As school budgets tighten across the country, school fundraising becomes an increasingly critical pursuit. Whether funds are needed to build a new playground or maintain an arts program, effective fundraising can dramatically impact the quality of a child’s education. What follows are our top 10 school fundraising ideas:

1. Corporate sponsorship. Partnering with your local businesses to raise money for a specific school project or event is one of the best school fundraising ideas out there. Public recognition of the donation, such as a plaque on a playground, lets the public know who to thank for the generous donation.
2. Donate a brick. Let the community physically help build a better education for your children. Commemorative bricks are purchased by community members and placed in hallways and patios, proudly displaying the names of those who donated for years to come.  There is a brick fundraising company listed in our fundraising company directory. At some point, whether it’s with a brick fundraiser or another fundraiser, you might ask yourself how you should go about collecting tons of small donations. Checks are cumbersome, cash doesn’t leave a paper trail and processing credit card payments on your own can be complex. We recommend collecting donations (for bricks, for instance) online. Try a free platform for collecting donations like GoFundMe.
3. Tree of Gving. A Tree of Giving is a permanent wall memorial of those who generously gave to the school. The trunk and branches of the tree spread across the wall and community members purchase leaves that will memorialize their donation for all to see. These are popular in hospitals.
4. Family carnival. Fun, games and prizes – who could ask for more from this idea on our list of top 10 school fundraising ideas? From cake walks to carnival games suitable for children of all ages, this is a fundraiser the entire family will enjoy!
5. Local restaurants. Contact your local restaurants to arrange a “School Night” for your school. The restaurant donates a percentage of sales to the school. They receive more business, families receive a yummy meal and the school receives much needed funds!
6. Basket raffle. Each classroom is charged with creating a basket to raffle off. At a school event, such as parent-teacher conferences, a school concert or an open house, sell raffle tickets and let the parents select which baskets they’d like to enter to win.
7. Discount cards. Discount cards offering discounts to local merchants are an easy way for children to raise funds for their school. Whether it’s for a specific event, such as a field trip, or just as general fundraising idea, discount cards are something everyone can use.
8. Talent show. Give children an opportunity to display their talents while raising money, with number eight on our list of top 10 school fundraising ideas! Even a nominal ticket price can raise hundreds of dollars.
9. Bake sale. Take advantage of captive parents and students at all of your school’s after school events with a bake sale. Parent-teacher conferences, concerts and open houses are prime opportunities to raise funds for your school with this tasty idea!
10. Recycling. This simple idea not only raises money for your school, but helps the environment too! Have a contest to see which class can collect the greatest weight in cans, with the winning class receiving a pizza party at lunch or an ice cream treat at recess.

Related posts:

1. School Fundraising: Donate to Wear Cool Clothes
2. School Fundraising: Vote for Artwork (with Dollars in Jars)
3. The Top 22 Art Fundraising Ideas
4. The Top 10 Free Fundraising Ideas
5. 10 Fun Fundraising Ideas to Excite Any Audience
6. The Top 9 Unique Fundraising Ideas
7. 10 Excellent Club Fundraising Ideas
8. How to Hold an Excellent Kiss a Pig Fundraiser