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Preschool fundraising ideas

Raising money is critical for keeping preschool programs going and purchasing needed supplies, but the effort it takes to raise funds is no joke. With this list of easy fundraising ideas for preschools, including art sales, dress-up days, and read-a-thons, you’ll find the inspiration you need to reach your goals in no time. 

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Grants

Research grants that you can apply for to fund your nonprofit organization or project. Be sure to create a stand-out grant proposal in order to impress grantmakers! 
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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.  
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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 work with local sponsors to offset costs and spread the word.
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Pajama run

Ask participants to don their favorite PJs while tackling a walk, jog, roll, or run for the cause. Encourage everyone to set a donation goal and spread the word about the fundraiser with peer-to-peer fundraising. Don’t forget to award prizes to the coziest runners! 
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Raffle

Ask your sponsors and community members to donate items or experiences, then raffle them off! The sky is the limit when it comes to raffle ticket prizes: gift baskets, movie tickets, artwork—anything that will appeal to your community members. 

Just be sure to check your state laws regarding raffles before you start planning!
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Walkathon

Ask supporters to lace up their shoes and gather pledges or donations for every mile they walk. 

Sell official charity gear, encourage supporters to share updates on their own personal donation pages, and award top fundraisers with exciting prizes.
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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.
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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 various supplies, or ask for donations from local art stores. 
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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. 
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Virtual movie night

Use Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party) to host a virtual family movie night fundraising event on the streaming service of your choice. Ask movie trivia questions throughout to make the evening more interactive! 
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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. 
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Sell swag or merch

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!
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Grab bags

Reach out to local businesses and ask them to donate a small number of products that you can bundle together and offer donors online. 

To attract more partnerships from businesses, create a sponsorship proposal that emphasizes the benefits for them, like free publicity and marketing opportunities.  
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Community cookbook

Create and sell a custom cookbook featuring favorite recipes from your community members and families. To drum up excitement and spread the word, share sneak peek photos on your custom fundraising page.
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Restaurant takeover

Find a local restaurant that will host your fundraising event and donate at least 10-20% of the profits from the evening to your campaign. To really sweeten the sponsorship, offer lots of benefits for participating restaurants like free marketing and publicity. 
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High five booth

Brighten up someone’s day and raise money for a good cause. Set up a booth where passers-by or event attendees can make a donation of their choice and receive a high-five from you or your volunteers.

Make the donation process as quick and easy as the high-five itself—send people straight to your donation form with scan-to-donate.
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Recycling drive

Ask supporters to collect recyclable materials like cans, bottles, or even old tech, then use a service that helps you turn these items into cash.

Recycling drives work as great long-term fundraising activities. Keep your supporters engaged and remind them where and when they can drop off materials with your email marketing software.
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Crowdfunding campaign

Collect online donations from friends, family, and community members by creating a fundraising page that lays out your needs and the impact that you will make with the money you raise. Use photos and videos to make your story more engaging, and use a goal bar to showcase your progress. 

Be sure to follow crowdfunding best practices in order to make your campaign an even bigger success!
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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.
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Face painting

Set up a booth where passers-by can have their face painted by volunteers in your group in exchange for a small donation.

Make it easy for people to take part with scan-to-donate. All they need to do is scan the QR code and they’ll land on your donation page in seconds.
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Petting zoo

Partner with a local farm or petting zoo to bring in animals for a day of fun. Charge an entry fee and offer optional donations for extra activities, like pony rides, to raise even more funds. Make sure attendees can make quick payments from their phones, using methods like Venmo or Tap to Pay, so they don't need to return to their cars for cash.
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Pajama day

For a small donation, students can come to school in their pajamas and enjoy a cozy day. Accept donations in advance or on the day of via multiple payment methods like Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Venmo!
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Online garage sale

Collect new and used goods from your community and sell items on a first-come, first-served basis—virtually. To introduce some fun competition and bring in more funds, turn the sale into an auction with buy-now pricing options! 
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Family dance

Give the “father-daughter” or “mother-son” dance an inclusive update and give families of all shapes and sizes an unforgettable night of cutting a rug together for a good cause. 

Choose a theme, sell tickets for your fundraising event online, and raise even more by setting up a photo booth with silly props!  
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Discount cards

Create and sell discount card coupon books full of deals to local restaurants and businesses. Sell the coupon books on a custom donation form and share it far and wide!
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Frequently asked questions

When starting a preschool fundraiser, your first step may be to speak with teachers, parents, and administrators to determine a specific need. Then, you can set your fundraising goal accordingly. Recruit other stakeholders to help you with planning, and be sure to choose a theme and activity that matches your school community’s interests as well as the resources and skill set of your team. 

Check out our guide on how to start a fundraiser for more steps and tips. 

The best preschool fundraising ideas are those that get kids involved. Some family-friendly activities include organizing a bake sale, selling tickets to a movie night, or hosting your very own petting zoo. Don’t forget to ask local businesses to sponsor your events!

The profitability of a preschool fundraiser can vary depending on factors like participation, expenses, and community support. In general, larger-scale events will pack a bigger punch for your fundraising efforts. 

Certain preschool art fundraiser ideas can be quite successful, like a silent auction. Charge a small fee for entry, and then community members can bid on the children’s masterpieces on display around the room. Sell food or tasty treats from local restaurants to create an even more enjoyable experience. 

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