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!
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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!









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.









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.









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.









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.









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.









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.









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.









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.









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.









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.









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!









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.









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.









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.









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.









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.









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!









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.









Cutest pet contest









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.









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.









Family fun run









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.









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.









Frequently asked questions
What are the most profitable fundraisers for education?
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.
How to raise money to pay for school?
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.
What are the best fundraising slogans for education?
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
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