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.
Night at the museum
Bake sale
Supporters don’t have cash on them? No problem! With Givebutter you can accept a wide range of modern payment methods, including Venmo.
Movie night
Use Givebutter’s fundraising event tools like online ticket sales, mobile app check-ins, and in-person payments to make it easier for you and your supporters.
Building tour
Office Games
Donation matching
Matching gifts create an enormous incentive for supporters who understand that they can automatically double (or even triple or quadruple!) their impact for your cause.
Bonfire BBQ
With user-friendly fundraising event features, you can sell tickets in advance and accept donations in person, too.
Speed dating
Encourage extra donations if participants find a special someone!
Escape Room Challenge
Trike-a-thon
Grown-up bake sale
Collect in-person payments with scan-to-donate, which gives donors a wide range of payment options.
Outdoor adventure day
Sand ‘n’ sip
Puppy party
At the event, highlight the different mobile giving options your supporters can choose from with live display.
Cup of coffee
Offer scan to-donate and accept Venmo donations to make giving even easier.
Raise the roof
Embed a donation form on your website with a live goal bar, so your community members can see just how close you are to hitting that target.
Drag show
Manage your event ticketing, check in your attendees, and accept additional donations in person with easy fundraisng event software.
Sponsor a stud
Popcorn fundraiser
Nostalgia night party
Cooking competition
You can get even more spectators in on the fun by livestreaming the event and asking for donations throughout the program.
Yard raking
Follow best practices for volunteer recruitment to build a loyal community of supporters ready to pitch in for yardwork and more.
Neighborhood tailgate party
You can make the event free and charge for activities or create a ticketed event—whichever you choose, our fundraising event features can help.
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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