For those of you on the lookout for top-notch high school fundraising ideas - look no further! Due to a general lack of funds, or budget cuts, schools often need to fundraise. Whether you’re in a pickle and need a quick fix, or are planning for the long run, we’ve compiled a great list of high school fundraising options to pick from.
One of the best fundraising ideas for high school is to host an online auction. A virtual auction is a great way to raise money without interested parties needing to leave the house. People can bid on items while they’re at work, at the gym, or doing some grocery shopping.
Online auctions can also be held over longer periods of time than live events. This means that more people can participate and drive higher bids.
Free platforms such as BiddingOwl make the online auction process easy and effective for schools.
Approach some businesses, explain the objective of the fundraiser, and ask for them to sponsor some raffle prizes. A great idea is to hold a raffle for experiences, not simply objects. For this idea to be a hit, think about what experiences your target audiences will value the most.
For example, school students might be interested in tickets to a rollercoaster park, or a premium movie experience. Parents, on the other hand, may love a spa day or a restaurant voucher. Get the whole family involved by offering an outdoor experience, such as a kayaking package, for four or more people.
To show the ultimate support for the school or a favorite team, allow spectators to purchase customized merchandise! Some items to consider are socks, phone covers, t-shirts, and beanies.
Make sure to choose items that are low-cost, so that they can be sold for a decent profit. Think about whether the chosen design is relevant - the target audience should enjoy the item, as well as the print.
Swap out the typical pop quiz for a family-friendly pub quiz! A trivia night is inclusive of all ages. Make sure to gear questions toward students and parents alike. Get together a list of fun questions about popular music, movies, a YouTube channel, or current affairs.
This idea is quick to organize and affordable. All you need is an enthusiastic host, an empty hall, and some great tunes to play in between rounds.
When the time for high school fundraising ideas rolls around, everyone loves a good, old-fashioned talent show.
In order to win some fun prizes, let students get out their guitars or deck of cards and flaunt their gifts. Comedy skits, dramatic monologues, and ventriloquism are all welcome! This event works best in person, but why not live-stream it and let the relatives tune in to boost those ticket sales? 
Schools are part of communities. And when it comes to fundraising, you shouldn’t forget that!
Alumni, local businesses, non-profit organizations can all be tapped into when you need to raise some capital. These people and entities all have an interest in supporting your efforts, and can even benefit from exposure through your fundraising initiative.
A walk-a-thon is a great way to involve the wider community in your venture. Have supporters organize themselves into groups, or enter alone. Each team, or member, should pledge to walk a certain amount (such as 15 000 steps per day) for a period. Sponsors can support the walkers, and each team or member can try to raise a certain amount of money.
You might have some good high school fundraising ideas in your pocket. But, for these to become great ideas, take the context of the school - and its financial requirements - into account.
Fundraising goals should reflect whether you’re raising money for general reasons or for specific items and events.
For example, you could state that your objective is to raise funds for the music program. However, goals should be much more specific. Instead, create a list of instruments you want to purchase and their costs. This should give you a more specific idea of how much money you need to raise.
Timing is truly of the essence when it comes to effective fundraising! Plan out your goal amount, and take note of when the proceeds are needed. If the field trip is one month away - you definitely shouldn’t try to organize a concert. Instead, opt for something quick and easy, like a raffle.
If you are happy to receive capital throughout the year, spend some time discussing the timeframe for each fundraising initiative. Consider if the project will take two weeks or six months. Make sure to include the time needed for planning and any wrap-up work or evaluation that will need to occur.
Volunteers are a big part of fundraising. Keep in mind whether you have enough volunteers, and resources in general, to carry out your project. If you’re hosting a trivia night, do you have enough chairs and a location? How much time can each volunteer on your team commit to the initiative?
Lastly, ensure that there is a fundraising team leader. Having a decision-maker can make the process more efficient, especially if you don’t have lots of time available. If you’re a parent leading the fundraising charge, and the initiative needs to make use of school resources, ensure that a staff member is on the team to liaise with school management.
These high school fundraising ideas can help you achieve the injection of finance you’ve been waiting for! From walk-a-thons to online auctions, there are plenty of tried and tested fundraising initiatives out there.
Remember to consider the needs of the school, and what resources you have at your disposal. Before you head off to the next PTA meeting - remember that good planning is the key to a great fundraiser!
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