Ideas for Schools to Raise Money in 2025

Blog Summary: The article provides a comprehensive guide for schools looking to raise funds in 2025. It highlights various fundraising strategies, including product-based sales, virtual fundraisers, event-based fundraisers, crowdfunding, and seasonal campaigns. Key tips for success are offered under each section, such as selecting the right products, leveraging online tools, and promoting events effectively.

School fundraising is more than just a way to bridge budget gaps—it's an opportunity to unite students, parents, teachers, and the broader community to support education. In 2025, with the rise of digital tools and creative fundraising strategies, schools have more options than ever to maximize profits while keeping campaigns engaging and hassle-free. At Big Fundraising Ideas, we specialize in helping schools achieve their fundraising goals with high-profit, easy-to-execute programs.

Why School Fundraising Matters

Public schools, especially in underfunded districts, often rely on fundraising to support essential programs like extracurricular activities, field trips, technology upgrades, and facility improvements. According to industry insights, U.S. schools raise approximately $1.7 billion annually through product-based fundraisers alone, proving the effectiveness of these campaigns. Fundraising also fosters community spirit, teaches students valuable skills like teamwork and communication, and empowers them to take ownership of their school’s success.

In 2025, the fundraising landscape is evolving. Virtual and hybrid campaigns are gaining traction, and schools prioritize low-effort, high-return strategies to accommodate busy schedules. Whether you’re in elementary, middle, or high school, the right fundraising idea can make all the difference.

Top School Fundraising Ideas for 2025

1. Product-Based Fundraisers: High-Profit, Tangible Results

Product fundraisers remain a cornerstone of school fundraising due to their simplicity and profitability, often yielding up to 90% profit margins. Big Fundraising Ideas offers over 100 unique products, from seasonal gifts to personalized tumblers, cookie dough, popcorn, and candy bars. Here’s why product fundraisers work and how to make them successful:

• Why They Work: Donors love receiving tangible items like gourmet snacks or custom school spirit wear in exchange for their contributions. Products like cookie dough and popcorn are perennial favorites because they’re affordable (starting at $8) and appeal to a wide audience.
• How to Succeed:
  • Choose the Right Product: Select items that align with your school’s culture. For example, customizable tumblers with your mascot or logo tap into school spirit, while seasonal catalogs (fall, spring, or holiday) offer variety with items like candles, flowers, and gift wrap.
  • Leverage Online Stores: Our online fundraising platform allows students to share personalized store links via email, text, or social media, expanding your reach nationwide. Orders ship directly to buyers, eliminating group deliveries.
  • Motivate Sellers: To boost participation, use our free incentive programs, such as cash prizes, personalized sportswear, or big event experiences (e.g., inflatable parties).
• Example: A middle school in Texas raised $15,000 by selling its spring catalog, which featured Mother’s Day gifts and flowers and had a 100% growth guarantee. The online store accounted for 50% of sales, showcasing the power of virtual fundraising.

2. Virtual Fundraisers: 100% Contactless and Scalable

Virtual fundraisers are a game-changer for schools in 2025, offering a hands-free way to raise funds without face-to-face selling. With U.S. consumers spending over $1 trillion online in 2022, tapping into e-commerce is a no-brainer.

• Why They Work: Virtual fundraisers eliminate paperwork, order forms, and group deliveries. Participants promote their online store to friends and family; we handle shipping and customer service. Plus, they’re 100% contactless, ideal for busy families or schools prioritizing safety.
• How to Succeed:
  • Promote Actively: Encourage students to share their store links via social media, email, and text. Our built-in tools generate ready-to-send messages to simplify outreach.
  • Offer Variety: Stock your store with popular items like popcorn, cookie dough, or seasonal gifts. Variety drives sales by giving buyers more options.
  • Track Progress: Use our real-time sales dashboard to monitor performance and send reminders to keep momentum high.
• Example: A high school with just 10 students raised $3,000 through our online catalog fundraiser. Buyers nationwide purchased holiday gifts and snacks. The process was seamless, and all orders arrived on time.

3. Event-Based Fundraisers: Community Engagement and Fun

Fundraising events unite your school community while raising funds through admission fees, product sales, or pledges. In 2025, hybrid events (in-person and virtual) are trending, allowing broader participation.

• Top Event Ideas:
  • Read-a-Thon: Students collect pledges for the number of pages or minutes they read. Pair with our online donation tools for easy tracking.
  • Fun Run or Walk-a-Thon: Charge an entry fee and secure pledges per lap or mile. Add school merchandise sales (e.g., tumblers or T-shirts) to boost profits.
  • Silent Auction: Partner with local businesses or platforms like Charity Safaris to offer high-value items like travel packages. Our team can help you sell products alongside the auction for extra revenue.
  • Food Truck Festival: Invite food trucks to your school, charge admission, or sell school-branded snacks like popcorn or candy bars.
• How to Succeed:
  • Market Effectively: Promote your event using social media, newsletters, and text-to-donate campaigns. Our text-to-donate tool provides a memorable keyword for quick contributions.
  • Engage the Community: Involve parents, local businesses, and alumni to expand your donor base.
  • Simplify Logistics: We streamline distribution by using our pre-packed order system for any product sales.
• Example: An elementary school hosted a read-a-thon and sold its cookie dough as a side fundraiser, raising $10,000. The online pledge platform made tracking donations effortless.

4. Crowdfunding and Peer-to-Peer Campaigns

Crowdfunding platforms allow students and parents to create personal fundraising pages and share them with their networks. This peer-to-peer approach is highly effective for reaching donors beyond your local community.

• Why They Work: Crowdfunding taps into social networks, making it easy to collect donations from friends, family, and even strangers. It’s also low-effort for organizers, as participants drive the campaign.
• How to Succeed:
  • Set Clear Goals: Specify how funds will be used (e.g., new playground equipment or band uniforms) to inspire donors.
  • Use Matching Gifts: Encourage donors to check if their employers offer matching gift programs. Companies like Verizon and Home Depot match school donations, doubling your impact.
  • Integrate Product Sales: Combine crowdfunding with our online store to offer donors the option to purchase products instead of donating cash.
• Example: A high school band used crowdfunding to raise $20,000 for new instruments, with 30% of funds coming from matched corporate gifts identified through our partner tools.

5. Seasonal and Themed Fundraisers

Seasonal fundraisers capitalize on holidays like Valentine’s Day, Easter, or Mother’s Day to drive sales. Our spring and fall catalogs at Big Fundraising Ideas feature themed products that resonate with buyers during these periods.

• Why They Work: Seasonal items like flowers, holiday gift wrap, or Easter chocolates are easy to sell because they align with gift-giving occasions. They also create a sense of urgency, encouraging quick purchases.
• How to Succeed:
  • Time It Right: Launch spring fundraisers in March or April to target Mother’s Day and Easter. Fall campaigns work best in October for holiday shopping.
  • Offer Affordable Options: Our $10 spring catalog is a hit in price-sensitive areas, offering great value without compromising quality.
  • Highlight Unique Products: Flowers with a 100% grow guarantee or personalized tumblers stand out and drive sales.
• Example: A rural elementary school sold our spring flower catalog and raised $8,000, with no order sorting required thanks to our prepackaged delivery system.

Tips for a Successful School Fundraiser in 2025

To maximize your fundraising success, follow these proven strategies:

1. Set Clear Goals and Communicate Them:
   • Define your financial target and purpose (e.g., $10,000 for new computers). Share this with students, parents, and donors to create buy-in.
   • Use our online dashboards to track progress and keep everyone motivated.
2. Engage Students with Incentives:
   • Our free prize programs, including cash, sportswear, and big event experiences, encourage students to sell more. For example, our reptile show prize program is a hit with elementary students, combining education and fun.
3. Leverage Technology:
   • Use our online store, text-to-donate tools, and social media templates to reach more donors. Our email generator creates professional messages to boost engagement.
4. Simplify Logistics:
   • Our pre-packed orders and data-entry services eliminate sorting and errors. Each seller’s box includes their order form and prizes, making distribution a breeze.
   • Schedule delivery with our team to ensure timely arrival, even with supply chain challenges.
5. Promote Transparency:
   • Be upfront about how funds will be used. Share updates on your website or newsletter to build trust and encourage repeat donations.
6. Tap Into Corporate Matching Gifts:
   • Promote matching gift programs to donors. Tools like 360MatchPro can identify eligible donors, potentially doubling your funds.

Why Choose Big Fundraising Ideas?

At Big Fundraising Ideas, we’re committed to making your fundraiser simple, profitable, and stress-free. Here’s what sets us apart:

• No Upfront Costs: Start your fundraiser for free without financial risk.
• High-Quality Products: Choose from over 100 items, including cookie dough, popcorn, tumblers, and seasonal gifts, all backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
• Free Shipping: We offer free shipping on eCommerce orders and low minimums for brochure sales.
• Comprehensive Support: Our experienced team provides planning tools, promotional materials, and personal guidance. Our customer service is rated A++ by schools nationwide.
• Proven Results: Schools raise millions annually with our programs, with some earning up to 90% profit.

Common Fundraising Challenges and How to Overcome Them

1. Low Participation:
   • Solution: Motivate students with engaging incentives and clear communication. Our prize programs and online tools make selling fun and easy.
2. Shipping Delays:
   • Solution: Our team proactively tracks orders and communicates delivery updates. We’ve navigated supply chain issues successfully for thousands of schools.
3. Donor Fatigue:
   • Solution: Offer unique products and virtual options to keep campaigns fresh. Rotate between product sales, events, and crowdfunding to maintain interest.
4. Complex Logistics:
   • Solution: Our pre-packed orders and data-entry services streamline distribution. Online fundraisers eliminate logistics.

The Future of School Fundraising

School fundraising is becoming more digital, inclusive, and creative as we look ahead. Trends to watch include:

• AI-Powered Tools: Platforms like ours will use AI to optimize product recommendations and donor outreach.
• Hybrid Campaigns: Combining in-person events with online stores will maximize your reach and profits.
• Sustainability: Eco-friendly products, like reusable tumblers, are gaining popularity among environmentally conscious donors.
• Gamification: Leaderboards, badges, and real-time progress tracking will make fundraising more engaging for students.

By staying ahead of these trends, schools can create campaigns that resonate with modern donors and deliver exceptional results.

Get Started with Big Fundraising Ideas Today

Ready to make 2025 your school’s most successful fundraising year yet? At Big Fundraising Ideas, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Whether you choose a product-based fundraiser, a virtual campaign, or a community event, our high-profit programs and dedicated support ensure your success.

• Sign Up for Free: Book your fundraiser today with no upfront costs.
• Explore Our Products: Browse our catalog of cookie dough, popcorn, tumblers, seasonal gifts, and more.
• Contact Our Team: Reach out to our fundraising specialists for personalized guidance.

Let’s work together to create a thriving educational environment for your students. Start your fundraiser now and see the difference Big Fundraising Ideas can make!

Explore our fundraising solutions and sign up for your free campaign today. Raise more, stress less, and make 2025 a year to remember!

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.