Summer Fundraising Ideas for the Komen 3-Day

If the summer heat has your fundraising ideas running a little dry, don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. There are plenty of easy ways to turn everyday moments into meaningful fundraising opportunities.

Sometimes the simplest ideas can lead to a lot of support. Here’s a list of our favorites:

Spare Change: Loose coins add up fast (some people have been collecting their change for years)! Don’t be shy about asking friends, family and neighbors to donate the spare change they have sitting in their car cup holders, junk drawers, piggy banks or coin jars. You’ll be surprised how quickly it all adds up!

Purpose-Driven Yard Sale: Ask friends, family and neighbors to donate gently used items, then host a “Fundraising Yard Sale.” Use pink-inspired signs that showcase your 3-Day connection and story. Pro tip: Post your yard sale in local Facebook neighborhood groups and upload photos of your items with prices. Be sure to mention that all proceeds go toward your 3-Day goal. (Suggested price: at least $5 per item)

Pink Treat Stand: Set up a pink-themed popsicle, pink lemonade or iced coffee stand and get creative with signs that highlight the Komen 3-Day and breast cancer awareness. Add homemade treats, baked goods or dog treats to increase donations. Pro tip: Invite your kids or grandkids to help run the stand. People love supporting cute kids! (Suggested price: $2 popsicle/lemonade, $4 iced coffee)

Download the 3-Day App: Send out a fundraising email from the 3-Day app to everyone in your family and friends and ask for a minimum donation of $50.

Plan a Summer Car Wash: Gather a group of friends, make some signs and spend a few hours washing cars. You can set up in the parking lot of a school or church (with permission of course!), or even on your block if you have the space. Make sure your signs indicate you’re raising money for breast cancer. (Suggested price: $15 per car)

Go Door-to-Door with a Purpose: Turn a training walk into a double positive! Knocking on doors may seem old-fashioned, but it’s still an effective way to engage with your community and garner donations. Arm yourself with informational flyers, donation envelopes and plenty of enthusiasm to share your story and spread the word about the 3-Day. (Suggested donation amount: $25)

Organize a Sunset Walk: Give your loved ones a peek into the Pink Bubble with an organized neighborhood walk to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research. Choose a scenic route, set a fundraising goal, and invite friends, family and neighbors to join in solidarity. Consider incorporating pink attire or accessories to make a bold and fun statement of support. Maybe you can even have a contest for best dressed! (Suggested donation amount: $15)

Host a Summer Potluck: Invite your family and friends over for a summer afternoon potluck. Ask them to bring a small dish to share and a $20 donation to your 3-Day fundraiser. Be sure to talk about the event and share why you’re participating. Maybe someone will want to join your team!

Pink Bingo Night: Host a pink bingo night where guests can buy bingo cards and play for a chance to win fun prizes while supporting your 3-Day fundraising. Add snacks, raffles and pink-themed decorations!

Facebook Fundraiser: If you haven’t already, visit your Participant Center and connect your fundraiser to Facebook! It’s a quick way to share why you are joining the 3-Day with your entire social network. And remember, sometimes the people you least expect are the most generous.

You’d be surprised how quickly a little summer fundraising can add up and make a big difference. Every dollar you raise helps move us closer to a world without breast cancer.

For the Love of Music and the 3-Day

Alyssa S. on stage at her percussion recital to benefit the 3-Day.

For nearly 20 years, Alyssa S. has been a part of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®. community.

Her commitment began when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004.

“I would research her medications and side effects while she was going through her treatment, and I kept getting pop-up ads for the 3-Day,” Alyssa said. “I finally registered in 2007. At the time, I didn’t realize the 3-Day was something participants keep doing year after year.”

But that’s exactly what happened.

Alyssa’s first 3-Day event was in Chicago in 2007. Since then, she has completed more than 30 events in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Boston and San Diego.

Today, her mother is living with metastatic breast cancer, a diagnosis she received in 2021.

Alyssa S. and her mom who is living with metastatic breast cancer.

“There are always more reasons to keep going. You hear about more people that have been diagnosed. Everywhere you look, there’s another reason,” Alyssa said. “And there are also personal stories from people whose lives were impacted by the programs supported by the money we’ve raised, and that reminds me why I keep coming back.”

Making Music to Raise Funds

To support her 3-Day fundraising efforts, Alyssa turned to her passion for music.

A percussionist since fifth grade, Alyssa has spent much of her life studying, performing and teaching music. She earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in music. When she started the 3-Day, she was a teacher at a community arts school in Flint, Michigan, and she thought of an idea.

“I was trying to figure out the fundraising, and I thought about doing a recital,” Alyssa said. “I quickly put one together right before that first walk, and it became an annual thing.”

Alyssa S. and her parents at her percussion recital to benefit the 3-Day.

Nearly two decades later, she’s still hosting the annual recital every year.

Alyssa invites the community to enjoy a complimentary evening of music while supporting the 3-Day. During the reception, she collects donations for the 3-Day from anyone who is interested in supporting the event. She performs on the marimba and is joined on stage by fellow musicians.

“Year after year, I have found pretty amazing people who have wanted to continue to support the cause and support me,” Alyssa said. “People usually will ask me, ‘When are you starting your 3-Day fundraising?’ because they want to be involved in that way. It’s incredible.”

Alyssa S. on stage at her percussion recital playing the marimba.

In 2017, Alyssa received the Twin Cities 3-Day Milestone Award. She is also a member of the Lifetime Commitment Circle and has raised more than $122,000 for Komen.

For those just beginning their 3-Day fundraising journey, Alyssa has one piece of advice.

“You just have to ask,” she said. “You never know who will come forward to support you, because breast cancer has impacted the lives of so many people.”

Alyssa S. at the 3-Day

To learn more about the 3-Day visit the3day.org.

Boost Your 3-Day Fundraising with These Tools

Komen 3-Day app We’re just a few months away from our first event of the 2026 Susan G. Komen 3-Day® season. Whether you’re just getting started with fundraising or trying to drive more donations, there are a few simple strategies that can help you reach your goal faster than you might think.

For many participants, fundraising can feel like an overwhelming task. But often, the hardest part is simply getting started and making that first ask.

Believe it or not, it’s possible to reach a $2,300 goal in two months or less. Just a few intentional steps can help you build momentum quickly:

Start with your own commitment and make a $25 self-donation.

Plan a multi-family garage sale in your neighborhood.

Send out a fundraising email from the 3-Day app to everyone in your family and friends and ask for a minimum donation of $50. Add a note to let them know that even a $25 donation can helps scientists find new ways to prevent, detect and treat breast cancer.

Ask your employer for a company contribution of at least $150.

Remind your donors that many employers have a corporate matching program. Search our database to see if their company offers matching gifts.

One of the easiest ways to put these strategies into action is by using the awesome Komen 3-Day app. If you already have the app, think of this as your reminder to start using its built-in tools to drive your next round of donations.

On average, participants who use the app raise 27% more than those who don’t. It gives you simple ways to reach people quickly and effectively.

Here’s what that can look like:

Emails sent through the app bring in an average donation of $193.

QR code donations average $91.

Text messages average $106.

Facebook fundraisers average $113.

Those numbers add up quickly, so be sure to download the 3-Day app today.

If you want to find more ways to secure additional donations, take a look at how you can do that in just one month.

Whether you plan to walk 20, 40 or all 60 miles, every step you take — and every dollar you raise — brings us one step closer to a world without breast cancer. We’re so grateful you’re part of this community.

Don’t forget! We also have a long list of year-round strategies in our 101 Fundraising Ideas.