Elementary school fundraising ideas
The best fundraising ideas for elementary schools offer fun for the whole family and bring in some major funds, too. Rally parents, students, staff members, and the surrounding community with these fresh and creative elementary fundraiser ideas.
Pi Day
Spring cleaning
Street clean up
Work with local businesses to sponsor the day and encourage donations towards your charity or group.
Water balloon fight
With team fundraising pages, their individual efforts can be tallied up with their teammates’!
Outdoor adventure day
Pumpkin carving contest
Make it easy as pumpkin pie for participants to vote for the winners with a small donation using text-to-donate.
DIY gingerbread house kits
Back-to-school sale
Customize online tickets with the name and image of each product, so your supporters can easily choose between the items on sale.
Dodgeball tournament
Invite participants to set up team fundraising pages so they can also compete to see who can raise the most funds for your cause.
Apple bobbing
Year-end fundraiser
Use the year-end giving checklist to make sure you’ve covered every angle!
Holiday cookie sale
Streamline the buying process with scan-to-donate—which guest can use to make their payment instantly right from their phones!
Sledding course
Snowman contest
Holiday movie marathon
With user-friendly fundraising event features for online ticket sales and in-person donations, organizing this event can be as easy as hitting play on your favorite festive film.
Superhero training camp
After your event, use email marketing software to share your gratitude with participants and volunteers along with pictures you captured of the day!
Frequently asked questions
How do I start a fundraiser for my elementary school?
Starting a fundraiser for your elementary school usually begins with identifying a need, like new playground equipment or computers. Ideally, this is done in partnership with stakeholders like the PTA and school administrators. No one should take on a fundraising effort alone, so your next step is to assemble a team of volunteers to brainstorm ideas. A book sale? A fun run? A trivia night? The sky’s the limit!
What are the most popular elementary school fundraisers?
Great fundraising ideas for elementary schools that have stood the test of time include events like fall or spring carnivals, bake sales, and walkathons. These evergreen activities appeal to families, engage more community members, and provide fun for everyone.
Regardless of how you collect donations, the best school fundraising ideas for elementary schools get both students and parents involved and even bring local restaurants and businesses in on the action.
What is the most profitable elementary school fundraiser?
The profitability of any fundraiser can vary depending on resources, expenses, and community support, but large-scale events like galas and silent auctions tend to be the most profitable. Alternatively, crowdfunding campaigns that allow supporters to make small donations on a donation page are also effective for raising money sustainably throughout the school year.
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