High School Fundraising Ideas That Actually Work
High school fundraising works best when it’s simple to run, easy to promote, and full of products people actually want to buy. That’s exactly why a Midland Fundraising catalog fundraiser is one of the most reliable options when you’re looking for high school fundraising ideas that deliver real results.
Our catalogs are packed with popular picks supporters love—think gourmet treats, seasonal favorites, and practical home items—so students aren’t stuck selling something that feels outdated or hard to pitch. It’s a clean, organized process that makes it easier for your group to hit goals faster, whether you’re funding sports, clubs, band, choir, student council, prom, senior events, travel, or classroom needs.
What makes catalog fundraisers a go-to for high schools is the balance of high participation + strong profit potential without complicated planning. You get a fundraiser that’s easy to manage, exciting for students to share, and convenient for families and community supporters to purchase from.
If you’re ready to run a fundraiser that feels modern, works for busy schedules, and keeps motivation high, a Midland Fundraising catalog fundraiser is a smart next move. It’s one of the easiest ways to turn your next campaign into a successful, school-wide win.
Our Cookie Dough Fundraiser is a high school favorite because it’s easy to sell and even easier for supporters to enjoy. With ready-to-bake cookie dough in a variety of popular flavors, this program turns school fundraising into a simple, crowd-pleasing way to raise money fast—perfect for busy students, families, and community supporters.
Our Popcorn & Chocolate Fundraiser is a top pick for high school groups because it’s packed with best-sellers supporters love. With a mix of gourmet popcorn and delicious chocolates, it’s an easy way to raise money while offering something for everyone—sweet, salty, and everything in between.
Our Tote Fundraiser is a practical, high-value option for high school fundraising. Supporters get stylish, reusable totes they’ll actually use, and your school gets a fundraiser that aligns with sustainability goals—a smart fit for eco-conscious communities.
Our Candle Fundraiser is a popular choice for high school fundraising because it’s easy to promote and supporters love the product. With a variety of scented candles to choose from, it’s a simple way to raise money while offering something that feels giftable, useful, and season-friendly.
Our Fall Seasonal Fundraiser is perfect for high school groups running a fundraiser during the back-to-school and cooler months. With seasonal favorites, cozy home items, and fall-themed treats, it’s an easy way to keep supporters excited and boost participation with a timely, themed catalog.
Our Popcorn & Peanuts Fundraiser is a strong high school option because it combines two crowd favorites in one easy-to-sell program. Supporters can grab gourmet popcorn and peanuts for snacking, gifting, and game days—making it a simple way to raise money with products people already love.
Our Sweets & Treats Fundraiser is a great fit for high school fundraising because it’s packed with giftable, shareable goodies supporters actually want. With a variety of premium snacks and desserts, it’s perfect for parties, thank-you gifts, and everyday treats—making it an easy way to raise money while keeping your fundraiser feeling “special,” not stale.
Our Spring Seasonal Fundraiser is a great way to refresh your high school fundraising plans when winter wraps up. With bright seasonal items and spring favorites, it’s an easy, timely catalog that keeps supporters engaged and gives your school a fun reason to fundraise in the spring months.
A Donation Drive Fundraiser is one of the simplest and highest-profit high school fundraising ideas because there’s no inventory, no delivery, and minimal overhead. Students and staff reach out to family, friends, alumni, and local businesses to request direct donations that support real needs like technology upgrades, team travel, club costs, student events, and facility improvements—so most of the money raised goes straight to your school.
Popular formats include a “Name Your Price” donation drive (supporters give any amount) and a “Sponsor a Student” fundraiser where donors support a specific student, team, or program. These campaigns are easy to run, highly flexible, and they strengthen community connections—making it easier to earn repeat support year after year.
Direct Sale Fundraisers are a fast, profitable way to run high school fundraising because students can sell popular items on the spot—no order forms needed. Students and parents simply offer grab-and-go favorites like $1 America’s Variety Pack Chocolate Bars, $1 Sour Mania Lollipops, and $2 Spring Smencils to family, friends, coworkers, and the local community.
This style of fundraiser is simple to manage and can generate up to 45% profit per item sold, making it a strong option for funding technology, extracurriculars, team travel, student events, and facility improvements. It’s an easy way to raise money quickly while building community support around your school.
High school fundraising is about more than raising money—it’s also a chance to build school pride and get students, families, and the community involved. In this guide, we’ll break down how to plan a high school fundraiser step-by-step, from choosing the right program to setting goals, promoting it, and staying organized through pickup and delivery. Whether you’re fundraising for a team, club, trip, or student event, these tips will help you run a fundraiser that’s easy to manage, highly participated, and profitable.
Start by choosing a fundraiser that fits your school’s schedule, audience, and goals. When the fundraiser matches what your students can realistically promote—and what supporters actually want to buy—you’ll get higher participation and better results.
Kick things off with clear seller kits that include everything students and families need: key dates, selling tips, order steps, and how to share the fundraiser. When everyone has the same info upfront, your high school fundraiser runs smoother and stays on track.
Give sellers the option to use online student stores or paper order forms. Offering both makes high school fundraising easier for every family and helps you capture more sales—whether supporters prefer digital checkout or the classic paper method.
Help sellers use social media and digital sharing to drive more orders. Quick posts, texts, and DMs to family and friends create momentum fast—and make it easier to reach supporters who don’t live nearby.
Keep delivery simple and organized: online orders ship directly to supporters, while paper orders ship together to your group for a scheduled pickup or distribution day. That split keeps your high school fundraiser efficient and easy to manage.
Once orders come in, lean on a simple logistics plan: sort by seller, label everything clearly, and stage boxes for fast pickup. A little organization here prevents mix-ups and makes distribution day smooth for everyone.
Midland Fundraising makes high school fundraising easier with options that fit your schedule and your supporters. Choose from 9 specialized catalogs packed with 800+ products, so you can run a fundraiser that appeals to a wide range of families, alumni, and community buyers.
You can also offer both online ordering and paper order forms, giving students and supporters the flexibility to participate however they prefer. With more variety and an easier process, your school can boost participation, stay organized, and hit fundraising goals with less stress.
Midland Fundraising helps high schools run fundraisers that are easy to launch, simple to manage, and built for strong results. With online ordering, student pop-up stores, and tools that make it easy to share on social media, your fundraiser reaches more supporters and drives more sales—without adding extra work for your team.
Launch your high school fundraiser with no upfront costs. Midland Fundraising provides free promotional materials to help you market your campaign, boost participation, and raise more—without dipping into your school’s budget.
Skip the sorting stress. Midland Fundraising provides collated catalogs and personalized parent letters that are ready to hand out, and product orders arrive pre-sorted by seller—making distribution day faster, cleaner, and way easier to manage for your high school fundraiser.
Stay on top of your fundraiser with custom reporting that includes profit breakdowns by seller. It’s an easy way to track progress, recognize top participants, and manage your high school fundraising campaign with confidence.
Motivation matters, and we make it easy. Midland Fundraising offers incentives for students, parents, teachers, and coordinators—from parent prize options (like holiday wraps) to customizable student rewards—to help boost participation and keep your high school fundraiser moving strong.
Expanding your reach is easy with online ordering. Online orders ship directly to the buyer, so friends and family anywhere can support your high school fundraiser without worrying about pickup or delivery.
Parents can make or break a high school fundraiser—especially when it comes to participation and consistency. When families know exactly how to help (and it feels simple), you’ll see more sellers stay active, more orders come in, and fewer last-minute issues. Here are easy ways to get parents involved and keep your high school fundraiser running strong.
Kick things off with a quick meeting, short video, or a simple email that explains the basics: what you’re fundraising for, the goal, key dates, and how parents can help. When families understand the “why” and the plan is easy to follow, participation goes up fast.
A quick, personalized message goes a long way. Instead of a generic blast, send a short note that acknowledges their help or strengths—like organization, social media, or pickup-day support. When parents feel specifically invited (not just “needed”), they’re more likely to jump in.
Parents are busy, so give them simple ways to help. Offer a few clear roles (like promotion, donations, packing, or pickup-day help) and use an online sign-up so they can choose a time that fits their schedule. The easier it is to say “yes,” the more volunteers you’ll get.
Keep parents in the loop with quick updates on how the fundraiser is going—weekly totals, participation numbers, or goal milestones. A simple thank-you email or social post (and a few shout-outs) keeps momentum up and encourages more families to join in.
If you want extra engagement, add a simple event families can do together—like a trivia night, talent show, or family fun run. These activities build school spirit while bringing in donations, sponsors, or ticket sales alongside your main high school fundraiser.
Regular updates keep parents engaged from start to finish. Use email, newsletters, and social posts to share progress, reminders, key dates, and volunteer needs. When communication is clear and consistent, your high school fundraiser stays on track and participation stays high.
With strong parent involvement, your high school fundraiser is more likely to hit its goal—and it also builds school spirit by bringing students, families, and supporters together around one shared purpose.
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