In most schools fundraising is a key part of the academic year which allows schools to improve their facilities, whether it's to raise money for school special needs equipment, a playground or even just general maintenance.
In some cases, schools may need to make upgrades to their technology equipment or want to offer more extracurricular activities and educational programs, some of which are vital in maintaining academic excellence.
If your Parent Teachers Association (PTA) is running out of ideas for up and coming fundraisers, here is a selection of our favourite inexpensive and simple school fundraising ideas that won't take the entire term to plan:
Bake sale
One of the longest-reigning and most popular ways of raising money, and we can totally see why - bake sales are huge moneymakers for schools across the globe. Ask students, parents and teachers to bake cookies, mini muffins or cakes and host a bake sale during school hours for parents to pop in for a cuppa and a chat with parents from their children's class. Any remaining cakes can be raffled off between students and teachers within the school.
Jelly Bean Count
Incredibly easy and super entertaining. Simply fill a large jar with Jelly Beans or another sweet of your choice and let the kids guess how many treats are in the jar. With each guess costing 50c a pop, the cash will add up pretty quick. At the end of the week, the person who guesses the closest to the number of Jelly Beans in the container gets to keep the lot.
Recycling Drive
Set up a partnership with a company who buy clothes, ink cartridges or even mobile phones and have students bring old ones into the school. This particular event can be an ongoing project which could raise hundreds or even thousands over the course of the year.
No Uniform Day
If your school requires students to wear uniforms, this idea will be perfect for you. Ask all pupils to make a small donation for one day in exchange for dressing down. They will love being able to showcase their personal style all while raising money for their schools latest project.
Sponsored Walks
Get the students in your school active by hosting a sponsored walk such as a Witches Walk at Halloween or a Bunny Hop just before the Easter holidays. As an added bonus you could invite parents in to watch selling tea, coffee and store-bought cupcakes for a little extra revenue.
Occasion Cards
Have students or an artistic parent design Christmas cards for the school and have a local printer mass produce them to in a bid to raise extra cash. The children will adore making them and sending them out to friends and family over the holidays.
Raffle
In a raffle, tickets are sold in the hopes of winning really cool prizes and the better the prize the more tickets sold. Get in touch with local play centres, food outlets and cinemas and ask them to donate prizes for your up and coming school fundraiser.
