Project Ideas for School Fund-raising Campaigns
Great fund-raising ideas generate excitement, include student learning opportunities and generate funds for worthy projects. Team work, art appreciation, creativity, learning about society, and pride of accomplishment are all part of successful campaigns.
School fund-raising should focus on a providing a solution or an exciting benefit for children. Avoid highlighting and correcting a problem. If there is a problem to solve, focus on the benefit of the solution to create an atmosphere of positive excitement and help everyone understand the rewards of a successful campaign.
A series of small fund-raising campaigns can be as successful as one large effort. Consider combining smaller ideas into one overall fundraising effort. Whether the effort is one large or several small projects start with one single clear campaign goal and focus it. Create the vision of what a successful campaign will bring. Select an idea or a series of ideas and make detail plans up front with specific task assignments and due dates. Periodic meetings should be planned in advance to get task updates from volunteers. Share progress with volunteers and others involved. Creating excitement during the process helps maintain the campaign’s momentum.
Artists’ Gallery Sale
- Students create pottery, poetry, note cards, and paintings.
- Art is displayed in gallery fashion in the gymnasium.
- Parents and students visit the art gallery to purchase art during an open house.
- Students sell soft drinks and water
- (Important note) All remaining art is ‘purchased’ at the end of the show with some being donated back to the artist by a ‘purchaser’.
Penny Drive
- Students compete between classes to see which class collects the most pennies. The winner gets a prize –ice cream party, no uniform day, etc.
- Alternate goal is to have enough pennies (or other coins) to be placed edge to edge starting in one area of the school and ending at the project site. Great math project. too
Crazy Hat Day
- Students and teachers make a donation to be able to wear a crazy hat for the day.
- Can be used as an art class project. Inexpensive ball caps are available at craft stores.
Clothing Sale
- Children’s clothing sale with portion of proceeds going to the school.
- Clothing arranged by size and gender in a specialty shop fashion by students (middle and high school) or let older students work with students in a local community college offering fashion merchandising classes for hands on learning.
- All remaining items are given to a local charity. Charities are nominated by students and one is chosen by student vote.
- Creates student and parent awareness of charities and community need.
My Teacher’s Closet
- Used to create a supply closet for all teachers’ use to reduce out of pocket
spending by teachers for basic school supplies
- Donations made by local businesses by advertising in the local newspaper
- Letters sent to parents - taken home by students.
- Email campaign to businesses and parents
Student Expressions
- Students write poems and short stories.
- Student artist illustrate
- Books are printed and sold to parents
- Can be sold in pdf version on line
Spring Fling Carnival
- Classic games for children of all ages.
- Prizes donated by parents and community members.
- Challenge department member to create interesting learning games.
Pin the tail on the donkey Math quiz
Cake walk Checkers/chess match
Musical chairs Basketball hoop toss
Pet races (dogs) Relay race
Pumpkin races (moving forward based on rolling a dice)
Talent show for teachers Three legged sack races
- Baskets for a silent auction are provided by each class.
- Each class will choose a theme and items were donated to match the theme.
- Event will be held on school grounds on a Friday night or all day Saturday, either inside or outdoors.
Sweet on Education
- $10 tickets sold in advance (also gives head count for restaurants)
- Area restaurants donate and serve dessert samples and coffee
- Silent auction
- Community event uniting education with local businesses and leaders.
School T-Shirt
- Art students design a school t-shirt.
- Design printed on t-shirts and sold.
