How to Get Started with School Fundraising

Are you one of those parents terrified about school fundraising? Well, school fundraising sounds overwhelming and complicated. But guess what? It doesn’t have to feel that way. With the right fundraising platform, a plan in hand, a little teamwork, and some creative ideas, you can raise money for your kid’s school without losing your mind. Let’s break it down into easy steps.

Step 1: Know the Goal

Before you start planning, figure out how to get started with school fundraising by identifying what the school needs. Ask teachers, staff, or the PTA. Maybe the library needs new books, or the playground may need better equipment. Or kids need their science or art programs. Knowing the goal makes everything easier. This helps you choose the best fundraising idea. And, people give more when they see how their money helps. PledgeStar helps you track your fundraising progress in real-time, making it easy to see how close you are to your goal.

Step 2: Gather a Team

No, you don’t have to do this alone when figuring out how to get started with school fundraising. Find other parents or even teachers who care about the school and are willing to help out. Work together. Split the tasks. Fundraising works best when people share the workload. This also helps you build a strong school community. A strong team makes fundraising fun instead of stressful. Also, consider PledgeStar as your helping hand. Our team makes the process one hundred times easier. We have people supporting you, and our users rave about the service they get with PledgeStar.

Step 3: Choose the Right Fundraiser

Be smart about this while learning how to get started with school fundraising. Not every fundraiser fits every school. Also, something that worked in the past may not work now. Pick one that works for your community. But more importantly, pick one that works for the kids. Think of an event that’s fun, and that lights up young hearts. Look up events that spark interest. We’re throwing you a few ideas:

• Read-a-thon: Encourages reading because it motivates kids to read books. Plus, they read for a cause. Friends and family donate per book or page read. We always suggest a read-a-thon first. This fundraiser requires little planning and organization, and helps kids read while raising money! PledgeStar offers customizable fundraising pages for Read-a-thons, enabling students to track their reading progress and collect donations easily.

• Fun Run or Jog-a-Thon: Kids run laps. Parents, friends, and family pledge money per lap. Exercise + fundraising = success. PledgeStar helps schools raise more for Jog-a-Thons without the stress, hassle, or extra costs.

• Walk-a-Thon: Less physically challenging than the jog a thon and kids of all ages can participate (even the youngest ones). Kids raise money by walking a set distance during a set time.

• Bake Sale: Simple and classic. Moms bake. Kids sell. Everyone wins.

• Silent Auction: Parents and businesses donate items. People bid to win. Big money, little effort.

When choosing a fundraiser, think about what parents and kids will love because understanding how to get started with school fundraising means making it fun! A fun fundraiser brings in more money and more fun! PledgeStar provides flexibility by adapting to your school or organization's needs, whether you plan a small event or a large-scale community fundraiser.

Step 4: Get School Approval

You’ve decided on your fundraiser—great! But before moving forward with how to get started with school fundraising, check with the school administration for approval. Some fundraisers need permission, especially if they involve school property or students. Talk to the principal, PTA, or administration to make sure your idea follows school rules.

Ask about available spaces, like the gym, cafeteria, or outdoor areas. If you plan to sell food, confirm any health and safety requirements. Some schools also have fundraising policies or limits on how often fundraisers happen.

Getting approval early prevents last-minute surprises. It also helps you gain support from teachers and staff, making the fundraiser smoother and more successful.

Step 5: Spread the Word

To succeed at how to get started with school fundraising, getting the word out is crucial. No one donates if they don’t know about the fundraiser. Getting the word out makes all the difference. Use every tool available to reach parents, teachers, friends, family and the community.

• Use social media. Once you choose PledgeStar, sharing on social media takes no effort. Share your personal fundraising page on Facebook and X to reach even more of your family and friends. You can also go above and beyond. Create a Facebook group, engage on Instagram, or share updates in school-related online groups. Photos and short videos make posts more engaging.

• Send emails and texts. Email and text messaging are the most effective means of getting donations. Send quick reminders in a parent group chat or email help keep the fundraiser top of mind.

• Post in the school newsletter. Many parents read these updates. Ask the school to add your fundraiser to their next issue.

• Send flyers home in backpacks. Kids love bringing home colorful flyers. Keep the message simple and include key details like the date, goal, and how to participate.

• Make announcements. If allowed, ask the principal or teachers to mention the fundraiser during morning announcements or at school events.

• Get kids excited. Kids love fun challenges. Encourage them to tell their families and friends. A little enthusiasm goes a long way!

Again, the more people hear about the fundraiser, the better the results. Keep sharing updates, remind people to participate, and celebrate progress along the way!

Step 6: Keep It Organized

Sometimes just hearing “organized” triggers panic! But no need to stress—everything flows smoothly with a plan when tackling how to get started with school fundraising. Set deadlines, assign tasks, and write everything down. A little structure keeps chaos away. Also, bring in a partner like PledgeStar, and you’ll never feel alone. Give us a call—we’ll coach you on best practices, share insights, and get you up and running. Consider that weight lifted!

Step 7: Make It Fun

People love to help when they enjoy the process, so turn your fundraiser into a fun event while mastering how to get started with school fundraising! Yes, you can do it. And we can help you! On your event day, play upbeat music to keep the energy high. Offer small prizes or fun incentives to keep participants motivated. Cheer for the kids, recognize top contributors, and create a festive atmosphere. The more enjoyable the event, the more support you’ll attract—because when people have fun, they give more generously!

Step 8: Say Thank You

Gratitude goes a long way, so make sure to show appreciation to everyone involved. Thank everyone involved as part of understanding how to get started with school fundraising successfully. Acknowledge donors for their generosity. Celebrate the kids for their enthusiasm and participation. A heartfelt thank-you note, a small token of appreciation, or even a public shout-out can leave a lasting impression. When people feel valued, they’re more likely to support your next fundraiser! Although it’s best if your child personally thanks family and friends who donated, PledgeStar has a cool feature that automatically sends a payment receipt attached to a simple thank you note as soon as the payment is received. So we got you covered anyway!

Final Thoughts

School fundraising doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Success comes easier than you think with the right plan and a little teamwork. If you're wondering how to get started with school fundraising, start small—focus on simple, manageable steps. Work together—involve parents, teachers, and students to create a strong support system. Keep the process fun and engaging to build excitement and encourage participation. Every effort, no matter how big or small, makes a difference. And before you know it, you’ll reach your fundraising goal and create a lasting impact on your child’s school. So go gather your team, take that first step in how to get started with school fundraising, and watch your efforts turn into something amazing!