No matter if you’re a public, private, or independent school community, fundraising is something you’ll likely need to do at some point. Fundraising isn’t only about collecting donations, however. It’s also a chance to boost morale and get your students, staff, and families full of school pride and the spirit of giving. But how do you plan the perfect fundraiser? From planning to execution, we’ll show you how to create the best fundraiser to benefit those in and around your community.
What Makes a Good Fundraiser
When planning your next fundraiser, you should consider three things to ensure it’s a success: ease of setup, low costs, and high return.
Choosing an event that is easy and low cost to set up can make fundraising more convenient for your staff, students, and families. With lower stakes, your fundraiser can be more accessible to people who may not have the time or resources for something bigger. A low-cost setup can also lighten the resources your school provides, leaving a smaller gap between money spent and money made.
Choosing the Right Cause
Before starting your fundraiser, you need a cause. Where is this money going, or who is it going to? These are questions donors will need answers to before they decide to give funds. Choosing the right cause is the first and best way to ensure your fundraiser is one that aligns with your school and your community. Whether you’re raising funds to offer scholarships to students or to buy new school supplies and equipment, you need to create a strong cause that people are excited to rally around.
Your fundraising cause can also help emerging causes gain traction. A fundraiser is a great way to kick off a new or special program within the school, from STEM and SEL programs to new language learning or multicultural programs. This is your chance to create an event that highlights who your school is and how you are a solid part of your local community.
Ways to Fundraise at Your School
Make your next fundraiser one to remember no matter how much money you want to raise. Here are some of our favorite ideas for simple fundraisers your school can try:
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Bake sale
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Cooking competition
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Raffle
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Auction
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Car wash
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Talent show
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School carnival or fair
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Walk-a-thon or fun run
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Community service
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Pet parade
These options offer a fun, low stakes way for everyone to get involved and give in a way that makes them feel active and committed to the school and community. Pick up litter around the neighborhood, get everyone smiling by showing off your furry friends, or start a little friendly competition with a chili cookoff! Fundraisers can be an annual, semi-annual, or other recurring event that ensures your school can keep getting everyone together, involved, and full of school spirit.
How FACTS Giving Can Help
At FACTS, we understand schools’ needs for a giving solution that makes the process easy, safe, and affordable. That’s where FACTS Giving comes in. With three unique plans offering the best tools for your specific fundraising needs, you can have peace of mind when you plan your next fundraiser. Jump in with no-hassle implementation, simple integration with FACTS SIS, and next-gen features like text-to-give.
Ready to create your next school fundraiser? Learn how FACTS Giving can help set you up for success.
