In this guide, we’ve shared 6 school fundraising ideas that will build camaraderie while also raising money for a good cause. Fundraisers provide flexibility for schools to plan more elaborate events and field trips.  They also help schools in the maintainence of their grounds.  As the summertime draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to start brainstorming the year’s big fundraising events. By emphasizing the “fun” in fundraiser, you can inspire the community to play an active role in your school’s success.

Nothing excites students and parents more than a school fair. This is one of the most time-consuming fundraisers that you can plan, but the payoff is well worth the effort. To make a school fair successful, you’ll need the help of parents, teachers, and community members who are willing to volunteer their time and resources. Together, you’ll need to plan the individual stalls, such as games, food, and other attractions.

With adequate preparation, you can create a truly memorable event that draws thousands of people from across town. School fairs can also be centered around a theme, such as a carnival or Halloween fair, so have fun with the planning process!  

During almost any fundraising event, you can have a raffle to generate excitement and raise more money. Raffles have a low overhead, because you’re usually giving away donated prizes from local businesses. For only a few dollars, families can have the chance to win a restaurant gift card or weekend getaway. Note: you may need to apply for a special permit to host a raffle at your school, depending on the city. 

Next, you can inspire students’ reading habits by starting a read-a-thon, with special prizes and awards given to the top readers. When the fundraiser begins, ask students to pledge to read a certain number of pages that month. Then, students can ask family members and neighbors to donate money based on their reading goals. We recommend partnering with a book fair during this month as well, so students can stock up on new books for the read-a-thon.

Everyone loves a homemade brownie, cookie, or cupcake. By reaching out to parents for their famous recipes, you can host a delectable after-school event that raises money in the process. You just need a few card tables, some teacher and parent volunteers, and a cash box. Meanwhile, you can also ask some local restaurants to showcase specialty dishes for a food festival.  

Similar to a read-a-thon, you can plan a themed sporting event with students running as many laps as possible in a given time limit. In the weeks leading up to the jog-a-thon, students can ask family and neighbors to pledge money for every lap (i.e. $0.50 or $1). After the event, students collect their pledges and earn prizes based on the total money raised. This framework can also be used for cycling, swimming, and walking events.

Finally, graduation day is an excellent time to raise money for your school, because family members want to show their support. For example, younger students can set up a few booths near the event, with fresh flowers, themed balloons, and refreshments for sale. We recommend partnering with local businesses that can offer these products at a significant discount.

Once you’ve learned how to organize a school fundraiser, you can start planning more creative events that inspire students and teachers to take action.  At GraduationSource, we want to empower schools to boost their operating budgets, so they provide the highest quality education possible. Visit our blog for more educational resources and event planning tips.