Festival director Philip Tremewan said the money would help pay for a specific item, making it a more ''meaningful'' way to engage with festival supporters.
Items include coffee, tea and biscuits for singers, gifts for volunteers, the hire of a piano tuner and wood for a bonfire.
Mr Tremewan said he ''pinched'' the idea from an Australian ballet company which used it to pay for everything from point shoes to programmes.
''Even with money we receive from the box office, sponsorship, donations, grants, patrons and benefactors, we are always trying to square off our budgets and raise funds, and this is an innovative way to pay for some of those behind-the-scenes costs,'' he said.
Mr Tremewan said he was hoping to raise $5000. All donations will be acknowledged.
The ''shopping list''of items are on the Festival of Colour website.
