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.
Oozeball tourney
Improv night
Karaoke night
To encourage even more donations during the party, display mobile giving options and your progress toward your goal using live display.
Virtual auction
Use auction software that makes the bidding process smooth and simple for you and your donors.
Pancake breakfast
Count the jellybeans
Reverse raffle
Before you start planning, be sure to check for any state regulations on raffles where you live!
Mystery art show
Charge an entrance fee and invite supporters to purchase pieces all at the same price—without knowing who their artist is until the end of the event!
Secret supper
Yard raking
Follow best practices for volunteer recruitment to build a loyal community of supporters ready to pitch in for yardwork and more.
Bonfire BBQ
With user-friendly fundraising event features, you can sell tickets in advance and accept donations in person, too.
Shoe drive
Make transactions easy with scan-to-donate and multiple payment options, including Venmo.
Holiday wreath sale
Basketball tournament
Step things up by challenging each team to see who can raise the most. Encourage them to create team fundraising pages to track their impact and build momentum toward game day.
Donut fundraiser
Create a fundraising page or donation form to promote your efforts and make it easier to sell your sweet treats with multiple payment options wherever you are.
Town hall event
Dog walking
Simplify the experience for your supporters by using custom labels to create specific options on your donation forms, like $50 for a 2-hour walk.
Pi Day
Spring cleaning
Movies in the park
Sell tickets online, check guests in with your mobile app, and offer easy payment methods like scan-to-donate for on-the-spot donations.
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’!
Hot chocolate stall
Make it easy for supporters to pay for their drinks as you make them with scan-to-donate, Venmo, and other seamless payment options.
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, scavenger hunt, 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.
Subscribe to
The Butter Brief
Get fundraising ideas, tips, and free resources right in your inbox
Givebutter helps you turn ideas into impact
Subscribe to
The Butter Brief
Get fundraising ideas, tips, and free resources right in your inbox