What are the best school fundraising ideas?

Some of the best school fundraising ideas include catalog fundraisers, donation drives, and direct sale fundraisers. Catalog programs work well because supporters can choose from a wide variety of products, donation drives are high-profit with no inventory, and direct sale fundraisers are great for fast, simple selling at events and around the community.

Which school fundraiser makes the most profit?

Donation drives are often the most profitable because there are minimal overhead costs and no products to manage. Catalog fundraisers and direct sale fundraisers can also be highly profitable when you promote them well and choose popular items that supporters want to buy.

How does a catalog fundraiser work for schools?

A school catalog fundraiser lets students and families sell from a curated catalog of products. Supporters can order through an online store, paper forms, or both. It’s a popular option because it’s easy to run, offers lots of product choices, and can generate strong participation and profits.

What makes Midland Fundraising catalog fundraisers easy to manage?

Midland Fundraising helps simplify the process with free promotional materials, seller kits, and easy-to-use online ordering. Catalogs can arrive pre-collated with custom parent letters, and orders are packed and sorted by seller to make distribution faster and less stressful.

Can our school run a fundraiser with both online ordering and paper forms?

Yes. Many schools use both to increase participation. Online ordering makes it easy for supporters to buy from anywhere, while paper forms help families who prefer traditional ordering. Using both options can boost sales and keep the fundraiser inclusive.

How can we increase participation in a school fundraiser?

To increase participation, set a clear fundraising goal, communicate the purpose, and make it easy for families to share. Use simple social media and text message scripts, offer incentives and recognition, and send quick updates so families know deadlines and progress.

What are direct sale fundraisers for schools?

Direct sale fundraisers allow students and parents to sell popular items directly to supporters. These are often quick to run and great for events, games, and everyday selling. Many schools choose direct sale options for fast fundraising with strong profit potential.

Do donation drive fundraisers work for schools?

Yes. Donation drives are a great option for schools because they are easy to organize and have minimal overhead. Popular formats include “Name Your Price” giving and “Sponsor a Student,” where supporters give any amount or donate toward a specific classroom, club, or program.

How do online orders get delivered during a school fundraiser?

Online ordering can expand your reach by allowing supporters outside your local area to participate. In many cases, online orders can be shipped directly to the purchaser, while paper orders are consolidated for organized distribution at the end of the fundraiser.

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Best School Fundraising Ideas

Expert Tips for the Best School Fundraising Ideas

School fundraising doesn’t have to mean another same-old bake sale. If you’re looking for best school fundraising ideas that are easy to run, fun for students, and high-profit, a Midland Fundraising catalog fundraiser is one of the strongest options out there. It’s simple: families shop from a curated catalog of popular items, students share the fundraiser with friends and relatives, and your school earns serious dollars with minimal hassle—no event planning, no storing piles of products, and no “please volunteer for 8 more hours” panic.

What makes a catalog fundraiser work so well is the built-in variety. You can offer crowd-pleasers that sell themselves—like cookie dough, seasonal favorites, and student-loved items like Smencils—so more supporters find something they actually want to buy. Whether you’re raising money for a field trip, classroom supplies, new uniforms, or a big school improvement project, a Midland Fundraising catalog fundraiser helps your community rally around a clear goal and makes hitting your number way more realistic.

Simple Steps to a High-Profit School Fundraiser

Top 8 Fundraiser Ideas For Schools

Popcorn and Chocolates Fundraiser

Treat supporters to our Popcorn & Chocolates fundraiser—a school-friendly catalog program packed with gourmet popcorn and sweet chocolate favorites. It’s an easy, high-appeal option for schools that want strong sales without complicated planning.

Cookie Dough Fundraiser

Our Cookie Dough fundraiser is a school favorite, featuring a variety of ready-to-bake flavors families actually want. It’s easy for students to sell, easy for supporters to order, and perfect for schools aiming for strong profits

Spring In Bloom Spring Fundraiser

Our Spring Seasonal catalog fundraiser is a great way to raise money with fresh, seasonal products supporters love. It’s perfect for schools that want an easy spring fundraiser with strong community appeal.

Candle Fundraiser

Our Candle fundraiser is a proven school catalog option, featuring popular scents and styles supporters love to gift or keep. It’s easy to run, easy to sell, and a great fit for schools looking for a high-appeal product fundraiser.

Popcorn & Peanuts Fundraiser

Our Popcorn & Peanuts fundraiser is a classic school favorite, featuring gourmet popcorn and crunchy peanut snacks supporters love. It’s simple to promote, easy for students to sell, and a great pick for schools that want reliable results.

On The Go Tote Fundraiser

Our Tote fundraiser is a practical school favorite—eco-friendly, reusable, and easy for supporters to actually use every day. It’s a great option for schools that want a product fundraiser that feels modern and sustainability-focused.

Sweets And Treats Fundraiser

Our Sweets & Treats fundraiser is a popular school catalog option packed with premium candies and dessert-style favorites supporters love. It’s easy to sell, gift-friendly, and a great choice for schools looking for a high-appeal product fundraiser.

Holiday Wishes Fall Fundraiser

Our Fall Seasonal catalog fundraiser is perfect for schools running a fall fundraiser, with cozy seasonal items and popular treats supporters love. It’s easy to promote, gift-friendly, and a strong seller during the busiest fundraising season.

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Donation Drive

A Donation Drive Fundraiser is one of the simplest—and most profitable—school fundraising options because there’s no inventory, no delivery day, and minimal overhead. Students, families, and staff reach out to friends, relatives, and local businesses for direct donations to support clear needs like classroom supplies, technology upgrades, field trips, and extracurriculars. Popular formats include a “Name Your Price” donation drive (supporters give any amount) or “Sponsor a Student” (donors sponsor a student, club, grade level, or specific program). With a clear goal and easy online giving, donation drives can raise serious funds while strengthening community support.

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Direct Sale

Direct Sale Fundraisers are a simple, high-profit way for schools to raise money fast. Students and parents sell popular grab-and-go items directly to family, friends, and the community—no complicated ordering process required. Top sellers include $1 Merry Lollipops, $2 Caramel Sea Salt Pretzel Rods, and $2 Welch’s Fruit Snacks, with schools often earning up to 45% profit per item. It’s a great option for funding classroom supplies, technology upgrades, field trips, and extracurriculars while keeping supporters engaged and excited to help.

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How to Run A Successful School Fundraiser

Planning a school fundraiser is easier when you follow a simple, proven process. This guide walks you through the key steps—from choosing the right fundraising program to promoting it, handling orders, and organizing delivery—so your fundraiser runs smoothly and hits your profit goal. Whether you’re focused on boosting online sales or keeping distribution stress-free, these tips help you build a fundraiser your community is excited to support.

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Selecting the Ideal Fundraiser

Start your school fundraiser by choosing a program that fits your school’s goals, audience, and timeline. The right fundraiser makes everything easier—from participation to profits.

Distributing Seller Kits for Success

Set your fundraiser up for success with our seller kits, packed with the tools students and families need to sell confidently. They help you launch faster, stay organized, and boost participation.

Diversifying Sales Channels

Offer both an online fundraising store and paper order forms so every family can participate. This simple combo boosts reach, keeps things flexible, and helps your school fundraiser sell more.

Mastering the Online Sales Game

Help sellers boost online sales by sharing simple digital tips—like posting on social media, texting family, and emailing coworkers. A few well-timed shares can drive more orders and increase fundraiser profits.

Streamlining the Delivery Process

Efficient delivery keeps a school fundraiser running smoothly. Online orders can ship directly to supporters, while paper orders are grouped together for simple, organized distribution after the fundraiser.

Perfecting Fundraiser Logistics

Staying organized with orders makes your school fundraiser way easier to manage. With clear packing, labeling, and grouping, it’s simple to sort items, find orders fast, and hand everything out without chaos.

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More School Fundraising Options, More Ways to Win

Raise more with a fundraiser that fits your school’s schedule and your supporters’ shopping habits. Midland Fundraising offers 9 catalogs with 800+ items, so families can choose products they actually want. You can run your fundraiser with an online store, paper order forms, or both—making it easy for students to sell and simple for your team to manage. This flexible approach helps schools hit their fundraising goals with less stress and more participation.

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Why Us? A Better School Fundraising Program

Maximized Profits for School Fundraisers

Midland Fundraising helps schools maximize profits with an easy system built for modern selling. You get online ordering, simple social sharing, and custom pop-up stores created during seller registration—so families can start selling fast and supporters can buy in seconds.

Complimentary Promotional Tools

Start your school fundraiser with no start-up costs and free promotional materials from Midland Fundraising. It’s a budget-friendly way to raise money and keep your fundraiser organized from day one.

Hassle-Free Distribution

Skip the sorting chaos. Midland Fundraising provides pre-collated catalogs and custom parent letters ready to hand out right away. When orders arrive, they’re packed and sorted by seller, making distribution fast and stress-free.

Customized Seller Reports

Stay organized with detailed seller reports that show performance at a glance—including profit breakdowns by seller. It’s an easy way to track progress, reward top sellers, and keep your school fundraiser on target.

Attractive Incentives & Bonuses

Boost participation with built-in incentives that keep your school fundraiser moving. Parents can earn holiday wrap rewards, students get custom prizes, and teachers/coordinators can receive special recognition—helping your whole school stay motivated.

Convenient Online Ordering

Reach more supporters with online ordering that ships directly to the purchaser. Friends and family outside your area can still buy and support your school fundraiser—no extra work for your team.

How to Get Parents Involved in School Fundraising

Getting parents involved takes more than sending home a flyer. The goal is to make the fundraiser easy to support, easy to share, and tied to a clear school goal. Here are simple ways to build excitement, increase participation, and turn your school fundraiser into a true team effort.

Start with a Personal Touch

Skip the generic blast—parents respond better when it feels personal. Send a short note (or quick video) that explains why your school is fundraising and what the money will do. Be specific and goal-driven, like: “We’re raising funds for new playground equipment,” or “We’re adding 100 new books to the library—help us make it happen.” Clear purpose = more parent buy-in and more sales.

Make It Easy to Jump In

Parents are more likely to help when participation is simple and clear. Share quick, step-by-step instructions for exactly what to do—whether that’s registering for the online store, grabbing a seller kit, or sharing a link. Keep it super approachable: “Getting started is easy—1) sign up, 2) share your link, 3) collect orders.” The easier it feels, the more parents join in.

Offer Flexible Options

Not every parent can volunteer in person, so give families multiple ways to participate. Some can help at pickup or events, while others can support from home by sharing the fundraiser link through text, email, or social media. When you offer both in-person and online options, more parents can jump in—no matter their schedule.

Celebrate Every Contribution

A little recognition keeps momentum going. Thank parents often—whether they shared a link, placed an order, or volunteered time. Shout out milestones in newsletters, on social media, or during announcements, and celebrate progress toward your goal. When families feel appreciated, they’re more likely to keep supporting (and sharing).

Create a Community Event

Make the fundraiser feel like a school-wide win, not another chore. Host a simple kickoff or wrap-up event—think a schoolyard picnic, spirit night, or mini fun fair—to build excitement and bring families together. When fundraising feels like a community moment, participation naturally goes up.

Keep the Communication Going

Keep parents engaged with simple, regular updates. Share progress toward the goal, key dates (kickoff, order deadlines, delivery), and quick reminders on how to help. If you can, include a short impact note—what their support is funding—so families stay motivated and the fundraiser keeps moving.

Use these tips to boost participation and build a stronger school community. When parents feel included and appreciated, your fundraiser becomes a shared effort—and hitting your goal gets a whole lot easier.