10 Unique Fundraising Ideas for Schools That Actually Work

Stand out from the crowd and raise more money.

There are countless creative school fundraising ideas. But just in case your creativity feels stifled, we compiled ten unique fundraising ideas for your school to help you stand out from the crowd and raise more money.

Unique Fundraising Ideas

Draw inspiration from the following unique fundraising ideas.

1. Clothes Drive

A community clothes drive. Community members will donate old clothes you sell for a low price bringing the community together and raising money for your cause.

2. Amazon Smile

This method is about as hands-off as you can get. Register your school and share your link. Every time a participant shops on Amazon, your school gets a small percentage of the proceeds.

3. Matching Donations

Double (or triple!) your profits instantly by negotiating a matching donation deal where a donor, community member, or local business agrees to give $1 to your cause for every $1 raised.

4. Partner With a Local Business

Ask a local business to donate a percentage of proceeds to your cause. Partnering with a local business can be a great way to support the community. It is an effective marketing strategy and can significantly raise sales while helping you reach your fundraising goals.

5. Principal Stunts

This fundraising method is a student favorite. Incentivize students to raise money for your school’s cause by promising a silly principal stunt if you achieve your financial goal. Prevalent principal stunts include shaving their head or getting a face full of pie!

6. Snack Fundraiser

Whether you sell by catalog, online, or set up concessions at a local event, selling snacks is a quick and profitable idea. Think outside of the box and sell less-common snacks, like healthy snacks, ethnic snacks, or any other creative idea you come up with.

7. Event Fundraiser

Hosting an event is a unique method to raise money. While it takes a lot of planning and preparation, an event is a great way to quickly make a large sum of money. Events can range from movie nights and block parties to silent auctions and gala dinners.

8. Contests (race, dance-a-thon)

Host an in-person or virtual contest. Contest ideas include a race, a dance-a-thon, games such as chess, and more.

9. School Dance or Field Day

Host a themed school dance or field day. Students purchase tickets for the dance or field day, and the proceeds go towards your school’s current cause, whether buying books or hiring new faculty.

10. Bake Off

Ask parents and community members to bake goodies for a fundraising bake-off party. Profits go directly to your cause. Broaden your market by offering special treats for those with allergies and restrictive dietary preferences.

FAQ

We get a lot of questions about creative fundraising. We answer the top three commonly asked questions below.

Why Choose a Unique Fundraiser?

A unique fundraiser differentiates your campaign from the rest. There is competition if three schools bring the same product to the community. If your product or idea is unique, you have the advantage and increase your chances of reaching your financial goal.

How Do I Launch a Fundraiser?

To launch a fundraiser, start by forming a fundraising committee. Together, decide on your goal, what type of fundraiser best fits your needs and capabilities, and your desired timeline. You may choose to launch and facilitate in-house, or you may opt to receive help from a fundraising company.

What Should I Consider Before Choosing a Fundraising Method?

Consider your school’s needs. Do you need funds quickly? Do you need a considerable sum of capital? Also, consider what resources you have at your disposal and the amounts. Resources include time, capital, volunteers, venue space, etc.

Author Bio

Clay Boggess has been designing fundraising programs for schools and various nonprofit organizations throughout the US since 1999. He’s helped administrators, teachers, and outside support entities such as PTAs and PTOs raise millions of dollars. Clay is an owner and partner at Big Fundraising Ideas.