Walk through the commons area of any high school or middle school in the United States and you are guaranteed to see some tried and true traditions.
There will be examples of school pride, students congregating before or after class, and announcements for fundraisers.
Fundraising is a classic component of most extra-curricular activities that students all over participate in. Clubs, organizations, and even sports teams realize the only way to raise the money they need for opportunities will come via the hard work of the students and teachers who oversee them.
The ways these funds are earned can be both fun and positive to the school culture. Here are some of the most beloved and successful fundraising ideas for your school clubs and teams to try:
School Quiz Night
Students can host a quiz night at their school. They are open registration for teams to come in and compete in games of knowledge of history, math, sports, and entertainment – truly any subject has potential for a category. This can be open to teachers, parents, and classmates. The teams pay their fee, which is the money the club or team earns. We suggest asking a teacher, principal, or even a local well-known figure in the town to be the Quiz Master to give it that extra celebrity flare.
Marathon Dance Contest
Not everyone feels they can dance, but this is all about fun, not technique. Invite students and families to compete in a dance-a-thon. Collect pledges based on how long contestants keep dancing. Provide good playlists of upbeat songs and sell snacks and refreshments. To top it off, have a grand prize for the people who are the last ones dancing. Consider asking a funny teacher to be the DJ.
Fun Run
Organize a Fun Run or Fun Walk in which all students, teachers, and parents can participate. Encourage the students to raise pledges from their families or ask for a specific donation amount. The donations become the funds earned for the organization. Make it a fun event with music, snacks, and high energy.
Movie Night
Connect with a local theater and host a movie night. Sell the tickets at school, with a portion of the ticket price staying with the club or team for their fundraiser. It can be a specific movie, or a few to give the students and families a choice of what they want to see.
Seasonal Carnival
This is one students can host at anytime of the year. Whether it’s a winter or a spring theme, it’s a chance to put together a collection of games, treats, and entertainment to raise money. Students will be expected to design the decorations and come up with activities for guests to enjoy. Entrance tickets will be sold and the club or team will benefit from all the hard work.
Car Wash
This a great way to gain donations from the community beyond the students’ families. Host the car wash in the school parking lot and offer to wash cars of parents and people driving through the neighborhood for a donation. Community members will be excited to help students reach their goals.
Bake Sales
The most traditional of all fundraisers. This one can include everyone from parents to students and staff to contribute baked goods for a one-day sale. It’s a way to excite the entire school’s sweet tooth and earn money for the organization.
There are so many opportunities to create a sense of school pride while helping students improve their clubs and teams with these fundraisers. Remember to always keep it safe and make sure you have the permission from your administrators to use school grounds.
Beyond the money raised, it’s also an amazing opportunity to create awareness to other students about the organizations and possibly bring in new members. Have fun!