Are you looking for fresh, new PTA fundraiser ideas that can help you smash your fundraising goals? Look no further! Whether you're a veteran PTA officer or member, or you're new to fundraiser planning for your PTA, we've got you covered.
This list of the top ten best PTA fundraisers includes both innovative and proven fundraising strategies that will help you raise funds while rallying your school community. From fun runs and auctions to crowdfunding campaigns and a-thons, these fundraisers will not only boost your fundraising dollars but also bring your school community closer together.
The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) plays a pivotal role in school fundraising. PTA members collaborate with school administrators, teachers, parents, and the school community at-large to plan and run various fundraising initiatives throughout the year. Because PTAs have such a deep understanding of the needs of the school community, they are able to choose fundraisers that make sense for the school while helping to unify everyone toward a common cause.
Fundraising plays a vital role in supporting schools and ensuring that they have the necessary resources to provide quality education to students. According to National PTA, "a well-planned fundraising event serves multiple purposes. In addition to raising money needed to support PTA programs and goals, it can also further PTA's mission by engaging families and enhancing children's health and education."
With shrinking budgets and increasing demands, schools often rely on fundraising efforts to bridge the gap and offer enhanced learning experiences. Funds raised go toward programs, equipment, classroom support, and services.
A well-funded school can provide extracurricular activities, updated technology, field trips, and other educational opportunities that enrich students' lives. Fundraising can also build a sense of community and involvement among parents, teachers, and students, bringing everyone together to meet a goal.
While some fundraisers are tried and true successes, not all fundraisers are a home run. There are a few things you'll want to think about when you're choosing your fundraiser so you can ensure maximum participation that helps you smash your fundraising goals.
1. Think about what gets your school community excited. If there's a strong sports culture at your school, a fun run or sports tournament might be a great choice.
2. Determine your fundraising goal and the specific projects or programs the funds will support. That will help inform your fundraiser choice.
3. Consider the resources and support available to your organization. Some fundraisers require more planning, coordination, and volunteers than others. Assess your PTA's capacity to make sure you'll be able to run your fundraiser successfully.
By thinking through these things, you'll be able to choose a fundraiser that works best for your PTA and school community.
If you're looking for a sure-fire fundraiser that engages and excites your school community while smashing your fundraising goals, these top ten PTA fundraisers are great options.
Promote reading and raise funds simultaneously with a reading A-thon! Students gather sponsors who pledge money for every book or page read and the average participating reader raises $90. To keep participants engaged, be sure to set reading goals and reward them with certificates or prizes.
Harness the power of your community to run a crowdfunding fundraising campaign. Tell everyone what the campaign goal is, how the funds will be used, and how they can make a different. Be sure to share compelling stories and visuals that resonate with your community and provide convenient options for online donations. Share the campaign widely and encourage everyone to participate and spread the word.
A fun run (or walk!) is a great way to get students, parents, and teachers engaged in a healthy and active fundraising event. Participants collect pledges or donations based on the distance they run and you can make the event extra fun by adding a theme or feature like bubbles or color cannons.
An auction can be an excellent way to fundraise because it gets parents and the broader community engaged. You can get individuals and local business involved by asking them for donations of unique items, experiences, services, or gift cards to auction off. Plus, if you're holding a live event instead of an online auction, you can make it extra exciting with a professional auctioneer and exciting bidding opportunities.
Your PTA helps organize student groups to carry out service projects around the school and in the community. You can get creative with how you add a fundraising component with a pay-per-vote system for which projects will be carried out or some other model that works best for your school.
Like an auction, an online raffle is a great way to get parents and the community involved in your event because you can ask them for donations. You can sell tickets for all prizes or for individual prizes and, as an online fundraiser, it typically requires fewer volunteers than an in-person fundraising event which is helpful if you're resources are slim. Keep in mind, you'll want to make sure you're eligible to run a raffle based on your state regulations.
Product sales like donuts, school supplies, or other popular items can be effective fundraisers, especially during the holiday season. Partner with reputable vendors and provide incentives for students to sell, such as prizes or rewards for top sellers.
Organize a themed event like a carnival, game night, or halloween party. Sell tickets to the event and create a family-friendly, festive, fun atmosphere with activities like crafts and face painting, games, and food.
Everyone has that old family recipe with the secret ingredient. It's time let them shine! Ask parents, teachers, school administrators, and students to submit their favorite unique family recipes to create a collection that showcases your school's diverse tastes and traditions. Organize all the submitted recipes into a book and sell it to raise funds for your school. Bonus points if you combine the cookbook launch with the next fundraiser!
Showcase the culinary talents of your school community with a fundraiser to see who can make the best dish. You can pick a specific item like chili or chocolate chip cookies (if you have a sweet tooth), or you can pick a category like soups or pies. Sell tickets to the event during which attendees can sample all of the entries and vote for their favorite. Create a friendly competition and offer prizes for the best chefs.
Now that you have some great ideas for your next PTA fundraiser, it's time to start mapping out your plan. Running a successful fundraiser takes a lot of planning and organization, but you don't have to go it alone. Whatever type of fundraiser you're planning to hold, use these key steps for fundraiser planning throughout and success is in your reach!
1. Set clear goals and objectives
2. Establish a budget and stick to it
3. Gather your squad and assign roles and responsibilities
4. Pick your fundraiser
5. Outline your timeline
6. Recruit volunteers
7. Promote your fundraiser far and wide
8. Arrange the logistical details
9. Run your fundraiser
10. Communicate your success
11. Give thanks to everyone who was involved
