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Education fundraising ideas

Whether you're stocking up on school supplies, boosting extracurricular programs, or launching a major club initiative, the right education fundraising ideas can make all the difference. 

And guess what? Fundraising for education doesn’t have to feel like homework—it can be fun, engaging, and wildly successful!

Dive into some of the best ways to fundraise money for education programs and set yourself up for A+ fundraising success throughout the school year!

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Recycling drive

Ask supporters to collect recyclable materials like cans, bottles, or even old tech, then use a service that helps you turn these items into cash. Recycling drives work as great long-term fundraising activities. Keep your supporters engaged and remind them where and when they can drop off materials with your email marketing software.

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Scavenger hunt

Set up a themed scavenger hunt in your venue, neighborhood, or across the entire town. Charge participants a small entrance fee and offer fun, donated prizes for the winners.

Streamline the process of selling tickets and create a hub for your hunt with a fundraising event page. Any energy saved can be spent on making your event even more exciting!

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Talent show

Stage a talent show and invite members to take to the stage to show off their skills. Sell tickets, drinks, and snacks to raise money.

Make the whole experience feel even more interactive with text-to-donate. Invite audience members to vote from their seats and raise money for your cause at the same time.

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School karaoke

A silly and fun way to raise funds, students pay a small donation to sing family-friendly karaoke songs over the school’s P.A. system or in a special assembly. 
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Teacher spelling bee

Put your teachers and school admins in the spelling spotlight. Ask for an entry fee and charge contestants for “help” if their skills are rusty (like buying an “ask-the-audience” pass!).

To make this event virtual or hybrid, livestream it from your event page for attendees to watch from home.

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Pajama day

For a small donation, students can come to school in their pajamas and enjoy a cozy day. Grownups can organize a pajama day fundraiser at work, too! Accept donations in advance or on the day of via multiple payment methods like Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Venmo.

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Field day

Invite participants to register for a day of fun outdoor games and competitions, like relay races, a water balloon toss, and a good old-fashioned tug-of-war.

Make your fundraising event a success with sponsorships from local businesses to offset costs and bring in more participants.

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Impact:
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Student battle of the bands

Invite student-run bands to rock out for a prize! Charge entry fees and offer rad, donated prizes for the winners. Have each band create a team fundraising page, and encourage attendees to cast their votes for their favorites bands with a donation!

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Effort:
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Impact:
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Peer-to-peer

Tag Day

Invite students to post up outside local businesses and ask patrons for donations. Donors receive “tags” (stickers) when they give. Offer in-person payments using Venmo or scan-to-donate!

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Kids’ art calendar

Turn kids’ finger paintings and drawings into custom calendars—or transform them into keepsakes like photo books, mugs, or t-shirts. Sell the merch using a fun, eye-catching auction or fundraising page.

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Auctions

Student art auction

Auction off students' art projects online, in-person, or both! Add photos and descriptions for each masterpiece using easy auction software.

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Teacher “jail”

Challenge students to meet a fundraising goal. If they do, their teacher is sent to relax in the teachers’ lounge while students play games in the classroom. Use a custom fundraising page with a live goal bar to build excitement!

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Peer-to-peer

Multicultural fair

Showcase dishes and traditions from around the globe and celebrate the diversity of your community with a multicultural fair fundraiser. Sell tickets and set up food, drinks, and gift booths for attendees to enjoy.

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Impact:
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Mystery art show

Invite local artists, students, and other enthusiastic community members to contribute small paintings or other works for an anonymous community art sale.

Charge an entrance fee and invite supporters to purchase pieces all at the same price—without knowing who their artist is until the end of the event!

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Frequently asked questions

The most profitable fundraisers are those with high engagement and low overhead costs. Some top-performing education fundraising ideas include:

  • Peer-to-peer fundraising 🎉 Students, parents, teachers, and staff members raise funds by creating personal fundraising pages and sharing them with their networks.
  • Read-a-thons 📚 Reading for education fundraisers are a fun and creative fundraising campaign idea that not only encourages students to read but raises money for your school at the same time.
  • Silent auctions 🎟️ Collect donated items or experiences, sell tickets, and auction them off online or in person for high-profit returns.
  • Matching gift campaigns 💰 Partner with businesses to match donations, doubling the impact of every contribution.
  • Walk-a-thons or 5k races 🏃 A race for education fundraiser is another great way to raise funds. Ask supporters to sign up, collect pledges, and race to the finish line.

Whether you're a student or a school raising funds for tuition, programs, or supplies, consider these effective strategies to reach your fundraiser goal:

  • Crowdfunding campaigns 💻 This type of fundraiser can quickly boost your fundraising efforts with little hassle. Set up a donation page on Givebutter to share your fundraiser story for education and watch those online donations roll in!
  • Scholarship or grant applications ✍️ Research and apply for education-based funding opportunities.
  • Corporate sponsorships 🏢 Local businesses may be willing to donate in exchange for advertising opportunities.
  • Community events 🎭 Organize a bake sale, talent show, car wash, or trivia night to engage supporters and raise funds. You might even create a tech sale and sell computers as an education fundraiser!
  • Recurring giving programs 🔄 Encourage small, ongoing monthly donations to provide sustainable funding.

Great fundraiser titles for education should be inspiring, memorable, and action-driven. Here are some creative options to help spread the word: 

  • Invest in Education, Invest in the Future
  • Empower Minds, Change Lives
  • Helping Students Soar, One Gift at a Time
  • Support Learning, Build a Brighter Tomorrow

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