Read-A-Thon Fundraisers: The Complete Guide for Schools
In this guide, you'll learn how to setup, launch, and manage your own read-a-thon, complete with example emails for parents, social media post templates, and more.
Table of Contents
This guide was created for busy volunteers that want a comprehensive, step-by-step walk through on planning, setting up, and managing a read-a-thon. You can use FutureFund to power your read-a-thon for free.
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What is a Read-a-Thon?
Read-a-thons work for every grade level, but they're especially well-suited for elementary schools where literacy is a shared priority. They're easy to explain, easy to participate in, and easy to support. That combination is what makes them one of the most consistently successful fundraiser types in K-12 education.
Why Schools Choose Read-a-Thons
The volunteer lift is low compared to events like galas or carnival nights. Most of the work happens upfront during setup. Once the event is running, students and parents carry it forward on their own.
Finally, the literacy angle gives your fundraiser a purpose beyond raising money. Teachers support it. Principals support it. And when parents share their child's reading progress with donors mid-event, it creates a natural momentum that keeps giving going all the way to the finish line.
How Much Does a Read-a-Thon Raise?
A classroom of 25 students raising $150 each produces $3,750 from a single class. Scale that across a school of 400 students with strong participation and you're looking at a significant fundraising event, often $30,000 to $60,000 or more for schools that run it well.
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How to Run a Read-A-Thon: Step by Step
Choose a Date & Theme
- Choose the date of your Read-A-Thon three months before the event. Read-A-Thons usually take place over a week or two so that students have time to read as much as possible, so make sure you schedule an appropriate window that doesn’t conflict with other important dates.
- Make sure your PTA coordinates with the school library ahead of time to create a dedicated space that can be used for the Read-A-Thon. This makes student participation easier.
- Some Read-A-Thons have specific themes based on the time of year they’re held -like reading US history books around Thanksgiving or books by authors of color during Black History Month. See some theme ideas here.
Use these templates to keep your Read-A-Thon planning on track:
Call for Volunteers
- Put out a call for volunteers two months before the event. Use FutureFund’s built-in messaging system to reach the parents and volunteers most likely to participate.
- Make sure your call for volunteers clearly states what cause or project the Read-A-Thon will support.
- Perform background checks for any volunteers who need to be on campus during the event (if required by your school).
- Event Coordinators: Overseeing the entire Read-A-Thon, ensuring guidelines are followed, and communicating with participants and parents throughout the event.
- Reading Mentors: Volunteers who offer encouragement, book recommendations, and possibly reading assistance, maintaining regular check-ins with students
- Technology Support: Individuals managing online platforms, tracking reading progress, and assisting with digital reading resources or apps.
- Registration and Tracking Volunteers: Handling participant registration and keeping track of students’ reading progress, hours logged, or books completed.
- Prize and Incentive Organizers: Coordinating and distributing rewards or recognition for reading milestones, including managing online announcements or mailings.
- Library Volunteers: Keeping the library space tidy and organized, ensuring a conducive environment for students who choose to read there during the Read-A-Thon.
Choose Student Incentives
- Incentives motivate students to register for your Read-A-Thon and collect pledges. Each student should have a specific fundraising goal—usually between $100-$300.
- It’s better to offer incentives to the class or group that wins the most matches collectively than to individual students, as this is a more cost-effective way to motivate groups and can also discourage unhealthy competition. Try an ice cream social or a pizza party for the best results.
Create Your Read-A-Thon’s Campaign
Use FutureFund to create a Pledge-A-Thon campaign and provide your campaign details.
Make sure your campaign has the following elements:
- A clear and compelling event description and rules, including what the money raised will go towards and what the incentives will be for participating students.
- A leaderboard that shows the grades and teachers for each participating class, along with how much each has raised. These are fully customizable in FutureFund, so you can create custom categories for each Read-A-Thon.
- A template students can use to collect pledges from members of the school community. FutureFund provides a sample template for this in all A-Thon campaigns, which you can modify to include the specific details of your event.
Here’s a Canva template of sample Read-A-Thon rules. Click “Use template for new design” to create an editable version, then add custom information for your event,change fonts and graphics, and more!
Announce the Event & Sign-Up Students
- Send out an announcement of your Read-A-Thon to the school community two weeks before the event begins and request that students sign up to participate.
- Share the news in as many places as possible—use the school newsletter, morning announcements, and FutureFund’s messaging system to tell everyone why the event is important and how they can be part of it.
- Use FutureFund to send follow-up messages every other day leading up to the event to encourage participation.
- On the morning of the event, send out a final announcement to get the school community excited about the event and encourage them to keep offering support.
- If your event lasts longer than a single day, send out updates every other day letting people know how close you are to reaching your funding goals.
Having students track their reading progress is easy-just hand out charts to each participant that look like this:
To edit or use this chart for your students, go to “File” and click “Make a copy”.
Subject: Join the Excitement of the [School Name] Read-A-Thon!
Hello Students,
Get ready to embark on a reading adventure! Our annual Read-A-Thon is starting soon, and we want YOU to be a part of this exciting journey. This event isn’t just about discovering amazing stories and expanding your horizons; it’s also about supporting our beloved school.
Why should you join?
- Explore new worlds and adventures through books.
- Help raise funds for [insert cause or school project].
- Earn cool rewards and recognition for your reading achievements.
How to Sign Up:
Signing up is a breeze! Just visit this link and follow the steps: [insert FutureFund link]. Then you’ll get your own link you can share with friends and family to collect pledges before the event.
Remember, this event is for everyone, whether you’re a bookworm or just getting started with reading. Let’s unite in a celebration of literature and learning.
Thank you for your support![Your Name][School or Name of School Group]
Subject: Your Contribution Makes a Difference - [School Name] Read-A-Thon Update!
Dear [Donor’s Name],
As our Read-A-Thon progresses, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your support. Your donation is not just funding an event; it’s igniting a passion for reading in our students and helping us achieve our goal of [insert specific goal or cause].
Here’s the latest update:
- [Number of students] have registered to participate!
- We’re [percentage] of the way to our fundraising target.
Every page turned by our students is a step towards enriching their learning.
Don’t forget, you can still share our event and encourage more support through FutureFund at [insert link].
Your generosity is a vital part of our school community, inspiring our students to explore and learn.
Thank you for your support![Your Name][School or Name of School Group]
Subject:Final Week of the [School Name] Read-A-Thon - Keep Turning Those Pages!
Hello [Name of School] Students & Families!
We’re entering the final week of our Read-A-Thon, and the enthusiasm is at an all-time high! It’s been incredible to see our students immerse themselves in books and stories.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Only one week left to reach your reading goals!
- Last-minute donations can still be made to support our readers via FutureFund at [insert link].
Get ready for the closing ceremony where we’ll celebrate our achievements and award our top readers!
Let’s make this final push a memorable one. Your dedication and support are making a huge difference in our school and in the lives of our students. Let’s finish strong!
Thank you for your support![Your Name][School or Name of School Group]
Here are some Canva templates to help you spread awareness for your Read-A-Thon on social media and in your community! Click “Use template for new design” to create an editable version, then add custom information for your event, change fonts and graphics, and more!
- Canva Read-A-Thon Template for Instagram Story
- Canva Read-A-Thon Template for Instagram Post
- Canva Read-A-Thon Template for Printable Poster
Example caption: Support [insert school name]’s Read-A-Thon from [insert date range]. Help our school community raise money for [insert cause] by registering to read as many books as possible!
Find Sponsors
Ask local businesses to sponsor the Read-A-Thon. This can help your PTA reach your fundraising targets while business owners get exposure and positive PR.
Make sure to explain how each sponsor’s contribution will be recognized. For example, you could:
- Hang a banner in the library with sponsor logos during the event.
- Offer branded swag to participants.
- Add sponsors to your school’s online store using FutureFund.
Here are some examples of sponsorships you can offer:
- Direct donations—either towards your fundraising goal or to help cover the costs of supplies and equipment.
- Corporate matching is where a business makes a donation equal to all or a portion of the funds you raise from the community.
- Selling sponsorships on FutureFund via advertising on your campaign page.
Host the Read-A-Thon
Finally, the day of the run will arrive-and if you’ve followed all the steps above, you should have everything you need to make it a success. On your mark, get set, GO!
- Make the official launch announcement.
- Host a special event or assembly to excite students.
- Begin logging reading hours.
- Send updates via FutureFund messages or school announcements.
- Highlight top readers and classes.
- Offer reading tips and book recommendations.
- Celebrate the halfway point with a special announcement or event.
- Recognize achievements and top fundraisers so far.
- Encourage continued participation and fundraising.
- Continue communication to encourage final reading and fundraising efforts.
- Share progress towards goals and highlight any special contests or incentives.
- Final push for reading and donations.
- Reminder for students to log their last hours and for donors to make final contributions.
- Announce total hours read and funds raised.
- Recognize top readers, classes, and fundraisers.
- Distribute prizes and certificates.
- Send thank-you notes to participants, volunteers, and donors.
- Survey students, teachers, and parents for feedback.
- Use FutureFund’s financial reporting tools to summarize the progress your event has made.
- Begin planning for next year’s event based on feedback.
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Read-A-Thon Templates & Resources
Use these templates to keep your Read-A-Thon planning on track:
To participate in the Read-A-Thon, you must choose [number of books] by [date]. Then, the Read-A-Thon starts on [date], which means you have until [date] to finish your books!
Make sure to tell your family that you’re fundraising, so they can donate (ask your parents for help, so they can ask their friends and coworkers too!).
All donations will be collected through FutureFund through this link: [link].
Or, here’s a Canva template of sample Read-A-Thon rules. Click “Use template for new design” to create an editable version, then add custom information for your event, change fonts and graphics, and more!
Let’s get reading! Starting [date], [school name] will be hosting a Read-A-Thon to help fundraise for [cause]. You can help by reading as much as you can! Parents, each student will be collecting pledges online through FutureFund: [link].
Please spread the word to your family, friends, and coworkers to help make this fundraiser a success!
Use these Canva email script templates to call out for Read-A-Thon participants, donations, and to keep your fundraiser top-of-mind. Click “Use template for new design” to create an editable version, then add custom information for your event, change fonts and graphics, and more!
Use these Canva templates to help you spread awareness for your Read-A-Thon on social media and in your community! Click “Use template for new design” to create an editable version, then add custom information for your event, change fonts and graphics, and more!
- Canva Read-A-Thon Template for Instagram Story
- Canva Read-A-Thon Template for Instagram Post
- Canva Read-A-Thon Template for Printable Poster
Example caption: Support [insert school name]’s Read-A-Thon from [insert date range]. Help our school community raise money for [insert cause] by registering to play as many matches as possible!
Read-A-Thon Goals & Rules
Treat these as a base and feel free to tailor these to suit your specific event.
The reading goal should be dependent on the length of time and the grade the students are in. Set an attainable goal, but one that requires active participation by students. For a two-week Read-A-Thon, a good goal is students reading at least 10 times over the course of the fundraiser.
You may also want to track the total amount of time read. Many Read-A-Thons feature “top reader” awards, given to the top 3 or top 5 students who read the most.
Another way to make Read-A-Thons a bit more fun is to acknowledge and reward students that read on consecutive days, such as a “longest reading streak” award. A little bit of fundraising gamification can go a long way!
- 10 days for pre-school and elementary schools
- 14 days for middle and high schools
You can choose any length of time between 10 days and 1 month. For the best results, try to make your Read-A-Thon last between 10 days and 2 weeks.
You can create a set reading list, but it’s often best to let students choose their own books.
For a two-week Read-A-Thon, most students should aim to read 1-2 novels (based on their reading level). For younger students reading picture books, they can set a goal of 3-4 books.
If you are worried about student participation, consider including comic books and magazines as part of your Read-A-Thon as they often contain complex themes and important discussions.
Before you start telling students about the Read-A-Thon, you should decide the following:
- Duration of the Read-A-Thon
- How many books or how much to read
- The reading list or theme
- Start telling students about the Read-A-Thon at least 10 days before it starts.
- Students should be signed up in your fundraising system and gathering donations at least 7 days before the fundraiser starts.
- On the day the fundraiser starts, be sure to re-explain the rules and encourage students to continue fundraising.
- Halfway through the Read-A-Thon, remind students how many days they have left to finish their books.
Read-A-Thon Theme Ideas
Take your students around the world through books! For this theme, students can choose books based in other countries and learn about different cultures.
You can do a Read-A-Thon at any time of year and match it with upcoming holidays. In December, for example, you can do a holiday theme with books about Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas.
Take students to another time with books that take place in the past or future. You can even choose books based on what they’re learning in history class as an added learning opportunity.
There are so many great fantasy books that you can use this theme for every reading level. From Harry Potter to Lord of the Rings, this theme makes it easy for students to pick a book they love.
Most kids can agree on loving superheroes. Encourage kids to read books or graphic novels about their favorite characters.
Another topic most kids can agree on is loving animals. For this theme, kids can pick any book about animals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Read-A-Thons
FutureFund gives you the ability to generate financial reports for fundraising campaigns in just a few clicks. To do this, navigate to Store and click the Reports tab near the top of your screen. Then choose Campaign Summary from the drop-down menu and click Generate Report.
Yes - FutureFund lets you create a list of the volunteer positions you’ll need to fill, then add a volunteer page to your registration portal so parents can sign up in just a few simple clicks. See the steps for signing up volunteers here.
Donors will give pledges for a certain amount of reading. For example, a student’s grandma might donate $5 for every book they read. Or maybe a parent’s coworker donates $2 for every hour of reading.
The “rules” can be flexible, as long as students read more than normal. You can also have students read during school time, at home, or both.
The length of a Read-A-Thon is flexible. If students are doing the reading at school, typically, you’ll want to do at least 10 reading sessions. Depending on their grade level, these sessions can be anywhere from 15 minutes to 1 hour.
If students are reading at home, 10 days to 2 weeks of reading is the sweet spot. It’s long enough for students to accomplish their reading goals, but not so long they forget about it.
Read-A-Thons are great fundraisers to hold in the fall. They don’t require a ton of planning, so they’re easy to pull off in the first few weeks of school.
Students are also just returning from summer break and will likely be more excited about reading than they will be later in the school year.
That’s one of the great things about a Read-A-Thon; you or the students can pick almost any book. You can create a suggested reading list (just make sure to customize it for each grade level).
Alternatively, you can also let students choose what books they read. This is a great option because you don’t have to worry about how many copies of a book the library has. Students will also read more because they can pick books they’re truly interested in.
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Darian Shimy is the founder and CEO of FutureFund Technology, a fundraising and selling platform for K-12 school groups. He has 25+ years in web-based technologies, managing engineering teams, and building products.