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SCHOOL FUNDRAISING
School Fundraising Overview

















School fundraising is the practice of raising money to supplement a school's budget, which is often done by volunteer groups like PTAs and booster clubs. These funds support a variety of needs, from special programs and equipment to extracurricular activities, and are a key way to foster community spirit among students, families, and local businesses.

Common fundraising methods
Effective school fundraising often includes a mix of events, product sales, and direct donation campaigns throughout the year. 

Product sales 
School merchandise: Selling custom t-shirts, hoodies, or other gear with the school logo builds spirit and offers tangible products to supporters.

Food products: Classic food sales, such as popcorn, candy bars, cookie dough, and baked goods, are popular options.

Gift cards: Programs like RaiseRight allow families to fundraise by purchasing gift cards for their normal shopping and dining, with the school earning a percentage of each sale. 

Event-based fundraisers 
"A-thons": These are pledge-based events where students are sponsored for a specific activity. Popular examples include read-a-thons, walk-a-thons, fun runs, and dance-a-thons.

Carnivals and festivals: These events can have multiple revenue streams from entry tickets, games, rides, food stalls, and local sponsorships.

Auctions and raffles: These can be hosted in-person or online, selling donated items and services from the community. A "50/50" cash raffle is also a popular choice.

Restaurant nights: A low-effort fundraiser where a local restaurant donates a percentage of sales on a designated evening.

School dances or movie nights: Simple, fun events with an admission fee and opportunities for selling concessions.

Principal challenge: A fun way to motivate students, offering silly incentives for raising certain amounts of money (e.g., getting to "pie" the principal). 

Online and direct fundraising 
Crowdfunding: Platforms like Givebutter or DonorsChoose allow you to create personalized fundraising pages that can be shared online through email and social media.

Matching gift programs: Some companies will match their employees' charitable donations. Promoting this to parents can significantly increase funds.

Direct donation campaigns: The most straightforward method, focusing on communicating the purpose of the fundraiser and requesting direct financial contributions. 

Best practices for success
Set specific goals. Define exactly what you are raising money for (e.g., new playground equipment, uniforms) to help mobilize your community. Consider using the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound) framework.

Build a team. Delegate responsibilities and engage students, parents, and teachers in the planning and execution. Involving students gives them a sense of ownership.

Choose the right fundraiser. Select an activity that aligns with your community's interests, resources, and fundraising goals. Consider both high-effort, high-reward events and low-cost, easy-to-organize options.

Promote effectively. Use multiple channels to spread the word, including social media, email newsletters, flyers, and local media. Showcase the fundraiser's purpose to inspire donations.

Make giving easy. Use online fundraising platforms with features like text-to-donate, QR codes, and mobile-friendly donation forms. This removes friction for donors who want to contribute quickly.

Prevent donor fatigue. Vary your fundraising activities throughout the year so you don't over-burden the same donors with repeated, identical requests.

Show gratitude. Always thank volunteers and donors, whether through a public shout-out, a personalized email, or a handwritten note. This encourages continued support.

Maintain transparency. Be open about how the funds are being used. Sharing regular progress updates builds trust and keeps everyone engaged with the campaign's success. 
School Fundraising Platforms















Choosing the best school fundraising platform depends on your specific needs, such as the type of fundraiser you are running, your budget, and the size of your school community. The most suitable platform for a crowdfunding campaign may be different from one designed for a school auction or merchandise sale.

All-in-one fundraising platforms
These platforms support multiple types of campaigns, from crowdfunding and peer-to-peer fundraising to event ticketing and online auctions. 

Givebutter: Offers free fundraising tools and supports donation forms, auctions, events, and peer-to-peer campaigns. It operates on an optional donor tipping model to cover standard processing fees.

BetterWorld: A free all-in-one platform for schools that handles crowdfunding, events, raffles, and auctions. It is also supported by optional donor contributions.

Zeffy: A 100% free platform with no transaction fees, offering tools for event ticketing, raffles, merchandise sales, and crowdfunding. It is funded by voluntary donor tips.

OneCause: An all-in-one solution with robust features for event management, mobile bidding, online giving, and text-to-give campaigns. Pricing is customized based on features and school size. 

Crowdfunding and a-thon platforms
These platforms focus on raising funds through individual donations, often through student-led initiatives. 

99Pledges: Ideal for "a-thon" style fundraisers like walk-a-thons and read-a-thons. It offers free setup and participant fundraising pages, with no platform fees.  An effective platform for pledge-based events. It helps with online collections and creating personal fundraising pages for each student.

DonorsChoose: A nonprofit crowdfunding platform specifically for teachers to raise money for classroom supplies and projects. Donors can fund specific requests directly.

Fundly: An easy-to-use crowdfunding site for a variety of campaigns. It offers social integrations and mobile optimization.

PledgeCents: A crowdfunding platform for schools and educators to fund projects and supplies. It charges a 0% platform fee. 

Product and merchandise sales
These options allow schools to raise money by selling branded goods or partnering with companies for a portion of sales.

Bonfire: Helps schools design and sell custom apparel with no upfront costs. Bonfire handles the printing and shipping, and your school receives the profits.

ShopRaise: A year-round, passive fundraising app where supporters can earn a percentage of their online purchases for the school by shopping at participating retailers.

Funds2Orgs: Organizes shoe drive fundraisers where your school is paid for every pound of gently worn shoes collected. This approach requires no financial donation from supporters.

Get Movin' Fundraising: Specializes in fitness-based product sales, providing an easy-to-use platform, coaching, and marketing materials for DIY events. 

Platforms for auctions and events
These are best for schools hosting large-scale events or high-end fundraisers.

RallyUp: Features raffles, auctions, and sweepstakes, as well as a-thons and product sales. It can be free with donor tipping or offered with a flat-fee plan.

SchoolAuction.net: Offers specialized software for schools to run silent and live auctions, including mobile bidding, ticketing, and guest management.

OneCause: Provides robust event management tools, including mobile bidding software for auctions. 

Other specialized platforms
Cheddar Up: A simple platform for schools, PTAs, and parent groups to collect money and forms for items like spirit wear, school lunches, or event tickets.

Double the Donation: A service that helps maximize corporate matching gifts. It includes a searchable database and automates the matching process.

GiveCampus: Designed for private K-12 schools and universities, it offers tools for engaging alumni and managing fundraising campaigns.

Jotform: An online form builder that provides templates for creating professional and secure fundraising donation forms and event registrations. 

How to choose the right platform
Define your goal: Decide if you need general donation collection, a merchandise store, or tools for a specific event like a fun run or auction.

Evaluate fees: Check for platform fees, transaction fees, and whether donors have the option to cover fees. Free platforms like Givebutter, Zeffy, and BetterWorld are budget-friendly.

Prioritize ease-of-use: Consider who will be using the platform. For volunteer-led efforts, look for intuitive interfaces and simple setup.

Consider fundraising scale: For large-scale or multi-event campaigns, platforms like OneCause or GoFundMe Pro (Classy) offer more comprehensive features, though they come with higher costs.

Review features: Decide on key features, such as custom branding, peer-to-peer capability, or integrated marketing tools. 
Additional Resources For School Fundraising















Here are a few more resources for school fundraising.  They  include additional online platforms, event-based fundraisers, product sales, and corporate and community partnerships. Choosing the right fundraising method depends on your school's culture and resources. 

Online and crowdfunding platforms
GoFundMe: This platform is a trusted and easy way to raise money for education needs. You can create a page to share on social media and reach a broad audience for classroom supplies, extracurriculars, or other specific needs.

Snap! Raise: A group-based platform designed for school teams and clubs to raise funds quickly.

Booster: Specializes in student-favorite events such as fun runs and product fundraisers.

easyfundraising: This platform allows parents and other community members to raise funds for your school simply by shopping online at participating retailers.

Event-based fundraisers
Walk-a-thons and fun runs: These active events are easy to organize and promote health. Participants can collect pledges for each mile they run or walk.

School carnivals or fairs: A popular option for bringing the community together. These events can include games, food booths, and entertainment.

Silent or live auctions: Excellent for raising money by auctioning items or services donated by local businesses. Auctions can be held in person or online.

Trivia or game nights: An engaging event for families and the community. You can charge an entry fee and offer prizes for the winners.

Book fairs: These events are exciting for students and can be a significant fundraiser, with the school receiving a percentage of the profits.

Read-a-thons: This fundraiser promotes literacy while allowing students to raise money through reading.

Bake sales: A classic fundraiser that works well during school hours, at existing events, or as a standalone activity.

Car wash: An easy-to-organize fundraiser that involves students, teachers, and parents washing cars for donations. 

Product and merchandise sales
Branded merchandise: Selling school-branded items like t-shirts, hoodies, and mugs is a great way to raise funds while promoting school spirit.

Gourmet popcorn, cookie dough, or sweets: These popular food items can be sold through catalog-style sales or at events.

Custom-engraved bricks: Offer personalized, engraved bricks for a pathway or wall display to recognize major donors.

Gift wrap or coupon books: Sell items that people already need, like gift wrapping paper, or coupon books for discounts at local businesses. 

Corporate and community partnerships
Corporate grants and donations: Many companies, from large corporations to local businesses, offer grants, supplies, or sponsorships for schools. Look for "Community Giving" or "Education Grants" on their websites.

Matching gifts and volunteer grants: Some employers match donations made by their employees to schools, or donate money based on an employee's volunteer hours. Double the Donation is a platform that helps manage these programs.

Restaurant nights: Partner with local restaurants (like Chipotle or Panera) to host a fundraising night where a portion of the sales goes back to the school.

Local business sponsorship: Small businesses in your community are often eager to help with gift cards, supplies, or sponsoring events. 

Before you begin
Set a clear goal: Determine how much you need to raise and what the funds will be used for, such as new equipment, field trips, or classroom supplies. A specific goal can motivate your community.

Promote effectively: Use multiple channels, including social media, school newsletters, email, and banners, to spread the word about your fundraiser.

Engage volunteers: A successful fundraiser relies on a dedicated team. Assign tasks and roles to teachers, parents, and students to ensure a smooth process. 
Fundraising Support From Local Businesses














Building relationships with local businesses for school fundraising requires a strategic approach focused on mutual benefit and consistent communication. By carefully researching, making personalized pitches, and showing genuine gratitude, your school can secure sponsorships and build lasting community partnerships. 

Phase 1: Research and identification
1. Brainstorm potential partners. Begin within your school's existing community. 

Leverage your network: Ask parents, teachers, and staff if they own a business or know someone who might be interested.
Look for repeat supporters: Review records of past sponsors or families who have donated items.

Check supplier relationships: Approach companies that the school already has trading relationships with, as they likely have a pre-existing level of trust. 

2. Identify mission-aligned businesses. Research potential partners whose values align with your school's mission. Look beyond obvious choices like tutoring centers. 

Browse your local Chamber of Commerce directory or other online business directories.

Look at social media or local media for companies that have a track record of community engagement. 

Phase 2: The approach
1. Prepare a clear, compelling pitch. Businesses are busy, so your initial approach should be direct and easy to understand. 
Explain your cause: Clearly articulate what your group's goals are and what the money will be used for.

Offer tiered sponsorship packages: Create different levels of support (e.g., Bronze, Silver, Gold) with varying benefits to attract businesses with different budgets.

Highlight the advertising value: Emphasize the visibility and reach their brand will gain. This can include logo placement on event materials, social media shout-outs, or mentions in the school newsletter.

Use storytelling: Tell a story about how your students will benefit. This makes the potential sponsor's contribution feel more personal and impactful. 

2. Make personalized contact. A generic, impersonal email is easy to ignore. 

Find the right contact: Try to address your proposal to a specific person within the company. For larger companies, ask the local branch manager for the best contact for community support.

Connect in person for local businesses: For small local shops, a face-to-face meeting with a printed one-page proposal is a great personal touch. 

Phase 3: Nurturing the relationship
1. Showcase and celebrate your sponsors. Give sponsors the visibility you promised.

Thank them publicly: Feature their logo on banners at events, mention them in the school newsletter, and give them a public shout-out on social media.

Offer recognition beyond the event: For sponsors who make larger contributions, offer a permanent spot on your school's website. 

2. Show genuine gratitude. This is crucial for building a long-term partnership. 

Provide an impact report: Send a report showing how their contribution helped the school. Include photos of students with the new equipment or stories about a new program. Seeing their impact directly fosters goodwill.

Send personalized thank-you notes: A handwritten note from students or an email with a picture from the event shows genuine appreciation. 

3. Maintain regular communication. Don't just reach out when you need money. 

Keep them updated: Add sponsors to your mailing list to receive newsletters and school updates. This keeps your school on their radar and reinforces the value of their partnership.

Encourage community support: Remind your school community to support the businesses that sponsor your school. 

4. Consider alternative ways to collaborate. If a business can't offer monetary support, they may be able to help in other ways. 
In-kind donations: Ask for donated items or services, such as printing for flyers, food for an event, or items for an auction.

Skills-based volunteering: A business might lend their employees' professional expertise for a specific project, such as an IT upgrade. 
School Fundraising Business Sponsorship 

















A tiered sponsorship package offers local businesses different levels of engagement and benefits, giving them flexible options to support your school fundraiser. This approach maximizes your fundraising potential by appealing to a wide range of budgets and marketing goals. 

Structuring your sponsorship tiers
Select tier names. Choose names that are either classic (e.g., Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) or creative and related to your school or event theme.

Creative idea for a school: "Scholar Sponsor," "Patron of the Arts," or "Legacy Partner."

Creative idea for a carnival: "Ride Sponsor," "Game Booth Sponsor," or "Prize Sponsor."

Assign price points. Base your pricing on your fundraising goals and local market rates. Ensure the highest tier is exclusive and offers significant exposure, while the lower tiers are accessible to smaller businesses.

High-tier ($1,000+): Targets larger local businesses like a bank or car dealership.

Mid-tier ($300–$1,000): Appeals to mid-sized businesses such as local restaurants, dentists, or real estate agents.

Low-tier ($100–$300): Accessible to small, local businesses like the neighborhood coffee shop or barber.

In-kind tier: An option for businesses that want to provide goods or services instead of cash (e.g., printing services or food for an event).

Bundle benefits. Group a variety of benefits into each tier, with higher tiers receiving more prominent and valuable perks. This increases the package's appeal and perceived value. 

Example tiered sponsorship package for a school fair
Benefit Bronze Sponsor ($250)Silver Sponsor ($500)Gold Sponsor ($1,000)Platinum Sponsor ($2,500)

Publicity
Event websiteSmall logo on sponsor page.Medium logo on sponsor page.Prominent logo on homepage and sponsor page.Exclusive "Presented by" banner on website homepage.

Social mediaOne mention.Two dedicated posts.Three dedicated posts plus an event-day shout-out.Exclusive video interview on social media and live mentions.

NewsletterName mentioned in newsletter.Logo in newsletter.Logo prominently displayed in newsletter.Prominent logo display in all event-related newsletters.

Event presence
Event day signageName listed on a group banner.Logo on a group banner.Logo prominently displayed on main stage banner.Naming rights for a key attraction (e.g., "The [Business Name] Fun Zone").

Event day presenceNot included.Opportunity to set up a vendor booth.Vendor booth and special announcement during the event.Preferred vendor booth location and opportunity to address the crowd from the main stage.

Engagement
MerchandiseNot included.Not included.Logo on event t-shirts.Exclusive logo placement on all volunteer t-shirts.

RecognitionListed in event program.Logo in event program.Half-page advertisement in event program.Full-page advertisement in event program and special recognition in press releases.

How to use this tiered package effectively
Create professional materials. Design a clean, one-page PDF that presents the sponsorship tiers clearly. Use visuals to show sponsors what their logos could look like.

Customize when needed. While the package offers standard tiers, be flexible. If a potential sponsor doesn't fit neatly into a level, offer an "à la carte" or custom package.

Showcase the impact. For each tier, include a brief description of what the money will accomplish (e.g., "$250 provides art supplies for one classroom for a year"). This connects their investment to a tangible result.

Target your prospects. Present the most fitting tier to a business first, rather than overwhelming them with the entire menu. A small business may feel more comfortable seeing the Bronze tier upfront. 
​School Fundraising Direct 
Business Promotion and Visibility















While direct promotion and brand visibility are primary motivators for businesses sponsoring school fundraisers, a wider array of benefits can also be highly enticing. These include opportunities for corporate social responsibility, lead generation, and strengthened community relations, which all contribute to a business's long-term success. 

Enhanced brand image and social responsibility
Corporate social responsibility (CSR): Sponsoring schools demonstrates a company's commitment to investing in the local community and the future of its students. This resonates with socially conscious consumers and can elevate the business's public perception as a good corporate citizen.

Positive brand association: By aligning with a respected institution like a local school, a business links itself to positive values like education, youth development, and community support. This enhances brand trust and makes the company more appealing to potential customers and partners.

Goodwill and customer loyalty: When parents, teachers, and students see a business supporting their school, it builds goodwill that can translate into increased customer loyalty and sales.

Seventy percent of consumers are willing to pay a premium for products from companies that share their values. 

Recruiting and building a future workforce
Engaging future consumers and employees: Sponsoring school programs provides a chance to connect with young people who are tomorrow's customers and workforce. Supporting initiatives like STEM programs or career days can help businesses build brand loyalty from an early age and attract future talent.

Boosting workforce readiness: By engaging with students through sponsorship, a company has the opportunity to influence curriculum, provide internships, and offer real-world experiences. This can create a direct pipeline of skilled future employees who are already familiar with and invested in the brand.

Direct market access and business development
Targeted audience engagement: A school fundraiser offers direct access to a desirable, niche market of families, teachers, and school administrators. A business can connect with this demographic on a deeper level by supporting a cause they care about.

Sales lead generation: Sponsorships can lead to valuable sales leads. For example, a local real estate agent can connect with parents who may be in the market for a new home, or a tutoring company can reach families with students who need academic assistance.

Creative marketing content: Sponsorships provide dynamic content for a company's social media and marketing campaigns. Businesses can showcase their community involvement through photos and videos from the event, generating positive, shareable content. 

Networking and relationship building
Expanded network: Sponsoring a school event provides networking opportunities with other community leaders, business owners, and influential community members. This can lead to new partnerships and long-term collaborations.

Employee engagement: Employee volunteering programs tied to a school sponsorship can boost morale and create opportunities for team-building. Some companies even offer grants to schools based on their employees' volunteer hours. 

Financial incentives
Tax benefits: Donations to a school fundraiser are often tax-deductible, providing a direct financial incentive for businesses to participate.

In-kind contributions: Not all sponsors provide cash. The opportunity to offer in-kind donations—such as goods or services—can be highly valuable and cost-effective for a business, allowing them to support the community without stretching their cash flow. 

​School Fundraising 
Long-Term Business Partnerships
















Beyond basic announcements, creative sponsor recognition can build a deeper relationship with businesses, provide higher value for their contribution, and encourage long-term partnerships. Recognition can be personalized, interactive, and extend beyond the event itself. 

Before the fundraiser
Feature on the school's website and social media. Dedicate a space on your homepage or a specific "Community Partners" page to showcase sponsor logos with links to their websites.

 Leading up to the event, post dedicated social media shout-outs that tag the business and explain what their contribution will fund.

Send a personalized video. Have students involved in the fundraiser record a short, heartfelt video thanking the sponsor for their support. Mention specifically what their donation will purchase.

Incorporate their brand into your communications. Add sponsor logos to the cover images of your school's social media pages. You can also feature them on digital event tickets or on your event registration page. 

During the fundraiser
Branded event items. For a school fun run, put the logo of a top sponsor on the back of event t-shirts or on medals and ribbons.

 For a gala, print their logo on personalized napkins or coasters.
On-site event recognition. Let sponsors provide branded giveaways or coupons at their own designated booth. Give high-tier sponsors a preferred location for their booth and a chance to speak from the stage. For silent auctions, include a sponsor's logo on bid paddles.

Digital projections. Use a projector to display a slideshow of sponsor logos, photos, and a brief thank you message on a large screen during an indoor event.

Live shout-outs. Have a student or event emcee recognize sponsors by name over the public address (PA) system.

Photo booth branding. Incorporate sponsors into a photo booth by adding their logos to the backdrop, on branded props, or on social media hashtags that guests are encouraged to use. 

After the fundraiser
Share the event's success. Create and send a comprehensive impact report showing sponsors how their funds were used, including photos and quotes from students and teachers. This reinforces the positive outcome of their support.

Hand-delivered photo plaque. Have a student hand-deliver a plaque or a nicely framed, signed team photo to a sponsor's office.

Student-created artwork. Have students create a banner or thank you collage out of their handprints or drawings. The sponsor can then display this artwork in their business.

Ongoing promotion. Throughout the year, continue to promote sponsors on your school's communication channels. Share the business's good news on social media and encourage your community to support them.

A "thank you" ad. Place an advertisement in the local newspaper thanking sponsors for their support.