PTA Fundraising Ideas to Energize Your School Community

PTA Fundraising Ideas Used By Fundraisingzone Clients 

Looking for ways to raise money for your school? Check out these proven school fundraising ideas used by PTAs to boost school budgets, get students involved and bring communities together. From fun events to practical campaigns, these suggestions will help you make a big impact while keeping things simple.

As a PTA parent, you wear many hats, often juggling countless responsibilities to support your school and community. Your behind-the-scenes efforts—from organizing events to rallying volunteers—are nothing short of heroic, even if they sometimes go unnoticed. We understand how overwhelming it can be to start from scratch each time you need to fundraise. That’s why a proven catalog fundraising system can be a game-changer. With a streamlined approach, ready-made resources, and a history of success, this system eliminates the guesswork, saving you time and energy while maximizing results. It’s a way to work smarter, not harder, so you can focus on what truly matters—making a difference for your school.

Start with these brochure winners below. Then combine them with some of the other popular ideas we share on this page. Together we can help you reach your fundraising goals.

Product Fundraisers: Sell and Succeed

Selling items like candy, cookie dough, Yankee Candles, gourmet popcorn and gift wrap is a reliable way to raise money. Choose products that appeal to your school community to raise the most funds.

Sales Tips:

• Make it easy for students and parents to participate.
• Use online sales platforms for out-of-town supporters.
• Offer incentives like prizes for top sellers to encourage participation.
• Get started with no money out of pcket.
• Earn up to 50% on every sale.

Check out our list of free fundraising programs here… Then sign upfor a free fundraising kit below.

Read-a-Thon: Promoting Reading and Raising Funds

A read-a-thon combines literacy with your fundraising campaign. Students collect pledges based on the time they spend reading or the number of books they finish. This is easy to organize and inspires kids to pick up a book while you raise funds for school programs.

Steps to Organize a Read-a-Thon:

• Promote It: Share on social media and send home flyers with QR codes for donations.
• Set a Goal: Decide how much money you want to raise.
• Get Students Excited: Kick things off with an assembly or classroom announcements.
• Track Progress: Use reading logs or online tools to monitor participation.

Community Carnival: Fun for Families

School carnivals bring people together and are packed with activities like games, food stalls, and even dunk tanks. Sell tickets for entry or individual activities to raise additional funds.

Tips for a Successful Carnival:

• Ask local businesses to sponsor booths or donate supplies.
• Include DIY games made by volunteers to cut costs.
• Promote widely through newsletters, social media, and posters.

Gala Dinner: An Elegant Evening For PTA Fundraising 

Host a fancy dinner with activities like raffles or auctions to raise money. It’s a great way to engage parents and local businesses in a more formal setting.

How to Plan:

• Choose a large venue and start planning early.
• Partner with businesses for sponsorships or auction items.
• Offer affordable ticket options to attract more attendees.

Silent Auction: Low-Key Fundraising

A silent auction lets parents bid on donated items like gift baskets, services, or experiences. It’s easy to organize and generates substantial revenue. This can be a very profitable pta event if you get the items for free.

Steps to Host:

1. Secure Donations: Ask local businesses and families for contributions.
2. Set Up: Display items attractively with clear descriptions and starting bids.
3. Use Online Bidding: Consider digital tools for easy participation.

Shoe Drive: Sustainable Fundraising

Collect gently used shoes from your community and partner with an organization that will pay based on the weight of the donations. It’s eco-friendly and easy to organize!

How to Get Started:

• Promote through announcements, flyers, and social media.
• Set up collection bins at the school and other community spots.
• Offer rewards for classes or grades that collect the most shoes.

Partner with organizations like Funds2Orgs, which collects gently worn shoes and pays schools based on the total weight collected. Setting up collection points is just the first step – you also need to find a company that will buy those donated shoes, so the school can cash in on its good deed. You can learn more about how to hold a shoe drive fundraiser here.

Parents’ Night Out: A Win-Win 

Host an evening where parents drop off their kids for fun activities while they enjoy a night out. Charge a flat fee for childcare, and everyone wins.

Key Planning Points:

• Organize crafts, games, and a movie for the kids.
• Ensure there are enough volunteers to supervise.
• Pick a convenient date like Valentine’s Day or a weekend evening.

Raffle Mania: Easy and Exciting

PTA or PTO Raffles are simple yet effective fundraisers. Sell raffle tickets for a chance to win prizes donated by local businesses or families.

How to Make It Work:

• Get Permits: Ensure compliance with local laws for raffles.
• Choose Great Prizes: Offer a mix of high-value and smaller prizes to attract more ticket buyers.
• Promote Widely: Use social media, email, and posters to spread the word.

Pro Tip: Use virtual ticketing to streamline the process and avoid lost tickets.

Promote your raffle to parents, teachers, and community members to maximize participation and support. Utilizing virtual ticket sales can improve efficiency and help you sell more tickets.  

Matching Gift Campaigns: Double Your Donations

Many employers offer matching gift programs where they match donations made by employees. So here is a great fundraising idea… Ask your school parents if their job offers this kind of program. This is a simple way to multiply your pta and pto fundraising efforts.

How to Tap Into Matching Gifts:

1. Inform parents about matching gift opportunities.
2. Use tools like Double the Donation to help parents check eligibility.
3. Add a matching gift section to your donation forms to simplify the process.

Promote It: Share details in newsletters, at PTA meetings, and on social media to ensure parents know how to participate.

Trivia Night: We’re talking thrills, laughter, and doing some good – all mixed into one! 

Trivia Night: Friendly Fun and Fundraising

A trivia night is a simple way to bring the community together for some competitive fun. Teams compete to answer questions across various topics while raising funds through entry fees and concessions.

How to Host a Trivia Night:

1. Set Up Teams: Encourage parents, teachers, and students to form teams or mix them up for a more inclusive event.
2. Create Categories: Include questions that appeal to a wide range of interests like pop culture, sports, or local history.
3. Charge Entry Fees: Offer a discount for teams that register early to encourage participation.

Boost Profits:

• Offer fun prizes for the winning team to attract more players. 
• Sell snacks and drinks during the event.
• Host a raffle or auction during intermission for extra funds.

Walk-a-Thon: Promoting Health and Wealth 

Walk-a-Thon: Promote Health and Raise Money

A walk-a-thon encourages physical activity while raising funds. Participants gather pledges for every lap or mile completed.

Steps for Success:

• Offer incentives like small prizes or certificates.
• Choose a scenic route and a convenient date.
• Use online tools to track donations and progress.

Get everyone involved 

Involving enthusiastic organizers, participants, and supporters is the key for the success of any walk-a-thon. The magic happens when you throw in some attractive incentives – suddenly, people can’t wait to join in, and your fundraising goals become a whole lot more achievable. 

Dine-Out Night: Partner with Local Restaurants

Collaborate with a local restaurant to donate a portion of sales from a specific night. Families enjoy a meal out, and your school earns money.

Tips for Success:

• Partner with restaurants that already support schools.
• Promote through newsletters, social media, and flyers.
• Encourage families to invite friends and neighbors.

Talent Show: Showcase Student Skills

A talent show is a wonderful way to highlight students’ abilities while raising funds for your school. Charge admission and sell refreshments to bring in extra money.

Steps for Organizing a Talent Show:

1. Set Guidelines: Create simple rules for auditions and participation to ensure a fair event.
2. Promote Auditions: Use flyers, newsletters, and announcements to recruit a diverse lineup of performers.
3. Sell Tickets: Offer advance ticket sales to boost revenue and make the event more predictable.

Boost Revenue:

• Include a raffle or silent auction during the intermission.how. 
• Sell flowers for performers as keepsakes.
• Record the show and sell digital downloads or DVDs.

Bake Sale: Sweet and Simple

Everyone loves baked goods! Organize a bake sale to bring in funds with minimal cost. Parents and students can contribute their favorite treats.

Ways to Maximize Sales:

• Promote in advance using local social media groups.
• Include a variety of items, from cookies to healthy snacks.
• Have your pta volunteers use creative decorations to make your table stand out.

Crowdfunding: Digital Donations To Raise Money

Crowdfunding campaigns can quickly raise donations online by reaching a broad audience. Platforms like GoFundMe make it simple to set up and share your campaign.

Best Practices:

• Share on social media and through email to reach more donors.
• Clearly explain your goals and how the funds will be used.
• Use photos and videos to make your campaign page engaging.

Drive-In Movie Night: Nostalgic Fun

Host a drive-in movie event at the school parking lot. Sell tickets for entry and offer snacks for extra revenue.

How to Plan:

• Choose a location.
• Rent a projector and screen or partner with a local vendor.
• Choose a family-friendly movie.
• Charge a small fee for tickets.
• Set up a concession stand with popcorn and drinks.

Evaluate Your PTA Fundraising Idea To Improve It

After each event, take time to review what pta fundraiser ideas worked and what didn’t. Ask for feedback from participants and volunteers, and celebrate your success to keep the momentum going for the next fundraiser!

1. Review Your Results: After the fundraiser concludes, analyze the outcomes. Look at the amount raised, participation levels, and any other key performance indicators (KPIs) you set beforehand.
2. Gather Feedback: Reach out to parents, volunteers, and community members for their input. Ask what they enjoyed, what could be improved, and any suggestions they might have for future fundraisers. Use online surveys or feedback forms for ease and inclusivity.
3. Assess Engagement: Evaluate how well the event engaged your target audience. Did parents and community members actively participate? Understanding engagement levels will help you gauge the emotional and practical connection they felt towards the event.
4. Financial Analysis: Review the fundraiser’s financials. Compare the costs against the funds raised to determine the net benefit. Identify areas where expenses can be cut or funds can be maximized.
5. Compare with Goals: Compare your actual results with your initial goals. Did you meet, exceed, or fall short of your expectations? Use this comparison to set more accurate benchmarks for future fundraisers.
6. Plan for Improvement:Identify what worked well and what didn’t. Use this information to decide whether to repeat the same type of fundraiser or explore new ideas. Adjust your strategies based on the feedback and data collected.
7. Celebrate Successes: Don’t forget to celebrate your successes. Recognize and thank everyone who contributed, whether they donated, volunteered, or participated. Positive reinforcement encourages future participation in your pta or pto events.

Revisit and Reimagine Your PTA Fundraisers Ideas

Don’t be afraid to revisit fundraisers that have worked well in the past, but keep things fresh with new twists. For example:

• Add themes to familiar events like bake sales or talent shows.
• Collaborate with other schools or community groups for larger events.
• Experiment with hybrid formats, combining in-person and online fundraising.

With these fundraiser ideas and strategies, your PTA will have plenty of tools to create impactful ways to raise revenue for your school that involve your whhole school community. Remember, tthe key to a successful pta fundraiser is to keep things organized, fun, and well-promoted.

So many options! What should you do?

Let’s face it. With so many options it could make your brain freeze.

Are you open to a small suggestion?

How about this…

Give s a quick call at 1.800.645.6550 or email us at [email protected].

One of our friendly helpful staff would love to listen to what you are thinking. And if it makes sense to you they can match you up with a winning fundraising catalog to help you raise the fundraising revenue you are looking for.

Happy fundraising! 🎉