Fundraising Ideas for School

It’s no secret that public schools are underfunded, and there is a spending gap between wealthier districts and low-income areas. In fact, the wealthiest districts spend three times more per pupil than low-income district schools.

Spelling Bee High School Fundraising Ideas

There are many reasons why a spelling bee is a great fundraising idea for schools, including:

• Friendly competition among students
• Educating students
• Highly affordable to host the event
• Community involvement

You can combine a spelling bee fundraiser with a pledge campaign. Students can get family and friends to pledge funds accurately for every word they spell. You can print certificates online and request donations from local businesses for prizes for the winners.

Walk-a-thon

A walk-a-thon is an easy school fundraisers excellent event for students of all ages, and there are many ways to host one. Color runs have become highly popular over the years, and platforms such as MyFunRun are making it easier and easier to do. They offer all the digital materials, personal fundraising pages, and pre-registering participants.

Students are not the only ones who can participate. Family, friends, and community members can all participate in the walk-a-thon. You may even switch things up, do a zombie run, and see the community show up in their best outfits and spooky makeup. There are no limits to what you can do with this school fundraising idea – have fun with it.

Prom Dress Drive

The best way to host a prom dress drive is a couple of months before prom or homecoming season. Shopping for the perfect dress can be time-consuming, stressful, and expensive. Instead, reach out to the community through social media posts and send notes home with the students. Ask them if they have gently used dresses of all sizes to donate for the prom dress drive. You can also approach second-hand clothing stores and see if they can part with dresses!

Hand out pamphlets to local businesses and the community with information on the event, such as date, time, location, and whether it will be a cash or card-only event. Remember to have private facilities for students to try on the dresses and hanging racks for easy displays. To guarantee attendance, sell tickets to the event. This is also a great way to maximize profits and know how many volunteers you’ll need.

Cook-Off

What better way to get the students involved in the school fundraiser than a cook-off? Kids can pay a small fee to enter the competition, and attendees pay to be taste testers. In addition, tasters will make donations for the foods they love the most, and the winner will be crowned by the amount of money they raise.

Students can make simple but tasty meals such as chili, mini burgers, tacos, and baked goods for those with sweet teeth. These meals are easy to make and won’t need much kitchen space. These high school fundraising ideas don’t have to be the “typical” event. Spice things up with live music, host fundraising raffles, and sell drinks to get the most out of the event.

Lip Sync Showdown

Consider lip sync showdown if you’re looking for a unique high school fundraising idea. The kids have a lot of fun choosing a song, practicing, preparing dance moves, and performing their favorite songs. Friends, family, and the community will be privileged to see the lip-sync showdown by paying an entrance fee. The winner can be determined by how loud the applause is.

School Carnival

School carnivals require all hands to be on deck as they are involved in events. There are games to create and run, lots of fair food to make, and entertainment to plan. Carnival games and booths to consider are:

• Cornhole
• Mini Golf
• Ring toss
• Picture booth
• Tattoo booth
• Face painting

A school carnival fundraiser will require student committees, parents, guardians, and volunteers to participate in planning the event. First, browse company websites such as Rode Island Novelty to find bulk carnival prizes that everyone will love at a low cost. Then, maximize profits by charging admission tickets and charges per activity. These are very popular Fundraising Ideas for School.

Pajama Day

Pajama Day is a simple and effective way to raise money for school fundraiser ideas. The costs are low because there is not much to organize. Have each student pay a small fee to come to school in their pajamas. This fee can be as low as $1 or $2.

Add more fun to the day by letting the students watch a movie during lunch in the cafeteria and having a prize for the class that participates the most.

Principal Challenge

Involving the principal is a fantastic and fun way to raise money for your school. Principals are typically known to have serious and authoritative reputations. While fundraising for your school, this exciting fundraiser will influence pupils’ perspectives and foster a sense of camaraderie.

Ideas for prizes include:

• Sliming the principal
• Principal kissing a pig
• The principal gets pied in the face
• Principal colors their hair in their school’s colors

Schools set fundraising goals that students must attempt to meet. The fundraising target must be realistic for the students to see the results.

A class wins the prize when they reach a certain amount. The school gets to watch the hilarious act of the principal facing their demise if they reach the specified target.

Prospect Research

Performing prospect research, you will better understand who in your school can donate and will most likely donate regularly. In addition, through research, you can find the parents or guardians who participate in philanthropic work and may see what you are doing in your school that is worth donating to.

Specific wealth indicators will help you determine who to approach:

• Profession
• Foundation affiliations
• Real-estate and assets

Prospect research is most effective in affluent communities and allows you to change your marketing tactics to target the right people.

Field Day

Field days are ideal for the spring semester, when the weather is warmer and kids want to enjoy themselves outdoors. They are perfect for younger elementary school children.

This fundraising opportunity can have several activities for the students and their families to enjoy.

• Tug-of-war
• Water games
• Dodgeball
• Bounce house
• Obstacle courses
• Potato sack race

To make money, charge for both general entrance and individual game participation. Concession stands and a donation booth can be set up for additional fundraising opportunities.

Fundraising Ideas for Sports Teams

Whether your team needs funds for traveling or new gear, plenty of fundraising ideas will help you meet your fundraising goals.This article covers 10 fundraising ideas for sports teams of all ages that are guaranteed to bring your supporters together. 

1- Exercise Class

An exercise class is a great way for the community to get active alongside local athletes. What’s more, an exercise class can be tailored to fit the needs of any sports team. For example, if you are fundraising for a basketball team, you can incorporate dribbling into the class! Team members can lead the exercise class and provide expert guidance throughout the lesson. 

2- Bingo Night

A sports-themed bingo night can be perfect for your sports team to fundraise. Planning is easy and fundraising ideas for sports allows supporters to enter the competitive spirit while supporting their local sports team. Having themed prizes available for winners to increase engagement and bring in more supporters. 

3- 5k Walk Or Run 

While a 5k Walk or Run requires a lot of planning and helping hands, this tried, true fundraiser is perfect for an active audience. Promoting healthy lifestyles while supporting a local sports team is a great way. Moreover, you will not have to search hard for volunteers, as your team members can fulfill those roles!

4- Karaoke Night 

A karaoke night is the perfect fundraiser for sports teams looking for an unconventional way to raise funds. It is a fundraising event that any supporter can participate in, as it does not require participants to get active. You can also sell refreshments or partner with a local restaurant to increase your fundraising potential. 

5- Field Day 

Let your supporters showcase their athletic skills by hosting a Field Day fundraiser. You can set up games, including tug-of-war, sack race, and obstacle course, for participants to enjoy. Your sports team members can also take the sidelines by running the events and playing referee. Having prizes for winners can build excitement and bring in a larger crowd. 

6- Car Wash 

Perfect for warm weather, a car wash is a tried and true fundraiser that can bring in profits while making a splash. Your team can set up at your school parking lot so community members can easily stop by and show support. Don’t forget to make signs and have team members stand on the street to grab drivers’ attention!

7- Pancake Breakfast 

Like a barbeque, pancake breakfasts are great fundraising ideas for sports teams. Ask your school or local fire hall to host your pancake breakfast and spread the word on social media. Team members can put their cooking skills to the test by serving pancakes and other refreshments to the community. 

8- Football Tailgate 

In exchange for donations, supporters can attend a tailgate before the big game, which includes music, games, and refreshments.

Your team can also sell merchandise and have raffle baskets available to increase profits. 

9- Mow Lawns for Donations

If you want to raise funds for a male high school sports team, consider mowing lawns for donations! This fundraising idea benefits both the sports team and the community. Older community members will love supporting their local sports team while crossing something off their to-do list. 

10- Bag Groceries For Donations

This is a simple fundraiser that any sports team can do. Ask your local grocery store if your team can bag groceries in exchange for donations. This allows your team to interact directly with the community and reach a wide range of people. The busier the local grocer, the better!

Fundraising Ideas for Schools

Whether you are a school looking to raise money or on a fundraising journey for a school you love, you’ll need to know the best fundraising ideas for schools in 2025 to maximize your funding. Hosting a fundraiser for schools is an excellent way for staff, parents, students, and teachers to come together for the good of the community and its school.

However, getting people excited about a fundraising event can be challenging when you have the same ideas each year. Since the pandemic swept through in 2020, fundraisers have had to think outside the box for unique ways to make fundraiser ideas for schools money with exciting virtual fundraising ideas. This shift from in-person to virtual became a huge success, but you need the best fundraising ideas for schools to get the job done.

Explore the many profitable school fundraising ideas and why you need them!

1. Bake Sale
Who doesn’t love a bake sale? Bake sales are one of the most popular—and delicious—ways to raise much-needed funds for schools. They’re also a great opportunity to get the parents involved and to show off their baking skills.

To raise money for your cause, ask the parents at your school to prepare a yummy treat to sell. Children can participate by helping their parents bake these treats or selling baked products at lunch or recess.

You can take it a step further with a raffle, where one prize winner can win a beautifully designed and baked cake of their choice from a local bakery willing to provide a voucher.

2. Talent Show
Showcase your school’s many talents with a talent show! Let there be various categories, such as singing, dancing, and comedy. Get local businesses to sponsor prizes for each category and the grand prize of the best winning act at the night’s end.

Prizes can range from:

A local pizza restaurant sponsored a pizza for the winner and 2 of their friends
Tickets to see a movie at the theater
Mall vouchers
Charge a small participation fee and a spectator entry fee. And don’t forget to put together a panel of judges!

3. Guessing Jar

Guessing jars is a cost-effective and easy fundraising idea for schools. All you need is a clear jar, which you can fill with candy, beads, marbles, paper clips, or anything else that will fit in the jar. To increase your potential fundraising opportunities, have several jars in various sizes and allow participants to pay to guess each jar’s contents.

Keep the jar in a busy school area like the primary office for a few weeks. Parents, teachers, and students should be encouraged to enter their estimates into the competition for a small cost.

Allow multiple entries per person, with each try costing them. Let participants pick up the jar and turn it around to look closer.

Ensure you have enough prizes for each winner and runners-up for each jar you have. When the fundraiser ends, the closest guesser receives the candy jar.

4. Virtual Parents Party
Sometimes, parents and guardians need adult time, too! A virtual parent’s party involves virtual cooking classes, happy hour, or live streaming of a local musician’s concert. In addition, you can host an art party, such as painting with a twist. These events are hosted online via Zoom, and parents purchase the tickets. You will mail the items to the attendees’ homes a couple of weeks before the event and have a scheduled itinerary.

To prevent the virtual parent party from getting too crowded, you can set up virtual rooms and divide the groups. After a specific time, switch up the people in the room and keep the entertainment going.

5. Battle of the Bands

Battle of the Bands takes high school fundraising ideas to the next level. There may be many talented students in your school who would love the opportunity to share their talents. This fundraising idea is easy because you have all the means to host the event: the PA system, venue, and teachers and volunteers who can help.

Charge a small fee for each band to enter and an admission fee for attendees. Involve local celebrities to be judges for the event, such as the local weatherman or radio host, to participate. In addition, you could ask local business owners to be judges and help sponsor the event. There are countless opportunities to reach your fundraising goals.

6. Dog Wash

Not everyone takes their pups to the groomers, and many find bathing their dogs tedious. So why not host a dog wash fundraiser? The kids will love spending time with your furry best friend, too. Post about the fundraiser to local groups and encourage parents, guardians, teachers, and community members to bring the pups for a good wash by student volunteers.

Purchase all the supplies and use the school’s parking lot as the venue. Ensure plenty of kiddie pools to bathe the dogs, hoses, towels, and tasty treats. To take your fundraiser a step further, have music, some food trucks, and sell drinks.

7. School Dance

School dances are just as exciting as prom or homecoming. Students get to go out and shop for new outfits and let loose with their friends. It’s a simple fundraising idea that everyone will love, and almost all the proceeds go back into the school. In addition, students pay a small attendance fee, and you can request donations for décor, food, and drinks from parents and guardians.

Put together a student committee for the dance and have them select a fun theme, such as a masquerade ball, under the ocean, or a Hollywood theme. There is no need to spend a fortune on expensive photo booths or décor. Instead, the committee should be tasked with finding an inexpensive solution.

8. Discount Card Fundraiser

A discount card fundraiser can involve the entire community. Students sell discount cards in their neighborhood, and the donors receive coupons or special offers from local businesses, such as restaurants. These discount cards cost around $10-$20 but can save the purchaser hundreds of dollars.

Making discount cards to sell for a school fundraiser is reasonably straightforward. In addition, it draws a lot of attention to small businesses, and many business owners are happy to get exposure.

9. Car Wash

Car wash fundraisers have proven to be excellent ways to raise funds for local charities, including schools. They are also a fantastic way to get the community involved while students have fun washing cars. The school’s parking lot can be used to set up the car wash.

Partner with local businesses to sponsor cleaning materials and supplies in exchange for free advertising on the day of the car wash.

Get your local radio station to advertise the school’s fundraising efforts. Have loud music for entertainment and snacks available for individuals to purchase while they wait for their cars to get cleaned.

Assign shifts to students to wash cars, and designate a few students to collect money for the car washes and any extra donations. Set up an online donation page on the school’s website to receive additional contributions.

10. Auction off Parking Spots

Ask every high school or college student what their worst nightmare is, and they will all say that parking at school or on campus is the worst! On a busy day, students are likely to circulate the parking lot in the hopes of a spot becoming available.

For a successful fundraising idea, select a few parking spots the school won’t mind reserving for the winning students. Host a live auction or an online bidding war, and see how far students are willing to go for a parking spot reserved for them for the semester or school year.

11. AmazonSmile

AmazonSmile is a minimum-effort way to raise funds for your school. The process is simple:

Register your school with AmazonSmile
Once your school has been accepted to the program, notify your student’s parents and the local community.
Shoppers can add your school as their chosen charitable organization and shop items that are eligible for AmazonSmile.
That’s it! Your school will then receive 0.5% of every eligible purchase they make. No fees or costs exist for your school and shoppers donating to you.

Fundraising Sites

Finding appropriate donors for your nonprofit’s upcoming fundraiser can be daunting. Many fundraising websites help nonprofits or charities like yours meet your fundraising needs. A fundraising website can help a nonprofit save valuable time and energy by giving you access to thousands of potential donors. If you want to raise money for your organization, you should look into fundraising websites for help. We have compiled a list of the leading fundraising sites that provide fundraising and donor management tools and resources.

But before you dive into the best nonprofit fundraising websites, you should consider what kind of fundraising best suits your nonprofit organization. There are different fundraising efforts designed to help nonprofits to raise more money. theshareway We have researched the best fundraising websites used for personal fundraising and for charities and have listed them below.

Most of the sites listed below offer two forms of fundraising: 

• Silent Auction 

A silent auction is a fundraising event where the host (your nonprofit organization) presents an item that guests place bids on. The highest bid receives the prize, while the host gets all the proceeds. Some fundraising websites below offer items or packages that a nonprofit organization like yours can auction off. 

• Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is a fundraising strategy that encourages a public audience to donate to your organization. It has become popular in recent years due to the internet’s ability to reach a broad audience. In addition, certain fundraising websites, like the ones listed below, promote nonprofit organizations. Crowdfunding sites have become popular ways to collect online donations and to raise funds for a variety of causes. This type of site allows individuals and organizations to use online fundraising tools to reach

Best Fundraising Sites for Fundraising 

1- Charity Safaris

In need of an auction item that will grab an audience’s attention? Charity Safaris offers destination packages that guarantee an adventure of a lifetime. 

Charity Safaris is a fundraising website that donates hunting packages to charities and nonprofits across the United States and Canada. Nonprofits can use these fully funded hunting packages in live or silent auctions and keep the total proceeds. In addition, Charity Safaris coordinates with hunting outfitters to help guide the selected nonprofits and winners throughout the process. In the past, Charity Safaris hunting trips have raised $6000 in live auctions and up to $4500 in silent auctions. If you want to hold an auction, consider checking what packages Charity Safaris offers. Trip destinations include Argentina, New Zealand, and South Africa.

2- Donation Match

DonationMatch is a fundraising website that helps nonprofit organizations secure in-kind donations. Its portal connects nonprofits to over 150 companies offering in-kind donations. DonationMatch simplifies the application process by enabling nonprofits to fill out multiple applications on its platform rather than redirecting them to each company’s website. Moreover, its algorithm can match nonprofit organizations with companies that best fit their funding needs. 

3- TheShareWay

TheShareWay is another fundraising website that helps nonprofit organizations find suitable donors. Its directory allows users to browse through countless donors who offer raffle items, food, beverages, and other in-kind donations. In their first two years of operation, TheShareWay connected thousands of nonprofits to businesses in the Bay Area. Today, its fundraising software helps nonprofits across the entire country. If you’d like to see what TheShareWay offers, you can sign up for free on their website. This fundraising website comes with exposure to companies that like to give.

4- TravelPledge

TravelPledge is a fundraising website that donates adventurous auction items to nonprofit organizations and charities. Since its conception in 2011, Travel Pledge has connected over 10 thousand nonprofit organizations to almost $100 million worth of donation items. Their auction items include trips to Italy, South Africa, Fiji, and beautiful beach destinations in the United States. To be considered, your nonprofit must sign up for free and tell Travel Pledge about your fundraiser. They will verify your nonprofit status and decide which excursions your organization qualifies for. 

5- LuxGive

LuxGive is a fundraising website that donates luxurious destination packages to nonprofit organizations. LuxGive offers various destinations, from Disneyland to Turks and Caicos. Some of their trips, like a safari adventure in South Africa, cover up to 10 guests. In addition, LuxGive allows nonprofits to select which package they want, enabling them to choose a package that will work best for them. After the item is auctioned off, LuxGive will contact the winner and take the reins from there. These trips sell for three times their worth, meaning your nonprofit can raise substantial funds. 

Get Help with A Fundraising Website

If you are looking for the top fundraising tools and want to create a fundraising page to raise awareness about your cause, there are many ways to go about it. Peer-to-peer fundraising is a popular way for individuals to ask for money from friends and family for a specific cause. So many fundraising efforts, like Facebook fundraising, take personal fundraising efforts and turn them into team fundraising efforts. As you are thinking about your next fundraising project, think about creative projects that are fun, exciting, and different. People love to participate in new and exciting events and share about them on their social media platforms.

Donation Requests

A well-known fact about Americans is that they are givers. This is particularly true regarding giving to nonprofits, charitable organizations, and worthy causes.

 Home Depot

Home Depot’s philanthropic division, the Home Depot Foundation, supports adaptation and repairs to the homes of at-risk communities through Community Impact Grants. They also provide a Veteran Housing Grant to give back to veterans through organizations that support developing new and better-quality housing for vets. The donation request form for aspirant grantees is available on their website.

JetBlue

JetBlue regularly partners with like-minded nonprofits in their philanthropic giving. Their focus companies with online donation requests is on education, youth, community, and the environment. The company has several programs that zero in on different needs. An online donation request may be made.

Host Hotels & Resorts

Host Hotels and Resorts supports nonprofit organizations that direct their efforts at education and youth enablement, environmental issues, health, and human well-being. They offer sponsorships, financial contributions, and emergency relief. To view the requirements for being considered for a donation, check their page on recommendations.

Marathon

Marathon Petroleum Foundation, the philanthropic division of the oil company, concentrates its giving on organizations with 501(c)(3) certificates that focus on public safety, STEM education, and the conservation and sustainability of the environment. No religious or political causes are considered. Make your online donation request by starting your application process.

Marriott

In response to their request for assistance, Marriott International gives in-kind donations of points towards hotel stays to nonprofit organizations. They specifically give to causes that advance human rights and inclusivity, work opportunities, support of children, and continuing support of responsible operations.

Microsoft

Microsoft has a multipronged approach to helping eligible nonprofit organizations worldwide. Microsoft’s Tech for Social Impact Program allows nonprofits to register for nonprofit offers and nonprofit Digital Skills Training and access the Nonprofit Hub, where they can access custom-made assistance with teamwork, output, and protection for their organization.

Walmart

Walmart Inc. awards grants to local organizations through an open application process. Funding is provided directly from Walmart and Sam’s Club facilities to community organizations ranging from a minimum of $250 to a maximum of $5,000. You can apply for these grants via their website.

Publix

Publix Supermarket Charities supports communities in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, and Virginia. Through its online system, contributions are made through grants, gift cards, sponsorships, and program ads. Publix focuses on causes that support youth, education, and helping people experiencing homelessness.

A donation request form can be completed on their online portal.

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo Foundation works with an array of national and local nonprofit organizations. The bank’s funding priorities include financial health, housing affordability, small business growth, and sustainability. Grant Eligibility depends on several factors, including the ability to demonstrate fiscal and administrative stability and organizations that deliver services addressing critical community needs. Requirements for eligibility and online applications can be found on their grants page.

Verizon

Verizon charitable funding prioritizes digital inclusion, climate protection, and human prosperity, and applications are by invitation only. However, nonprofit organizations seeking funding can approach their local community relations manager to determine eligibility. You can visit the Verizon grant requirements page to find your nearest relations manager.

Donation Requests

A well-known fact about Americans is that they are givers. This is particularly true regarding giving to nonprofits, charitable organizations, and worthy causes.

Patagonia

Besides manufacturing outdoor clothing and gear, Patagonia donates to organizations supporting the environment. Retail grants are offered to local NPOs around their stores, and media grants are offered to organizations that use media strategically. Their charitable program also donation companies includes corporate grants for nationally focused programs in the U.S. and Canada and international assistance in 20 other countries. 

Most contributions are by invitation only, but organizations can apply for international grants through the respective country portals. Learn more about their funding on their website.

Athleta

The Women’s Sports Foundation and Athleta hosts the Power of She Fund. “Our vision is for girls and women of all ages to unlock limitless possibilities through the power of sport and movement…”

They provide grants to organizations focusing on girls and women’s sports. The Move Together donation supports organizations that foster a multigenerational connection in women’s sports communities. The Wellness for All grant is for programs that improve inclusivity and accessibility for female BIPOC communities.

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines is one of the companies willing to donate to fundraisers, particularly as it pertains to their three key pillars:

Children and families – support organizations focused on enhancing their lives and opportunities for learning and growth.

Service members and first responders—help with reconnecting with family, receiving education, and embarking on new careers.

The environment—investing in commodities and resources to minimize carbon footprint and protect our planet.

Boeing

Boeing supports its employees and the causes they care about by matching their donations to eligible nonprofits. Boeing also offers charitable grants to selected organizations that align with its values and goals. If you are interested in applying for sponsorship from Boeing, you can submit an online request with a written proposal. 

Macy’s

Macy’s is committed to supporting its employees and the communities they serve by matching their donations and volunteer hours to qualified nonprofits. Macy’s also provides grants to organizations in areas such as arts and culture, education, environmental sustainability, HIV/AIDS, and women’s issues.

In 2020, Macy’s donated more than $7.6 million to deserving charities.

JP Morgan

JP Morgan Chase is committed to investing in the well-being of animals, people, and communities. By 2023, the company plans to donate $1.75 billion to various causes, such as animal welfare, civic activities, community development, education, medical research, human and social services, and more. You must follow their grant application guidelines to apply for a grant from JP Morgan Chase.

Wegmans

Wegmans has a diverse donation plan that supports various causes and initiatives. In 2020, the company and its employees gave back to the community in many ways: 

hunger relief programs

scholarships to employees

supporting community-wide donations and events

providing meals to people in need

Grant requests can be made through Wegman’s online request form.

Cracker Barrel

The Cracker Barrel supports nonprofits whose cause is the U.S. armed forces, veterans, and active service members. Causes in alignment with Cracker Barrel’s value system can apply for financial and in-kind donations on their website.

Clif Bar

The Clif Family Foundation funds organizations that improve community health, protect the environment, and strengthen the food system. The foundation looks for projects that address at least two of these issues. You can apply for grants from the foundation here. The foundation also offers sponsorship and product donations to community-oriented events through the Goody Bag program.

Sony

Sony partners with nonprofit organizations offering monetary and in-kind grants. The qualifying nonprofits must focus on education and culture, community outreach and civic well-being, environment, and disaster respite. 

Albertsons

The Nourishing Neighbours Campaign funds organizations that work on hunger relief nationally. Applications are considered all year, and requests for proposal invitations are sent out every fall. Find out more information on their grant page.

Big Lots

The Big Lots Foundation accepts donation requests from nonprofit organizations concentrating on housing, healthcare, education, and hunger relief. It operates in the areas where it has stores and distribution centers. It provides gift cards and in-kind donations. You can visit its website to get more information and apply for aid.

Final Thoughts

Many companies are ready and willing to donate to fundraisers and give to uplift the well-being of their communities and environment. Several are mentioned here, but it is also worth noting that most of these companies graciously give in many other ways.

Fundraising Ideas for Sports Teams

Whether your team needs funds for traveling or new gear, plenty of fundraising ideas will help you meet your fundraising goals.This article covers 10 fundraising ideas for sports teams of all ages that are guaranteed to bring your supporters together. 

1- Exercise Class

An exercise class is a great way for the community to get active alongside local athletes. What’s more, an exercise class can be tailored to fit the needs of any sports team. For example, if you are fundraising for a basketball team, you can incorporate dribbling into the class! Team members can lead the exercise class and provide expert guidance throughout the lesson. 

2- Bingo Night

A sports-themed bingo night can be perfect for your sports team to fundraise. Planning is easy and allows supporters to enter the competitive spirit while supporting their local sports team. Having themed prizes available for winners to increase engagement and bring in more supporters. 

3- 5k Walk Or Run 

While a 5k Walk or Run requires sports team fundraising a lot of planning and helping hands, this tried, true fundraiser is perfect for an active audience. Promoting healthy lifestyles while supporting a local sports team is a great way. Moreover, you will not have to search hard for volunteers, as your team members can fulfill those roles!

4- Karaoke Night 

A karaoke night is the perfect fundraiser for sports teams looking for an unconventional way to raise funds. It is a fundraising event that any supporter can participate in, as it does not require participants to get active. You can also sell refreshments or partner with a local restaurant to increase your fundraising potential. 

5- Field Day 

Let your supporters showcase their athletic skills by hosting a Field Day fundraiser. You can set up games, including tug-of-war, sack race, and obstacle course, for participants to enjoy. Your sports team members can also take the sidelines by running the events and playing referee. Having prizes for winners can build excitement and bring in a larger crowd. 

6- Car Wash 

Perfect for warm weather, a car wash is a tried and true fundraiser that can bring in profits while making a splash. Your team can set up at your school parking lot so community members can easily stop by and show support. Don’t forget to make signs and have team members stand on the street to grab drivers’ attention!

7- Pancake Breakfast 

Like a barbeque, pancake breakfasts are great fundraising ideas for sports teams. Ask your school or local fire hall to host your pancake breakfast and spread the word on social media. Team members can put their cooking skills to the test by serving pancakes and other refreshments to the community. 

8- Football Tailgate 

In exchange for donations, supporters can attend a tailgate before the big game, which includes music, games, and refreshments.

Your team can also sell merchandise and have raffle baskets available to increase profits. 

9- Mow Lawns for Donations

If you want to raise funds for a male high school sports team, consider mowing lawns for donations! This fundraising idea benefits both the sports team and the community. Older community members will love supporting their local sports team while crossing something off their to-do list. 

10- Bag Groceries For Donations

This is a simple fundraiser that any sports team can do. Ask your local grocery store if your team can bag groceries in exchange for donations. This allows your team to interact directly with the community and reach a wide range of people. The busier the local grocer, the better!

School Fundraising Ideas

A well-planned fundraising strategy creates excitement and pride for the school and gets the community to play a more active role in the student’s education. So, if you’re looking for new ways to reach a larger audience and boost your efforts, choose from these school fundraising ideas and make the most of your event.

    T-Shirt Fundraising

Bonfire – Design your own Shirt on Material you’ll Love

Don’t we all love a good T-shirt? What’s excellent about t-shirt fundraising is combining it with an in-person event. About a month before, have t-shirts made with the school’s name, logo, and event name, so all attending can wear their shirt on the big day.

Getting custom-made t-shirts is easier than you think. There are companies such as Bonfire and Printful that will boost your campaign, help you save money on printed shirts, and create custom print designs everyone will love. Both sites easy fundraiser are free to use, have templates and a step-by-step guide to help you with the design process, and will fulfill and ship the orders, so there is one less thing for you to worry about!

    Online Donations

Receiving online donations is one of the best ways to expand your reach. Create a fun donation landing page and express your school’s needs. What are the objectives of the online donations, the target amount, and how do you intend to use the money to improve the school?

Remember that spreading the word is the tricky part and requires attention. Create a Facebook page for the school if you haven’t got one already, and start promoting your donation requests. In addition, you can send a note home with each student and ask them to spread the word. The great thing about social media is how quickly word can spread. When people start to share your posts, you get more reach and increase funding. That leads us to the next fundraising idea for high schools – social media.

Social Media

Social media ranks as one of the best school fundraising ideas. You can utilize various social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Create an exciting post, express your needs, and use hashtags to further your reach.

You can spotlight your initiatives and get followers involved in the school’s fundraising events. Instagram lets you add a donation sticker to your posts. You can go live on social media platforms with a Livestream fundraising event with an easy-to-add donate button so viewers can donate throughout the live event. Lastly, don’t forget the Geotag. This allows your donation requests to be shown to people in your community and establishes your credibility.

    Text-to-Give

Who doesn’t have a cellphone these days? Texting-to-give is a great new way for schools to communicate financial needs to parents and guardians. The average donation for text-to-give fundraising is $107, which can significantly impact your bottom line.

Text-to-give helps you gain ongoing support from the community when school fundraising. Use a text-to-give platform, such as Snowball, that gives you unlimited text, personalized campaigns, and low-cost recurring gift options. Donors will text a word like “donate” to the school’s text-to-give phone number and confirm the donation amount. Their credit card information is saved for future donations, and a recurring donation option will help maximize the funds raised.

    Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is one of those valuable high school fundraising ideas that are a must for any money-raising initiative. An online crowdfunding campaign is conducted on various platforms such as Livingtree and DonorsChoose. Fundraising management software allows you to monitor the progress, tell your school’s story, and get the whole community involved in the efforts.

Here’s how online crowdfunding works:

• Develop a plan for your campaign and build the outline
• Create an account on your preferred crowdfunding site
• Set up the campaign with the fundraising goals and tell your story
• Make the campaign live and start sharing it on social media platforms
• Monitor the progress of the campaign and adjust if you are not on track to meeting your financial goals

    Corporate Philanthropy Programs

Corporate philanthropy is a different school fundraising idea many aren’t aware of, but it can be highly effective. You can contact parents or guardians to inquire whether they own or work for a company with philanthropy programs and find out how to apply.

Three corporate philanthropy programs could benefit a school fundraising program:

Matching gifts: Many companies will match an employee’s donation to a nonprofit. For example, if an employee gifts $100 to the school, the company will match the donation with $100. Each company is different, and some may have higher contributions than the traditional 1:1 ratio, such as 1:2 or 1:4 contribution ratios.

Volunteer grants are a great way to raise money and get the much-needed hands-on help many schools require. Employees volunteer their time to a nonprofit, and the company donates financially. Corporate sponsorships: Companies can sponsor events in exchange for favorable publicity. For example, a company can fund an event such as a bikeathon or fun run; the school can promote the business in return.

    Cookie Dough Fundraising Ideas for High Schools

Palmetto Fundraising Cookie Dough, Chocolate chip, cookies, and cream, or peanut butter – whatever your flavor, we all love cookie dough! Not only is cookie dough a comfort food that takes us back to the sweet memories of growing up, but it can also be added to your list of school fundraising ideas. Host a cookie dough fundraiser and get parents, guardians, students, and the community involved in this tasty idea.

So, how does a cookie dough fundraiser work? It’s simple. Use a company such as SavoryFoods or Palmetto Fundraising. You won’t have to pay any money upfront; they will fulfill the orders for the sale of cookie dough, and you get to keep most of the profits. Give customized catalogs of the various products for sale or host the sale online. This idea takes very little work, and you can raise money for your school in a fun way.

    Pledge Fundraising

Pledges and donations are different. Pledges are promises to donate. For example, you can plan a bike-a-thon, walk-a-thon, or fun run, and people can pledge donations for the distance the participant goes. The pledge is made and paid at a future date.

Pledge fundraising is a great way to raise money for schools and organizations. It is a volunteer-driven program that raises funds in an annual, one-time gift through a personal fundraising campaign. Through pledge fundraising, you collect donations from friends, family members, and neighbors who support your school financially before the event occurs.

The first step to organizing a successful pledge fundraiser is simply organizing the people who will participate. Second, you should decide on the goal of your campaign and how much money you want to raise during that period. Finally, set goals for the number of pledges you wish to receive and divide those tasks accordingly.

    Silent Auctions

Silent auctions are becoming increasingly popular for school fundraising because they offer a fun way for people to bid on items and raise money for the school at the same time. Proceeds from silent auctions help schools solicit more funding, provide more enrichment, and enable more learning. They’re a fun way to socialize and mingle with new people at the event.

Charity Safaris is an excellent company to help raise funds for your school. We can help with the entire process, including auction display, online bidding logistics, and catalog production. Sell one of our hunting trips in South Africa, Argentina, or New Zealand multiple times for the event and raise thousands of dollars for your school. Fill out an online donation request and sell the trip of a lifetime at your school fundraiser.

If you’re looking for other types of silent auction items, TheShareWay provides a guide on 400+ companies that donate hotel stays, beauty products, gift cards, and more.

Email Campaigns

More than 4 billion people use email, and 77% of marketers say they have seen an increased engagement with their email marketing campaigns over the last year. So, if marketing companies and businesses leverage emails to gain followers’ support, why not do the same for your school and community?

An email fundraising campaign is simple once you have an email list. You can send reminders to subscribers of fundraising events, express the school’s needs, and request help from the community. What’s great about email campaigns is that you aren’t just driving traffic to your fundraising page but can also gain ongoing financial support.

Fundraising Sites

Finding appropriate donors for your nonprofit’s upcoming fundraiser can be daunting. Many fundraising websites help nonprofits or charities like yours meet your fundraising needs. A fundraising website can help a nonprofit save valuable time and energy by giving you access to thousands of potential donors. If you want to raise money for your organization, you should look into fundraising websites for help. We have compiled a list of the leading fundraising sites that provide fundraising and donor management tools and resources.

But before you dive into the best nonprofit fundraising websites, you should consider what kind of fundraising best suits your nonprofit organization. There are different fundraising efforts designed to help nonprofits to raise more money. We have researched the best fundraising websites used for personal fundraising and for charities and have listed them below.

Most of the sites listed below offer two forms of fundraising: 

• Silent Auction 

A silent auction is a fundraising event where the host (your nonprofit organization) presents an item charity donation websites that guests place bids on. The highest bid receives the prize, while the host gets all the proceeds. Some fundraising websites below offer items or packages that a nonprofit organization like yours can auction off. 

• Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is a fundraising strategy that encourages a public audience to donate to your organization. It has become popular in recent years due to the internet’s ability to reach a broad audience. In addition, certain fundraising websites, like the ones listed below, promote nonprofit organizations. Crowdfunding sites have become popular ways to collect online donations and to raise funds for a variety of causes. This type of site allows individuals and organizations to use online fundraising tools to reach

Best Fundraising Sites for Fundraising 

1- Charity Safaris

In need of an auction item that will grab an audience’s attention? Charity Safaris offers destination packages that guarantee an adventure of a lifetime. 

Charity Safaris is a fundraising website that donates hunting packages to charities and nonprofits across the United States and Canada. Nonprofits can use these fully funded hunting packages in live or silent auctions and keep the total proceeds. In addition, Charity Safaris coordinates with hunting outfitters to help guide the selected nonprofits and winners throughout the process. In the past, Charity Safaris hunting trips have raised $6000 in live auctions and up to $4500 in silent auctions. If you want to hold an auction, consider checking what packages Charity Safaris offers. Trip destinations include Argentina, New Zealand, and South Africa.

2- Donation Match

DonationMatch is a fundraising website that helps nonprofit organizations secure in-kind donations. Its portal connects nonprofits to over 150 companies offering in-kind donations. DonationMatch simplifies the application process by enabling nonprofits to fill out multiple applications on its platform rather than redirecting them to each company’s website. Moreover, its algorithm can match nonprofit organizations with companies that best fit their funding needs. 

3- TheShareWay

TheShareWay is another fundraising website that helps nonprofit organizations find suitable donors. Its directory allows users to browse through countless donors who offer raffle items, food, beverages, and other in-kind donations. In their first two years of operation, TheShareWay connected thousands of nonprofits to businesses in the Bay Area. Today, its fundraising software helps nonprofits across the entire country. If you’d like to see what TheShareWay offers, you can sign up for free on their website. This fundraising website comes with exposure to companies that like to give.

4- TravelPledge

TravelPledge is a fundraising website that donates adventurous auction items to nonprofit organizations and charities. Since its conception in 2011, Travel Pledge has connected over 10 thousand nonprofit organizations to almost $100 million worth of donation items. Their auction items include trips to Italy, South Africa, Fiji, and beautiful beach destinations in the United States. To be considered, your nonprofit must sign up for free and tell Travel Pledge about your fundraiser. They will verify your nonprofit status and decide which excursions your organization qualifies for. 

5- LuxGive

LuxGive is a fundraising website that donates luxurious destination packages to nonprofit organizations. LuxGive offers various destinations, from Disneyland to Turks and Caicos. Some of their trips, like a safari adventure in South Africa, cover up to 10 guests. In addition, LuxGive allows nonprofits to select which package they want, enabling them to choose a package that will work best for them. After the item is auctioned off, LuxGive will contact the winner and take the reins from there. These trips sell for three times their worth, meaning your nonprofit can raise substantial funds. 

Get Help with A Fundraising Website

If you are looking for the top fundraising tools and want to create a fundraising page to raise awareness about your cause, there are many ways to go about it. Peer-to-peer fundraising is a popular way for individuals to ask for money from friends and family for a specific cause. So many fundraising efforts, like Facebook fundraising, take personal fundraising efforts and turn them into team fundraising efforts. As you are thinking about your next fundraising project, think about creative projects that are fun, exciting, and different. People love to participate in new and exciting events and share about them on their social media platforms.

Donation Requests

A well-known fact about Americans is that they are givers. This is particularly true regarding giving to nonprofits, charitable organizations, and worthy causes.

Throughout the USA, companies are willing to donate to fundraisers through online requests on their websites. Below, we list 7 companies eager to grant your donation requests in 2025. Reach out to them and be amazed at their generous offers to assist your fundraiser!

Charity Safaris

Charity Safaris accepts online requests for donations and gives 100% safari hunting to qualifying nonprofits, charities, and worthy causes. The gifting is in the home depot donation request form of hunting safari trips to Argentina, New Zealand, and South Africa. The gifted trips may be sold in live, silent, and online auctions and raffles, and the organization gets to keep all the profits for their cause.

Access their online request form by visiting the Charity Safaris website.

Elite Island Resorts

Elite Island Resorts offers a no-cost donation of Caribbean Vacation Certificates to exotic beachfront destinations such as Antigua, Barbados, Panama, and the Grenadines. Your nonprofit organization can use these in live, silent, or online auctions and raffles to raise 100% profit off sales for your cause and provide a memorable lifetime holiday for a lucky person.

Click here to see if your organization qualifies to complete an online donation request form and raise significant funds for your nonprofit.

 The Walt Disney Company

Disney partners with nonprofits and charitable organizations to bring affirmative, relevant, and measurable impact to communities through in-kind contributions and employee volunteers who raise funds for a given cause. They support health, social empowerment, and conservation.

See if your organization qualifies by filling out their online donation request form.

The Ritz-Carlton

The Ritz-Carlton has a program called Community Footprints, which zeroes in on relief for hunger and poverty, children’s well-being, and the restoration and maintenance of the environment. They proudly partner with nonprofit organizations that support these aspirations. Requests for donations may be made here.

Coca Cola

Coca-Cola provides aid to 501(c)(3) compliant nonprofit organizations in the USA through monetary donations, sponsorships, and product donations. To determine if your organization is eligible, complete the online donation request form here.

Cisco

This company offers donations to nonprofits through its philanthropic arm, the Cisco Foundation. They donate network technology through the Product Grant program to improve set-up and productivity. Global Impact Cash Grants are awarded to struggling communities with dire human needs, economic power, and education, specifically for community-based grants for the Bay Area in California. Click here to make online requests for donations.

Ben and Jerry’s

Ben and Jerry’s offers grants nationally and at the state level in Vermont. The donations are directed explicitly to community organizations across the USA. Ben and Jerry’s are big on human rights and social justice. Check their website for more information about the donation request criteria.

American Electric Power

American Electric Power, through its foundation, offers donations to nonprofits nationally and those located within the AEP service area. They specifically support STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education, housing, and hunger assistance. Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) certificates must secure an invitation to apply for grants from their local AEP and will then be directed to apply online. You can find more details on their information page.

Dunkin’ Donuts

The Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation supports organizations that have hunger relief as their cause.

Grants are made to food pantries and banks, grocery delivery programs, community gardens, and other food-based philanthropic causes.

Request a donation for your nonprofit organization directly on their website.

General Motors

General Motors aids 501(c)(3) compliant organizations focusing on STEM education and community development. They also support road and vehicle well-being initiatives and education. Eligible nonprofit organizations can visit the company’s website and follow the steps for securing a donation request.