If you work in event fundraising, this probably feels familiar: demand is there, supporters are still stepping up, and results are coming in, but the pressure on your time, energy and capacity hasn’t eased.
The good news is that the latest JustGiving 2026 Event Fundraising Snapshot shows events fundraising is not just holding steady, it’s delivering real value again, both financially and strategically, for charities of all sizes.
And don’t worry, on January 29th we’re hosting the Events Fundraising Conference to show you exactly how you can achieve that too.
Events are delivering income, even in tough conditions
In the past year alone, fundraisers raised £235 million (including Gift Aid) through organised sporting and fitness events on JustGiving, representing 6% growth year on year – and that’s just on one platform!
More than half of charities met or exceeded their event fundraising targets, showing that events are still one of the most reliable income streams available when they are planned and supported well
Leadership belief in events is growing, and it pays off
One of the clearest signals from the report is leadership confidence. 78% of charities now say event fundraising is an essential part of their fundraising strategy, and 71% say it plays a key role in supporter acquisition
That belief matters. Charities with strong leadership backing were nearly twice as likely to exceed their fundraising targets compared to those without it. Leadership buy-in unlocks time, budget and permission to focus on what works, rather than constantly justifying the channel
Challenge events continue to outperform
The rebound is being driven by challenge events. Sporting and fitness events remain the most valuable event type for 59% of charities, with running firmly leading the way
On JustGiving:
- Running events raised £139 million in 2025
- Half marathons generated the most fundraising pages
- Marathons delivered the highest donation totals
- 10Ks showed the fastest growth in pages and donations year on year
Multi-charity events are also proving their worth, with 57% of charities saying most of their challenge event portfolio is made up of these events, driven by strong ROI, supporter demand and acquisition potential
Optimism is rising, but so is burnout
While confidence in events is growing, the report is honest about the strain on teams. 35% of charities cited staff burnout as a key challenge, alongside financial pressures and limited resources
This is the tension many events fundraisers are living with right now: events are working again, but doing more without clearer focus, better systems or peer support is not sustainable.
Why the Events Fundraising Conference is needed right now
That’s exactly why spaces like the Fundraising Everywhere Events Fundraising Conference on 29 January matter.
If events are back in focus, the priority now is not doing more, but doing the right things:
- Understanding which event formats are delivering the best return
- Learning how to secure and maintain leadership buy-in
- Sharing practical ways to steward fundraisers without burning out teams
- Connecting with peers who are facing the same pressures and opportunities
This conference is designed to help you turn renewed optimism into confident, focused action, so you can protect your energy, back your decisions with evidence, and build event programmes that are effective and sustainable.
If events are once again central to your fundraising strategy, this is the moment to sharpen how you deliver them.
Book your virtual place today to attend live or watch the replay.