Fundraising Ideas for Schools to Raise Money Fast

School fundraising is always important, whether you’re fundraising for school equipment in the wake of funding cuts or for a cause that’s dear to the school’s heart. Thankfully, there are plenty of school fundraising ideas that are easy to organise and which can bring school communities together.

From cake sales and book swaps to dress-down days, pamper mornings and quiz nights, there’s enough to engage children, parents and teachers alike, meaning fundraising can be a full school effort. If you’re feeling stuck on how to raise money for your school, check out some of the best school fundraising ideas below.

Start a school fundraiser

Making it easy to spread the word

GoFundMe’s social sharing tools make it easy for schools to spread the word via social media with the click of a button. Schools can quickly and easily raise the money they need for programmes and projects — and students participate in service learning.

Schools in Australia can begin withdrawing funds as soon as the fundraiser starts receiving donations. Plus, there are no penalties for not reaching your goal, and you can choose your own deadline.

Pupils learn leadership skills by taking charge and raising money for an important cause.
Working with fellow pupils to run a fundraiser effectively is an opportunity to learn valuable team skills.
Practising acts of kindness plants the seeds of compassion and sets a precedent for a lifetime of public service.

Pupils learn leadership skills by taking charge and raising money for an important cause.

Working with fellow pupils to run a fundraiser effectively is an opportunity to learn valuable team skills.

Practising acts of kindness plants the seeds of compassion and sets a precedent for a lifetime of public service.

Six best-in-class ideas for school fundraisers

Get your school fundraiser off the ground

Don’t waste time trying to figure out how to raise funds for that important school event, class trip or worthy cause. GoFundMe is here to provide you with the best crowdfunding platform and unique school fundraising ideas to help and support you along the way. If you haven’t already launched your school fundraiser, create one today.

Note: if you’re 12 or younger, please have a parent or guardian start your GoFundMe. If you’re between 13 and 17, please get your parent or guardian’s permission to start an account.

Start a school fundraiser

Primary school fundraising ideas

While many primary school fundraisers focus on meeting a school’s financial needs, consider using a crowdfunding campaign to give back instead. Launching a charitable crowdfunding fundraiser can provide amazing opportunities for personal growth. Teachers can use online fundraising as an opportunity to engage students and encourage them to cultivate compassion inside and outside the classroom.

Teaching children to be compassionate

The sooner children are exposed to resources they can use to do good and make the world a better place, the more comfortable and confident they’ll become in leading the charge for change. By starting a crowdfunder with students, you equip them with skills that will benefit them further down the road, all while promoting values that positively shape the future of our society.

Fundraisers that benefit children are hugely popular in Australia. According to the Australian Education Union (AEU), 86% of public schools said fundraising was important to their school budget
It’s a great way to connect parents and their children in a way that helps children see how much impact their parents can have, and similarly, how resourceful their children can be.
Many parents of school children are keen to be involved in fundraising efforts if asked, with 37.3% of parents in Australia likely to volunteer.

Fundraisers that benefit children are among the most talked about on social media.

It’s a great way to connect parents and their children in a way that helps children see how much impact their parents can have, and similarly, how resourceful children their can be.

Many parents of school children are keen to be involved in fundraising efforts if asked.

Six ideas for primary school fundraising

The road to a better world

Children are the future and by instilling compassion in them, we help find hope for a better tomorrow for people, animals and communities around the world. If you haven’t already started a fundraiser with your children or students, get together with them, pick a cause they’re passionate about and start giving back by launching a fundraiser today.

Note: to create a GoFundMe account, you must be at least 13 years old and have your parent or guardian’s permission.

Start a school fundraiser

Secondary school fundraising ideas

It can be challenging to come up with fresh fundraising ideas that excite both students and parents. The start of the school year can be an incredibly busy time and parents who have spent money on school supplies and clothes may be reluctant to spend even more on a fundraiser — but raising money early on can give you resources to last throughout your academic year.

Get your pupils involved

Give your pupils a sense of ownership in your fundraiser. By trusting secondary school students with an active role in your fundraising efforts, you impart an appreciation for all of the work that goes into funding their education. You also encourage them to express their creativity and take on leadership roles. Ultimately, they’ll value the things or experiences their fundraiser helped make possible.

Australian secondary school students value their peers and building strong relationships, with 82% of young people stating that friendships are very important to them.
Fundraising and looking after others could help to improve students’ mental health. 70% of respondents to a headspace survey rated their mental health as poor or fair.
Getting your pupils involved in fundraising can help to improve their sense of belonging at school. Currently, 28% of Australian students feel like they don’t belong in school.

Among high school students, there is a definite preference for active over passive learning.

Young people prefer to address real-life situations or problems with a real-life context.

In high school, students are just becoming comfortable with problem solving, planning and controlling impulses.

Six ideas for high school fundraising

Blaze new trails

For many people, secondary school is a difficult time — an awkward in-between period in which students struggle to adjust to bodily changes as well as increased responsibility and freedom.

However, secondary school fundraisers can actually be constructive projects that make this new territory less threatening. By organising a school fundraiser that features events that allow pupils to socialise and express their creativity, you help them become more confident.

Note: to create a GoFundMe account, you must be at least 13 years old and have your parent or guardian’s permission.

Start a secondary school fundraiser

Private school fundraising ideas

It isn’t uncommon for private schools to have a large and active philanthropic programme that requires pupils and families to make contributions of time and money. For example, families may be required to volunteer a specific number of service hours to the school.

Service learning builds community, encourages compassion and helps instil a sense of ownership and pride. As part of these efforts, students and parents can use crowdfunding to help finance clubs, sports and community service projects, or add to the school’s endowment or the general fund.

Reach your goals with crowdfunding

One of the biggest requirements in private school communities is for need-based scholarships. Dedicate a crowdfunding fundraiser or event to the school’s scholarship fund to take the pressure off stretched low- and middle-income families

Private school pupils often have a wealth of supplies and resources. Raising money for supplies for a sister school, in Australia or around the world, can help pupils appreciate their good fortune

Let pupils lead. When giving arises out of pupils’ passions and interests, it helps build commitment and motivation

Six ideas for private school fundraising

Get your school fundraiser off the ground

Now you’re well-equipped with these fundraising ideas for schools, there is no need to delay planning how to raise funds for your next school event, class trip, programme, club or worthy cause.

Get the ball rolling with a crowdfunding fundraiser on GoFundMe — because it has a 0% platform fee for organisers, you get to keep more of the funds you raise.

Once you’ve picked your fundraiser, have a read of our fundraising tips to make it a success. If you haven’t already launched your school fundraiser, create your fundraiser today.

Note: to create a GoFundMe account, you must be at least 13 years old and have your parent or guardian’s permission.

Start a private school fundraiser