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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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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!
Cost:
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Effort:
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Impact:
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Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/grants
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Pages & forms

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!
Cost:
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Effort:
2
Impact:
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Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/discount-cards
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Pages & forms

Outdoor adventure day


Charge participants a registration fee for a full day of outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and nature walks. Use marketing tools to tease different activities and remind supporters what to bring along on the big day!
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/outdoor-adventure-day
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Events

Annual holiday party

Throw a big annual holiday party to finish the year in style. Make this a VIP event and raise funds through ticket sales or partner up with sponsors to help offset costs and reach more supporters.

With Givebutter you can create unlimited custom event ticket types—allowing you to create fun VIP packages to offer to your partygoers.
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/annual-holiday-party
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Events

Pet run/walk


Invite community members to bring their furry friends along to walk in a charity 5K. Encourage participants to create individual fundraising pages that feature their pets, set a donation goal, and help spread the word about the cause.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pet-run-walk
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Events
Peer-to-peer

Spring cleaning

Rally volunteers together for a spring cleaning of your community space or a street in your neighborhood. Reach out to local businesses to sponsor the event and offer supplies. Then, invite donations from your local community with scan-to-donate signage as you work!
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/spring-cleaning
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Events
Pages & forms

Youth lock-in


Plan a good old-fashioned lock-in for your younger community members. Charge a registration fee and have chaperones on hand to supervise activities like trivia, movie screenings, and video game tournaments.

Set up an online fundraising event page where participants can register and supporters can make donations.
Cost:
1
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/youth-lock-in
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Events

Community potluck dinner


Invite each person to contribute a dish and invite at least two people to join your dinner. To keep everything organized, customize your fundraising page or donation form so participants can note what dish they’re bringing when they RSVP—and make a contribution to your campaign.
Cost:
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Effort:
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Impact:
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Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/community-potluck-dinner
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Events
Pages & forms

Gift wrapping

Source donated paper, set up a gift wrapping station in a popular location, and charge for holiday gift-wrapping! Use scan-to-donate or Venmo to accept payments on the spot.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/gift-wrapping
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Events
Pages & forms

Bingo night


Sell bingo cards and offer exciting prizes to keep everyone engaged all night long—either virtually or in person!

In the lead-up to your fundraising event, entice attendees with campaign updates featuring teasers of some of the prizes at stake to build anticipation.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/bingo-night
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Events

Street clean up

Use the longer days of summer to your advantage by organizing a street clean-up to keep your neighborhood looking fresh and welcoming. 

Partner with local businesses to sponsor the day and encourage donations toward your charity or group. 
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
1
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/street-clean-up
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Events
Pages & forms

PTA mimosa breakfast

Invite parents to a fun twist on the pancake breakfast by selling tickets to an adult-only meal at your next fundraising event. Offer extra goodies—like espresso martinis!—at an additional cost.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pta-mimosa-breakfast
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Events

Toy drive


Set up a toy drive so your community members can donate toys or cash to support families over the holiday season. Distribute toys to those most in need and use extra funds to buy additional gifts.

Let everyone know when, where, and what to donate with the help of email marketing software.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/toy-drive
All
Pages & forms

Home decor workshop


Charge a registration fee and provide materials for attendees to create their own home decor. Selecting seasonal DIY projects—such as holiday wreaths or pumpkin painting—is a great way to draw a larger crowd. Take this event to the next level by turning it into a competition! Once all projects are completed, attendees can donate to vote for who should be crowned winner.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/home-decor-workshop
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Events

Flower bouquets

Partner with a local florist to set up a stall where volunteers make, wrap, and sell flower bouquets for Mother's Day, Easter, or any other spring celebration.

Create a fundraising page with custom donation amounts featuring a photo of each kind of bouquet and the number available so donors can reserve bouquets online or purchase in person.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/flower-bouquets
All
Pages & forms

Donation drive


Set up a donation drive to collect valuable in-kind donations or financial gifts for your cause. This can be done by setting up a drop-off zone in person or collecting donations online through a fundraising page. No matter the format—make sure to share your fundraising goal far and wide to keep the momentum going!

Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
3
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/donation-drive
All
Pages & forms

Plant sale


Ask your green-thumbed community members to grow their best seedlings and plants for a future plant sale to raise much-needed funds. Or, send a sponsorship proposal to a local plant nursery to sign on as your event sponsor or partner.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/plant-sale
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Events
Pages & forms

Pop-up clothing shop


Ask community members to purge their wardrobes and donate sell-worthy items to your cause. Host a pop-up clothing shop at a local venue and sell tickets for entry!
Cost:
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Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pop-up-clothing-shop
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Events
Pages & forms

Coding bootcamp

Partner with coding organizations and offer students discounted class fees and programs. Be sure to include some appealing benefits for participating companies in your corporate sponsorship proposal, like free marketing and publicity.
Cost:
2
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/coding-bootcamp
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Events

Yard raking


Set up a yard raking service in exchange for donations toward your good cause.

Follow best practices for volunteer recruitment to build a loyal community of supporters ready to pitch in for yardwork and more.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/yard-raking
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Pages & forms
Auctions

Pumpkin Games


Perfect for the Halloween season, challenge participants to a pay-to-play series of games like pumpkin races and decorating contests. Sell tickets in advance or on the day of using scan-to-donate or Venmo. 
Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/pumpkin-games
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Events
Peer-to-peer

Text-to-donate


With text-to-donate, raising funds is as easy as sending a text. Display your shortcode at fundraising events, share it on social media, or add it to signs so your supporters give using their mobile devices right on the spot—no matter where they are.

See for yourself how easy it is! Text “DEMO” to 53-555.
Cost:
1
Effort:
1
Impact:
3
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/text-to-donate
All
Pages & forms

Fall festival


Host your own fall-themed festival with carnival games, food and drink, local vendors, and live music.

Ask local businesses to donate supplies or prizes, and raise funds through refreshments, games, and stallholder fees.

Cost:
2
Effort:
3
Impact:
3
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/fall-festival
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Events
Pages & forms

Ugly sweater run

Get festive by encouraging supporters to wear their ugliest holiday sweater for a fun run! Use peer-to-peer fundraising to encourage participants to set a donation goal and spread the word—along with photos of them in their ugly regalia. Offer a special award for the “best” dressed.
Cost:
1
Effort:
2
Impact:
2
Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/ugly-sweater-run
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Events
Peer-to-peer

Raffle


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

Just be sure to check your state laws regarding raffles before you start planning!
Cost:
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Effort:
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Impact:
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Link copied!
https://givebutter.com/fundraising-idea/raffle
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Events
Pages & forms
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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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