Rewrite your high school fundraiser playbook

Are you ready to elevate your high school’s fundraiser game? If you want new ways to dazzle your school community and boost school spirit while raising money for activities, clubs, and teams, it’s time to think outside the box.

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From inventive events that excite students, teachers, staff, parents, and families to unique fundraiser ideas that pump up the creativity factor, there are tons of innovative ways to raise big bucks while having a blast. Plus, the benefits of fundraising for your high school go beyond the money you raise.

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Rewrite 1: Use fundraising to fuel school spirit

Fundraising is essential for providing the necessary financial resources for PTAs, PTOs, Booster Clubs, and schools to do everything from running programming to making facility improvements. But the impact of fundraising goes beyond the dollars and cents. 

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High school fundraisers are a powerful tool for supercharging school spirit and fostering a sense of community among your supporters. When everybody is full of pride and working together toward a goal, it creates a positive environment that encourages participation, loyalty, and support.   

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When you’re planning a high school fundraiser, think about how your idea will help boost school spirit. Make sure you’re baking it into your strategy so your fundraiser is a memorable experience that resonates with participants and gets them excited to be involved in your program or event.

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Empowering students to lead fundraising initiatives is a great way to fuel school spirit through fundraising. It can be a game-changer for both your school and for the students themselves, helping them develop valuable skills and fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility.  

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Rewrite 2: Don’t play it safe 

It’s comfortable to recycle your annual fundraiser, especially if it’s been successful in the past. You know exactly what it takes to run and can generally project how much you’ll raise. But even if you’re re-running last year’s fundraiser, you can still shake things up to make it feel fresh and exciting for your participants and supporters.

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When it comes to fundraising, creativity is key. Thinking outside the box can boost your participation by attracting a new and wider audience. Adding a new element to a fundraiser you’ve done in the past is a great start. 

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Dream up a fun theme to pair with your tried-and-true fundraiser or change up the format. For example, if you always do a 3-on-3 tournament, put a twist on it by making participants dress in a group costume or create a new division with a wacky sports interpretation.

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If you’re up for trying a totally new fundraiser, here are a few creative ideas you can make your own:

• Upcycling flea market - Whether people reimagine their best flea market finds or dig into their storage bins to unearth a buried upcycle-worthy treasure, an upcycling flea market is a creative way to high school fundraiser. Makers can either donate their creations so all the proceeds go to your school or you can raise money through stall rentals.

• Scooper Bowl - Partner with a local ice cream shop or shops to provide everything you need for a big all-you-can-eat ice cream festival. Raise money by charging for admission and make it fun by giving participants the opportunity to vote on their favorite flavor.

• Service auction - Bring together a force of student volunteers and auction off their services to the community for small jobs like fence painting, leaf raking, lawn mowing, and garden weeding.

• Holiday gift wrapping service - Building fundraisers for your high school around holidays and seasonal events can be very effective, tapping into the festive spirit of your community. Turn the old-school fundraiser of selling wrapping paper into a much more creative endeavor by having a gift wrapping event instead!

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Rewrite 3: Get merchants in on it

Donor fatigue is real, so finding innovative ways to raise money that don’t require more monetary asks from your school community is a huge win. That’s where passive fundraising programs like Shop to Give are a lifesaver.

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Passive fundraising or passive giving programs are a set-it-and-forget-it way to raise money. They send merchant-funded donations to your organization when your supporters shop or dine at participating stores and restaurants. Merchants contribute a portion of the transaction price to the purchaser’s chosen organization. 

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Shop to Give from Givebacks and other passive fundraising programs can help your organization reach a wider audience and diversify your donation streams while creating a sustainable fundraising channel all year long. These types of programs are a key part of a comprehensive and effective fundraising strategy.

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