Every school needs to raise funds, but the key to successful fundraising lies in creativity, fun, and community engagement! Our comprehensive guide presents 55 engaging school fundraising ideas. From bake sales to talent shows and sponsored cleanups, each idea is designed to gather the community, foster student participation, and generate funds for your school in the most enjoyable way.
1. Bake Sale
This is a time-honored school fundraising favorite! A bake sale is a delightful way to engage students and their families in a sweet endeavor. Whether it’s with pies, cookies, brownies, you name it; this event brings out the community’s baking talent while raising funds for the school.
Learn More: Sign Up Genius
2. Craft Sale
Fostering creativity and entrepreneurship, a craft sale showcases students’ artistic abilities. Handmade jewelry, homemade candles, painted ceramics, and more become unique treasures that are available to the community in exchange for a donation.
Learn More: 1 Dog Woof
3. Talent Show
Prepare to be amazed! By charging admission for a student-led talent show, you’ll be able to host an evening filled with music, magic, and perhaps even some comedy, whilst raising funds.
Learn More: We Raise Together
4. Read-a-thon
Champion literacy and support your school with a read-a-thon! Students can collect pledges from family and friends based on the number of books or pages they read within a given time frame.
Learn More: Donor Box
5. Field Day
Who doesn’t love a day of fun in the sun? A field day brimming with exciting outdoor activities and games is a fantastic fundraising opportunity. By charging a small entry fee, the school community can come together for friendly competition and shared laughs.
Learn More: It’s The Journey
6. Dress Down Day
Give the uniforms a break and let students express their personal style for a day. By contributing a small fee, learners can swap their uniforms for casual attire; adding a refreshing twist to the school day and boosting fundraising efforts.
Learn More: Daily Record
7. Movie Night
Roll out the red carpet for a movie night under the stars! By projecting a popular movie onto a big screen on the school grounds, and selling admission tickets and snacks, students can create a communal and cinematic fundraising event.
Learn More: Smart Digital
8. Silent Auction
Partner with local businesses who are willing to donate goods or services for a silent auction. This method of fundraising engages the broader community while offering participants a chance to bid on fantastic prizes.
Learn More: PTO Today
9. Spelling Bee
Elevate the power of words with a competitive spelling bee. Charging for admission brings an educational and engaging element to your fundraising efforts and showcases the academic prowess of your students.
Learn More: Best Fundraising Ideas
10. School Calendar
Keep track of the year while showcasing student creativity! School-themed calendars, designed by students, can be sold to parents and community members; serving as both a fundraising mechanism and a beautiful keepsake.
Learn More: YouTube
11. Sponsored Walk/Run
Get those feet moving for a good cause! Students can be sponsored per mile by friends and family in a community-wide walk or run event. What a wonderful way to promote health, camaraderie, and school spirit!
Learn More: Australian Fundraising
12. Holiday Cards
Spreading holiday cheer has never been more heartfelt. Students can craft holiday-themed cards to be sold to the community; fostering their artistic skills and contributing to the fundraising effort.
Learn More: Class Fundraising
13. Candy Sale
Sweeten the fundraising deal with a candy sale! Whether it’s popular candies or homemade treats, sales to students, teachers, and parents can provide a simple and tasty boost to your funds.
Learn More: Pinterest
14. Sports Tournament
Score some points for your school by hosting a sports tournament. Charging a small registration fee for a friendly competition will unite the school community in a healthy, active, and fun-filled fundraising endeavor.
Learn More: Givergy
15. Student Art Exhibition
Let creativity shine as you raise funds with a student art exhibition. Showcasing students’ artistic talents and offering their works for sale allows parents and community members to take home a piece of art while supporting the school.
Learn More: Bernews
16. Flower Sale
Who doesn’t love a fresh bunch of flowers at a good price? Selling flowers for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or any other notable date can add a touch of beauty to your fundraising efforts.
Learn More: Twitter
17. Book Fair
Ignite a passion for reading while raising funds. Selling books to students and parents, with a portion of the proceeds going to the school, can significantly contribute to your fundraising reserve.
Learn More: Sign Up Genius
18. T-shirt Sale
Show off your school spirit with this unique fundraiser! Designing and selling school-themed t-shirts not only raises funds, but also cultivates a sense of unity among students, teachers, and parents.
Learn More: Bonfire Blog
19. Pumpkin Carving Contest
Get into the spooky spirit with a pumpkin carving contest. Charging a small entry fee not only raises money but also adds a fun, festive event to the school’s social calendar!
Learn More: Oak Bay News
20. Coffee Morning
Energize parents and community members with a morning cup of joe. Selling coffee and pastries can provide a cozy, casual fundraising opportunity that brings the community together.
Learn More: NY Times
21. Trivia Night
Test your students’ knowledge and raise funds with a trivia night. Charging teams a small fee to participate in a fun, fact-filled evening not only raises funds but also offers an enjoyable social event.
Learn More: Facebook
22. Cookbook Sale
Savor the flavors of your community with a compiled cookbook of family recipes from students. Selling these collected culinary treasures will help you raises funds and share the diverse food cultures that abound in your school.
Learn More: Morris Cook Books
23. Ice Cream Social
Who can resist an ice cream social? Selling tickets for a sweet treat at the school is a fun and tasty way to boost fundraising efforts- especially during warm weather months!
Learn More: The 3-Day Blog
24. Raffle Tickets
Boost excitement and funds with a raffle. Selling raffle tickets for prizes donated by local businesses is a great way to engage the community and support your school.
Learn More: Eco Raffle Tickets
25. Christmas Tree Sale
Bring holiday cheer to your community and funds to your school by selling Christmas trees. This seasonal fundraiser offers the perfect way to engage with the community and get everyone in the holiday spirit.
Learn More: Leffingwell Elementary School
26. Used Book Sale
Promote literacy and sustainability by hosting a used book sale. Collecting used books from the community and selling them at a school not only helps you raise funds, but also encourages reading.
Learn More: Fundraiser Help
27. Pizza Night
What’s better than pizza? Partnering with a local pizzeria to host a pizza night where a portion of the proceeds goes to the school!
Learn More: FundraisingIP
28. School Dance
Turn up the music and raise some funds! Hosting a school dance and charging for admission is an interactive way to fundraise while hosting a night to remember.
Learn More: Dance Informa
29. Teacher vs. Student Game
Let the games begin! Organize a sports match between teachers and students with ticket sales going to fundraising efforts.
Learn More: VSTA
30. Recycling Drive
Promote sustainability while raising funds by organizing a recycling drive. Collect recyclable items and turn them into recycling centers for cash.
Learn More: Return and Earn
31. International Food Fair
Take a culinary journey around the world at your school’s international food fair. Families can bring dishes from their cultures to sell; promoting diversity and raising funds most deliciously.
Learn More: Kids Action For Kids
32. Yard Sale
One person’s clutter is another’s treasure. Host a school-wide yard sale, where families donate items to be sold.
Learn More: Apex High Band
33. Karaoke Night
Encourage your school community to grab a mic and belt it out for a good cause! Charging admission for a karaoke night helps you raise funds whilst hosting a joyful, lighthearted evening.
Learn More: Winnipeg SD
34. Pet Show
Animal lovers unite! Hosting a pet show with an entry fee can is a fun, furry way to raise funds for your school while showcasing the adorable pets in your community.
Learn More: Facebook
35. Balloon Pop
Add a pop of fun to your fundraising with a balloon pop event. Sell balloons with hidden prize slips inside, and people can pop them to win.
Learn More: Fundraising Directory
36. Sponsored Cleanup
Make your community a cleaner place with a sponsored cleanup. Participants can be sponsored per bag of trash collected; turning a community service into a profitable and environmentally-friendly event.
Learn More: Tutor Doctor
37. Penny Drive
Every penny counts! Collect spare change from students and families over some time. This fundraiser may seem small, but it can quickly add up to a significant amount.
Learn More: PTO Today
38. Haunted House
Spook up some funds with a haunted house event at school. Charge for entry and provide a thrilling experience that will be talked about long after Halloween!
Learn More: WBBJ TV
39. Funny Photo Contest
Get ready for some laughs with a funny photo contest. Charging a fee to enter, this lighthearted event can add a dash of humor to your fundraising efforts.
40. Battle of the Bands
Surpass your fundraising goals by hosting a music competition. Charge an entrance fee for an evening of rhythm and talent; allowing students to showcase their musical prowess.
Learn More: Stephen Perse Foundation
41. Lemonade Stand
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade… and funds! Setting up a lemonade stand on a hot day is a refreshing way to raise money for your school.
Learn More: Alex’s Lemonade Stand
42. Plant Sale
Cultivate funds and a love for nature with a plant sale. Growing and selling plants to parents and community members will support your school while promoting environmental responsibility.
Learn More: School Gardening
43. School Concert
Hit the right note with a school concert. Hosting a performance with school bands or choirs and selling tickets can help you seamlessly blend entertainment with fundraising.
Learn More: YouTube
44. Treasure Hunt
Bring adventure to your school with a treasure hunt! Charging a small participation fee, this fun, and engaging event can help you raise funds while providing a memorable experience for students.
45. Carnival Day
Roll up for a day of fun and games with a school carnival. Organize games, and food stands, and sell tickets for each attraction!
Learn More: Creative Event Idea
46. Fruit Sale
Provide a healthy twist to fundraising with a fresh fruit sale. Selling fruits is a nutritious alternative to candy sales; helping you promote healthy habits while supporting your school.
Learn More: Ladydee LG
47. Fashion Show
Strut your way to fundraising success with a fashion show. Student or teachers can strut their stuff down the runway- combining glamour and fundraising efforts!
Learn More: Southlake Style
48. Gift Wrapping Service
Make holiday shopping easier by offering a gift-wrapping service. This provides a practical and festive solution to raising funds during the holiday season.
Learn More: Fundraising Zone
49. Mystery Teacher
Add some intrigue to your fundraising with a mystery teacher game. Students can pay to guess which teacher is in a costume or behind a disguise.
50. Logo Contest
Charge a fee to enter a contest to design a new school logo or mascot. This creative contest engages students while raising a good reserve.
Learn More: School Enterprise Challenge
51. Science Fair
Organize a science fair where families can donate to view the fascinating student projects. It’s a great way to encourage scientific exploration while boosting fundraising efforts.
Learn More: YouTube
52. Chore Service
Help out in the community by having students offer their services for chores like lawn mowing or dog walking. This service-based fundraiser not only raises money but also instills values of hard work and service.
Learn More: Sign Up Genius
53. Selling School Supplies
Here’s a staple fundraiser- literally! Sell basic school supplies like pencils, pens, and notebooks at a small markup.
Learn More: KINF
54. Potluck Dinner
Bring the community together for a meal with a potluck dinner. Charge for a ticket where everyone brings a dish to share.
Learn More: Aspen Time
55. Dunk Tank
Make a splash with your fundraising with a dunk tank! Rent a dunk tank where school figures (like the principal) get dunked for a fee.
Learn More: Adrenaline Fundraising
56. Board Game Night
A little competition goes a long way in bringing the community together! Find a range of board games that can be played by all ages. Then, set them up at various tables and let the games begin! By charging admission to a night of board games, students, families, and teachers can forge bonds and revel in friendly rivalries whilst raking in some extra funds that can be put toward improving the school in whatever way necessary.
Learn More: Fundraiser Insight
57. Homemade Soap Sale
Incorporate a touch of beauty into your fundraising efforts. Parents love to support their kiddos’ endeavors, so why not get your students to get their hands dirty for a good cause! Simply provide your learners with the materials and instructions needed to make their own soaps and before encouraging them to get creative with the scents and colors.
Learn More: Soap Queen
58. Customizable Ornaments
Help get everyone in the festive spirit by offering customizable holiday ornaments. Your students can create and personalize ornaments which can then be sold to families looking for unique holiday decorations. These make stunning gifts for grandparents and extended family members and make for a cute way for your school to generate some revenue.
Learn More: Love To Know
59. Parents’ Night Out
Offer your school’s parents a well-deserved night off by hosting a supervised evening of fun for their kids at the school. The parents can pay for a few hours of child care, while their kiddos get to enjoy a night of games, crafts, and movies: all while bringing in some extra funds for the school.
Learn More: Nonprofit Point
60. Car Wash
Here’s a timeless classic that will boost your coffers! Make those cars shine while collecting donations! Simply host a car wash in the school’s parking lot. Your kiddos will love this slippery activity that allows them to actively engage with the community while raising funds.
Learn More: Pinterest
61. Comedy Night
Who can resist a good laugh? Invite local comedians, or allow some of your talented school members to perform in a comedy night. Charging for tickets is a simple way to raise some extra funds whilst providing an evening of laughter and light-hearted entertainment.
Learn More: Best Fundraising Ideas
62. Themed Gift Basket Raffle
The chance to win a pretty prize always grabs attention! Have each class or grade put together a themed gift basket – whether it’s centered around a movie night, spa day, or gourmet food, it’s sure to please. Then, have your learners raffle each basket off! The winner will go home with a unique experience-in-a-basket and you’ll get to watch as the excitement (and school purse) grows!
Learn More: Paybee
63. School Cookbook
Here’s an idea for a treasured keepsake that families will undoubtedly be eager to purchase. Compile your staff and pupils’ favorite recipes into a unique school cookbook. Make this something special by adding photos or a little info on each contributor. We guarantee that it’ll be such a hot hit that your community will want a new one annually!
Learn More: Saronti
64. Coffee Bean Sale
Where has this idea BEAN? Partner with local coffee roasters to sell bags of fresh coffee beans. Go the extra mile by making school-themed stickers to add to each of the bags. This will result in a caffeine boost that your parents and teachers will be more than willing to purchase to help you rake in a pretty penny!
Learn More: Future Fund
65. Birdhouse Auction
Harness the creative energies of your students by getting them to craft unique birdhouses. Each class can work on developing one birdhouse before they’re auctioned off to the highest bidder. You’ll be amazed to see how the parents compete with one another to be the ‘early bird who gets the worm’.
Learn More: Reading Eagle
66. Pajama Day
Slippers, fluffy robes, and unicorn onesies – where can you find all this? Pajama Day of course Allows your students (and staff) to wear pajamas to school for a day by paying a small fee; making learning both cozy and fun.
Learn More: Fundraiser Insight
67. Workshop Series
Your teachers have so many talents to share, so why not present these in an exciting way to help your school raise some funds? Host a series of workshops – be it art, dance, ctaft or coding-related. Simply charge a fee for participants and allow your teachers to impart valuable skills while raising some funds.
Learn More: Vanco
68. Custom School Merchandise
A little school pride goes a long way! Liven up your school supporters by going above and beyond to kit them out with more than just the stock standard school t-shirts. Offer customizable merchandise like mugs, tote bags, or hats with school logos or motifs to get everyone to show off their school spirit and raise some extra money in the process!
Learn More: Bonfire
69. Mystery Box Sale
We all love a good mystery! For this fundraiser, everyone is in for a surprise. Wrap up intriguing boxes with the only information on them being their approximate value. Then, sell these to your students or parents at the highest bid. If you can get items donated to add to the boxes you’ll have a fundraising winner- getting more bang for your buck and extending fundraising efforts even further!
Learn More: Fundraising Mums
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