24 Online Fundraising Ideas for Schools
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Thinking of fun ways to host an online fundraiser for your school can be challenging. FutureFund has compiled 24 fundraising options below. From game nights to online murder mystery shows, there is definitely something that will interest your potential attendees!
Updated November 2025
Table of Contents
Easy to Implement
- Movie Night
- Fantasy Football
- Video Game Brawl
- Peer-to-Peer Fundraiser
- Email Campaign
- Text-to-Give Campaign
- Card Sale
- Jewelry Fundraiser
- Slumber Party
- Any Decade
- Donate at Checkout
- Book Fair
- Escape Room
- Ugly Sweater Competition
- Bake Sale
- Wishlist
Moderate to Implement
- Go Viral!
- Auction or Raffle
- Game Show
- Science Night
- Wine & Paint Night
- Wine Pull
- Recipe Cookbook Fundraiser
- Geocaching
Choose from these ideas in order to make your event successful and memorable!
Also, FutureFund has useful fundraising campaign tools that can benefit you in your event - so be sure to check them out!
Movie Night
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - simple digital setup using streaming + video call |
| Time to Implement | 1-2 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $ (movie license if required, optional mailed snacks, digital trivia tools) |
| Volunteers Needed | 2-4 (tech host, chat moderation, trivia facilitator, registration) |
| Ideal For | Remote families, winter fundraisers, multi-school groups, community nights |
These days, it's a lot easier to stream a movie online so everyone can attend from wherever they are!
Use a video-call service like Zoom or Discord in order to stream your movie and ask attendees to pay a fee to attend. Get creative and have online trivia quizzes. Allow people to dress up as characters from the movie and ship unique snacks to everyone's homes.
Then, sit back, relax and enjoy the show!
Fantasy Football (or other sport)
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - uses existing fantasy platforms |
| Time to Implement | 1-2 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $ (platform fees if any; minimal overhead) |
| Volunteers Needed | 1-2 (league commissioner, communications manager) |
| Ideal For | Sports-oriented schools/sports teams, remote participation, multi-week engagement |
Looking for a way for people to compete without meeting in person? Try Fantasy Football (or any other sport)!
The great aspect of this option is that you can apply to any sport at all - not just football. Look through this guide and adapt it to the sport of your choice! Have everyone join through video conferencing software and have them pay a fee in order to participate.
Attendees will love competing with each other while watching sports together!
Video Game Brawl
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - simple online gaming setup |
| Time to Implement | 1-2 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $ (game licenses if needed; many options are free) |
| Volunteers Needed | 2-3 (game host, tech support, scorekeeper) |
| Ideal For | Teens, families, online-friendly communities, competitive group events |
Getting competitive in a fun way has never been easier. Host an online video game party for your attendees!
Invite people to play Jackbox games through their phone or set up an online gaming session where people can attend from the comfort of their homes. Consider games that are free for the players, such as Among Us. However, the attendees will still pay a fee as part of the fundraiser in order to attend.
Attendees will enjoy practicing their skills while relaxing with their families.
Peer-To-Peer Fundraiser
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - highly flexible, no event required |
| Time to Implement | 2-3 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $ (graphics, social media assets; platform tools via FutureFund) |
| Volunteers Needed | 1-3 (campaign setup, communications, donor tracking) |
| Ideal For | Wide-reach fundraising, social-media-savvy communities, goal-driven campaigns |
Possibly one of the simplest options, a Peer-to-Peer fundraiser is a great way to activate people's networks in order to fundraise for their school.
Participants can use the power of social media and each other's networks in order to fundraise for their schools.
Consider using FutureFund's Donation Campaign option in order to organize your fundraiser.
Email Campaign
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - straightforward outreach with high impact |
| Time to Implement | 1-2 weeks (prep) + 2-4 weeks (campaign window) |
| Expenses Required | $ (email tool if not using FutureFund, graphics, optional video content) |
| Volunteers Needed | 1-2 (content creator, campaign manager) |
| Ideal For | Busy families, donor-wide messaging, low-effort fundraisers |
An email campaign is a great way to allow users to donate to your school with little fuss!
Use FutureFund's services in order to organize your email campaign. Give families plenty of time to contribute! Make the email campaign fun with videos and pictures.
Families will appreciate this easy option!
Text-To-Give Campaign
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - minimal setup, very user-friendly |
| Time to Implement | 1 week |
| Expenses Required | $ (text-to-give service fee; FutureFund can support) |
| Volunteers Needed | 1-2 (setup, monitoring donations, promo) |
| Ideal For | Large districts, tech-friendly communities, quick-turnaround fundraisers |
Virtually everyone uses text to communicate these days. So why not harness that power for your school's benefit?
A text-to-give campaign is a simple way for your school to collect funds. FutureFund can support you with organizing and coordinating your effort. Your school district will love this low-effort, user-friendly option.
Go Viral!
| Ease of Implementation | Moderate - requires theme development and content review |
| Time to Implement | 3-4 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $-$$ (video hosting tools, promo materials, prize incentives) |
| Volunteers Needed | 3-6 (video reviewers, campaign moderators, communications team) |
| Ideal For | Creative communities, social-media-heavy schools, high-engagement events |
Is there something unique about your school, your students, or your faculty?
Think about hosting a Go Viral! Campaign. Develop a theme and ask users to submit videos following the instructions you lay out for them - maybe it's developing a new dance move, singing along to a song, or artistically recording a recipe!
Monetize this by asking users to pay per video they want to submit. It'll draw attention to your school and your efforts!
Auction or Raffle
| Ease of Implementation | Moderate - requires item procurement, listing setup, and winner coordination |
| Time to Implement | 3-5 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $-$$ (shipping for prizes, promotional materials; many items donated) |
| Volunteers Needed | 4-6 (item collection, photography/listing, winner communication) |
| Ideal For | Online fundraisers, community-wide campaigns, FutureFund-hosted auctions |
Everyone loves a chance to win big. So why not give attendees an opportunity to smile while also improving your school's finances? Set up an online auction through the use of social media or through FutureFund.
Gather donations, in the form of items or services, by reaching out to local companies; then, list them online and spread the word!
Prizes can be mailed to winners or can be picked up. Your families will love competing with each other to secure the prizes - and your school will be the ultimate winner.
Card Sale
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - simple art collection + online printing service |
| Time to Implement | 2-3 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $$ (printing costs for cards; optional delivery gifts like flowers/chocolate) |
| Volunteers Needed | 3-5 (art collection, design upload, order management) |
| Ideal For | Elementary schools, art programs, holiday fundraisers |
If you're looking for a way to involve your elementary-school children in art projects that turn a profit, this might be your best bet!
Have students create artwork that can then be turned into cards for an upcoming holiday! Use a website like Moo.com to upload the artwork. Families will love buying their childrens' cards as artwork and if you can offer hand-delivery service with some flowers or chocolate for an additional fee!
Jewelry Fundraiser
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - relies on partnerships with jewelry companies |
| Time to Implement | 2-4 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $ (usually none; company handles sales and shares proceeds) |
| Volunteers Needed | 1-3 (promotion, partner coordination, communications) |
| Ideal For | Parent groups, online fundraisers, holiday seasons, gift-focused events |
Think of jewelry for your next fundraiser!
Host an online jewelry fundraiser for your school district by partnering with a jewelry company, such as Kendra Scott or Park Lane. There are also companies where you can have custom-made jewelry pieces, such as My Team Jewelry.
Give big while looking glamorous.
Slumber Party
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - flexible, low-structure online event |
| Time to Implement | 2-3 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $-$$ (optional mailed snack boxes, themed décor, digital content) |
| Volunteers Needed | 2-4 (registration, hosting, mailing logistics) |
| Ideal For | Younger students, themed nights, family engagement events |
Let everyone relax and enjoy themselves at a Slumber Party!
Consider shipping boxes of snacks and gifts to each person's house. Set a theme, stream a movie, and consider reading developmentally-appropriate stories through the event.
This is the perfect option for a low-stress, easygoing night!
Any Decade
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - theme-based online event with simple activities |
| Time to Implement | 1-2 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $ (trivia tools, playlist licensing if needed, optional mailed props) |
| Volunteers Needed | 2-3 (MC/host, tech support, trivia facilitator) |
| Ideal For | All-ages virtual events, spirit nights, themed community gatherings |
This is a classic option that can easily be hosted online! Choose any decade and set up a memorable celebration that will leave everyone reminiscing about the good times.
You can always host trivia, play a movie, or listen to music from that decade as well!
You definitely can't go wrong with this theme!
Donate at Checkout
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - simple partnership with an online retailer or platform |
| Time to Implement | 2-3 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $ (promotion materials; no operational costs) |
| Volunteers Needed | 1-2 (business outreach, partnership setup, communications) |
| Ideal For | Passive fundraising, online shoppers, ongoing donation programs |
According to Engage for Good, 69% of customers have donated at checkout.
Partner with an online business to increase revenue to your school! Take into account the Amazon Smile program when choosing between options!
Book Fair
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - simple partnership with an online bookseller |
| Time to Implement | 2-3 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $ (promotion materials; no inventory or setup costs) |
| Volunteers Needed | 1-3 (promotion, communication with bookseller, tracking proceeds) |
| Ideal For | Literacy initiatives, elementary and middle schools, low-effort virtual fundraisers |
A classic option, setting up a Book Fair has never been easier, thanks to the digital age. With this option, you can host a book fair online.
Consider using an option like Barnes & Noble to host your fair.
Escape Room
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - book an event with one of the many online escape room companies |
| Time to Implement | 2-3 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $ (online escape room fees, usually recouped through ticket sales) |
| Volunteers Needed | 1-2 (booking, setup, instruction) |
| Ideal For | Middle or high school group activities |
Escape Rooms are a fun, competitive activity that players are sure to love; teams work together to complete games and puzzles before their competitors, securing an unforgettable win that people will talk about for some time afterward!
This event can be held online through a company like Jam Group Events. If you want, you can even DIY the escape room yourself to save on money and increase your profit margin; enlist diverse volunteers to help you create the puzzles and games.
Ugly Sweater Competition
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - simple themed event with minimal setup |
| Time to Implement | 1-2 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $ (prizes, hot chocolate/seasonal drinks, optional photo backdrop) |
| Volunteers Needed | 2-4 (registration, judging, refreshments) |
| Ideal For | Winter fundraisers, holiday parties, virtual or in-person gatherings |
Hosting your fundraiser in the winter? Consider an Ugly Sweater Competition!
Have guests wear their ugliest sweaters! You can run it as a fashion show. Have guests pick up winter drinks like eggnog and hot chocolate from a site.
Guests will delight in taking pictures with each other and comparing their sweaters!
Game Show
| Ease of Implementation | Moderate - requires hosting, tech setup, and prize distribution |
| Time to Implement | 3-4 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $$ (prizes, game materials, optional party company fees, shipping prizes) |
| Volunteers Needed | 4-6 (host/emcee, tech support, scorekeeper, prize management) |
| Ideal For | Virtual or hybrid events, family nights, interactive group fundraisers |
If you're looking for a way to entertain your guests, consider hosting a game show!
You can work with a party company to set everything up or you can DIY it! Play Family-Feud or The Price is Right using online video-conferencing software such as Zoom or Discord. Of course, prizes will have to be mailed to attendees after the event. Make it fancy and have everyone dress up in cocktail attire.
A little competition can be fun, after all!
Science Night
| Ease of Implementation | Moderate - requires experiment planning and supply coordination |
| Time to Implement | 3-4 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $$ (experiment kits, themed snacks, safety supplies, decorations) |
| Volunteers Needed | 6-10 (experiment station leaders, setup, cleanup, registration) |
| Ideal For | STEM programs, family engagement nights, elementary/middle school events |
Get your nerd on with a Science Night!
Consider setting up various science experiments that will wow adults and children alike! Let people dress up scientists, mad or otherwise! Ship snacks like molecule cookies or cocktails served in beakers.
There's nothing formulaic about this option!
Wine & Paint Night
| Ease of Implementation | Moderate - requires supply shipping and event coordination |
| Time to Implement | 4-5 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $$ (art supplies, beverages, instructor) |
| Volunteers Needed | 5-7 (setup, registration, cleanup) |
| Ideal For | Adult-only fundraisers, virtual social events, art-focused communities or clubs |
Encourage self-care amongst your attendees!
Sell tickets for a Wine & Paint night - by posting on social media, you can build up momentum for the event in advance. Ship everyone some supplies and a bottle of wine so they're prepared to attend a video call together!
If you're feeling too bogged down with the logistics, consider using a site like Paint The Town or partner with a local company.
Finished paintings can be donated and auctioned off for additional profit!
Wine Pull
| Ease of Implementation | Moderate - requires sourcing wine bottles and organizing prize tiers |
| Time to Implement | 4-6 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $$ (wine donations, venue setup, signage) |
| Volunteers Needed | 6-8 (collection, setup, promotion, ID checks, prize distribution) |
| Ideal For | Evening social fundraisers for adults, auctions, galas |
Who doesn't love an opportunity to taste some delicious wine? Set up a wine wall filled with wine bottles at various price points and have guests pull a wine bottle for a fee!
Contact a local winery to determine if they would be interested in partnering with your school. If hosting online, consider using a virtual wine-tasting service like One Hope Wine.
Recipe Cookbook Fundraiser
| Ease of Implementation | Moderate - recipe collection and layout |
| Time to Implement | 4-8 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $-$$ (printing or digital design) |
| Volunteers Needed | 4-6 (editing, layout, promotion) |
| Ideal For | Add-on sales, online distribution |
An appetizing way to raise funds could be a Recipe Cookbook Fundraiser. While it will require some coordination, a few volunteers, and some capital, the payoff will be worth it because the community will have concocted a final product that they can all be proud of.
There are many options for the kinds of recipes you can ask individuals to submit: kid-friendly recipes for family fun, ancestral recipes to continue the art of cooking, no-heat recipes, gluten-free recipes, etc. You could work with your school's art department to take photos or have contributors submit their own photos. Sites like Shutterfly are a great option to design your cookbook. You'll be overflowing with funds in no time!
Bake Sale
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - simple ordering and delivery coordination through FutureFund |
| Time to Implement | 2-3 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $-$$ (ingredients, packaging, delivery costs-often offset by pricing) |
| Volunteers Needed | 3-6 (bakers, order management, delivery coordination) |
| Ideal For | All school levels, holiday seasons, remote-friendly fundraisers |
Consider a twist on this classic fundraising option!
Use FutureFund's tools in order to organize and coordinate your virtual bake sale. Let attendees choose which treats they would like to purchase and have a delivery service drop them off.
Use social media to allow recipients to post their reactions!
Geocaching
| Ease of Implementation | Moderate - requires cache setup, mapping, and communications |
| Time to Implement | 3-4 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $ (cache containers, small trinkets, printed clues or digital maps) |
| Volunteers Needed | 3-5 (cache placement, registration, social media monitoring) |
| Ideal For | Community events, STEM programs, family participation events |
Geocaching is a fun way to explore your neighborhood - so why not allow everyone to get in on the fun?
Plant various caches through different spots in your neighborhood and have attendees send pictures when they find the cache! Charge a flat fee in order for people to participate!
Everyone can post their finds on social media!
Wishlist
| Ease of Implementation | Easy - straightforward contribution-based fundraiser |
| Time to Implement | 1-2 weeks |
| Expenses Required | $ (no major costs; simply setup a donation campaign) |
| Volunteers Needed | 1-3 (wishlist creation, donor communication, tracking) |
| Ideal For | Schools with specific needs, donors who prefer transparency, year-round giving |
If possible, make a list of items, services, and other needs your school has.
Consider breaking big-ticket items into smaller items. Have people contribute funds towards one of these options.
Schools will directly benefit from this fundraiser and donors will have control over how their funds are used - which is a win for everyone!
