{"id":5783,"date":"2026-08-20T21:35:35","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T18:35:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fundis.fi\/fundraising-abc\/fundraising-ideas\/"},"modified":"2026-08-21T09:46:24","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T06:46:24","slug":"fundraising-ideas","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/fundis.fi\/en\/fundraising-abc\/fundraising-ideas\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Fundraising? \u2014 A Guide to Fundraising"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fundraising is a vital process for many organizations, communities, and projects, used to raise funds to achieve specific goals. Fundraising can take many forms, and its success often depends on how well the fundraising strategy is planned and executed. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this article, we&#8217;ll explore what fundraising is, what forms it can take, and how Finnish legislation and taxation affect fundraising. We&#8217;ll also look at how the Fundis app can revolutionize the future of fundraising. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/oldfundis.reactgrid.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/mita-on-varainhankinta2-600x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;width:600px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is fundraising?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fundraising refers to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kielitoimistonsanakirja.fi\/#\/varainhankinta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the process of raising money for a specific purpose<\/a>, such as financing a charitable project, event, or other initiative. Fundraising can be either one-time or ongoing, and its methods can vary greatly. The goal is often to ensure that the funds raised are used appropriately and that the fundraising activity is transparent.  <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Forms of Fundraising<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fundraising methods can be diverse. Here are some of the most common ways to raise funds:  <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Donations<\/strong>: Donations from private individuals or businesses are one of the most traditional forms of fundraising. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Product sales<\/strong>: Organizations or groups can sell products such as clothing, accessories, or food to raise funds. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Advertising sales<\/strong>: Selling advertising space, for example at events or in publications. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Events<\/strong>: Concerts, sporting events, and other events that generate participation fees or other revenue. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sponsorship<\/strong>: Financial support provided by businesses in exchange for visibility.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Fundraising and the Law<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finnish legislation sets certain limits and obligations for fundraising. First and foremost, fundraising must be transparent and directed toward a lawful purpose. For example, the fundraising collection act regulates the organization of public fundraising and generally requires a fundraising permit when funds are collected from the public without consideration.   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The legality of fundraising requires that organizations strictly comply with regulations governing, for example, the use and reporting of collected funds. Obtaining a fundraising permit requires, among other things, that the purpose of the fundraising is socially acceptable and that the use of funds is properly supervised.  <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/oldfundis.reactgrid.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/varainhankinta-verotus-alv-600x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;width:600px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Taxation of fundraising<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Fundraising taxation<\/strong> is a topic that affects many organizations and communities. In Finland, fundraising can be either tax-exempt or taxable activity depending on how the fundraising is organized and how the funds are used. For example, donations to charitable organizations are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vero.fi\/yritykset-ja-yhteisot\/verot-ja-maksut\/yhdistys-ja-saatio\/yleishyodyllisen-yhteison-tuloverotus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">generally tax-exempt<\/a>, whereas product sales may be subject to value-added tax if the sales are conducted on an ongoing basis and to a significant extent.   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From a taxation perspective, it&#8217;s important to distinguish between different forms of fundraising and their tax treatment. Tax liability may also depend on whether the fundraising is with consideration or without consideration. It&#8217;s advisable to contact the tax authority or a tax specialist to ensure that all tax obligations related to fundraising are properly fulfilled.   <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Fundraising and value-added taxation<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Value-added tax (VAT)<\/strong> comes into play especially when fundraising involves <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vero.fi\/syventavat-vero-ohjeet\/ohje-hakusivu\/82116\/yleishy%C3%B6dyllisten-yhteis%C3%B6jen--arvonlis%C3%A4verotus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the sale of products or services<\/a>. If an organization conducts fundraising by selling goods or services, it must register for VAT if sales exceed a certain annual threshold (in 2024, the threshold is \u20ac15,000).  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fundraising through product sales may therefore fall under value-added tax, and income from sales must be reported to the tax authority. For example, an association that sells t-shirts or calendars as part of fundraising may be required to pay value-added tax on this income. It&#8217;s important to take value-added taxation into account already in the planning phase of a fundraising campaign to ensure that the activity remains lawful and financially sustainable.   <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/oldfundis.reactgrid.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/varainhankinta-opas-600x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;width:600px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Fundraising Through Product Sales<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Fundraising through product sales<\/strong> is one of the most popular ways to raise funds, especially when you want to offer supporters something tangible in return for their donations. This can mean, for example, selling various products such as t-shirts, calendars, baked goods, or other items that are attractive and affordable to produce.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fundraising through product sales may, however, fall under value-added taxation if sales are conducted regularly and to a significant extent. In that case, income from sales must be reported to the tax authority, and value-added tax must be paid on it. It&#8217;s important to plan product sales so that they meet all tax requirements and that any taxes are budgeted into the fundraising costs.  <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/oldfundis.reactgrid.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/varainhankinta-mainostila-600x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;width:600px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Fundraising Through Advertising Sales<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Advertising sales is a form of fundraising in which advertising space is sold, for example at events, on billboards, in publications, or on websites. This can be a very effective way to raise funds, especially if advertisers see that they&#8217;re getting good visibility in return. In advertising sales, however, it&#8217;s important to note that it is commercial activity and therefore subject to value-added tax. In addition, income tax may come into play if advertising sales are conducted regularly and to a significant extent.   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A club can publish, for example, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.paimionhaka.fi\/uutiset\/57123\/varaa-mainospaikkasi-paihan-jalkapallon-kausijulkaisuun-2024\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">its own magazine or periodical<\/a>, in which advertising space is sold to partners alongside news articles. A club can also act as a distributor of advertisements to mailboxes as volunteer work. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nowadays, it&#8217;s becoming common for sports clubs, for example, to have permanent advertising spaces. In addition to traditional match advertising, clubs can manage, for example, <a href=\"https:\/\/mediani.fi\/product\/tienvarsimainos-seinajoki-hamarintie\/3664\/?srsltid=AfmBOoqdj5xbd57crk2mTheAcQsLefOYmaVd6snIc7LgfemHt87AS2BB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">roadside advertising spaces<\/a> or sell <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kotus.fi\/nyt\/kotus-blogi\/satunnaisesti_kirjoittava_kotuslainen\/monipuolinen_mutta_jaykka_areena.25191.blog\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the naming rights to their match venues<\/a>, such as Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, Oulun Energia Areena, and <a href=\"https:\/\/nokiaarena.fi\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nokia Arena<\/a> in Tampere. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/oldfundis.reactgrid.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/varainkeruu-tapahtuma-600x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;width:600px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Fundraising Through Events<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Organizing various events, such as concerts, sporting events, or charity galas, is a popular fundraising method.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Through events, significant sums can be raised via participation fees, ticket sales, and various sales. Event fundraising, however, involves many statutory obligations, such as permit and tax matters. For example, lotteries require a lottery permit, and income from them is taxable income.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&#8217;s important for event organizers to ensure that all permits and tax matters are handled properly.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winteropen.fi\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Winter Open<\/a>, traditionally held in Vuokatti in early winter, relies heavily on volunteer help from the local sports club \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/sotkamonjymypesis.fi\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sotkamon Jymy<\/a>. Tapiola Festival has also announced that it collaborates with several <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TapiolaFestivaali\/posts\/tapiola-festivaali-tekee-yhteisty%C3%B6t%C3%A4-espoolaisten-urheiluseurojen-kanssayhteisty\/473677508585089\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Espoo-based sports clubs<\/a>. It&#8217;s also possible to organize your own festival entirely, as Siilinj\u00e4rven Pesis did <a href=\"https:\/\/www.manttufest.fi\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">with ManttuFest in summer 2024<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/oldfundis.reactgrid.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/varainhankinta-sponsori-600x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;width:600px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Fundraising Through Sponsorship<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sponsorship is one form of fundraising in which businesses financially support a specific project or event in exchange for visibility. Sponsorship can be very beneficial for both parties, as the business gains advertising value and the fundraising party receives financing. Sponsorship may, however, be subject to taxation, especially if it&#8217;s considered to be with consideration. It&#8217;s important to clearly agree on the terms of sponsorship and ensure that all tax aspects have been taken into account.   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sponsorship is typical for individual athletes, for example, as seen with the duo who have distinguished themselves in securing sponsors\u2014<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sttinfo.fi\/tiedote\/70144434\/novapolis-ja-hiihtaja-perttu-hyvarinen-aloittivat-pitkajanteisen-yhteistyon?lang=fi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">skier Perttu Hyv\u00e4rinen<\/a> and his \u201cmanager\u201d Olli-Pekka \u201cLelu\u201d Ojansivu\u2014to make professional training possible.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can read more about securing sponsors for a sports club <a href=\"https:\/\/www.myclub.fi\/vierasblogi\/nain-hankit-sponsoreita-urheiluseuralle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/oldfundis.reactgrid.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/sovellustulossapian-3-600x600.png\" alt=\"Fundis app\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;width:600px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Fundraising with the Fundis App<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Fundis<\/strong> is a Finnish app revolutionizing fundraising that offers organizations, communities, and charities an effortless way to secure ongoing funding without selling traditional physical products.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fundis works by allowing users to support their chosen projects or organizations by making purchases at stores partnered with Fundis. This way, merchants gain more customers, organizations receive funding, and users can support their favorite projects without making a direct monetary donation. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This makes Fundis an attractive option for all parties, and its social impact is significant.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Challenges in Fundraising<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While fundraising can be an effective way to raise funds, it also comes with challenges. One of the biggest challenges is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vala.fi\/varainhankinta-suomessa\/hyva-hallinto-ja-eettisyys\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the ethics and transparency of fundraising<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Donors want to know where their money is going, and this requires clear and open reporting. In addition, fundraising is a competitive field, and organizations must continually develop new and innovative ways to stand out and attract supporters. <a href=\"https:\/\/oldfundis.reactgrid.eu\/varainhankinnan-abc\/varainhankinnan-verotus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tax and statutory obligations<\/a> can also be complex, and complying with them requires careful planning and expertise. <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u200b<\/h2>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fundraising is a multifaceted process that offers many opportunities but also challenges. It&#8217;s important to understand Finnish legislation and taxation so that fundraising can be carried out correctly and effectively. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Product sales, advertising sales, events, and sponsorship are all effective ways to raise funds, but their tax and statutory obligations must be taken into account.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Fundis app offers a modern solution for managing fundraising and complying with its statutory obligations, making it an excellent tool for all parties engaged in fundraising.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fundraising is a vital process for many organizations, communities, and projects, used to raise funds to achieve specific goals. Fundraising can take many forms, and its success often depends on how well the fundraising strategy is planned and executed. In this article, we&#8217;ll explore what fundraising is, what forms it can take, and how Finnish [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":5776,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5783","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fundis.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5783","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fundis.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fundis.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fundis.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fundis.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5783"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/fundis.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5783\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5858,"href":"https:\/\/fundis.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5783\/revisions\/5858"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fundis.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5776"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fundis.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5783"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}