Looking for the best PTA fundraising ideas to raise money for your school or organization? Look no further! Our comprehensive guide includes a variety of creative and effective fundraising ideas that will help you meet your financial goals. From bake sales and auctions to online fundraisers and crowdfunding campaigns, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re a PTA veteran or a newcomer, you’re sure to find inspiration and practical advice in our guide. Start raising money for your school today with these top tips, options and strategies!
The PTA Mission
Parent Teacher Association (PTA) volunteers are constantly trying to and new ways to come up with more funds for their schools. This can be an overwhelming endeavor, but with a bit of creativity it can be a fun and successful experience.
Fundraising is a crucial aspect of any PTA group. To ensure your fundraiser is successful and generates significant funds, it’s important to consider unique and creative ideas.
Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) often face the challenge of raising funds for various school projects and events. While traditional fundraising ideas such as bake sales and school auctions have been popular in the past, it’s always good to explore new and innovative ways to raise funds. Here are some great fun options to consider:
Local restaurants
Partnering with local restaurants is another effective fundraising idea. Many restaurants are willing to donate a portion of their sales to schools and PTAs. Encourage families to dine at the local restaurant on a designated day or night, and the restaurant can donate a percentage of their sales to the PTA.
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School Picnics
Organizing a school picnic is a fun and popular fundraising idea. The PTA can charge a nominal fee to cover the school picnic cost and sell tickets to family members and community members. This is a great opportunity to encourage parents to get involved in school fundraising and connect with other families in the community.
Parents night out
One of the best fundraising ideas for elementary schools is a parents’ night. This can be a fun and engaging event for parents and teachers to interact and raise funds for the school. The PTA can organize games, silent auctions, and other fundraising events to encourage donations and increase fundraising potential.
There are many other options beyond bake sales and school auctions that schools can explore. From partnering with local businesses and restaurants to creating crowdfunding pages and own campaign pages, there are endless fundraising opportunities available to school groups.
When it comes to fundraising for an elementary school, getting many parents and students involved can help achieve the fundraising goal. A great way to engage students is to have them create items to sell, like artwork or crafts, for the school fundraiser. This not only encourages creativity but also helps students feel involved and invested in their school community.
Encouraging parents to participate in fundraising events or donate online can help the PTA reach its fundraising goal. By involving both parents and students, the school can create a sense of community and togetherness while achieving their fundraising goals.
By encouraging parents and community members to donate and getting creative with fundraising events, PTAs can achieve their fundraising goals and provide essential resources like school supplies to their students.
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Use Social media sites
Another effective way to involve community members in school fundraising is through social media. Many people are now active on social media platforms, and using these channels can help promote your PTA fundraiser.
You can create a social media campaign to spread the word about your school fundraising ideas and encourage people to donate. Social media can also be used to showcase the impact of your PTA fundraising efforts, building a sense of pride and engagement among your community members.
There are numerous ways to raise money and engage community members in a PTA fundraiser. Whether you choose to organize a fundraising event, leverage social media, or explore other school fundraising ideas, the key is to keep the community informed, engaged, and excited about the cause.
By working together, you can achieve your PTA fundraising goals and make a meaningful impact on your school and community.
Ensuring Your PTA Fundraising Ideas Success
When it comes to fundraising, it’s essential to find a great PTA fundraising idea that resonates with your school community. There are many fundraising ideas to choose from, but finding one that aligns with your school’s needs and engages community members is crucial.
One great way to do this is to hold a bake sale. Students can be involved in the process by baking treats, and parents can volunteer to sell them during pick-up and drop-off times.
Another great opportunity is partnering with local businesses to organize a fundraising event. Local businesses are often willing to contribute to school fundraisers in exchange for exposure to the school community. This can be a great way to raise funds and build relationships within the community.
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Matching Gifts
Matching gifts are also an effective way to maximize fundraising potential. Many corporations offer matching gift programs to their employees, which can double or even triple donations made to the PTA. Encouraging parents and community members to check if their employers offer matching gifts can significantly increase fundraising revenue.
Online Dontions
Creating an online donation form can be a great way to streamline the fundraising process. It can allow parents and community members to donate quickly and easily, without having to attend other fundraising events. This can be especially effective for busy parents who may not have time to participate in traditional fundraising events.
Fall Festivals
Organizing a fall festival is another popular fundraising idea for schools. This event can be held on school grounds and can involve students in creating fun games and activities. The PTA can charge a small fee for entry and offer additional resources like food and drinks for purchase. Adding a fun twist like a costume contest or a pumpkin-carving competition can also encourage donors to attend and raise more funds for the school.
There are many other fundraising ideas to explore beyond bake sales and school fundraisers. By encouraging students, parents, and community members to get involved in fundraising goals, PTAs can achieve their fundraising potential and provide essential resources for the school year. Whether it’s creating a crowdfunding page, hosting a fall festival, or partnering with local businesses, there are many ways to engage and encourage donors in the school community.
Popcorn Fundraiser
A popcorn fundraiser is an excellent way to raise funds for your school while involving students of all ages. Not only will it excite and engage them, but they will also learn valuable skills like organizing and marketing. By partnering up with a company like FundraisingZone, you can get access to order brochures and a custom online store to share the product with students, parents, and community members. They offer plenty of standard and gourmet flavors; from classic buttery popcorn, kettle corn to caramel or cheese.
A related PTO fundraising option is to combine your popcorn fundraiser with another school-based event such as a drive-in movie party or a movie night in the parking lot. Resources can be pooled together, and guests will be able to purchase snacks before the show. It’s sure to be an exciting event that raises essential funds while engaging students in the process!
Text-to-Give Campaign
Text-to-give campaigns offer a powerful and cost effective way for PTAs to easily raise funds and engage with supporters. Among fundraising strategies, text-to-give campaigns have grown in popularity over recent years, and many organizations of all sizes have been taking advantage of its convenience.
With text-to-give, people can simply pull out their mobile phones and make a quick donation within seconds. If every spectator at your school’s biggest event made a text-to-give donation, the funds raised would be tremendous!
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Larger events such as school sports matches can become an additional fund raising opportunity; instead of just selling snacks or souvenirs, PTA organizers can promote the text-to-give donation option to those in attendance and potentially reap the rewards of having multiple people donate on the spot.
Your PTA can set up a text-to-give donation service quickly and easily. It is a smart investment that could greatly improve your fundraising campaigns and offer an exciting additional touchpoint to connect with donors.
Drive-in Movie Party
A drive-in movie party is the perfect way to add some classic charm to school fundraisers! With just a little bit of effort and creativity, you can transform any paved blacktop or open eld into a drive-in theater in no time. Borrow a projector, pick an age-appropriate movie or two to screen, and get popcorn popping.
Make sure everyone dresses in their best retro outts for maximum effect, and allow people to bring whatever seating they’d like: couches, beanbags, chairs, etc. Encourage viewers to stargaze in comfort.
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A nostalgic drive-in movie night can also be a great money earner for your PTA. Charge an admission fee per vehicle or per person. Collect additional revenue from speaker rental fees or concessions. You could even hold contests for “Best Dressed Retro Costume” with prizes going to the winners.
Not only will it be fun for everyone involved, but your PTA fundraiser will earn funds that can make a difference at your school. Here’s to transforming the outdoors into an amazing drive-in movie experience!
Quiz Bowl Challenge
Organizing a Quiz Bowl Challenge can be a lot of fun and a great way to make some extra money. When planning your event, consider the cost of entry for teams, the difficulty level required to compete, and the potential earnings that may result from running such an event.
Having teams pay a sign-up fee when they register, or charging admission at the door, is an easy way to collect revenue for your quiz night event. You also want to think about how you will organize questions into categories, and who will serve as the game’s moderator and gameshow host.
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You make your quiz bowl more interesting by having parents vs. kids; different age groups competing with themed questions like sports trivia and history quizzes. If you decide to sell concessions during the event, try selling snacks like popcorn, drinks, and soda to boost your profits.
If done right, a Quiz Bowl Challenge could be an exciting and profitable event that brings people together, while having tons of fun testing participants’ knowledge in various subject areas.
Peer-to-Peer PTA Fundraising Idea
Peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns are a highly cost-effective and ecient way to raise funds for your school’s PTA. These campaigns can be done digitally, meaning that you can reach an incredibly large audience.
The idea behind these peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns is that you nd top volunteers in your PTA who are willing to host campaign pages, and then promote them through their own networks; friends, family, and coworkers. These pages can also be created in advance of major fundraising events happening at your school, such as fall festivals or other holidays.
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The diculty of setting up these campaigns is quite low since there are many resources available online on platforms. You will need to allocate some time to researching what platforms work best for your needs, and making sure everything looks professional and polished before launching ocially. That said, the effort you spend upfront is worth it, because the earning potential in running these campaigns is high. The amount of money you fundraise correlates to how well market them to family, friends, and colleagues.
Shoe Drive Fundraiser
A shoe drive fundraiser is an easy, fun, and cost-effective way to fundraise for your school and PTA. It is a great way to get the whole community involved; students, parents, teachers, and local businesses. Everyone can contribute by donating gently worn or new shoes. Setting up collection bins in multiple places around the school ensures that donations are easily accessible to all members of the community while also promoting involvement.
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Once the shoes have been collected and processed, you will receive a check from a shoe drive fundraiser coordinator. The amount of money raised will depend on how much the fundraiser coordinator pays per pound of shoes donated. Ultimately, this can be a great way to help out those in need while also bringing in extra revenue for your organization. Plus, it’s an enjoyable activity that encourages creative thinking and participation!
Direct Mail Fundraiser
Direct mail is another effective way of connecting with supporters in the local community and sharing information about a school’s needs. It is fairly inexpensive to set up, and it allows organizations to share their message in a professional way. This method of solicitation also provides an opportunity to add a personal touch, such as student stories or photos. It further allows you to collect direct donations, and patrons can be more generous than asked, if they so choose.
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Direct mail fundraising helps to establish a relationship between the PTA and the donors. Plus, donors light up when letters from students reach their hearts with meaningful messages that’ll leave them wanting to be part of your cause.
The time, effort, and money required for maintaining a successful direct mail program are signicantly less than other methods like creating websites or utilizing social media campaigns. Direct donations maximize what you earn for your PTA fundraiser.
Parent’s Night Out
A Parent’s Night Out is a fantastic event that parents will love and appreciate! These nights are simple to organize and can be orchestrated in just a few steps. The cost of the event varies, but is typically quite affordable, requiring only minimal effort and expense.
The night begins with the children being dropped off at the school by their parents.
While they are away, kids can enjoy activities like crafts, movies, karaoke, or they can play games amongst themselves. It’s an evening lled with fun and entertainment; doing whatever their hearts desire. Kids get to socialize, and enjoy playtime with all their classmates in a safe environment.
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At the end of the night, there is usually a snack or light dinner provided, so that parents don’t have to cook dinner for them when they get home. Parents get to enjoy a night off from the obligations of parenting and childcare.
Bake Sale
A bake sale is a great way for parents and students to support their PTA and school, and it’s also fun and easy. All you need are some baked goods from local bakers and volunteers to staff a table. The cost is low when compared to other fundraising endeavors, and the rewards can be signicant.
Simply put your bake sale stand where lots of people will see it, near school pick-up/drop off locations, in front of popular stores, or anywhere else with interested customers.
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The best part about hosting a bake sale is that everyone gets to indulge in delicious treats. With selections like chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and more, there’s something for everyone. Plus, members of the PTA can donate their own special recipes, so that each table has something unique to offer customers. Make sure to create a scheduling system, so volunteers know when they’re on duty. Kids should take turns as well, In no time at all, you’ll have raised money for your school, while giving others an opportunity to show their baking skills.
Car Wash
A car wash is one of the easiest fundraisers to set up. All that’s needed is a hose, cleaning supplies, and someone to man the event. Not only is it easy to set up a car wash, but it’s also very affordable. All you need are cleaning supplies and volunteers who are willing to donate their time. Depending on how far out you advertise your car wash, as well as the price you charge vehicles for a wash, this fundraiser can be quite protable.
The atmosphere at PTA car washes is fun and lively. Most people respond positively, because getting their cars washed means they don’t have to do it themselves. People tend to love having their cars cleaned no matter what season it is. Hosting a car wash during the springtime, when pollen coats cars, offers an extra incentive. Get more car wash fundraiser tips here.
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Schools parking lots often have convenient access water spigots to which hoses can be attached. This makes execution simple and cost-effective for those running the event. Setting up a car wash fundraiser at school offers benet to everyone involved. Organizers earn money by providing a service that many nd valuable. Attendees enjoy having their dirty cars made sparkling clean without breaking the bank.
Raffles
Raffles are an awesome way of raising money for a cause, without requiring too much effort. If you have enough resources, they can prove to be an excellent source of income. To organize a raffle, the first step is to determine how much you will charge for each ticket. The cost should take into consideration the value of any prizes that you plan to give away at the event. Make sure to include items with higher value. They can attract people to purchase more tickets at a higher cost and generate more money for your organization.
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For maximum impact, it is important to advertise your raffle in advance, so people have time to purchase tickets, and anticipate what prizes may be awarded. Partnering with local companies or organizations — in order to provide additional incentives such as discounts or exclusive items — can further boost participation levels and revenue from the event.
When everything is in place, hold the raffle drawing on the agreed date and ensure that everyone who took part gets their deserved prize if they are lucky to have a winning ticket! Get more raffle fundraising ideas here.
T-Shirt Design Contest
A t-shirt design contest is an easy and effective way to get the school community excited, while also fundraising for your PTA. First, t-shirts are relatively inexpensive purchases, and the expense can be passed-on. They are a great way to build school spirit, without putting a large burden on parents or students. Secondly, everyone loves receiving something with their own unique style, and a design contest allows everyone to put their personal stamp on the shirt.
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Uploading all the t-shirt design submissions to social media is a great way for students to get involved, and vote for designs that best represent their interests. Moreover, these contests can create quite a buzz in the community when done correctly. People love getting creative and sharing ideas. A t-shirt design contest is an inexpensive and fun way for schools to do more than make money, but also show off the creativity of their students, and provide an outlet for any young graphic designers out there!
PTA Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding campaigns can be an excellent way to raise online donations for your school’s PTA. They are relatively easy to organize and manage, and there is a great potential for earning more money than traditional fundraising efforts. With a crowdfunding campaign, you create a page that provides specic details about the project or goal you want to promote and ask supporters to donate online. The funds collected go directly to the causes specied in your campaign description.
Imagine your school’s PTA is looking to raise funds for their upcoming fall festival event. You could set up an online crowdfunding campaign that specically focuses on the event. Detail how the event will include engaging activities and other exciting additions, while allowing students, staff members, parents, and other community members an opportunity to contribute to the effort. Making a limited-time appeal on social media channels and platforms will help reach wider audiences, with higher potential donations. The wonderful thing about crowdfunding is that it helps generate enthusiasm from multiple sources, and excitement fuels donations!
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Another advantage of crowdfunding that that your online campaign will reach a new audience. Everyone uses the internet. Your PTA crowdfunding campaign might ignite the passion of someone who is not aliated with your school, but wants to support your cause. Consider using a popular crowdfunding platform like GoFundMe, so your campaign reaches a wide audience. Additionally, make sure that the messaging on your online donation form is specic and concise. Otherwise, you risk missing out on donations.
Holiday Pie Sale
Organizing a holiday pie sale is a great opportunity to fundraise for your local PTA while alleviating some of the seasonal stress that parents face. Members of your PTA can volunteer to bake classic holiday treats like pumpkin and pecan pies, which can then be sold at an event specically targeted at other parents. Parents will be able to purchase frozen pies that they can easily heat up in time for their holiday dinners, and the prices should be affordable enough to make it attractive even amidst the hustle and bustle of the season.
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To ensure success, it’s important to promote this fundraiser as much as possible. Send order forms home with students, and advertise through newsletters or social media channels; whichever mediums reach your target audience best. Further having parents volunteer around the event itself — setting up tables and checking people in at the door — will help you make the most out of this event, and give parents a chance to meet each other. You pie sale will strengthen relationships between families and your school community.
Bowling Fundraiser
A bowl-a-thon is a great and fun way to raise money for schools. It requires minimal effort, yet has the potential to be quite protable. Participants pay a fee to enter the competition, and the prot goes directly to the PTS’s fundraiser cause. All students need to do is come together, have fun, and keep score while playing several rounds of bowling!
The main reason why a bowl-a-thon event can be a successful fundraiser is that, it’s extremely exciting for kids and teens to hang out with their friends outside of school. It encourages them to participate in something that doesn’t feel tedious or overly serious, like other fundraisers might seem. It also helps build an atmosphere of camaraderie and team spirit among everyone involved, making it both enjoyable and successful
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Discount Card Fundraiser
It’s easy to see why discount card fundraisers and coupon book fundraisers have become so popular among schools and organizations around the world. On top of the low cost and limited diculty required to run a successful discount card fundraiser, they offer incredibly promising earning potential! To start off, all you have to do is reach out to local businesses that offer great services or products, and let them know what kind of special offers will be featured in your fundraiser: discounts, exclusive services or access, free samples, etc. Your PTA can sell individual discount cards or a collection of discounts in a coupon book.
Most companies are more than happy to partner up. A discount card fundraiser, or a coupon book fundraiser is an incredibly effective way for them to advertise their brand. Also, when a person receives a discount card to a business, they have to spend money at that business to use the card. The business earns money from the discount card fundraiser that it might not otherwise receive.
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Once all offers have been compiled and conrmed, the fun can begin! Start spreading the word about your cards by distributing yers and using online platforms. Get creative. Discounts are popular, even with online shoppers! Your supporters can help you make signicant prot if you’re able to sell properly interesting coupon books. Careful research and planning will naturally yield better results. Be sure to offer an eclectic selection of discounts from contributing sources.
Silent Auctions
A silent auction is an effective and easy fundraising event to raise PTA funds. This type of fundraiser requires little preparation, as it requires only a few volunteers and minimal organization. The main challenge is to acquire suitable items that will appeal to potential donors.
To begin your silent auction, consider contacting local businesses for donations of items such as; gift cards, services, merchandise, or tickets. Additionally, reach out to parents and other community members for donations. They can be anything from artwork to handmade crafts. At the silent auction, display the items in a well lit area, with suggested minimum bids. Learn more about silent auction fundraising here.
Yard Sales
Yard sales are a great way to raise money for your PTA and meet your fundraising goals. They require minimal effort and provide ample opportunities to make a prot. Before beginning, make sure to secure a permit from your local government in order to hold the yard sale legally. After obtaining the necessary documents, start collecting donations of gently used items from family and friends. Place ads in your local newspaper, or post yers in your neighborhood to spread the word.
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On the day of the sale, make sure to set up tables, chairs, and any other items necessary for a successful event. Price tags and cash boxes are essential. Provide refreshments, like snacks or lemonade, to attendees. Finally, be sure to thank everyone who donated items and helped out during the event. Get more yard sale ideas for your fundraiser.
Start Your PTA Fundraiser
There are many creative opportunities to raise money for your school. From holiday pie sales to bowling fundraisers, finding the right approach that appeals to your school community can make all the difference in setting a successful fundraiser.
Be sure to do your research, brainstorm ideas, and consider each method’s potential before diving in. Put several of these event ideas together to work for you. Experiment. You never know which one could end up being the most profitable!