24+ School Fundraising Ideas: Best Ways to Raise Money

Similar to conducting a trivia competition, students can compete in your debate competition in teams or individually. Come up with some interesting (or even controversial) topics to get your students motivated. Have them fundraise to get exclusive perks during the debate, like choosing if they are for or against the topic. If you want to turn this idea on its head, you could host a pajama day, with all the students wearing their pajamas to school.
Other popular spots include Chuck E. Cheese, Boston Market, Buffalo Wild Wings, and In-N-Out Burger. It’s a perfect excuse for a family dinner out while giving back to schools. Raffles are a classic fundraiser for all kinds of organizations.
You’re guaranteed to find neighbors in your community who need decluttering; this is the perfect place to give pre-loved items new homes for a decent profit! A big bonus is while you are raising profits for your organization, your community is also doing its part to reduce its carbon footprint by recycling and reusing treasures. Bring school fundraiser companies to old CDs and DVDs with these school auction art projects for kids. Ask parents to donate fabric, then allow each student to choose the one they like best. Package all the coasters together with a ribbon for a full set, or give parents the opportunity to purchase their child’s individually. Reach out to local venues, event organizers, and the community connections you have, and see if your team can run parking for an event.
Ideal for all types of youth sports, this fundraiser not only raises money but also brings attention to youth sports programs in the community. Raising money can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Contests, events and tasty treats can put the “fun” into fundraising by getting teachers, students and the community involved. Here are 100 fundraising ideas and tips for school clubs, organizations and capital campaigns.
Take advantage of the cell phone epidemic with text-to-give fundraising. This is the ultimate in sponsorship—the ability to name an auditorium, sports field, library, or other school facility. Open it up to businesses, organizations, foundations, or families. This program has been around for a long time, but these days it’s gone digital. Families simply scan their shopping receipts using the Box Tops app, and it automatically calculates the school’s earnings (usually 10 cents per qualifying item).
A board game tournament is a great way to raise money for your school. You can charge an entry fee for each player and the money can be donated to your school. A carnation sale is another effective fundraiser idea for high school.
Students are always eager to get out of class and having a movie showing is a great way to give them some time to relax and be with their friends while enjoying a good flick. Have your students vote on the movie they’d like to watch to make it more interactive. Just because the weather is getting colder, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t play outside!
If not, you can hire your local band and give them some exposure. A dreaded chore is always better when someone else does it! Or consider partnership with a local pet store who has a washing station. Make sure to check your state law for specifics (allowed prizes, structures, etc.). With the right marketing and prizes, these events can draw crowds that are well outside your normal fan community.
Along with selling tickets, also use a fundraising page to accept donations and take sponsorship payments for your event. For example, Make-A-Wish Ireland and SaranB Dance & Fitness have set up this fundraising page on Donorbox to accept donations for their upcoming Zumba class fundraising event. T-shirt fundraisers are one of the most tried-and-true methods to raise funds for sports teams and other after-school activities.
Give both students and parents an opportunity to cut loose with a parents’ night out. Parents enjoy an evening out while their children have fun at school after hours, in supervised activities. Set a date, charge a fee for each child who attends, and recruit reliable volunteers to run games, crafts, movies, etc.