Christmas Fundraisers for Animal Shelters: A Joyful, Profitable Way to Make a Difference

The Holidays Are Made for Giving—Especially to the Ones Without a Voice

If you’re affiliated with an animal shelter in any way, you know the holiday season can feel like both a blessing and a curse. While donor support and donation amounts tend to rise around Christmas, so does the strain on your time, space, and already-tight budget. Between managing pet adoptions, caring for and nurturing your animals, and hosting events to garner community support, finding the time and energy for fundraising can feel overwhelming.

That’s why Mickman Brothers designed a holiday wreath fundraiser that’s easy, effective, profitable, and built for admirable organizations like yours. Whether you’re a shelter director, a passionate volunteer looking to make a positive change, or simply someone who wants to support a cause close to your heart, this quick guide walks you through a festive way to raise meaningful funds without the stress.

Why Christmas Fundraising Works Wonders for Animal Shelters

Christmas is undoubtedly the season of caring and generosity, and few causes tug at the heartstrings more than protecting the animals we love. People are often very emotionally invested in the wellbeing of those in need, making them more likely to support shelters — especially when there’s a feel-good story behind the fundraiser. Understanding these truths allows you to raise the funds your shelter needs effectively and empowers you to share the pride you take in your work with the community.

Holiday fundraising creates the perfect blend of seasonal spirit and mission-driven giving:

·         People are shopping for gifts anyway — why not offer them an option that also supports rescue animals?

·         Pet lovers want to do more during the holidays, especially if they’ve adopted or volunteered in the past.

·         A fundraiser tied to Christmas naturally and seamlessly blends both holiday traditions and gifting.

When your supporters can buy a beautiful holiday wreath or centerpiece and know it’s helping feed, shelter, or rehome animals — that’s a win for everyone involved!

A Holiday Fundraiser That Works for You—Not the Other Way Around

At Mickman Brothers, we’ve helped hundreds of nonprofits across the country raise money with our handcrafted holiday products. Over the past 50 years, we’ve helped thousands of organizations raise over $100 million — and animal shelters are some of our favorite partners. Here’s why this program is such a great fit:

·         There’s Demand: Families are already buying new holiday décor, and every home has a front door — imagine all the sales opportunities! Offering a beautiful, affordable option makes their decision easy.

·         Great Profits: Amazingly, there are no upfront costs, and you set your own profit margin with their bulk delivery option. You even get a custom online storefront where they handle shipping, and you earn 15% profit.

·         Eco-Friendly & Made in the USA: Our fresh evergreens are biodegradable, long-lasting, and sustainably sourced here in the US, which aligns with the values of most shelters. And better yet, we’ve planted over a million trees across all 50 states!

·         Streamlined Support: We offer free marketing materials — brochures, flyers, posters, even door hangers — plus digital tools and dedicated customer support. This keeps fundraising easy for you and your volunteers.

·         Nationwide Shipping: Your supporters can participate from anywhere, all from the comfort of their couch.

You don’t need to plan a gala, coordinate volunteers, or run a week-long campaign. Just share your link, promote your mission, and watch the donations roll in.

“This is the simplest fundraiser to sell! Quality products and very satisfied customers bring people back year after year to order again and again. It is as simple as that... The profits help defray costs for our competitive team’s uniforms and gymnastic meet expenses.”
 — Emerald City Gymnastics Team, WA (a Mickman Brothers fundraising partner)

 

Bring the Holiday Cheer to Life With Minimal Effort

Animal shelters often have to work around limited staff, volunteer availability, and tight schedules — especially during the busy holiday season. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t run a memorable, profitable fundraiser with ease. Our Christmas wreath fundraiser is designed to be flexible and hands-off once it’s up and running. This frees you and your team to take care of what matters most!

Here are a few ways you can maximize your impact without adding extra work:

·         Promote during adoption events, volunteer days, or holiday photo ops for all the lovely pets in your shelter.

·         Create social media posts featuring adoptable animals next to our handcrafted wreaths and centerpieces.

·         Email your donor list with heartwarming pet stories and a custom link or QR code to your fundraiser shop.

·         Partner with a local pet boutique or vet clinic to help spread the word to those most likely to support your cause.

And don’t underestimate the power of community: many of your supporters will share the fundraiser on their own, especially when they see how easy it is to give (or receive) such beautiful Christmas gifts.

Tips to Make It Memorable (and Raise More Money!)

Here are a few ideas we’ve seen work well with shelters, and they could help elevate your fundraising game this holiday season:

·         Use holiday-themed pet names (e.g., “Support Snowball’s Shelter Fund”).

·         Feature before-and-after stories of animals your fundraiser supports.

·         Offer local pickup options with holiday cheer at your facility.

·         Reach out to past adopters with a thank-you and an invitation to give back.

These small touches help your fundraiser feel more personal, urgent, and connected to your mission.

Let’s Make the Holidays Count—for You and the Animals

This year, give your community a meaningful way to celebrate the season and support the animals they love so much. With our holiday fundraiser, you can raise money, increase awareness, and strengthen bonds with your supporters—all with less effort than most traditional fundraisers.

Ready to get started? Contact us to learn more, or sign up here to launch your shelter’s custom holiday fundraising page today.

About the Author
Sean Lamson is the Customer Service & Sales Manager, Events Coordinator, and proud member of the marketing team at Mickman Brothers. He specializes in school and nonprofit fundraising campaigns, with a focus on seasonal marketing and community outreach. When he’s not behind a keyboard, you’ll find him brainstorming new ways to make holiday giving more joyful — and a lot less stressful — for organizations across the country.

Ready to get started?

Learn more about our Holiday Fundraising Program — a time-tested way to raise funds, build community spirit, and celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.
 

FAQs: Christmas Fundraisers for Animal Shelters

What is the best, most profitable Christmas fundraiser for shelters?

Many shelters find that selling fresh holiday wreaths and decorations is one of the most profitable Christmas fundraisers. With no upfront cost, national shipping, and high repeat customer satisfaction, programs like Mickman Brothers’ Holiday Fundraising Program often help organizations raise thousands with minimal stress.

How early should we start planning a Christmas fundraiser?

It is best to start planning in August or September. This gives you time to gather volunteers, promote the fundraiser, and maximize participation and sales before the holiday rush in November and December.

Can we run a Christmas fundraiser entirely online?

Yes! Many shelters now offer virtual holiday fundraising options, including online storefronts where supporters can shop for wreaths, ornaments, or digital events. Mickman Brothers, for example, offers a fully online fundraising solution with national delivery.

Are holiday fundraisers suitable for small shelters or communities?

Absolutely. Smaller shelters can succeed with focused fundraisers. The key is choosing a product or event that matches your group’s size and volunteer capacity — like wreath sales, cookie kits, or raffle baskets.

How do we promote our shelter fundraiser effectively?

The most successful fundraisers use a mix of email, social media, and word-of-mouth. Mickman Brothers provides free marketing materials and tips to help your team reach families, patrons, and the broader community with ease.

What makes a Christmas fundraiser successful?

The most successful shelter fundraisers:

·         Solve a seasonal need (like decorations or gifts)

·         Are easy to participate in

·         Offer quality products or memorable experiences

·         Have clear goals and communication from start to finish

Can friends and family in other states participate?

Yes! With a virtual storefront or national shipping option (like what Mickman Brothers offers), you can include supporters from across the country — perfect for reaching grandparents, extended family, and supporters.