School Fundraising Ideas for PTAs, PTOs, and Parent Volunteers

How to Get Started With School Fundraisers

Fundraising can feel overwhelming at first, especially for new PTA or PTO volunteers. The good news is that most successful fundraisers start with just a few simple steps. First, talk with your school community about what you are raising money for, whether it is classroom supplies, playground upgrades, or new programs for students.

Next, choose a fundraiser that matches the size and energy of your school. A small school might do better with quick and easy events, while a larger school can organize something bigger like a fun run or a family festival.

Most importantly, keep it fun. When families enjoy the experience, they are much more likely to support the cause and come back year after year.

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The Role of PTAs and PTOs in School Fundraising

Most school fundraisers are powered by volunteers, and that is where PTAs and PTOs come in. These groups are the heart of the school community, organizing events, gathering donations, and making sure the money raised directly benefits students. Without their efforts, many important school activities, enrichment programs, and classroom needs would go unfunded.

Whether you are a longtime PTA leader or a parent just starting to get involved, your energy and creativity can make a real difference. A strong fundraising plan is one of the best ways to strengthen your school and bring families together.

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School Fundraising Ideas for Elementary and Middle Schools

Fun Run or Walkathon

Students collect pledges based on how many laps or miles they complete during a fun run or walkathon event. These fundraisers are popular because they promote health, school spirit, and community involvement all at once. You can host the event during the school day or on a weekend to maximize participation. Adding music, water stations, and a few obstacles can make it even more exciting for students.

Silent Auction

Gather donated items, experiences, and gift baskets from local businesses and families to create a silent auction. Auctions can take place during school events or online to reach a wider audience. Offering a mix of smaller and larger prizes ensures there is something for everyone to bid on. Make sure to clearly explain where the funds will be going to encourage generous bidding.

Book Fair

Partner with a book company to host a book fair at your school, where a portion of the sales benefits the PTA or PTO. Book fairs not only raise money but also promote reading and support literacy goals. You can boost excitement by creating a theme, offering teacher wish lists, and having students create posters to advertise the event. A virtual option can also be offered for families who prefer online shopping.

School Carnival

Host a traditional school carnival with games, food, and simple prizes. You can sell wristbands for unlimited play or tickets for each individual booth. Classic games like ring toss, duck pond, and cake walks are easy to set up and loved by students of all ages. A well-organized carnival can become a major annual fundraiser for your school community.

Talent Show

Students pay a small entry fee to participate in a school-wide talent show, and families purchase tickets to attend. Talent shows are a great way to celebrate the diverse skills and creativity of your students. You can even add a friendly voting element where attendees vote for their favorite acts with small donations. A well-run talent show often turns into a favorite tradition that families look forward to every year.

Talent Showcase and Dinner

Combine a student talent showcase with a family dinner event. Sell tickets that include a meal and entry to the performance. Families love coming together to watch students perform, and offering a simple catered meal like pizza, spaghetti, or tacos makes it easy to manage. This type of event feels special and can become an annual tradition.

Family Movie Night

Host an outdoor or indoor movie night where families can buy tickets and snacks. Set up a big screen on the playground or in the gym, and sell popcorn, candy, and drinks to raise extra funds. Choosing a family-friendly movie that appeals to all ages helps ensure a great turnout. You can even offer blankets or glow sticks for sale to add to the fun.

Bingo Night

Organize a bingo night where students and families can buy bingo cards and compete for fun prizes. Bingo is easy to set up and appeals to a wide range of ages. You can sell refreshments during the event or bundle bingo cards and snacks into a “family pack” to raise even more. Offering a few rounds with bigger prizes can keep the excitement going all evening.

Parents Night Out

Offer a babysitting night where PTA or PTO volunteers watch students at the school for a few hours, while parents get a night off. Charge a set fee per child and provide games, crafts, and a movie to keep the kids entertained. Parents are often eager to support a fundraiser that also gives them a little break. Be sure to plan well with enough volunteers and safety measures in place.

STEM Night Fundraiser

Host a STEM-themed evening where families can visit hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math activity stations. Sell tickets for entry or for participation in special challenges like building the tallest tower or creating a mini robot. Partnering with local STEM organizations can provide extra excitement and credibility. This type of fundraiser ties perfectly into education and can spark new interests for students.

Read a Thon Fundraiser

Students ask family and friends to sponsor them based on how many books or minutes they read over a set period of time. Read a thon is a great way to raise money while encouraging literacy and a love of learning. Students of all ages can participate at their own reading level, making it accessible to everyone. Plus, it is easy to run virtually or in person.

Spirit Wear Sales

Selling custom t-shirts, hoodies, and hats with your school logo or mascot is a simple way to raise funds. Parents love showing school pride, and bulk ordering makes it affordable. You can take pre-orders to avoid extra costs or use an online platform to manage orders. Offering limited edition designs a few times a year can boost excitement.

Penny Wars

Each classroom competes to collect the most coins over a week or two. Pennies count positively, but silver coins like nickels, dimes, and quarters count against the total, which adds a fun strategy element. Kids love raiding their piggy banks, and even small amounts can add up quickly. This low-cost fundraiser works especially well in elementary schools.

Restaurant Fundraiser Night

Partner with a local restaurant that will donate a portion of sales from a specific night to your school. Families get to enjoy a night out while supporting their students. Choose family-friendly places and promote the event early to maximize turnout. Some restaurants even offer takeout options, making it easy for busy families to participate.

No Uniform or Pajama Day

If your school has a uniform policy, offer a special day where students can donate a small fee to wear free dress or pajamas. These themed days are easy to organize and feel like a big treat for students. You can even tie them to holidays or spirit weeks for extra fun. Just be sure to clearly communicate the dates and rules to parents ahead of time.

Bake Sale

A classic for a reason, bake sales are an easy and fun way to raise money. Ask families to donate homemade treats like cookies, brownies, and cupcakes to sell at school events or during pick-up and drop-off times. You can even add a twist by hosting a themed bake sale around holidays or school spirit days. Be sure to check for allergy-friendly options so everyone can participate.

School Supply Kits

Partner with a vendor or create your own simple kits of school supplies that parents can purchase before the school year starts. These kits save families time while raising funds for your PTA or PTO. You can offer customized kits by grade level to make it even easier. Many parents are happy to support the school while checking off a to-do list item.

Coin Drive

Similar to penny wars but even simpler, a basic coin drive encourages students to bring in any spare change they can find. Set a goal for the school, individual classrooms, or grade levels to make it a friendly competition. Visual trackers like a giant thermometer or coin jar graphic can help motivate students to keep giving. Even a little bit of spare change can add up to big results.

Popsicle or Ice Cream Sale

Selling popsicles or ice cream after school on warm days is an easy and highly profitable fundraiser. Kids love a cold treat, especially in late spring and early fall. You can set up a simple booth with minimal supplies and watch the line grow. Make sure to get any needed approvals and consider offering allergy-friendly options too.

Dress Like Your Favorite Book Character Day

Students pay a small donation to dress up as their favorite character from a book. This fun and easy fundraiser works great during Read Across America Week or anytime you want to promote literacy. You can also hold a small parade or costume contest to make the event even more special. It is a simple way to raise money and build school spirit at the same time.

Fall Festival

A fall festival is a great way to bring families together while raising funds for your school. Set up carnival games, a pumpkin patch, food booths, and simple activities like face painting or sack races. You can charge admission or sell tickets for each activity. Fall festivals work especially well because they create lasting memories and often attract extended family and friends too.

Holiday Gift Shop

Set up a small pop-up shop where students can purchase affordable gifts for their family and friends. Holiday gift shops are easy to organize with help from a vendor or by sourcing small items yourself. Students love the independence of picking out gifts on their own, and a portion of the sales can go directly to the PTA or PTO. Be sure to offer budget-friendly options so every student can participate.

Valentine’s Day Candy Grams

Students can purchase small cards and candies to send to friends, teachers, or classmates for Valentine’s Day. Candy grams are inexpensive to run and create a lot of excitement around the holiday. Organize a small group of volunteers to deliver the candy grams to classrooms on Valentine's Day. You can even offer special bundles or teacher appreciation grams.

Winter Wonderland Dance

Host a winter-themed dance party for students and families. Sell tickets, snacks, and glow sticks to raise funds while creating a fun memory for the school community. Winter dances can be casual with a DJ, simple decorations, and optional photo booths. A "parents and kids" night can also be a great twist for elementary and middle schools.

Spring Plant Sale

Partner with a local nursery or garden center to offer plants, flowers, and vegetable starters for families to purchase. Spring plant sales are popular because families are already thinking about gardening and outdoor spaces at that time of year. You can take pre-orders to keep things simple or set up a plant market during a school event. Offering Mother’s Day flower bundles can boost sales even more.

Principal for a Day

Offer students the chance to win a "Principal for a Day" experience by entering a raffle or raising a certain amount of money. The winning student can shadow the principal, make fun announcements, or enjoy other special privileges. This fundraiser creates a lot of buzz and excitement around campus. You can even offer multiple leadership roles like "Vice Principal" or "PE Coach" for the day to raise even more.

School Mural Fundraiser

Host a fundraiser where students and families can donate to help create a new mural at the school. You can either work with a local artist or organize it as a DIY project where students paint tiles or sections. Every donor can sign their name or sponsor a piece of the artwork. This not only raises money but also leaves a lasting mark on the school for years to come.

Teacher Talent Show

Organize a fun talent show featuring your teachers and staff members as the main performers. Sell tickets to the event and offer concessions to raise additional funds. Students love seeing their teachers sing, dance, tell jokes, or show off hidden skills. It is a great way to build school spirit and create a night families will not want to miss.

Art Night and Auction

Host an art night where students display their artwork gallery-style for families to view. You can offer pieces for a small donation or run a silent auction for select items. Parents love seeing their child's creativity celebrated, and it is an easy way to raise extra money for classroom supplies or art programs. Offering light snacks and music can make the evening even more special.

Lego Building Contest

Organize a Lego building competition where students pay a small entry fee to participate. Offer prizes for the most creative, tallest, or most detailed builds. You can set different age categories to make it fair for younger and older students. This type of event is easy to run and ties perfectly into STEM learning themes.

Teacher Dunk Tank

Set up a dunk tank at a school event where students pay for chances to dunk their favorite teachers or principal. Dunk tanks are always a crowd favorite and create tons of excitement. They work especially well when tied to a larger event like a carnival or field day. Make sure to have a good lineup of willing teachers to keep the fun going.

Cookie Dough Fundraiser

Partner with a company that offers cookie dough tubs or frozen treats for families to order. Cookie dough fundraisers are popular because they are easy to sell and deliver, and most families are happy to stock up. Offering a prize for the top sellers can help boost participation. Be sure to plan for refrigerated storage if needed.

School Calendar Sales

Create a custom school calendar featuring student artwork, important school dates, and community events. Sell the calendars to families and local businesses to raise funds. This is a great project to launch toward the end of the year, especially if you can include photos or highlights from school events. Parents love keepsakes that showcase their child's school memories.

Recycling Drive

Organize a recycling drive where families bring in cans, bottles, or other recyclable items. You can either collect and redeem them yourself or partner with a local recycling center that offers fundraising opportunities. Not only does this raise money, but it also teaches students about environmental responsibility. Hosting it around Earth Day can boost participation.

Game Night Tournament

Host a board game or card game tournament after school or on a weekend. Charge a small entry fee and offer prizes for winners in different age groups. Games like Uno, Connect Four, or even chess can work for a wide range of students. A family game night option can bring even more people together and double as a fun community event.

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Tips for Running a Successful School Fundraiser

Even the best fundraising ideas need a little planning to be successful. Start by setting a clear goal for how much you want to raise and what the money will be used for. Keep communication clear and simple so parents, students, and staff all know how they can help.

Promote your fundraiser early and often through newsletters, flyers, school websites, and social media. And always make it easy for families to participate by offering online options when possible. Most importantly, celebrate the effort, no matter the final amount raised, every dollar helps support your school and students.

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How to Get Started

School fundraisers are a great way to raise money for your PTA, PTO, or school foundation, but they are also about building community, celebrating school spirit, and giving students experiences they will remember for years to come.

Experiment with different ideas to see what fits your school best.

At All Things Science, we partner with schools and parent organizations to bring hands-on STEM enrichment programs directly to elementary and middle school campuses. We teach students about rocketry, robotics, chemistry, and more science and engineering programs.

If you are interested in leveling up your school's fundraising events, connect with us and we will bring our exciting STEM education offerings to your campus.

Learn how to bring hands-on STEM to your school's fundraising events →