7 Unique Fundraising Ideas for Elementary Schools

There are so many great reasons to host elementary school fundraisers. Not only do they help to provide much-needed funds for activities and other educational needs, but they also work to teach students the value of hard work and the importance of working together as a team.

With the help of online platforms like BetterWorld, elementary school fundraising has never been easier. Whether you want to host an in-person, virtual, or hybrid event, BetterWorld’s suite of tools takes the guesswork out of how to find elementary school fundraising ideas that work.

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How to Start an Elementary School Fundraiser

The first step in preparing an elementary school fundraiser is to identify your goals. What sort of activities or needs do you want to fund? How much do you need to raise in order to fund your goals?

Once you have nailed down your goals, it’s time to think of great fundraising ideas for your elementary school. Here is a list of some of the most unique ideas that we’ve seen to get you started.

1. Read-a-Thon

A read-a-thon is one of our favorite elementary school fundraising ideas that work. It encourages students to read, can be worked on during class time, and raises money for your school.

To get started, use a platform such as BetterWorld to set up donation pages for students to customize and share with their friends and families. Donors pledge a certain amount of money per page read or a set amount of the student completes the reading challenge. Students can keep track of their reading through real-time website updates.

All money is collected virtually through an encrypted payment processing system so there is no cash to send in with your elementary school student.

2. Talent Show

There is so much talent hidden within your students. Why not show it off?

Charge an entry fee and sell concessions to turn this talent show into an elementary school fundraiser. You can also sell ad space in your show program and obtain a few community sponsors to increase the number of funds you can raise.

No need for paper tickets or a cash box! All of this can be done electronically through BetterWorld’s easy-to-use ticketing system. Handling everything through a system such as this one will keep all of your information organized and in one place.

You can also send out text message reminders to parents and guardians about your upcoming event.

3. In-Person or Virtual Raffle

Raffles are a great elementary school fundraiser, either by themselves or paired with an in-person event like your talent show.

Gather items and donations from your local community to include in your fundraiser You can obtain one or two big-ticket items or pull together a lot of smaller items to create irresistible baskets to raffle off.

Set up a fundraising page to show off everything that your donors can buy raffle tickets for. Be sure to include high-quality photos and creative captions to create a buzz around your awesome prizes. Your students can even share this page on social media accounts with the help of BetterWorld’s easy social media integrations! The more people who know about your raffle, the better!

If you are doing a hybrid raffle, you can add a live stream or video of the winner being chosen to your fundraising website to boost the excitement of your event.

4. Family Picture Day

Every student gets their picture taken on picture day but how many families never get the opportunity for a professional family photo? Turn this into an easy elementary school fundraiser and give your families something they can cherish forever!

Set aside a day on the weekend to host your event at your school. Hire a professional photographer or a team of volunteer photographers to take photos during the event. Use an online ticketing system to assign time slots and collect deposits. Offer packages of different price points or just sell digital prints.

Talk about an interesting PTA fundraising idea for elementary schools!

5. Art Show

There are plenty of budding artists that walk your halls! Use their talents for fun art fundraisers for your elementary school.

Sell entry tickets online or use an online raffle generator to raffle off some of the best pieces of art. You can also turn this into a digital art show by utilizing the live stream option on your fundraising page.

Raffles or giveaways can also be added to your event to increase your fundraising efforts. Be sure to promote your fundraiser to increase your attendance!

6. Family Fun Day

Elementary school fundraisers that involve the entire family are always a great idea!

Things like Fall Festivals, Trunk or Treats, or Spring Block Parties are always a hit with parents and students alike. Set up games, a hay ride, or art projects for a small donation. You can also sell concessions like popcorn, soda, pizza, or candy.

Some schools also add contests like Pumpkin Carving or Best-Themed Trunk. For a small fee, people can buy votes for their favorite to win the contest! Creates a competitive environment while raising money for your school!

7. Parents’ Night Off

Do you know what every parent of an elementary schooler needs? A night off!

Gather a few high school volunteers and host a Parents’ Night Off in the school gym. Set up a movie or have stations for games and crafts. Charge a fee for the night. Increase the fee a bit and include a snack box for each child.

Your students get to have a blast with their friends at school. Parents get a well-deserved night to themselves, and your school raises money. It’s a win-win for everyone!

We hope these great fundraising ideas for elementary schools have got your creative juices flowing!

Our suite of easy-to-use tools was designed to run successful and easy elementary school fundraisers. Click here to schedule a demo with one of our friendly team members today!