Running a successful school fundraiser isn’t just about raising money, it’s about building community, boosting participation, and making it easy for families to support your school. With busy schedules and endless requests for donations, today’s school fundraisers need to be simple, engaging, inclusive, and meaningful.
Here are 10 proven tips to help your PTA, PTO or Parent Group maximize results and create fundraisers that parents, students, and staff want to support.
1. Focus on Participation, Not Just Dollars
One of the biggest mistakes groups make is only measuring success by total dollars raised. Higher participation often leads to stronger long-term results. Even small contributions add up when more families get involved—and it builds a culture of giving.
Tip: Set goals for number of families participating, not just revenue.
2. Make it Easy to Support for Everyone
If supporting your fundraiser feels complicated, people won’t follow through. The simpler the process, the more likely families are to participate.
Tip: Choose fundraising options that are mobile-friendly, easy to share, and require minimal steps to complete.
3. Communicate Early and Often
Don’t rely on a single email or flyer. With busy family schedules, it's easy for messages to slip through the cracks.
Tip: Use multiple channels - email, text, school apps, social media, and backpacks—to remind families about your fundraiser and deadlines.
4. Clearly Inform What the Funds will Support
People are more motivated to give when they know exactly how their support helps students. Make sure they understand it will benefit the students and the school. The more specific the better!
Tip: Be specific: “Funds will support new playground equipment” or “This helps fund classroom technology and field trips.”
Learn more about building sustainable, effective school fundraising programs at ShopRaise.com/school.
5. Get Students and Staff Involved
When students are excited, parents pay attention. Student involvement increases visibility and enthusiasm.
Tip: Add classroom challenges, grade-level competitions, or small incentives to boost student participation.
6. Offer Fundraisers that Families Want
Traditional fundraisers can feel repetitive. Today’s families respond better to options that fit into their everyday lives.
Tip: Look for programs that let supporters give back while doing things they already do—like shopping, dining, or gifting.
7. Encourage Social Sharing
Your school community extends far beyond just parents—think grandparents, relatives, and friends.
Tip: Encourage families to share the fundraiser on social media and via text to expand your reach.
8. Recruit a Strong Fundraising Team
It is true, many hands make light work. A small, organized team can make a big difference in execution and follow-up.
Tip: Assign clear role communications, incentives, tracking, and thank-you to keep things running smoothly. Break down tasks in small groups.
9. Thank Everyone – Often!
Recognition builds goodwill and encourages future support.
Tip: Thank your team, families, teachers, and volunteers publicly and often—through newsletters, social posts, and school announcements.
10. Think Long-Term, Not One and Done Fundraisers
The most successful PTAs and PTOs build sustainable fundraising programs year over year. Recurring fundraising is a great strategy!
Tip: Choose fundraisers that can run annually, increase participation over time, and become part of your school culture.
Final Thought: Fundraising Is About Community
At its best, school fundraising brings people together around a shared mission—supporting students and strengthening your school. When you focus on ease, engagement, and participation, your PTA or PTO can raise more money and build a more connected school community.
ShopRaise for your school
School fundraising presents real challenges — from limited volunteer time to volunteer burnout and participation fatigue. The schools that succeed don’t just rely on one big event; they design programs that fit the realities of their families and community, where they control engagement and stewardship.
With ShopRaise, schools can create fundraising programs that are sustainable, low-lift, and flexible. You can manage supporters in one place, integrate smaller campaigns with larger events, and turn everyday actions into reliable, long-term support. By combining events, product campaigns, and ongoing programs into a system that you control, schools can turn structural challenges into real impact without overburdening volunteers.