24 Funny Fundraising Ideas For Schools
Updated November 2025
Table of Contents
Easy to Implement
- Traveling Toilet
- Penny War
- Doggy Kissing Booth
- Tape the Principal to the Wall
- Bailout
- Punch O Rama
- Funny Photo Contest
- Stand Up Comedy Night
- Crazy Clothes Day
- Crazy Hair Day
- Crab Race
- Lady Free Fashion Show
- Comedy Roast
- Donate or Dare
- Missile Practice
Moderate to Implement
- Soccer Prom
- MORP
- Wine Toss
- Gift Baskets
- Flock the Yard
- "P" Party
- Frozen Hair
- Dunk Tank
- Cow Patty Squares
Traveling Toilet
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - simple, funny rotating prop with straightforward donation structure |
| Time to Implement | 1-2 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $ (paint, cleaning supplies, signage, toilet usually donated or thrifted) |
| Volunteers Needed | 2-3 (delivery/relocation drivers, coordination, record keeping) |
| Ideal For | Neighbourhood fundraisers, high-engagement school communities, clubs with strong parent involvement |
For this event, find a toilet and clean it up as much as you can. Then paint it and put it in someone's front yard with a note attached. It can say something like this: "You've been blessed by the traveling toilet! If you want us to remove it, contact us at (your number here) and we'll relocate it for a $20 donation. We can relocate it to a friends yard for $30. We can remove it for good for $50. We can also remove it at no cost to you. Just give us a call and we'll come pick it up."
See also: 30 Awesome Donation Ideas for School Fundraisers
Penny War
| Ease of Implementation | Easy but needs tracking |
| Time to Implement | 1 week+ |
| Expenses Required | $ (collection jugs) |
| Volunteers Needed | 1 per class to monitor |
| Ideal For | School-wide competition |
All you'll need for this event are some empty gallon jugs, similar to the ones that are used in water coolers. You can get one per class or one per grade. Each jug is competing against all of the other ones. A penny war is pretty straight forward: each penny that you add to your own jug adds 1 positive point to your class total while every silver coin that you add to your competition's jugs subtract from the overall total based on the value of the coin. Whoever has the most positive points will win a class prize and all of the money collected goes to the PTO/PTA!
Tape The Principal To The Wall
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - fun, low-cost stunt with massive student engagement |
| Time to Implement | 1-2 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $ (duct tape, plastic sheeting, safety mats) |
| Volunteers Needed | 3-5 (crowd control, tape sales, safety monitoring, photography) |
| Ideal For | Spirit weeks, pep rallies, assemblies, school-wide celebrations |
Charge the students per strip of tape to tape the Principal to the wall. Be sure to get a picture of them afterwards for the school paper or the year book!
Soccer Prom
| Ease of Implementation | Moderate - requires photo setup, field preparation, and messy play planning |
| Time to Implement | 4-6 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $$ (photographer, lighting, props, optional refreshments) |
| Volunteers Needed | 6-10 (registration, field setup, photo assistance, cleanup) |
| Ideal For | High school events, homecoming week, end-of-year celebrations, athletic communities |
Hire a photographer to catch your friends rocking the soccer field in prom dresses and cleats! Accept a flat fee and make sure theres plenty of mud and fun to be had.
Doggy Kissing Booth
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - requires a friendly dog, simple booth setup, and sanitation supplies |
| Time to Implement | 2-3 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $ (booth decor, wipes, water bowls, treats) |
| Volunteers Needed | 3-4 (dog handler, line manager, donation collector, cleanup) |
| Ideal For | Outdoor events, pet-friendly communities, fall festivals, school carnivals |
If you know any particularly kissy pups, hold a kissing booth for them where $1 will get you 1 sloppy puppy kiss.
MORP
| Ease of Implementation | Moderate - requires indoor venue, music, and activity planning |
| Time to Implement | 4-6 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $$ (decor, snacks, DJ/sound system, lighting) |
| Volunteers Needed | 6-10 (chaperones, ticketing, concessions, setup/cleanup) |
| Ideal For | High school spirit events, alternative dances, fundraiser-friendly social nights |
MORP=PROM backwards. Sell tickets to spend time with friends doing the exact opposite that you would normally do for prom. Do you normally wear a fancy dress and spend a bunch of money on hair and make up? Wear sweats and throw that hair in a messy bun. Normally eat at a fancy restaurant? Mcdonalds baby! Normally dance the night away? This part is optional. For the actual event, utilize a space like the gym but depending on what your seniors want, you can either play pump up music or music that inspires a calm mood instead.
Bailout
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - simple themed setup with high entertainment value |
| Time to Implement | 2-3 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $ (cardboard "jail," signage, props) |
| Volunteers Needed | 3-5 (promotion, donation tracking, on-site supervision) |
| Ideal For | School fairs, hallway fundraisers, community days, lunchtime events |
Pick a popular person from your school or community and set them up in a makeshift jail in a high traffic area and post signs requesting money for their bail. All the money raised goes to the PTO/PTA/club and everyone gets a kick out of seeing their favorite person behind bars.
Wine Toss
| Ease of Implementation | Moderate - requires organized prize structure and safety management |
| Time to Implement | 3-4 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $$ (wine bottles, rings, table setup, signage) |
| Volunteers Needed | 3-5 (booth operators, prize distribution, ID checks for adults) |
| Ideal For | Adult-only fundraisers, community festivals, evening events |
Set up a bunch of wine bottles of varying price points then sell the opportunity to toss rings to try to make it on a bottle of wine. If the patron is able to make it on the bottle, they're able to take the bottle home with them.
Punch O Rama
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - simple construction and highly engaging game play |
| Time to Implement | 1-2 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $-$$ (poster board, tissue paper, small prizes, plastic cups) |
| Volunteers Needed | 2-4 (booth operation, prize restocking, setup/cleanup) |
| Ideal For | School carnivals, block parties, fall festivals, indoor or outdoor events |
Cut a bunch of grapefruit sized holes in a few pieces of poster board and attach a piece of tissue paper to the back of the poster board. Then, add either a prize or a slip of paper notating the prize in a cup and attach it to the back of the tissue paper with the mouth of the cup facing the back of the posterboard. Then charge a flat fee for patrons to PUNCH a hole through the tissue paper to claim their prize.
Gift Baskets
| Ease of Implementation | Moderate - basket assembly + auction setup |
| Time to Implement | 3-5 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $-$$ (basket materials, donations) |
| Volunteers Needed | 4-6 (assembly, auction coordination) |
| Ideal For | Add-on to dances, cookouts, community events, or galas |
This event is pretty customizable, as you can make up the baskets for any occasion. Our personal favorite is doing craft beer and cheap beer baskets next to one another for people to bid on but get as silly as you want with the contents and theme of each basket.
"P" Party
| Ease of Implementation | Moderate - requires themed decorations, food, and activity planning |
| Time to Implement | 3-4 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $$ (decor, themed snacks, music, signage) |
| Volunteers Needed | 6-10 (setup, check-in, activity stations, cleanup) |
| Ideal For | Middle/high school dances, themed community nights, spirit events |
Throw a party with everything that starts with the letter P. People can only wear colors that start with the letter P, eat food that starts with the letter P, play games with the letter P, etc. And feel free to use any letter of the alphabet if P doesn't work for your community.
Flock the Yard
| Ease of Implementation | Moderate - requires flamingos & coordination |
| Time to Implement | 3-4 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $$ (plastic flamingos, signs, insurance cards) |
| Volunteers Needed | 6-8 (wranglers, delivery, coordination) |
| Ideal For | Neighborhood pranks, family fun |
All you'll need for this event are some flamingos (get them on amazon or from Walmart if they have them) and some flamingo wranglers (a group of volunteers). Once you have everything collected, your bird wranglers can place the flock in an area that's easy for the family to see with a note either dropped off at their door or placed on the flock somewhere. The note should read something like:
"Congrats you've been FLOCKED! We can persuade the birds to move on for a $10 donation, but for a $15 donation you can tell the birds where to FLOCK to next! Our bird wranglers can be reached at (insert phone number here). Passing is an option as well! Just give us a call at that number and we'll come shoo the birds away for free."
Patrons can even purchase Flamingo Insurance for $10, which prevents their yard from being selected as a landing place for the birds. Some schools do "sneaky flocking", where the wranglers try to sneak the birds onto the yard without the family noticing until the note is delivered. Feel free to get silly with it!
Funny Photo Contest
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - simple submission process with optional photobooth |
| Time to Implement | 1-2 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $ (prize item; optional props or photobooth setup) |
| Volunteers Needed | 2-4 (submission management, judging, promotion) |
| Ideal For | Indoor events, spirit weeks, social media-friendly fundraisers, all grade levels |
This contest can just be selfies or your club can put together an event with a photobooth. Either way, the photo that people pick as the funniest one wins and gets a prize!
Stand Up Comedy Night
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - simple AV setup and low logistical complexity |
| Time to Implement | 2-3 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $-$$ (microphone/speaker rental if not donated, setup, signage, small prize) |
| Volunteers Needed | 3-5 (emcee support, ticketing, seating, cleanup) |
| Ideal For | Community nights, school assemblies, drama clubs, family-friendly events |
Have a few of your community's comedians take the stage during a comedy show! You can also give your young new talent a chance by only having high school and middle school students showcasing their best material. Either way, collect an entry fee from the audience for them to watch the show.
Crazy Clothes Day
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - no setup required beyond promotion |
| Time to Implement | 1 week |
| Expenses Required | $ (prize or small incentives, optional signage) |
| Volunteers Needed | 1-2 (donation collection, promotion) |
| Ideal For | Spirit weeks, elementary and middle schools, classroom competitions |
Collect a flat fee from the students to wear crazy clothes or wear their clothes in a funny way! Backwards, upside down, inside out, or a completely silly outfit are welcome!
Crazy Hair Day
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - no setup required beyond promotion |
| Time to Implement | 1 week |
| Expenses Required | $ (prize or small incentives, optional signage and photo backdrop) |
| Volunteers Needed | 1-2 (donation collection, promotion) |
| Ideal For | Spirit weeks, elementary schools, classroom competitions, low-effort fundraisers |
Collect a flat fee from the students to wear their hair in silly ways!
Frozen Hair
| Ease of Implementation | Moderate - requires cold weather, hot tub access, and safety considerations |
| Time to Implement | 2-3 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $$ (hot tub access, towels, safety supplies, prize) |
| Volunteers Needed | 4-6 (supervision, registration, photography, judging) |
| Ideal For | Winter events, ski/resort communities, high schools, novelty fundraisers |
For this event, you'll need a cold day and a hot tub. Have everyone that wants to participate register and pay a registration fee. Then let them dunk their heads under water and arrange their hair in silly styles before it freezes into place. Make sure to have a photographer on standby to snag the photos so the judges can pick the winner!
Dunk Tank
| Ease of Implementation | Moderate - requires dunk tank rental, water source, and safety staff |
| Time to Implement | 3-4 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $$ (tank rental, water, signage, towels) |
| Volunteers Needed | 6-8 (setup, ticketing, line management, safety monitors) |
| Ideal For | Carnivals, field days, block parties, large outdoor events |
Sign a prominent figure up to take the seat on the dunk tank at your next big event!
Crab Race
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - simple race structure with minimal equipment |
| Time to Implement | 1-2 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $ (cones or markers, small prizes) |
| Volunteers Needed | 2-4 (line management, timing, prize distribution) |
| Ideal For | Field days, PE classes, community events, younger students |
Accept a flat fee to participate and challenge your students to a crab walking race!
Lady Free Fashion Show
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - clothes can be borrowed from friends/family |
| Time to Implement | 3-5 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $$ (venue, decorations, sound system) |
| Volunteers Needed | 8-10 (setup, admissions, backstage help) |
| Ideal For | Families, add-ons for larger events, high schools |
Grab some of your favorite dudes and put on a fashion show with all womens attire. Charge a flat fee to watch the show and let the laughs roll in.
Cow Patty Squares
| Ease of Implementation | Moderate - requires access to a pasture and coordinating with a livestock owner |
| Time to Implement | 3-4 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $-$$ (field grid materials, prize, signage) |
| Volunteers Needed | 3-5 (grid setup, ticket sales, event oversight) |
| Ideal For | Rural communities, agricultural programs, fall festivals, unique outdoor events |
For this silly event, you'll need a cow, a pasture, and a piece of poster board. Break the field down into equal squares and cut the posterboard down to look the same as the field. Take bets on where the cow will drop his "patty" and whoever guesses right wins half of the earnings from the activity!
Comedy Roast
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - simple AV setup and low logistical complexity |
| Time to Implement | 2-3 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $-$$ (microphone/speaker rental if not donated, setup, signage) |
| Volunteers Needed | 3-5 (emcee support, ticketing, seating, cleanup) |
| Ideal For | Community nights, school assemblies, drama clubs, family-friendly events |
Pick a popular person in the community and have the comedians of the community come up and roast them. Charge your audience a flat fee to come watch the show!
Donate Or Dare
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - low-cost, high-engagement activity with simple materials |
| Time to Implement | 1-2 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $ (note cards, markers, small prizes if desired) |
| Volunteers Needed | 2-4 (card management, roaming facilitators, donation collection) |
| Ideal For | School carnivals, pep rallies, spirit weeks, indoor or outdoor events |
Write some wacky actions on a notecard and approach patrons to pull a card and read it. Once they read it, let them know that they can either donate a certain dollar amount or do the dare on the card!
Missile Practice
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - fun, straightforward setup with minimal equipment |
| Time to Implement | 1-2 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $ (water balloons, water access, buckets, towel for the volunteer) |
| Volunteers Needed | 3-5 (water balloon filling, sales, line management, safety oversight) |
| Ideal For | Summer events, field days, block parties, high-energy outdoor fundraisers |
Talk to a popular person in your school or community and ask them to be a walking water balloon target for a few hours during the event. Then sell full water balloons to kids!
