5 SMART SCHOOL FUNDRAISING IDEAS

School. It’s one of the cornerstones to a child’s success in life. And, unfortunately, there just never seems to be enough money in the budget for everything schools and students need. Sports teams, PTA boards, art and music clubs… All important for the enrichment and development of young minds, but expensive programs nonetheless. Fortunately, with a little creativity, it’s possible to put together fundraising efforts that can help get the money you need, whether it’s to buy new blackboards for the classroom or make sure your kid’s marching band can get to Disney World®.

1. MAKE IT EASY - SET UP ONLINE DONATIONS

Okay, let’s be real for a second. There’s a reason online fundraising has taken over the Internet, and it’s only partly because planning a fundraiser is so difficult. When all people have to do to donate is click a couple of buttons, they’re far more likely to make the effort than if they have to pick up the phone, write a check, or make a phone call. There’s still plenty of space for those other types of fundraisers, but setting up an online fundraising account is a quick and easy way to catch some extra money for your school. 

2. T-SHIRT SALES - MAKE IT FUN!

T-shirts are a wardrobe staple for pretty much everyone, busy parents included. Selling t-shirts connected to your school, athletic team, PTA group, or club can be a great way to not only ramp up some school spirit but also make a little bit of cash to add to your budget! If you have especially artsy students, you can even have them get in on the fun and have a contest so they can design the t-shirt that will eventually be sold in your fundraiser.

3. PRINCIPAL CHALLENGES - THE WACKIER THE BETTER!

To kids, the principal is an authority figure—not necessarily someone scary, but someone they look up to, and definitely not a person they usually see goofing off and having fun. That’s why it’s not usually that difficult to get kids to donate spare change or a few dollars here and there for the chance to see their principal dress up as Queen Elsa from Frozen© and sing Let It Go© (usually very off-key).

4. HAVE A PARENTS’ NIGHT - NO JUDGMENT HERE

We love kids. We promise. But sometimes parents need a night to themselves, and holding a fundraiser may be the best way to make that happen. It doesn’t have to be as complicated as a Las Vegas night. Simply schedule a banquet room at an affordable but nice restaurant, get some childcare set up, and then charge a small admission fee to get in. It’s a great way for parents to have a child-free night while still doing something fantastic for the little ones.

5. SELL OTHER USEFUL ITEMS - LIKE SCHOOL LABEL STICKERS

One quick and easy way to get people to buy items from your fundraiser is to sell them something they really (really) need. Kids are always losing things, and school label stickers make it infinitely easier for parents to identify missing items at the Lost and Found. That means schools having a Lost and Found issue and need extra cash for their budget may find selling personalized name labels as a win-win proposition. An option like this is affordable for parents to buy, kids love the many different playful, colorful designs, and it’s an easy way to keep things from vanishing into the void of the Lost and Found forever. 

If you think you’d like to set up a fundraiser with our personalized name labels for school, just contact us today. We’d love to help you out!