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School fundraising ideas

Whether you're a parent, teacher, or student leader, we’ll help you say goodbye to boring and hello to the best fundraising ideas for schools. Kick off the school year on a high note with these creative campaigns and events guaranteed to boost school spirit—and your fundraising efforts.

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Kids’ art calendar


Turn kids’ finger paintings and drawings into custom calendars—or transform them into keepsakes like photo books, mugs, or t-shirts. Sell the merch using a fun, eye-catching auction or fundraising page.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/kids-art-calendar
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Auctions
Pages & forms

Corporate matching gift drive

Create a special awareness campaign and fundraiser that highlights the matching donation programs that many companies offer. 

Feature matching gifts on your fundraising page and encourage corporate staffers to explore employer matching via Double the Donation
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/corporate-matching-gift-drive
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Events
Pages & forms

No-talent show

Sell tickets to an all-but-traditional talent show where people make a fool of themselves for a good cause. Offer seamless event ticketing, sell food and drinks, and let the laughs begin!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/no-talent-show
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Events

Fashion show


Host a fashion show that showcases talented local designers, fashion students, or both! Make it inclusive and invite people of all sizes and abilities to be your models.

At this fundraising event, you can bring in donations by charging entrance fees, selling food and drinks, and adding a silent auction.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/fashion-show
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Events
Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms

Virtual food/wine tasting


Partner with local eateries and provide tasting kits for participants to enjoy at home for a small fee. Then, host a livestream tasting experience.

Cost:
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Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/virtual-food-wine-tasting
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Events
Auctions
Pages & forms

Skate-a-thon


For a fun twist on a walk-a-thon, swap the walking shoes for rollerblades or quad skates and raise money for a good cause.

Encourage participants to create peer-to-peer fundraising pages they can personalize with their own stories and updates leading up to the big day. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/skate-a-thon
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Events
Peer-to-peer

Art festival


Secure a large space, reach out to local artists, and charge an entrance fee to your very own art festival. Check-in attendees and accept payments at the door and use scan-to-donate to encourage additional in-person donations throughout the event.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/art-festival
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Events

Community service day

Organize volunteers to participate in a day of community care—tackling local projects and tasks in exchange for donations from your community members. 

Showcase every project or fundraiser you’re working on using a central giving hub, so supporters can see all your amazing work in one place.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/community-service-day
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Events
Pages & forms

Gift basket showdown

Using peer-to-peer fundraising, participants compete to raise the most money for your campaign. The winner gets the first pick from a selection of gift baskets.  
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/gift-basket-showdown
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Peer-to-peer
Auctions
Pages & forms

Kids vs. grownups field day


Organize an afternoon of hilarious games and exciting dual-team events, like tug-of-war, that are sure to get the competitive spirit going.

Charge entrance fees for this fundraising event, sell snacks and drinks, and don’t forget prizes for the champs!
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/kids-vs-grownups-field-day
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Events

Teddy bear picnic


Host a picnic where participants can bring along their favorite stuffed animals and enjoy simple brown-bag lunches or treats from a mini bake sale. This fundraising event is a sweet and family-friendly way to bring in needed funds.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/teddy-bear-picnic
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Events

Virtual book club


Host a virtual book club and charge a small registration fee or ask for donations to join. Hold regular discussions via Zoom or another video conferencing platform to keep the community engaged.

Set up recurring donations as a simple way to collect membership fees for ongoing gatherings.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
1
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/virtual-book-club
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Events
Pages & forms

Spring break t-shirt sale


Design your own spring break t-shirts and sell them in person and online to raise funds for your group or cause.

Use custom fields on your donation form to collect the details you need from buyers, such as their t-shirt size and color choice.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/spring-break-t-shirt-sale
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Pages & forms

Maze for a cause

Find a large outdoor space where you can build a corn maze from hay bales and turn it into a fundraiser!

Charge an entrance fee to walk the maze and make transactions simple with scan-to-donate and Tap to Pay options. 
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/maze-for-a-cause
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Events
Pages & forms

International Women's Day fundraiser


Highlight the power, strength, and talent of women in your community today and throughout history with a special fundraising event.

Whether it’s in-person, virtual, or hybrid, raise more and stress less with easy online registration, mobile app check-ins, and live display
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/international-women-s-day-fundraiser
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Auctions
Events
Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms

Student art auction


Auction off student art projects online, in person, or both! Add photos and descriptions of each masterpiece using auction software for easy bidding and sharing.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/student-art-auction
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Auctions
Events
Pages & forms

Teacher “jail”


Challenge students to meet a fundraising goal. If they succeed, their teacher gets “locked in jail” (aka gets to relax in the teachers’ lounge) while students take over the classroom for fun and games. Use a custom fundraising page with a live goal bar to build excitement!
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/teacher-jail
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Events
Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms

Farmer’s market


Approach a local farmer’s market with a sponsorship proposal and see if they can host a special fundraising event for your cause or dedicate a certain percentage of their Saturday morning profits to your campaign. Be sure to outline all of the perks that vendors can expect from the collaboration, like free publicity.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/farmer-s-market
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Events
Pages & forms

That’s a wrap

Students make donations to buy sections of toilet paper. At the end of the fundraising period, they get to wrap their teacher with it! For a smoother process, set custom donation amounts and labels on your fundraising page or donation form.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/that-s-a-wrap
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Pages & forms

Superhero run


Charge an entry fee to participate in a costumed fundraising run. Encourage runners to raise even more for your cause through their own peer-to-peer fundraising pages, and award prizes for race winners, best super hero costumes, and most donations raised!  
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/superhero-run
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Events
Peer-to-peer

Lip sync competition


Invite community members to sign up and submit their songs for an unforgettable lip-sync battle. Recruit a volunteer panel of judges to select the winners—and don’t forget prizes for the winners!

Sell tickets for this fundraising event online, streamline check-in, and accept extra donations with the same easy platform.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/lip-sync-competition
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Events

Parents’ night out


This fundraising event can be a fun gathering for parents—or a chance for grownups to drop off their kids for a few hours in exchange for a donation to your cause. Charge an hourly rate or flat “entrance fee” and give caregivers some priceless peace and quiet.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/parents-night-out
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Events

TikTok dance-off


Challenge participants to create a dance and post their video to social media. Each person must tag someone and donate once they’ve completed the challenge.

For easy and simple sharing, create a custom fundraising page that’s optimized for mobile!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/tiktok-dance-off
All
Peer-to-peer
Pages & forms

Board game night


Host a pay-to-play fundraising event where participants can compete against their friends in games like UNO or Sorry. Sell goodies for competitors to snack on to make this event extra sweet.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/board-game-night
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Events

Battle of the food trucks

Host a showdown between some of your favorite food trucks. Ask each truck to donate a percentage of sales towards your good cause, and award a fun prize to the truck that makes the most sales that day. 

Partnering with food trucks is a great way to reach your fundraising target. Discover how to secure corporate sponsorships.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/battle-of-the-food-trucks
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Events
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Frequently asked questions

Begin by identifying a specific need or cause, such as upgrading facilities or starting new clubs or programs. Next, brainstorm easy fundraising ideas for schools, such as bake sales, car washes, or themed events geared toward your community's interests. 

Obtain approval from school administrators, rally volunteers, and promote your fundraising campaign far and wide. Don’t forget to thank all of your donors and attendees for their support!

The most popular fundraisers for school ideas appeal to both students and their families.

Setting up concession stands and selling baked goods at sports games and at field days are always appealing fundraising ideas for students, and they can bring in an impressive amount of money for your school.

You can also energize your community with classic a-thon fundraisers—like walkathons, read-a-thons, or color runs—that turn participation into school spirit.

Finding good fundraising ideas for schools that make a big impact can depend on your budget and resources. However, large-scale ideas for school fundraisers like dances or festivals are usually a solid way to raise funds. Because these events engage students of all ages, families, and local communities, they tend to help causes reach their fundraising goals faster.

Yes! Beyond fundraising ideas, we’ve built a few simple (and free!) tools to make school life easier:

They’re fast, free, and designed to save busy educators time so you can focus on your students and your fundraiser.

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