Fundraising Ideas for Twinning Partners

We encourage domestic Twinning Partners to thoughtfully tailor their fundraising events to their capacity as they work to support their Twinning Partner abroad. We also invite you to begin each fundraising event with a prayer offered in support of your Twinning Partner abroad. 

General Ideas

1. Online Giving Link – Add a dedicated Twinning donation option to your parish or school’s online giving page.
2. Twinning Donation Envelope – Provide a clearly marked or uniquely colored envelope for contributions to your Twinning Partner.
3. Silent Auction – Collect donated items or experiences and auction them to raise funds for your Twinning Partner.
4. Handmade Goods Sale – Sell items such as cards or bags made by people from your Twinning site.
5. Cultural Arts Night – Host an arts and crafts event inspired by your Twinning location and sell creations to support your Twinning Partner.
6. Cook-Off or Picnic – Host a community meal with proceeds benefiting your Twinning Partner. 
7. Cultural Food Night – Serve dishes inspired by your Twinning country and charge admission or per plate.
8. Open Mic Night – Charge an entry fee for performances and donate proceeds to your Twinning Partner. 
9. Karaoke or Lip Sync Night – Invite participants of all ages to perform favorite songs, with entry fees or audience voting supporting your Twinning Partner. 
10. Costume or Theme Night – Host a themed event where attendees dress up and contribute through entry fees or donations.
11. Trivia, Game Night, or Minute-to-Win-It Challenges – Charge team entry fees and award small prizes to winners. Include questions about your Twinning Partner. 
12. Raffle Drawing – Sell raffle tickets for donated prizes and award winners at a parish or school event.
13. Walk-a-Thon or Fun Run – Have participants collect pledges for completing a set distance to benefit your Twinning Partner.
14. Movie Night – Show a film appropriate for your audience, charge admission, and offer snacks for sale.
15. Seasonal Fundraisers – Sell holiday-related items such as Advent wreaths, Christmas ornaments, or Easter flowers to support your Twinning Partner.
16. Giving Tree – Set up a Christmas tree with tags representing donation amounts or needs for donors to select and support your Twinning Partner.
17. Matching Gift Challenge – Encourage giving by partnering with a donor who will match contributions within a defined time frame.
18. Visit from a Holy Cross Religious or Men in Formation –Invite a Holy Cross religious or man in formation, especially someone connected to your Twinning site who is currently in the United States, to share about the community and its needs.  

For Higher Education Institutions

1. Twinning Core Team – Form a student-led group to promote awareness, organize events, and support your Twinning partnership.
2. Concert or Talent Show – Showcase student talent at an event with proceeds supporting your Twinning Partner.
3. Improv or Comedy Night – Students participate in short-form games or stand-up sets, with proceeds supporting your Twinning Partner.
4. Car Wash – Organize a student-run car wash with service fees benefiting your Twinning Partner.
5. Sports Tournament – Host a basketball, volleyball, soccer, dodgeball, or other intramural-style tournament with team entry fees supporting your Twinning Partner.
6. Mission Week – Host themed days with tables, talks, and prayer services to highlight your Twinning partnership in your residence hall or club.

For Grade Schools and Religious Education Programs

1. School Mass and Special Collection – Dedicate a Mass to your Twinning Partner and take up a special collection in their support.
2. Used Toy Sale – Collect gently used toys and sell them to raise funds for your Twinning Partner.
3. Bake Sale – Sell baked goods to support your Twinning Partner.
4. Coin Drive (“Penny War”) – Have classes compete to raise the most coins for your Twinning Partner.
5. Dress-Down Day – Allow students to dress out of uniform in exchange for a small donation.
6. Art Contest – Invite students to create artwork inspired by your Twinning location and display or auction the entries.
7. Cultural Showcase – Host an event featuring music, food, traditions, or presentations connected to your Twinning Partner.
8. Read-a-Thon – Have students collect pledges based on reading time or the number of books completed.
9. Game or Activity Day – Organize games, relays, trivia, or simple challenges where participation fees support your Twinning Partner.
10. Basketball or Sports Tournament – Host a basketball tournament, kickball game, soccer match, or other friendly sports competition with tournament entry fees supporting your Twinning Partner.

If you have any questions relating to fundraising, contact the Twinning coordinator Maria Kangapadan at mkangapadan@holycrossusa.org, or Holy Cross Mission Center staff at hcmc@holycrossusa.org. 

Provided by the Holy Cross Mission Center, June 2026.