Copied!
All fundraising ideas

Education fundraising ideas

Whether you're stocking up on school supplies, boosting extracurricular programs, or launching a major club initiative, the right education fundraising ideas can make all the difference. 

And guess what? Fundraising for education doesn’t have to feel like homework—it can be fun, engaging, and wildly successful!

Dive into some of the best ways to fundraise money for education programs and set yourself up for A+ fundraising success throughout the school year!

Filter
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Kiss the pig


Invite supporters to donate for your good cause with a creative twist—the top fundraiser earns the honor of kissing a pig!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/kiss-the-pig
All
Pages & forms
Events
Peer-to-peer

Feast of ideas


Celebrate the knowledge and passion of your school or learning community with a gala or dinner event centered on sharing ideas, insights, and wisdom.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/feast-of-ideas
All
Events
Auctions
Pages & forms

Beach bingo


Give the traditional game of bingo a summer twist by hosting it on or near the beach. Set the vibe with upbeat music, tropical decorations, and beachside snacks and drinks.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/beach-bingo
All
Events
Pages & forms

Pottery or clay experiences


Encourage your community to try clay sculpting or pottery painting—or host a clay shooting experience to raise funds for your cause. Perfect for those who enjoy hands-on activities or the great outdoors.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pottery-or-clay-experiences
All
Events
Pages & forms

Shamrock festival


Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a shamrock-themed live event or auction in support of a good cause. Go all out with a green color scheme, traditional live music, and Irish-inspired activities.
Cost:
3
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/shamrock-festival
All
Events
Pages & forms
Pages & forms

Jump-a-thon


Organize a jump-a-thon where participants collect pledges for every jump—or every minute they keep jumping. It’s a fun, high-energy way to raise money while fostering community and a little friendly competition.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/jump-a-thon
All
Pages & forms
Peer-to-peer
Events

Summer camp fundraiser


Organize paid day or week-long camps filled with favorite summertime activities like arts, sports, and outdoor adventures. Parents receive childcare and kids build new skills—creating a win-win event that raises money while strengthening community ties.
Cost:
3
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/summer-camp-fundraiser
All
Pages & forms
Events
Pages & forms

Historic home tour


Open up the doors to your historic home or local landmark and invite the public inside for an exclusive look. Sell tickets, tell its story, and raise much-needed funds for your cause or a restoration project.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/historic-home-tour
All
Events
Pages & forms

Queen brunch or dinner


Invite supporters to dress up for a classy brunch or dinner party. This event is all about elegance, with every ticket helping raise money for a good cause.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/queen-brunch-or-dinner
All
Events
Pages & forms
Peer-to-peer

Jog-a-thon


Host a family friendly jog-a-thon at your local running track. Participants can collect pledges for the number of laps they jog, walk, or run. Recruit volunteers to tally the number of laps each participant completes. 
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/jog-a-thon
All
Events
Peer-to-peer

Day at the zoo


Rally your supporters for an unforgettable fundraising field trip to the zoo. Partner with a local zoo to offer discounted admission that includes a donation to your organization. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/day-at-the-zoo
All
Events
Auctions

Take a stroll


Host an inclusive fun run event that’s a little more leisurely. Set a time window for participants to complete their stroll and encourage them to collect donations through peer-to-peer fundraising pages. Be sure to showcase their achievements on social media! 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/take-a-stroll
All
Events
Peer-to-peer

Books and bubbly event


Host a literary-themed silent auction or raffle—think signed books, gift cards, and book-related tech. Perfect for libraries and community projects.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/books-and-bubbly-event
All
Auctions
Events

Pet portraits


Pet owners love having portraits of their pets—even if they’re not made by professionals! Host a fun pet portrait fundraiser where volunteers draw or paint pictures of supporters’ furry friends. Ask donors to bring a photo of their pet or upload one when they make a donation online. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pet-portraits
All
Events
Pages & forms
Pages & forms
Auctions

Creative design workshop


Host a paid workshop that teaches hands-on skills like painting, design thinking, or advanced crafting. Ask instructors to volunteer their time, and keep supply costs low by partnering with local business sponsors to maximize profit margins.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/creative-design-workshop
All
Pages & forms
Events

Movement challenge


Go solo or form a team to complete a chosen movement challenge in support of your cause. Great for health-related organizations or any group that wants to raise funds through physical activity.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/movement-challenge
All
Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms
Events
Pages & forms

DIY workshop


Host a DIY workshop where attendees pay to learn new skills—like crafting, home repair, or cooking—while supporting your cause. Charge an entry fee for each class, and use donated materials and volunteer instructors to lower costs and boost revenue.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/diy-workshop
All
Pages & forms
Events
Pages & forms

Themed run


Make your peer-to-peer fundraising run truly memorable with a standout theme! Ask participants to dress up and choose a route relevant to the theme. Encourage participants to create teams to build community and boost the competitive spirit! 
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/themed-run
All
Events
Peer-to-peer

Outdoor education class


Invite your community to explore the world around you with an outdoor education experience. Determine your target age group(s) and create an out-of-classroom adventure they’ll treasure.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/outdoor-education-class
All
Events
Pages & forms
Pages & forms

Cutest pet contest

Who has the cutest pet in your community? Host a photo contest to find out! Invite participants to submit a photo of their four-legged (or feathered or scaly!) friend for a set donation amount. Then, open up voting to the public—each vote can be a small donation. Crown a winner, raise funds, and flood everyone’s feed with cuteness.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/cutest-pet-contest
All
Events
Pages & forms

Candy bar sale


Sell wholesale candy bars and sweet treats to your supporters. Bring them to events or offer them anywhere people might need a snack! Use peer-to-peer fundraising to spark a bit of friendly competition and easily track who’s sold the most.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/candy-bar-sale
All
Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms
Pages & forms

Alumni night


Sell tickets to an all-inclusive alumni dinner before a big game or event. During half-time or intermission, bring out the alumni for special recognition. Alternatively, you can livestream a special alumni message during a virtual event.
Cost:
3
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/alumni-night
All
Events

Family fun run

Encourage families to run, walk, or jog for your cause! Offer kid-friendly activities, prizes, and course options. Use team and peer-to-peer fundraising to encourage participants to set a donation goal and spread the word about the event.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/family-fun-run
All
Events
Peer-to-peer

Car wash


Gather volunteers, soap, and plenty of rags to wash cars in exchange for donations. Easily accept onsite payments with a scan-to-donate QR code featuring Venmo and other modern methods. 

Give this classic fundraiser a fresh twist by adding a theme! Encourage volunteers to dress up as ‘80s icons, classic Disney characters, superheroes—you name it.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/car-wash
All
Pages & forms
Pages & forms

Silent auction


Swap your traditional auction for a silent one, where supporters or live audience members can bid any time before the auction ends. With a silent auction, your supporters are able to bid on items online or with their phones via QR code, making it easy and accessible for all.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Share this idea
Copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/silent-auction
All
Auctions
Looks like we don’t have any fundraising ideas matching that criteria 🔎
We're always cooking up new ideas, so check back soon for fresh picks!
Dive into our list of best fundraising ideas in the meantime 

Frequently asked questions

The most profitable fundraisers are those with high engagement and low overhead costs. Some top-performing education fundraising ideas include:

  • Peer-to-peer fundraising 🎉 Students, parents, teachers, and staff members raise funds by creating personal fundraising pages and sharing them with their networks.
  • Read-a-thons 📚 Reading for education fundraisers are a fun and creative fundraising campaign idea that not only encourages students to read but raises money for your school at the same time.
  • Silent auctions 🎟️ Collect donated items or experiences, sell tickets, and auction them off online or in person for high-profit returns.
  • Matching gift campaigns 💰 Partner with businesses to match donations, doubling the impact of every contribution.
  • Walk-a-thons or 5k races 🏃 A race for education fundraiser is another great way to raise funds. Ask supporters to sign up, collect pledges, and race to the finish line.

Whether you're a student or a school raising funds for tuition, programs, or supplies, consider these effective strategies to reach your fundraiser goal:

  • Crowdfunding campaigns 💻 This type of fundraiser can quickly boost your fundraising efforts with little hassle. Set up a donation page on Givebutter to share your fundraiser story for education and watch those online donations roll in!
  • Scholarship or grant applications ✍️ Research and apply for education-based funding opportunities.
  • Corporate sponsorships 🏢 Local businesses may be willing to donate in exchange for advertising opportunities.
  • Community events 🎭 Organize a bake sale, talent show, car wash, or trivia night to engage supporters and raise funds. You might even create a tech sale and sell computers as an education fundraiser!
  • Recurring giving programs 🔄 Encourage small, ongoing monthly donations to provide sustainable funding.

Great fundraiser titles for education should be inspiring, memorable, and action-driven. Here are some creative options to help spread the word: 

  • Invest in Education, Invest in the Future
  • Empower Minds, Change Lives
  • Helping Students Soar, One Gift at a Time
  • Support Learning, Build a Brighter Tomorrow

Subscribe to
The Butter Brief

Get fundraising ideas, tips, and free resources right in your inbox

Subscribed! Your fundraising journey just got a whole lot butter. 🧈
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Givebutter helps you turn ideas into impact

Subscribe to
The Butter Brief

Get fundraising ideas, tips, and free resources right in your inbox

Subscribed! Your fundraising journey just got a whole lot butter. 🧈
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

The most-loved fundraising platform