Are you a member of a Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) or Parent Teacher Association (PTA) looking to raise money for your school? You’re not alone. Nearly 3 million Americans are members of these groups, and together, they represent a massive opportunity for schools seeking to fundraise for extracurricular programs, educational opportunities, field trips, sports, and school improvements.
If you’ve tried all the usual fundraising ideas and are looking for fresh, surefire ways to raise money for your school, try these.
Host a read-a-thon
Read like you mean it! With this idea, community members sponsor kids for each book or page they read. Everyone wins: your school raises funds, and your students get their daily reading minutes in!
Run an auction
Gather prizes from local businesses and creatives, then auction them off, with prizes benefiting the school. This is a great way to support your school while also garnering attention from local organizations.
…or a silent auction
A silent auction allows people to make anonymous bids on prizes, with prizes awarded at the end of a set timeframe. These can be a powerful way to raise funds without having to host an event – just set up your prizes in high-traffic areas and let community members bid!
Hold a bake sale
An oldie, but a goodie. Have members of the school community bring in home-baked or pre-packaged treats, with proceeds going towards the school. Decorating treats in your school colors can be a great way to increase interest!
Host a carwash
Ah, the classic carwash. Have kids (or teachers!) offer to wash and detail cars for a fee and collect the proceeds. Consider offering car air fresheners or bumper stickers for sale as well.
Try a dance-a-thon
Who doesn’t love an excuse to bust a move? Have students and teachers hit the dance floor for a set period, earning sponsorship money per hour or per dance. If you want to keep things simple, you can also host a simple blue-light disco night for students.
Open a haunted house
Who doesn’t love being scared? Decorate a school classroom or a volunteer’s home for the spooky season, and enlist students to “scare” visitors. If Halloween has passed, theme your decor to other events, like the winter holidays or Easter.
Hold a school carnival
Love an excuse for a party? Host a carnival with rides, lucky dips, face painting, races, pooch parades, vendors, and more – with proceeds from ticket sales and vendor fees going towards the school.
Hold a candy hunt
Think Easter egg hunt, but during any time of the year. Cordon off an area and hide candy, treats, or prizes all around it – then charge for entry.
Run a cooking class
Gather your home economics superstars or loop in a local chef to host a cooking class, with ticket proceeds going towards your school. Increase proceeds by offering cookbooks for sale as well.
Try an art class
Whether it’s painting, sculpting, paint and fire or beading, art classes are a great option for raising funds and building community. Ask your school art teacher, senior students or a local creative to guide participants through the event.
Hold a trivia night
Show off your smarts! Host a trivia night where small groups compete against each other to win prizes – with entry fees going towards your fundraiser. Try theming your trivia around your school, city or academics.
Host a dress-up day
Look good, make a donation. Invite students, teachers and parents to dress to a specific theme – paying a small dollar amount to do so. Get the school community involved by having them vote on the theme!
Put on a talent show
Your school’s got talent. Show it off with a talent show where students (and staff!) put their skills to the test. Charge a small entry fee and offer concessions for sale.
Offer goodies in exchange for a donation!
Short on time, but want maximum bang for your buck? MoneyDolly’s product catalogue offers a wide range of snacks, home goods, spirit wear, gadgets and more, allowing community members to make a donation and choose a reward they’ll actually use!
Gathering funds? Make it easy with MoneyDolly.
When your PTO or PTA decides to raise funds, make collecting the proceeds easy with MoneyDolly! Our all-in-one fundraising platform lets you set up a fundraiser, promote it, and collect funds in just a few quick steps. Ready to raise more while doing less? Try MoneyDolly today!
