10 Simple (Yet Powerful) Fundraising Ideas for Schools

Posted by Jordan Morris on 31 January 2025

Fundraising plays a vital role in enriching school life—whether it’s improving facilities, supporting extracurriculars, or helping staff and students reach their fullest potential. The trick is finding simple, creative ways to bring in donations while keeping families and the community excited to participate.

At Givergy, we specialize in making school fundraising fun, efficient, and highly rewarding through our digital solutions. Here are 10 tried-and-tested ideas to inspire your next campaign.

1. Mystery Box Auction

Give your fundraiser a dash of intrigue by hosting a Mystery Box Auction, where bidders don’t know what’s inside until after they win. Prizes could range from local restaurant vouchers to handmade crafts from parents.

Top Tip: A mobile-friendly bidding tool (like Givergy’s online auction platform) can significantly increase participation, as parents and supporters can bid anytime, anywhere.

You Could Also Try: Turning this into a “Grab Bag” event instead, where each bag is sold at a fixed price—perfect for families who love a good surprise.

2. Costume or Crazy Hair Day

Let students and staff get creative by dressing up in wacky costumes or sporting fun hairstyles. Encourage everyone to donate a small amount in exchange for joining the fun—and maybe award a prize for the most original look.

Top Tip: Use an online donation page to collect fees in advance. This gives busy parents a quick way to contribute and stay informed about event details.

You Could Also Try: A theme-based version (like a superhero day or decade dress-up) to keep your school spirit at an all-time high.

3. Virtual Escape Room Challenge

Turn problem-solving into a fundraising event by hosting a Virtual Escape Room. Teams (students, families, or even teachers) pay an entry fee to solve puzzles together and race against the clock.

Top Tip: Make registration simple using an online ticketing page. Givergy’s built-in fundraising features also let you share real-time leaderboards to keep the competition fierce.

You Could Also Try: Offering tiered ticket options—basic entry vs. “VIP pass” that includes bonus clues or extra time.

4. Golden Ticket Prize Draw

Who wouldn’t want to find a golden ticket? Sell these special tickets for a chance to win exclusive, school-centric experiences—think “Principal for a Day” or front-row seats at graduation.

Top Tip: An online raffle tool ensures fairness, transparency, and an expanded reach beyond just those physically at the school.

You Could Also Try: Making it a monthly draw, where each month offers a new, exciting prize or experience to maintain ongoing engagement.

5. Glow-in-the-Dark Disco Night

Transform a school hall into a fluorescent wonderland! Students can wear neon outfits, dance under UV lights, and purchase glow sticks or face paint to add to the fun.

Top Tip: Use a digital payment solution to handle ticket sales and on-the-spot purchases so you’re not juggling cash in the dark. Givergy’s mobile payment tools make checkout easy.

You Could Also Try: A “silent disco” twist—participants listen to music through individual headphones, adding an extra layer of excitement.

6. Crowdfunding for a School Wish List

Streamline your efforts by launching a crowdfunding campaign for a specific need—like replacing outdated computers, renovating a playground, or funding a school trip.

Top Tip: Highlight progress with a real-time donation thermometer. Givergy’s unlimited fundraising license allows you to run as many digital campaigns as needed, complete with shareable updates.

You Could Also Try: Inviting local businesses to match a percentage of donations, boosting motivation for your supporters to give more.

7. Adopt-a-Classroom Program

Give donors a direct, tangible impact by letting them ‘adopt’ a classroom. Funds can go toward new library books, art supplies, or technology upgrades.

Top Tip: Encourage transparency by updating donors on what their contributions funded—photos and thank-you notes make a big impression. An online pledge system simplifies tracking each donation.

You Could Also Try: Extending this program to local businesses—fostering community ties while securing a steady stream of funds.

8. School Cooking Competition

Invite parents, teachers, and even students to show off their culinary talents in a cooking competition. Charge an entry fee and encourage spectators to buy tasting tickets to sample (and vote on) the final dishes.

Top Tip: Use a pre-order or ticketing system to manage how many tasting plates you’ll need, reducing food waste and maximizing profits.

You Could Also Try: Offering a special “celebrity judge” spot to a well-known local chef or alumni, boosting publicity and ticket sales.

9. Obstacle Course Fundraiser

Channel everyone’s energy into a fun obstacle course on the school field. Students collect sponsorships from friends and family based on how many obstacles they complete.

Top Tip: Set up individual or class fundraising pages so participants can easily share links with potential sponsors. The more personalized the page, the more donations come rolling in.

You Could Also Try: Incorporating theme-based stations—for example, a water balloon challenge or a foam pit—for an unforgettable day.

10. School Talent Show

Showcase the creativity and skills of your students by hosting a School Talent Show. Charge an entry fee for participants and sell tickets to family members and friends who come to watch. You can even livestream it for supporters who can’t attend in person!

Top Tip: Offering a digital ticketing option allows distant relatives or supporters to secure a spot (or donate) with ease. You might also include a voting or “People’s Choice” donation feature, where each vote counts as a small contribution toward the fundraiser.

You Could Also Try: Inviting local celebrities or former alumni to serve as special guest judges—this can draw more attention and boost ticket sales.

Looking for More Family-Friendly Ideas?

Check out our 15 Fun & Unique Fundraising Ideas for Kids for more inspiration to keep younger students engaged and excited.

Why Schools Choose Givergy

• Engage More Donors: Mobile-friendly features let you reach supporters anywhere.
• Simple to Use: From ticketing to payment processing, Givergy streamlines the entire process.
• Grow Your Reach: Accept donations beyond your local community—no geographical barriers.
• Stay Up to Date: Keep an eye on Givergy’s product updates and flexible pricing options to find what suits your school best.
• Proven Track Record: With over £1 billion raised worldwide, our expertise can guide you to your biggest fundraising success yet.

Ready to transform your next school fundraiser? Contact Givergy today for cutting-edge tools, expert support, and innovative ideas that will elevate your campaign from good to unforgettable.

Jordan Morris

Givergy

Jordan joined Givergy after studying Politics with International Relations at the University of York. He has over two years experience within the charity sector working as a face-to-face fundraiser and as a constituency campaigner. After experiencing the sector from within and knowing first-hand the impact digital solutions can make to fundraising strategies, Jordan is now dedicated to innovating the way charities fundraise to ensure they maximise returns from every fundraising campaign.