5 School Fundraising Ideas Plus 10 Reasons Schools Raise Funds

School fundraising is not optional for most programs. A school that relies entirely on its annual budget consistently finds that field trips get canceled, technology goes unupdated, extracurricular programs lose resources, and the gap between what students need and what the budget provides grows year after year. Fundraising closes that gap.

Big Fundraising Ideas has designed school fundraising programs for schools of all sizes across the United States since 1999. This guide covers the five formats that consistently produce results and the ten most common reasons schools need to raise money.

School Fundraising Idea 1: Product Fundraisers

Big Fundraising Ideas offers three product fundraiser formats. Brochure programs have students distribute a catalog, take orders from family and community contacts, and submit a consolidated order at the end of the campaign. Direct-sale programs have students carry product—candy bars, lollipops, or Smencils—and sell on the spot with immediate cash collection. Online store programs give each student a personal link their supporters use to order from home, with products shipped directly to buyers.

• No upfront cost: Big Fundraising Ideas sends all materials and supplies before the campaign begins, with payment due only after the campaign closes and money is collected
• No financial risk: the school only orders what has been sold -- no inventory risk, no leftover product
• Turnkey logistics: the supplier manages ordering, packing, and delivery so the coordinator's only job is running the campaign and distributing materials
• Wide product range: food products, non-food items, seasonal catalogs, and direct-sale options give schools the flexibility to choose what fits their community

School Fundraising Idea 2: Scratch Card Donation Programs

The scratch card fundraiser from Big Fundraising Ideas is personalized with the school's name and photo. Students approach family members, neighbors, and community contacts they know personally. The donation-based format converts at high rates because supporters are making a direct gift to a school they care about rather than purchasing a product they may not need. Each supporter receives a coupon savings sheet as a thank-you for their donation.

• No product: supporters donate whatever amount their scratched dot reveals -- no product to carry, no order to process, no delivery to organize
• Personalized card: each card features the school's name and photo, connecting every donor directly to the specific school their contribution supports
• One-week campaign: the fastest school fundraising format available -- from material distribution to campaign close in five to seven school days
• Any school size: minimum order is 10 cards -- the format works for a class of 15 students or a school of 500

School Fundraising Idea 3: Fundraising Events

The strongest school fundraising events are those that combine a ticket or entry revenue stream with additional product or activity revenue. A school carnival that charges admission and runs a candy bar table, a raffle booth, and a game-prize operation generates significantly more than a carnival that relies on admission alone. Events that incorporate Big Fundraising Ideas product sales alongside the main event revenue stream maximize the total from a single community gathering.

• Admission revenue: ticket sales at the door or presold tickets through parent communication -- the primary event revenue source
• Activity buy-ins: game booths, costume contests, and activity stations where participants pay per activity
• Product tables: candy bars, lollipops, and Smencils at event tables generate impulse purchases from the engaged event audience
• Raffle and concessions: food and raffle ticket sales add revenue streams that require minimal additional event infrastructure

School Fundraising Idea 4: Online Store Fundraisers

Big Fundraising Ideas online store programs are set up through the school's account at bigfundraisingideas.com. Each student or family registers and receives a unique personal link. The store features a selection of products—food items, Smencils, and seasonal offerings—that supporters browse and purchase with credit card payment. Products ship directly to the buyer's home. The school receives its share of revenue after the campaign closes. Running an online store simultaneously with a brochure program is the strongest approach because it reaches two different buyer pools from the same campaign window. Visit bigfundraisingideas.com/online-fundraisers to see current online store options.

School Fundraising Idea 5: Direct Solicitation

Direct solicitation works as a standalone campaign or as a supplement to a product fundraiser. A school running a brochure campaign can simultaneously send a parent letter asking for a direct donation from families who prefer to give cash rather than buy a product. Alumni outreach letters sent to the school's former student community reach donors who have nostalgic goodwill toward the school but no current family member connection.

10 Reasons Schools Fundraise

Frequently Asked Questions About School Fundraising

What are the most common school fundraising ideas?

Product fundraisers (brochure, direct sale, online store), scratch card programs (donation-based, $100 gross per completed card), fundraising events (admission + activity revenue), online store programs, and direct solicitation campaigns. Product and scratch card programs are the highest-margin formats.

What do schools use fundraising money for?

Field trips, classroom technology, library resources, extracurricular programs, playground equipment, enrichment programs, facility improvements, scholarship funds, graduation events, and emergency contingency funds. The ten most common fundraising targets correspond to the expenses that school budgets consistently fail to cover fully.

What is a product fundraiser for schools?

Product fundraisers have students sell products through their community network. Brochure programs: catalog distributed, orders taken, consolidated order submitted. Direct sale: students carry and sell on the spot. Online store: personal link shared, supporters order from home, products ship to buyers—all formats through Big Fundraising Ideas with no upfront cost.

What is the easiest school fundraiser?

Scratch cards -- no product, no order forms, no delivery. Each student receives one card with 50 dots. Supporters scratch to reveal and donate their amount—$ 100 gross per completed card. Campaign runs in about one week: Min 10 cards, no upfront cost.

How often should schools fundraise?

Two campaigns per year—fall and spring—outperform one large annual campaign or more than two per year. Two campaigns reach different buyer segments at distinct high-motivation windows without creating donor fatigue.

What school fundraiser makes the most money?

Scratch cards for highest margin per seller. Product brochure programs with Big Event Prize Programs for maximum total revenue through high participation rates. The program that makes the most money is always the one with the highest participation rate.

Can schools fundraise online?

Yes. Big Fundraising Ideas online store programs give each student a personal link. Supporters order online, and products ship to their homes. Run simultaneously with a brochure program to reach online buyers (extended family, parent workplace contacts) alongside in-person brochure buyers.

What is a direct-sale school fundraiser?

Direct-sale fundraisers have students carry product—candy bars, lollipops, Smencils—and collect cash on the spot. No order forms, no waiting, no delivery. The fastest cash collection format in school fundraising.

How do schools choose the right fundraising program?

Based on student age (direct sale works for all ages; brochures work better for older students), group size, goal amount, time of year, and product vs donation format preference. Contact Big Fundraising Ideas for a free consultation to find the right fit.

Do schools have to fundraise?

No. But most schools fundraise because annual budgets don't fully cover field trips, technology, extracurricular programs, library resources, and enrichment activities. Fundraising closes the gap between what school budgets allocate and what students need.

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.