Finding the right school fundraiser can feel daunting or overwhelming. You need an idea that fits your students’ ages, engages parents, and works with the time and resources teachers have available. The best school fundraising ideas are fun, easy to run, and bring in meaningful support for your programs. At Mightycause, we make school fundraising simple with our user-friendly platform for events, peer-to-peer campaigns, and team challenges. To spark inspiration, we’ve rounded up 10 creative and effective fundraising ideas for schools that will help you raise more while building school spirit.
School Fundraising Ideas
1. Read-a-thon
Encourage students to hit the books while raising money! A school read-a-thon gets kids excited about reading and helps build literacy skills. Using Mightycause, you can set up an event fundraiser and create team pages for each class or grade. Students (with parent help) can personalize their own pages, share their reading list, and invite family and friends to donate in support of their reading goals.
2. Family Fun Run
A fun run fundraiser is a tried-and-true classic for a reason. It’s family-friendly, active, and brings the whole school community together. Organize your fun run with Mightycause event fundraising tools, grouping participants by class, grade, or as individuals. Keep the distance short so students of all ages and parents can join in.
3. Battle of the Classes
Turn fundraising into a spirited competition! Classes can compete against each other to raise the most money for the school using Mightycause’s team fundraising feature. Sweeten the deal with small prizes, an extra recess, or simply the glory of bragging rights. Nothing sparks school spirit like a friendly fundraising challenge.
4. Punish the Principal
What kid wouldn’t relish the opportunity to see their principal be forced to do something silly! Use a crazy, slightly embarrassing stunt for your principal to motivate students (and teachers) to share your school’s fundraiser and hit your goal! From a pie in the face to a dunk tank, head-shaving, or a wacky outfit at assembly, pick a stunt that will excite the kids to fundraise. The more money raised, the bigger (and funnier) the “punishment!”
5. Art Show and Auction
Show off your students’ creativity with an art fundraising event. Host an art show where each grade or class contributes original pieces. Families can “bid” by donating through Mightycause, turning student artwork into funds for the school. Not only does this raise money, but it also gives kids the chance to shine and share their talents.
6. T-Shirt Contest
Let your students design the next great piece of school spirit wear! Each class submits an original t-shirt design, and supporters “vote” with their donations on Mightycause. The winning design gets printed and sold as an official school t-shirt, raising even more money while boosting school pride.
7. Pajama Day
We all know the worst part of the day is changing out of your comfy pajamas and putting on real clothes. (Or, even worse, a uniform.) Set up a fundraiser where students (or parents, if your students are under 13) can make a small donation to your school in exchange for wearing pajamas to school for a day! Parents love it, students love it, and it’s a fun break from the usual dress code.
8. STEM Fair Fundraiser
Read-a-thons are popular and work … but where does that leave the kids who prefer science to stories? Get your students excited about STEM by hosting a STEM fundraising fair. Students work on science, tech, engineering, or math projects, then present them at a special event. Families “vote” on their favorite projects by donating through Mightycause. It’s a great way to highlight learning while raising funds.
9. Spelling Bee
You can update this oldie but goodie by adding an online fundraising component! Organize a spelling bee and have participants set up fundraising pages on Mightycause in advance. Students can compete for a trophy while also raising money, and you can offer a prize for the top fundraiser in addition to the top speller.
10. Field Day
Another classic that you can update by adding online fundraising! Incorporate classic games like relay races, egg tosses, and hula hoop competitions … but add an online fundraising competition using Mightycause. Utilize Mightycause’s event fundraiser and have all field day participants start a page where they can ask their family and friends to donate to your school. Award ribbons or prizes to both athletic and fundraising champions.
Why These Fundraisers Work
Each of these school fundraising ideas combines fun, learning, and community spirit. By pairing them with online tools like Mightycause, you can make participation simple for families and amplify donations through peer-to-peer fundraising, team challenges, and event pages.
With the right idea and the right platform, your school fundraising can go beyond covering costs and can build school pride, community, and lasting memories.
About School Fundraising on Mightycause
Any public school, parent-teacher association, or 501(c)(3) nonprofit can start fundraising on Mightycause. Our platform is easy to use, requires no special training, and gives schools the tools they need to run successful campaigns.
With Mightycause, you’re not just setting up a one-time fundraiser, you’re gaining year-round access to advanced fundraising features like year-round donor management, seamless reporting, embeddable donation forms, and peer-to-peer fundraising tools.
Unlike traditional school fundraisers that rely on selling products or collecting box tops, Mightycause helps you maximize donations and build lasting support. And the best part? There are no subscription fees – just powerful, cost-effective fundraising for your school.
Ready to get started? Claim your school’s fundraising page on Mightycause today and start raising more with less effort.