School fundraisers help schools pay for things that regular budgets can’t cover, like new technology, field trips, sports, and music programs. Fundraising also brings students, teachers, and families together to work as a team. They build school spirit and teach important life skills like teamwork, goal-setting, and responsibility. Without fundraisers, many fun and educational activities wouldn’t be possible, and students would miss out on valuable experiences. But which fundraiser should you go with?
There are so many fundraisers to choose from, it’s difficult to make a decision. Here’s how to make your school fundraiser stand out in a crowd.
1. Themed Fun Run or Color Run
Organize a fun run with a twist! Use colored powder at checkpoints and douse the participants for a fun, colorful run! Or, perhaps, have everyone dress up in a costume. The sight of several t-Rex costumes jogging past the finish line would make it all worth it! With a little creativity, you can make your fun run shine!
Fun runs promote physical activity while fostering school spirit. They also offer multiple income streams from registration fees, sponsorships, concessions, and event merchandise.
2. 24-Hour Giving Challenge
A high-energy, time-limited fundraising campaign inspired by Giving Tuesday, a 24-Hour Giving Challenge, can be exciting for participants and good for your organization’s bottom line. Offer incentives such as pizza parties or field trips for top performers. Use social media to its fullest to amp up excitement and extend reach. Real-time leaderboards can add spice to the competition. The nice thing about this fundraiser is that it’s only 24 hours.
3. DIY Fundraising Campaigns
Doing it yourself empowers parents, teachers, and community members to create their own mini-campaigns. They can use walk-a-thons, read-a-thons, virtual challenges, birthday fundraisers, classroom wars, a give-it-up challenge (where participants give up a habit), or a social media contest. Instead of one big event, lots of smaller campaigns happen at the same time, each led by different people. This approach gets more people involved, spreads the word further, and can make fundraising more fun and personal.
4. Talent Show or Dance-a-Thon
Showcase student talents with a school-wide talent show. Don’t forget to sell admission and concessions! Or, you could host a dance-a-thon where students collect pledges for hours spent dancing. Add a voting component (Using tokens or small donations) to increase revenue and audience participation.
5. Art or Crafts Night
Organize an art show, craft night, or painting party where students and families pay to participate. Display and auction student artwork and community donations. Combine art display with student musical performances, or have community artists speak. Have hands-on creative stations and provide refreshments. This not only raises funds but also highlights student creativity and brings the community together.
6. Community Cookbook
Collect favorite recipes from students, families, and staff. Publish and sell a school recipe/cookbook. Decorate it with student illustrations or photographs. A cookbook with pictures is both a fundraiser and a keepsake item, and can be promoted at school events and online.
7. Teachers vs. Students Game Night
Host a friendly competition between teachers and students. Think basketball, trivia, baseball, or even video games. Many schools have an eSports club; get them on board! Charge admission and offer concessions. Create community buzz with pre-event announcements and promotions. You’ll be raising funds and fostering community engagement.
Tips to Make Your Fundraiser Stand Out
- Leverage Social Media: Use platforms like Instagram and Meta to promote your event, share updates, and celebrate milestones. Find out what platforms your target community uses and go with that.
- Partner with Local Businesses: Seek sponsorships, prize donations, or cross-promotion to expand your reach and resources.
- Offer Prizes and Incentives: Motivate participation with fun rewards for top fundraisers, best costumes, or most creative acts.
- Make It Inclusive: Choose events that appeal to a wide range of ages and interests, ensuring everyone feels welcome to participate.
How ReadaFun Can Help Your School Succeed
You want to get creative and foster engagement. Make your fundraiser a memorable, community-building event that stands out and succeeds in raising vital funds for your school.
At ReadaFun, we specialize in helping schools host successful and stress-free Read-A-Thons. Our easy-to-use platform simplifies every step, from tracking reading progress to collecting secure online donations, so you can focus on motivating students and connecting with families.
With ReadaFun, PTO and PTA leaders can confidently launch a profitable fundraiser that promotes literacy, excites students, and brings the whole community together. Interested in hosting a Read-A-Thon this year? We’re happy to walk you through the process — reach out to our team today!
