar-for-dollar by the company.

Register your fundraiser
A large group of cyclists in matching jerseys and helmets pose with their bikes in front of a lake and mountains, flanked by trees

Community

Turn local events into lasting impact for children in need. From fun runs to raffles and market days to movie nights, every event can help change a child's future.

Ten years after raising $170,000 for KidsCan, the Fat Fathers Cycling crew is back for another challenge. In November 2026, the team will ride 1,000km to raise $200,000 and help support Kiwi kids in need.

Register your fundraiser
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Individuals

Fundraise from anywhere with a birthday fundraiser, donation drive, Facebook fundraiser or sponsored challenge.

Mangawhai local Dougie Haynes completed the 3,000km Te Araroa Trail from Cape Reinga to Bluff in support of KidsCan. During his 180-day trek, he raised more than $16,000 to help provide food, clothing and health items for Kiwi kids in need.

Register your fundraiser

Need even more Fundraising ideas?

For more inspiration, check out these amazing fundraising stories from over the years.

Smiling man in a blue shirt stands with arms crossed by a marina, with boats and a building visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky

22 half marathons in 22 days

Former KPMG manager Damion Ranginui has never forgotten how he felt as a child living in poverty.

"There is a lot of shame that goes with having less than other kids. I recall being hungry, wanting food, and it being extremely hard to focus, but I learned to cope without. There was no choice. Occasionally, there would be just Weetbix for dinner.

So that’s my motivation to run for KidsCan. I know how hard it is for kids who are struggling and have no control over their situation. I am not a natural runner, but the purpose behind the challenge kept me going.

Education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty. Kids need the essentials so they can focus on learning instead of trying to avoid being bullied. By investing in our kids, like KidsCan does, we’re investing in the future of Aotearoa.

It was my community that changed my life. Teachers, friends, and mentors saw potential in me and helped me dream big. Now, I have a positive future and have created generational change for my whānau.

Next time you see a family doing it tough, think about how you can help. By supporting KidsCan, you’re helping a kid like me.”

Group of kids in colourful costumes and Crocs, gathered outdoors

Croc Country

A group of students from Auckland’s Murrays Bay Intermediate dreamed up a colourful KidsCan fundraiser, 'Croc Country'. 12-year-old Jean Gibson knew not everyone at her school liked cross-country running, so she rallied her friends to create an event everyone would love. Students donned fancy dress and a pair of crocs or crazy shoes for a fun run. The girls even secured sponsors for their best-dressed prizes. 

Jean said they chose to raise money for KidsCan because they wanted to help the kids who aren't lucky enough to have shoes. “At Murrays Bay, we’re obviously quite a privileged school, so we don’t really understand what it’s like to not have the necessities. But it’s cool that we can fundraise for kids who don’t have so much.” 

Jean said the students gained valuable skills, learning how to organise an event, run a platform and find sponsors. The school’s Director of Sport, Brandon Kruyen, said it was an easy event for the school to put on. "The kids at Murrays Bay got on board, because it was other kids running it.”

The event was such a success that when the girls moved to high school, they returned to run it for a second year – raising enough money to support 37 children with new shoes, socks and jackets.

Two children in lab coats stand next to a display of Pic's Peanut Butter jars in a bright store with shelves and product branding visible

'Smunchy' Peanut Butter

Maggie Mellors is an enterprising 10-year-old who found a way to turn her love of peanut butter into a way to raise funds for kids living in poverty. Her very own recipe for ‘Smunchy’ peanut butter was snapped up by Pic’s – and she asked for proceeds to go to KidsCan!  

“Maggie is a very gentle soul and always thinks about kids less fortunate than her,” said dad Jon.   

When Maggie and Jon hit on the perfect nutty combo – crunch and smooth – she wrote to Pic himself insisting it would bring “double the yumminess” to Kiwis.   

For a limited time, 50c from each jar of Smunchy Pic’s Peanut Butter went to KidsCan – and a total of $1,350 was raised! Talk about spreading the love.  

Fundraising FAQs

Other ways you can help

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    Donate monthly

    Be a steady source of support so we can be there with the essentials for kids who need it.
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    One-off giving

    Provide the essentials when kids need them most – your gift makes an immediate difference.
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    Partner with us

    Join our business community, sharing our vision of a brighter future for all Kiwi kids.
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    Gift in will

    Create a long-lasting legacy by leaving behind a gift to ensure continuous support for Kiwi kids.
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Join our mission

Sign up for news and updates on KidsCan’s work. With your support, we can provide the essentials to Kiwi kids in need and give them the opportunity for a better future.
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