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Middle school fundraising ideas

If you're tired of the same old fundraiser ideas for middle school, you’ve come to the right place. Find inspiration in our ultimate list of junior high fundraising ideas, from movie nights to pajama runs and everything in between.

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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
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https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/outdoor-education-class
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Trash-a-thon

Team up to clean up! Rally volunteers to collect litter in your local community, and have each participant gather sponsorships based on bags filled or hours spent. It's a powerful way to raise funds and make a visible impact.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/trash-a-thon
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Pajama party


Raise money for a good cause and create an unforgettable, cozy experience by turning any fundraising event into a pajama party.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pajama-party
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Costume contest


Throw a themed costume party to match the season or holiday and award prizes for the best costumes! Sell tickets to your fundraising event online and partner with local sponsors to offset costs and spread the word.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/costume-contest
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Field goal derby

Invite fans to donate to see how many field goals they can make in a minute (use a smaller goalpost for kids!). Have each participant create a personal peer-to-peer fundraising page and reach out to friends and family for support!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/field-goal-derby
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Peer-to-peer

Bowl-a-thon


Reserve lanes at a bowling alley, ask participants to gather pledges for an all-you-can-bowl night, and watch the donations roll in on team fundraising pages.

Offer special prizes for the team with the highest score, most creative name, or even the best uniforms.
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/bowl-a-thon
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Peer-to-peer

More money, no problems


Instead of hosting an event, ask your supporters to donate a specific amount for the entire year. Create a donation form or fundraising page with photos, videos, and a compelling story in order to encourage gifts. Be sure to customize your donation amounts and add descriptions that are specific to your needs and impact.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/more-money-no-problems
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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.

Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/candy-bar-sale
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Peer-to-peer
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Flag football tournament


Bring fans onto the field for some football fun! Teams register and pay to play and fans buy tickets to cheer them on.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/flag-football-tournament
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Peer-to-peer

Lend a helping hand

Let donors "purchase" 2-5 hours of extra help from students or volunteers (think raking leaves or mowing the lawn). 

In order to streamline the process and keep track of contributions, create custom labels for different donation amounts on a special fundraising page or donation form (e.g. $50 = 2 volunteer hours).
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/lend-a-helping-hand
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You name it

Come up with a creative fundraiser with a catchy name like “Pancakes for Parents” brunch or a “Chicken Wings for Cheerleaders.” To get supporters excited, create a custom fundraising page full of on-theme photos, videos, ands more! 
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/you-name-it
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Shoot-a-thon


In this basketball fundraiser, each contestant pays a small entry fee to see how many baskets they can make in a short amount of time.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/shoot-a-thon
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Events
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Pages & forms

Walkathon

Ask supporters to lace up their shoes and gather pledges or donations for every mile they walk. Sell official charity gear, encourage participants to share updates on their own personal donation pages, and award top fundraisers with exciting prizes.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/walkathon
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Peer-to-peer

Halloween costume run


Ask supporters to wear their silliest or spookiest Halloween costumes during this fun run. Use team or peer-to-peer fundraising to help participants set a donation goal and spread the word. At the end, award special prizes to the race winners, the teams or individuals who raised the most, and the best costumes!
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/halloween-costume-run
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T-shirt design contest

Encourage supporters to submit their best t-shirt designs to enter a competition. Set up team fundraising pages for each design and have supporters donate to vote for their favorite. Each donation will appear on a leaderboard so everyone can watch the votes (and donations!) come in.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/t-shirt-design-contest
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Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms

Cheer off


Invite dance, cheer, or pom squads to pay a small entry fee and battle it out for top spots like “Most Spirited” and “Best Routine.” Take this event to the next level by asking attendees to consider adding a donation to their ticket purchase, offering concessions, or evenlivestreamingthe event.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/cheer-off
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Fan Combine

Invite family, friends, and fans to this ultimate sports fundraising event. Participants join in a series of challenges, such as football tosses, 50-yard dashes, and obstacle courses.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/fan-combine
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Peer-to-peer

Players vs. parents game

It’s kids vs. grownups in this ultimate showdown. Ask for a small donation per participant or family or charge a small fee for supporters to come watch it all go down.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/players-vs-parents-game
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Mascot showdown


Join forces with your rival team for a good cause. Organize a race or other competition between your mascots during halftime at a big game, and ask supporters to vote for their mascot by donating on a team fundraising page. Use text-to-donate or a QR code to bring in even more funds from the stands during the event.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/mascot-showdown
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Jeans day


Sell passes for a day out of uniform or a day in jeans. You can even turn it into a friendly competition to see which grade has the highest participation. For easy payments, use scan-to-donate, Venmo, or other convenient methods. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/jeans-day-out-of-uniform-day
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Peer-to-peer

Storybook Character Dress-Up Day

Invite students to come to school dressed as their favorite storybook characters. Charge a small participation fee and organize storytimes throughout the day.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/storybook-character-dress-up-day
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Crafts night


Charge an entrance fee and check in attendees as they arrive for an evening of creativity and fun. Ask volunteers to bring craft supplies or request donations from local art stores. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/crafts-night
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Read-a-thon


Students pledge to read a certain number of minutes each day and collect donations for every minute read or a flat rate. Use peer-to-peer fundraising to gamify your efforts and encourage readers to compete to see who reads—and raises—the most.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/read-a-thon
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School auction

Source quality school-related items, such as backpacks and shoes, and auction them off during a virtual, in-person, or hybrid event. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/school-auction
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Auctions

Swag sale


Raise some extra funds for your organization or club and spread the word about your cause by selling branded swag like totes, stickers, and t-shirts.

With advanced ticketing features, you can offer each item on a mobile-friendly platform and add an image and available amount so supporters can easily purchase and share their sizing info, too!
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/sell-swag-or-merch
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Frequently asked questions

First, identify a cause or project to support, whether it’s a new program or necessary school supplies. Next, brainstorm fundraiser ideas for middle schoolers to find the right fit for your community, like a scavenger hunt, car wash, or walkathon.

Get approval from school administrators, recruit volunteers to help with your fundraising efforts, and promote the campaign far and wide. Then, launch your event, collect donations, and thank everyone for their support!

Large-scale events like dance-a-thons and competitions are among the most popular junior high fundraising ideas. These types of fundraisers actively involve the community in supporting your cause and create memorable experiences for students and their families. 

How much money your middle school fundraiser will make will vary based on your expenses, community support, and fundraising goal. However, fundraising ideas for middle school students—such as themed runs/walks, read-a-thons, or movie nights—can potentially bring in a hefty amount of funding. These events can often be hosted throughout the school year and only require a small donation from each supporter.

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