A high school fundraising event has the potential to unite a community, generate funds for deserving projects, and provide memories that will last. But it takes careful planning and execution to pull off a successful one!
In this article, we’ll explore eight tips for running effective fundraising events in high schools. From establishing clear objectives to getting students and volunteers involved – we’ve got everything you need to make your event triumph.
Whether you’re financing a special project or collecting cash for a local good cause, these pointers will help you maximize results and ensure everyone has an experience they’ll never forget.
1. Set Clear and Achievable Goals
If you want your high school fundraising event to be successful, it’s important to set goals. For instance, say you want to raise $5,000 for new sports equipment. Make clear how this sum will directly help students and provide a realistic timeframe for reaching that target.
By breaking down the goal into smaller milestones and keeping track of progress along the way, you can help to maintain motivation levels among those taking part—and keep their eyes on the prize!
Communication is also crucial: make sure everyone knows why you’re running the fundraiser and how big a difference it could make with their help. This kind of clarity can generate support and excitement from students, teachers, parents, and sponsors alike.
2. Involve Students in the Planning Process
Engaging students in the planning process is crucial for a successful high school fundraising event.
When you encourage students to contribute ideas, coordinate fundraisers, and advertise the event, you’re not just benefiting from their creativity and unique perspectives – they also feel a sense of responsibility and accomplishment if it goes well.
One way to do this is by setting up committees led by students to look after different aspects of the event (such as decorations, entertainment, or ticket sales). Getting involved like this doesn’t just increase their interest in the project at hand. It also helps them develop teamwork and leadership skills that will be useful later on.
Ultimately, if young people believe they have a genuine say and role in something, plus see the results of their hard work pay off, they will bring an incredible level of commitment and excitement to any project.
3. Offer Fun Incentives
To maintain enthusiasm and drive for your fundraiser, think about providing enjoyable rewards to inspire people to get involved and raise more money.
For instance, you could give out top prizes to those who bring in the most cash – such as vouchers for well-known shops or restaurants, school-branded items like hoodies or reusable water bottles, or experiences that are hard to come by.
Maybe the highest earners could bag themselves a month-long VIP parking space or an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour showing how certain things work at the school.
By offering incentives like these, you’ll not only motivate those taking part but also introduce an element of rivalry: people will want to join in (or do better than before) if they think there’s a chance they might win something good!
4. Partner With Local Businesses
Your high school fundraising event could get a major boost if you partner with nearby businesses. Working together with community sponsors doesn’t just mean you have access to important resources – it’s also an opportunity to build relationships where everyone wins.
For example, perhaps a local restaurant can give you food for the event. Maybe a printing company will make posters and flyers for free. Or a venue could let you have it at their place (and charge less than usual).
These kinds of partnerships won’t just improve your chances of having a great fundraiser. They also show that people in your area pull together and support one another.
Make sure you say thank you to your sponsors, too. Publicly acknowledge what they’ve done for you and how much it means toward reaching your goals.
5. Utilize Social Media and Online Platforms
As a high school student living in this digital era, it is absolutely necessary to take advantage of social media and other online outlets when promoting your fundraisers.
On sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, you should post interesting content that will get people talking. For instance, try teasers about upcoming events, posts that show what goes on behind the scenes while planning an event, or stories about students who benefited from past fundraisers.
Don’t just post these things yourself: ask teachers, parents, students and others in the community to share your posts too so they reach more people!
You might also think about setting up a page for your event on a website like GoFundMe or Eventbrite. These let users manage donations easily and mean people don’t have to bring cash along if they want to give money at the last minute.
If used well, such tools can increase how many individuals see your messages as well as how often people engage with them—both vital factors for any successful social media promotion!
6. Host Unique Fundraising Activities
Hosting unique fundraising events is an excellent way to liven up your high school fundraiser and get students and the community involved.
One idea is to hold a dance marathon with a twist. Participants collect donations or pledges from friends and family members as they prepare to dance nonstop for, say, four hours. This can create excitement and make for a lively atmosphere.
Another possibility is to stage a talent show. In addition to spotlighting gifted classmates, you can raise money through ticket sales (or ask attendees for voting donation money).
Or how about holding a silent auction? See if local businesses will donate desirable items that people would be willing to bid on. A gift certificate for ten yoga classes (with mats included)? An oil painting done by someone’s grandmother? You could also have students create crafts specifically for this purpose.
7. Leverage Alumni Networks
Utilizing the alumni network can be an effective approach to increasing funds raised through high school fundraising events. By getting in touch with past students, you can reach out to potential supporters who already feel a connection with the institution.
Former students often have fond memories of their time at school and may be willing to donate money or get involved with fundraising activities.
You could use social networking systems such as LinkedIn or Facebook to contact them, set up online newsletters or groups specifically for ex-students or even arrange special reunion functions that tie in with your fundraiser.
One idea might be to host an internet-based event for alumni only – perhaps a virtual happy hour – during which people could catch up with old friends while also making donations towards your cause.
As well as potentially raising more cash, this could help foster a sense of community between those currently enrolled at the school and their predecessors.
8. Express Gratitude and Celebrate Success
Expressing gratitude and commemorating triumphs should play an integral role in any high school fundraising event. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple thank-you to foster fellowship among participants – and keep them motivated.
One idea is to personalize your gratitude: write tailored thank-you notes to volunteers, sponsors, donors, and attendees. Or why not take advantage of your captive audience?
Publicly acknowledge individuals’ contributions during your event. Those singled out will appreciate the gesture – plus, it may spur others on!
Finally, don’t underestimate the power of fun! A pizza party or ice cream social could be just what’s needed after weeks of hard graft. Such events help foster a sense of community – we did this together! – while providing an excuse (if you need one) to enjoy some tasty treats.
Bottom Line
If you want to have fun high school fundraisers that also make a lot of money, use these eight tactics. Make sure to set goals, thank everyone who helps, and tell people how much cash you have brought in.
You’ll need students to help plan and run it, local companies to donate prizes or money (or both!), plus lots of social media posts about the event.
Consider having activities that aren’t usually at school fundraisers – perhaps a gaming tournament or outdoor film screening?
The main thing is for people to have a good time so they want to come back next year – and give more money!