.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
All fundraising ideas
High school fundraising ideas
From talent shows and tournaments to creative mystery dinners and comedy nights, we’ve crafted the ultimate list of fundraising ideas for high schools. Find the best activities to help you engage high school students and parents, teachers, and the entire community to raise money—and school spirit.
Please enter a valid email address.
%201.png)
%201.png)
Featured campaign
Capital High School Volleyball Boosters Association
Support The Capital High School Volleyball Team
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
One-day giving event
Take part in Giving Tuesday or create your own giving day in which you mobilize your community to reach your fundraising goal in one day.
Keep your supporters invested in your progress with a goal bar and campaign updates that highlight milestones, matching gifts, and special shout-outs throughout the day.
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
Examples
.png)
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/one-day-giving-event
Please enter a valid email address.
All
Events
Pages & forms
High five booth
Brighten up someone’s day and raise money for a good cause. Set up a booth where passersby can make a donation and receive a high-five in return.
Make the giving process as quick and easy as the high-five itself with scan-to-donate.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
1
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/high-five-booth
Please enter a valid email address.
All
Events
Pages & forms
Virtual movie night
Host a virtual family movie night using Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party) on your favorite streaming platform. Collect donations before or during your fundraising event, and make it more interactive and fun with movie trivia questions throughout the evening.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/virtual-movie-night
Please enter a valid email address.
All
Events
Bonfire BBQ
Plan a cozy community fundraiser with a firepit, s'mores, firecrackers, and a delicious BBQ. Charge an entrance fee or raise funds through carnival games and refreshments.
With user-friendly fundraising event features, you can sell tickets in advance and accept donations in person, too.
With user-friendly fundraising event features, you can sell tickets in advance and accept donations in person, too.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/bonfire-bbq
Please enter a valid email address.
All
Events
Tag Day
Invite students to set up outside local businesses and collect donations from patrons. Donors receive “tags” (stickers) to show they gave. Accept payments via Venmo or scan-to-donate!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/tag-day
Please enter a valid email address.
All
Pages & forms
Virtual auction
Take the bidding online by allowing participants to browse your silent auction catalog, place bids, and win from anywhere!
Use auction software that makes the bidding process smooth and simple for you and your donors.
Use auction software that makes the bidding process smooth and simple for you and your donors.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/virtual-auction
Please enter a valid email address.
All
Auctions
Pages & forms
Drive-in movie night
Turn a parking lot and the side of a building into a makeshift drive-in movie theater. Charge an entrance fee and raise funds by selling drinks and snacks. Sell tickets for your fundraising event in advance, and use engaging features like scan-to-donate and mobile app check-in to streamline your guests' experience.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/drive-in-movie-night
Please enter a valid email address.
All
Events
Principal for the day
Auction off the chance for a student to be school principal for the day! The lucky student will get to greet classmates as they arrive, make morning announcements, visit classrooms, and enjoy a special lunch with the principal.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/principal-for-the-day
Please enter a valid email address.
All
Auctions
Street painting competition
Choose a theme and secure a paved area where supporters can register to paint their own parking space or designated square.
Ask a local business to donate painting supplies, then invite the community to vote for their favorite design by making a donation ($1 = 1 vote) using a scan-to-donate QR code.
Ask a local business to donate painting supplies, then invite the community to vote for their favorite design by making a donation ($1 = 1 vote) using a scan-to-donate QR code.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/street-painting-competition
Please enter a valid email address.
All
Events
Pages & forms
Student battle of the bands
Invite student-run bands to rock out for a prize! Charge entry fees and offer rad, donated prizes for the winners. Have each band create a team fundraising page, and encourage attendees to cast their votes for their favorites bands with a donation!
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/student-battle-of-the-bands
Please enter a valid email address.
All
Events
Peer-to-peer
Movie night
Choose an indoor or outdoor space and host a ticketed screening of a fan-favorite movie—bonus if it’s related to your cause! Sell popcorn, treats, and drinks to raise even more funds.
Use Givebutter’s fundraising event tools like online ticketing, mobile check-ins, and scan-to-donate to keep everything seamless.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/movie-night
Please enter a valid email address.
All
Events
Fantasy football draft festival
Turn a fantasy football draft into an exciting fundraising event! Sell tickets and offer tailgate games, food, and entertainment.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/fantasy-football-draft-festival
Please enter a valid email address.
All
Events
Trivia night
At this crowd-favorite activity, you can come up with fun questions, charge entry fees for teams, and raise extra money by providing sweet and salty snacks.
Make the evening go even smoother with seamless attendee check-ins and easy payment options like Tap to pay, Venmo donations, and scan-to-donate.
Make the evening go even smoother with seamless attendee check-ins and easy payment options like Tap to pay, Venmo donations, and scan-to-donate.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/trivia-night
Please enter a valid email address.
All
Events
Donate or dare
Pledge to do something wild, exciting, or newsworthy if your campaign hits its goal. Shaving your head is a classic option for this fundraising idea!
Share regular updates on your fundraising page and add a goal bar to keep the momentum going and drive more donations.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/donate-or-dare
Please enter a valid email address.
All
Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms
Back-to-school sale
Get everyone set up for the new school year with a back-to-school sale. Sell items like stationery, backpacks, water bottles, and other accessories for kids of all ages.
Customize online tickets with the name and image of each product, so your supporters can easily choose between the items on sale.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/back-to-school-sale
Please enter a valid email address.
All
Events
Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms
Grow-your-own garden kit
Ask local nurseries to donate herbs, seeds, and soil you can use to assemble gardening kits. Bring volunteers together to assemble everything and sell them on a custom fundraising page or donation form.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/grow-your-own-garden-kit
Please enter a valid email address.
All
Events
Pages & forms
Tag 3
Ask donors to tag three friends when they give. This fun, no-cost challenge turns every donation into an instant ripple effect, sparking new connections and spreading your campaign further.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/tag-3
Please enter a valid email address.
All
Pages & forms
Peer-to-peer
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
Examples
.png)
.png)
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/summer-camp-fundraiser
Please enter a valid email address.
All
Events
Pages & forms
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
Examples
.png)
.png)
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/jog-a-thon
Please enter a valid email address.
All
Events
Peer-to-peer
Boardwalk bash
Host a boardwalk get-together complete with carnival games and treats. You can also use the event to introduce a renovation project for your beachside community and rally support for your cause.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
Examples
.webp)
.webp)
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/boardwalk-bash
Please enter a valid email address.
All
Events
Pages & forms
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
Examples
.png)
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pet-portraits
Please enter a valid email address.
All
Events
Auctions
Pages & forms
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
Examples
.png)
.png)
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/creative-design-workshop
Please enter a valid email address.
All
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
Examples
.png)
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/diy-workshop
Please enter a valid email address.
All
Events
Pages & forms
Themed run
Make your peer-to-peer fundraising run truly memorable with a standout theme! Encourage participants to dress up and create teams based on your theme to build community and boost the competitive spirit.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Examples
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/themed-run
Please enter a valid email address.
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
Examples
.webp)
.webp)
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/outdoor-education-class
Please enter a valid email address.
All
Events
Pages & forms
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
Get top features for your high school fundraiser
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
Frequently asked questions
How do I start a fundraiser for my high school?
First, determine a specific need for your fundraising efforts, like extracurricular activities or a senior trip. Next, get approval from school administrators, gather volunteers, and brainstorm ideas that will get both students and the community excited, like a walk-a-thon, open mic night, or trivia competition.
Check out the step-by-step guide for how to start a fundraiser for more tips!
What are the most popular high school fundraisers?
Some popular fundraising ideas for high school students include events like dances, talent shows, and tournaments. Other favorites add a bit of competition to the mix, like a battle of the bands, creative student presentations, scavenger hunts, or a principal challenge.
What is the most profitable high school fundraiser?
The amount of money a high school fundraiser can raise varies, but large events like comedy roast nights or fun runs have the potential to raise a lot. To attract extra support, you can also send out a sponsorship proposal to businesses like local restaurants.
Are there any free tools for high school teachers & student leaders?
Yes! Beyond fundraising ideas, we’ve built a few free tools schools can use year-round:
- A customizable spelling worksheet generator for quick classroom assignments
- An easy grading calculator to simplify scoring and percentage calculations
- A creative school name generator for clubs, spirit teams, houses, or new student initiatives
- A test grade percentage calculator to quickly calculate quiz or exam results
They’re fast, free, and designed to save busy educators and student organizers time—so you can focus on planning a successful fundraiser.
%201.png)
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
.webp)
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
.png)
%201.png)
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
%201.webp){kind=icon}