How to run a read-a-thon (according to real parents on Reddit)

Read-a-thons are one of the most rewarding (and repeatable!) school fundraisers to try. They build literacy, boost school spirit, and can raise serious funds without a high price tag. After reading dozens of Reddit threads and hearing directly from real parents, librarians, and organizers, we pulled together the top mistakes—and how to fix them.

In this guide, we’ll share how to avoid common pitfalls and give you popular ideas for themes and prizes that students—and parents—will love. You’ll also see how real schools raised $10K+ without burnout and learn the exact steps to replicate their success.

Let’s make your next fundraiser a page-turner! 📚

What is a read-a-thon (and how does it work)?

A read-a-thon is a classic a-thon fundraiser where schools raise money through reading.

Students track their progress by minutes, pages, or books, while supporters make a flat-rate donation or pledge a specific amount for each unit read. 

Most read-a-thons now run online. Students share personal fundraising pages, making it easy for friends, family, and community members to donate—while helping schools raise money and promote a love of reading.

Get page-by-page instructions for your next read-a-thon

Read-a-thons are one of the most cost-effective and low-lift school fundraisers you can run. They promote a love of reading, bring classrooms together, and maximize donations. 

With a clear plan (and the right platform), your next read-a-thon could be your most successful chapter yet.

Here’s how to know if this fundraiser is for you:

• You serve a younger demographic—including students, children, or families—who you want to excite, involve, and inspire. ✅
• Your mission promotes literacy, literature, or ties into educational goals, and you want your event to match those values. ✅
• You need a low-cost, budget-friendly fundraiser that still has the potential to raise big ($60K+). ✅
• You’re looking for easy-to-follow steps on getting started, including how to set up goals, define rules, and manage registration. ✅
• You want to encourage participation and donations using a free peer-to-peer fundraising platform like Givebutter. ✅

If this sounds like you, read on to get detailed steps for launching your ultimate read-a-thon—no cliff hangers here!

How to do a read-a-thon fundraiser

Running a read-a-thon takes planning, but it’s also one of the most rewarding fundraisers.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or improving on last year’s event, we’re here to help you every step of the way. The guide below walks through the entire process—from setting clear goals to tracking progress—all while promoting literacy and rallying your community of readers.

Step 1: Set clear goals and timelines 📅

Before launching your read-a-thon, determine your fundraising purpose, target amount, and ideal timeline. 

Ask yourself and your team:

• What specifically are we raising money for? (e.g., library books, field trips, tech upgrades)
• How much do we want to raise? (Set a target—it helps build urgency.)
• How long will the read-a-thon last? (Most schools run them for 1–2 weeks.)

💡 Pro tip: Share these answers on your read-a-thon page and in parent letters. People give more when they understand the “why” and how long they have to act.

Step 2: Decide on your read-a-thon rules 📖

Clear rules help students stay focused, keep things fair, and make tracking easier for organizers. Here are a few common rules to consider as you structure your fundraiser. 

• What types of reading count? 📖 Books, ebooks, audiobooks, graphic novels, and reading with an adult all qualify.
• How should students track progress? 🗓️ Students should log minutes or books read each day.
• Do parents need to sign off? 🖊️ Ask parents to review and verify reading logs weekly or at the end of the challenge.
• Does screen time affect reading time? ⏳ Reading time should be distraction-free with no TV, gaming, or other screen viewing.
• Do audiobooks count? 🎧 Audiobooks count for all grades, but older students should be encouraged to follow along with the text.
• Can parents read to their children? 👨‍👩‍👧 Reading aloud to children counts for younger students, especially those in pre-K through second grade.
• Does in-school reading count? 🏫 Books read during school hours should be logged just like at-home reading.
• Can goals be adjusted for special needs? 💡 Students with learning differences or special needs may be given flexible goals or bonus time.

Step 3: Pick a platform that supports peer-to-peer fundraising 💻

Pick a platform where families can easily share their child’s page, track progress, and accept donations online.

Givebutter brings together everything you need—donation forms, fundraising pages, and more—to make your read-a-thon a success. 

💡 Pro tip: Use a free team fundraising platform to create a leaderboard or classroom tracker to spark friendly competition and encourage participation.

Step 4: Pick your read-a-thon prizes 🎁

Great prizes motivate readers, adding more fun to your fundraiser and driving donations. Here are simple, high-impact reward ideas that work for all ages and budgets.

• Class pizza party 🍕 Top class wins a pizza lunch.
• Principal for a day 🎓 Let a top reader/fundraiser take over morning announcements or sit in the big chair.
• Bookstore gift cards 📚 $10–$25 bookstore gift cards are an incentivizing reward for top readers and fundraisers.
• Custom school merch 👕 Offer t-shirts, water bottles, or totes with your school’s logo.
• Lunch with a teacher 🥪 Winners get a special lunch with a favorite staff member.
• Reading raffle 🎟️ With every milestone reached, students earn a raffle entry for prizes like books or small gadgets.

Step 5: Provide reading logs and ready-made materials 📝

Share ready-to-go materials like reading logs (printable or digital!), contact details, and clear instructions all in one place.

Your read-a-thon kit could include:

• Instructions for setting up each student’s online fundraising page (plus a QR code or direct link to make it extra easy to share)
• Rules of the road—like what types of books count or if parents need to sign off on reading
• Step-by-step directions for filling out the reading log
• List of classroom and individual prizes 
• Contact information in case anyone has questions

The easier it is for families and teachers to jump in, the more likely they are to stay engaged from start to finish!

Step 6: Spread the word 📣

Now that your read-a-thon is set up, it’s time to spread the word! Start with internal communication, such as teachers, staff, and PTA/PTO groups. Make sure everyone knows the “what,” “why,” and “how” of participating.

Then, go public with flyers, morning announcements, and social media posts. Encourage families to personalize and share their student’s fundraising page with friends, grandparents, and neighbors.

The more personal the outreach, the more likely people are to give.

💡 Pro tip: Give families a few ready-to-use email and social media templates. The easier it is to share, the more they will!

Step 7: Launch your fundraiser 🎉

As your read-a-thon kicks off, keep the momentum going with daily or weekly updates. 

Share total minutes or number of books read, donations raised, and progress toward your goal. Post photos, student shoutouts, or fun daily themes (like “read in your pajamas day”) to keep students excited.

Make space for storytelling: Highlight what students are reading, which classes are in the lead, and what milestones you're close to hitting. 

💡 Pro tip: Include students in the updates—photos, quotes, or short videos build community and boost donor engagement.

Step 8: Announce your reading champions 🏆

At the end of your read-a-thon, spotlight your top readers and fundraisers. Highlight both individual and classroom achievements so that everyone feels celebrated. 

Consider shoutouts in morning announcements, a school assembly, or classroom visits to announce final results and hand out rewards.

Step 9: Send thank-yous and share your impact 💛

Send thank-you messages to donors, families, students, teachers, and volunteers. Share a recap of total funds raised, reading milestones hit, and how the money will be used.

Post photos on your website or newsletter and tag supporters on social to celebrate your community’s hard work!

💡 Pro tip: A simple impact update (e.g., “You helped us raise $12K—enough for 400 new books!”) builds trust and makes supporters more likely to give again next time.

6 fun read-a-thon theme ideas to try

You’ve got your read-a-thon mapped out, now it’s time to take it to the next level. 

Whether you’re planning a single event or a series throughout the year, here are six fun, flexible read-a-thon ideas to help your fundraiser stand out, spark excitement, and keep those pages turning.

• Campfire reads 🔥 Set the tone with sleeping bags, flashlights, and “reading under the stars” vibe. Encourage students to bring cozy setups and share photos of their reading spots. Great for classroom or at-home formats.‍
• Online read-a-thon 💻 Perfect for remote or hybrid school schedules. Each student shares their reading goal and fundraising page digitally. You can host live read-alouds, author Q&As, or reading challenges on Zoom to keep the momentum going.‍
• 24-hour read-a-thon ⏰ Challenge students to read as much as they can in a single day. Break the day into themed reading blocks—mystery hour, comics hour, and more. Add checkpoints and rewards to make it feel like a real event.‍
• Read-a-thon contest 🏆 Gamify your fundraiser. Offer prizes for the most minutes read, most books finished, most donors reached, or even the best reading selfie. Use leaderboards and shoutouts to keep kids motivated and families engaged.‍
• Radio read-a-thon 🎙️ Create a school-wide reading broadcast where students or staff read chapters aloud throughout the day. Families can tune in live or listen to recordings. Great for community involvement and building school spirit.‍
• Books around the world 🌍 Each class or grade level picks a country and reads books related to that culture or region. Use a world map to track progress and let students “travel” through their reading. Pair with a global fundraising goal for extra impact.

More to explore

Discover 100+ elementary school fundraising ideas →

Read-a-thon do’s and don’ts (from real parents and librarians on Reddit)

Even the most well-planned read-a-thons can hit a few bumps along the way. We combed through dozens of Reddit threads where parents, librarians, and organizers shared what didn’t work—and how they course-corrected.

Whether you’re short on time, working with a small team, or just hoping students actually want to read, these do’s and don’ts will help you avoid common pitfalls and make your read-a-thon a win for everyone involved.

Don’t: Prioritize fundraising over reading

Sometimes, despite best intentions, the spotlight shifts to top earners, and students who put in serious reading effort may feel left out. For many families, the real reward is seeing kids get excited about books, not just raising money.

Do: Celebrate progress with reading-based rewards

✨ Try this: Create a reward system based on reading milestones to increase participation. Track minutes or books read and celebrate growth. For example, you might offer:

• Top reader awards by grade level
• Class-wide rewards for average reading time
• Certificates for meeting personal reading goals

💡 Pro tip: Use digital reading logs or a Google Form to make it easy for students to track their progress.

Don’t: Make generic donation requests

Sending the same message to every donor can make it feel like just another fundraiser. It’s totally normal—especially when you're short on time—but personalized messages really do make a difference.

A little personality goes a long way, especially when supporters are choosing between multiple student asks. 

Do: Boost engagement with personalized outreach

✨ Try this: Encourage students or families to personalize their donation requests. A short but meaningful message can make a big impact. 

• A student-written note about their favorite book
• A short video clip explaining why they’re participating
• A photo or drawing showing their reading setup

💡 Pro tip: Give families a simple script or prompt (e.g., “What’s one book your child loved this week?”) to make personalization quick and easy.

Learn more

Discover how to write a donation letter for school →

Don’t: Assume donors know how the funds are used

It’s easy to forget to explain the “why” behind your fundraiser in all the hustle. But with so many causes competing for attention, showing donors that their gifts matter can make all the difference.

The more upfront you are about goals, costs, and impact, the more likely people are to give generously.

Do: Show impact with honest, ongoing updates

✨ Try this: Be upfront about your fundraising goals, how the money will be used, and whether any portion goes to platforms or vendors. Share updates during and after the event so donors can see the impact of their gift. For example:

• Show a simple breakdown: “$10 = 1 new classroom book”
• Share total funds raised and how many books, field trips, or upgrades it supports
• Acknowledge if any portion goes to platform or processing fees

💡 Pro tip: Send a post-event update with photos and numbers. It builds trust, deepens loyalty, and makes donors more likely to give again.

4 read-a-thon examples that inspire

These four inspiring campaign examples show what works in practice—no guesswork required. One school, for example, raised over $62K, with more than 1,200 students and families participating!

Read on to see what students loved most, how these schools kept participation high, and how much each campaign generated.

La Ola Del Lago (LODL) Read-a-thon 🏫

💰Raised: $62,966   🙌 Supporers: 1.2K

The LODL Read-a-thon successfully surpassed its $60K goal to fund essential school programs, including the Amity International Intern Program, Spanish-language books, and classroom resources. Their engaging, community-centered format featured classrooms competing via team leaderboards and a visible fundraising goal to rally support.

🤩 What students/parents loved about this campaign: The grade-by-grade leaderboard and layered prize system sparked nonstop participation. Students earned raffle tickets for registering, every $50 raised, completing reading challenges, and hitting personal goals—then exchanged those tickets for school swag, toys, accessories, or gift cards.

"I Love to Read" William Byrne Read-a-thon 💛

💰Raised: $13,165   🙌 Supporters: 239

Students rallied around a 60,000-minute reading goal to refresh the school library. Each class competed via a leaderboard, turning reading into friendly competition. The “I Love to Read” campaign surpassed its $12K fundraising goal to update library resources and give students access to new books.

🤩 What students/parents loved about this campaign: Fun classroom incentives, like the chance to duct-tape the principal to the wall, transformed reading into a celebration kids couldn't stop talking about.

Betty's Children's Academy Spring Read-a-thon 🌷  

💰Raised: $13,231   🙌 Supporters: 171

Betty's Children’s Academy Spring Read-a-thon was dedicated to shaping bright futures through literacy. They raised over $13K from alumni and the school community. Funds supported initiatives that nurture a lifelong love of reading, expand student vocabulary, and spark imagination in young learners.

🤩 What students/parents loved about this campaign: The engaging team scoreboard featured pictures of smiling young readers, highlighting each team's progress and total raised, making participation personal and exciting.

Lafayette Read-a-thon ⭐️ 

💰Raised: $27,263   🙌 Supporters: 325

The Lafayette Read‑a‑thon raised over $27K with the entire student body participating in daily reading challenges. Students tracked both reading and fundraising progress, earning rewards for participating and special recognition for top readers and fundraisers.

🤩 What students and parents loved: The school invited a REAL renowned author to visit! This special experience inspired students to read, explore where books come from—and even dream up their own stories. 

Dive deeper

Explore 200+ unique PTA and PTO fundraising ideas →

Turn pages into progress with Givebutter

A well-run read-a-thon fuels more than donations—it builds confidence, strengthens literacy, and unites your community around a shared goal. When every page brings you closer to your goal, you need a platform built to support that momentum.

Givebutter makes it easy to track progress, equip students with personal fundraising pages, and keep families engaged from start to finish. 

Sign up for Givebutter today and launch a read-a-thon that inspires readers and drives donations.