The Ultimate Guide to Prepping for Fall Fundraising

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Everything Parents, Teachers & Schools Need to Run a Profitable, Stress-Free Campaign

Fall is the most powerful time of year to fundraise—and it’s not just seasonal hype. Fundraisers launched in September, October, and early November consistently outperform those in other seasons, both in participation and total funds raised.

At Midland Fundraising, we’ve helped tens of thousands of schools and groups raise millions through smart, strategic fall campaigns. If you’re gearing up for your own fundraiser this fall, this guide is for you.
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We’ll walk you through:
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• Why fall is prime time for school and group fundraising
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• A step-by-step planning calendar
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• How to choose the best fundraiser (with product, pledge, and no-sell options)
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• What tools you must use to streamline success
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• What to avoid (and why!)
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• Parent & teacher engagement strategies that work
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• A detailed FAQ to cover your biggest questions
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Let’s dive in!

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Why Fall Fundraising Works So Well

If you’re looking for the most effective fundraising season, this is it. Fall is when people are most engaged, most generous, and more likely to say “yes” to a school fundraiser.
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Here’s what the data and experience tell us:
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Bonus Tip: Fundraisers launched between September 10 and October 20 tend to have the highest participation and profit.
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Fall Fundraising Planning Timeline

Here’s a realistic, results-driven schedule to follow:
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6–8 Weeks Before Launch: Plan & Prep
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• Meet with your PTO or leadership team
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• Set a clear fundraising goal
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• Choose your fundraiser type (product, pledge, or donation)
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• Contact Midland to request brochures and materials
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• Schedule your kickoff day & delivery day
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4 Weeks Out: Get Organized
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• Finalize your prize structure or student incentives
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• Prepare social media graphics and parent flyers
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• Have teachers/staff review classroom roles (distributing packets, sharing reminders, etc.)

2 Weeks Out: Build Excitement
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• Send home letters or emails to families with your fundraising goal
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• Post teaser announcements on Facebook and Instagram
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• Print posters or banners for your school hallways
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• Train student leaders to promote the campaign in class
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Fundraiser Kickoff:
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• Host a short kickoff assembly or share a video
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• Encourage friendly classroom competitions
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• Send out your online store links & QR codes
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Mid-Campaign:
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• Share real-time progress updates (e.g. “We’ve raised $3,700 toward our $5,000 goal!”)
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• Use classroom shoutouts, daily prize drawings, or silly staff challenges to stay energized
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End of Campaign:
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• Celebrate your team, thank your donors, and recognize your top participants
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• Submit order forms or track online sales with your Midland dashboard
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• Prep for delivery day with volunteers or school staff
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How to Choose the Best Fall Fundraiser
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Choosing the right fundraiser can make or break your success. Here’s a breakdown:
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Pro Tip: Combine a product fundraiser with a digital donation drive for double the impact. Many groups run a hybrid fundraiser in fall for max flexibility and reach.
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Must-Use Tools to Simplify Your Fundraiser

With Midland Fundraising, you’re never stuck using outdated methods. We provide:
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• Custom Online Storefronts – Each seller gets a personalized link to share with friends and family
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• Mobile-Friendly Checkout – Built for quick, easy shopping on any device
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• Text-to-Share Tools – Parents can share fundraiser links via text in seconds
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• Real-Time Sales Tracking – Know exactly where your campaign stands
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• No-Cost Kickoff Materials – Posters, flyers, prize charts, teacher guides, and more
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Schools using online ordering + text-to-share links raise an average of 30% more!
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What Not to Do When Running a Fall Fundraiser
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Even great fundraisers can fall flat with a few key mistakes:
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1. Waiting too long to plan. Fall creeps up fast. Waiting until October to plan often means your fundraiser overlaps with Halloween or Thanksgiving chaos.
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2. Running multiple fundraisers at once. Families get overwhelmed. Stick to one strong, well-organized campaign in the fall.
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3. Skipping the “why.” Make it clear what the funds support. Parents give more when they know the impact: “Help us buy new library books!” feels much stronger than “Support the school.”
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4. Forgetting to thank participants. Recognition matters. Send thank-you notes or host a simple classroom party to wrap up.
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How to Get Parents & Teachers Excited to Participate
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Success depends on community buy-in. Here’s how to get parents and staff fired up:
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• Teachers:

  • Provide talking points for morning announcements
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  • Encourage daily goal reminders in class
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  • Offer a reward (jeans day, lunch, etc.) for the top-selling class
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• Parents:

  • Give simple sharing tools—like a QR code and a link
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  • Highlight your goal and how it supports their child
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  • Offer opt-out donations for those who prefer to contribute directly
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• Students:

  • Use fun incentives like a schoolwide PJ day or slime-the-principal challenge
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  • Recognize top earners daily or weekly
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  • Make it visual with a thermometer chart in the hallway
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Fall Fundraising FAQ: Everything You Want to Know
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Q: How long should a fall fundraiser run?
A: 14–21 days is ideal. It builds urgency without dragging on too long.
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Q: Do we need to handle product delivery?
A: Midland handles all logistics and shipping. For larger schools, we recommend setting up a delivery day team to help with distribution.
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Q: What are the minimum order requirements?
A: None! Every group, big or small, gets the same high-level service and support.
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Q: Can we run a fundraiser 100% online?
A: Absolutely. Our online-only options are perfect for busy families and schools that want zero handling of products.
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Q: What are your best-selling fall products?
A: Cookie dough is always #1, followed closely by gourmet popcorn, chocolate variety packs, and seasonal totes.
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Q: Do you offer custom fundraising support?
A: Yes! Your dedicated Midland rep will help you build a custom plan, walk you through setup, and provide full support throughout your campaign.
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Ready to Launch a Fundraiser That Actually Delivers?
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Fall fundraising doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With Midland Fundraising, you get a partner who’s done this thousands of times—and we make it easy, fun, and profitable.

Whether you’re supporting a classroom, a marching band, or a whole elementary school, we’re here to help you raise more, stress less, and make a real impact this fall.
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Start Your Fall Fundraiser Now
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Have questions? Our team is here to help—just reach out and we’ll walk you through the entire process.