Elementary schools fundraisers can cover everything from classroom supplies to field trips and extracurricular activities. Parents, teachers, and kids all play a role — and the most successful efforts are simple, fun, and appealing to families.
While there are lots of different school fundraising ideas, these five options work especially well at the elementary level because they’re engaging for young students while still practical for parents.
1. Cookie Dough or Popcorn Sales
Selling cookie dough tubs or gourmet popcorn is a long-time favorite because it’s easy to run and universally appealing. Families purchase items they’ll actually use, and students enjoy helping promote the fundraiser.
- Why it works: Food fundraisers are popular because everyone eats, and items like cookie dough or popcorn are easy impulse buys.
- Advantages: High repeat participation year after year; easy catalog or online ordering.
- Considerations: Requires coordination with a vendor; delivery and pickup need to be organized.
- Best for: School-wide campaigns where lots of families can participate.
2. Read-a-Thon with Pledges
A read-a-thon combines literacy goals with fundraising, making it educational and impactful. Students collect pledges for every page or book read during a set period.
- Why it works: Encourages kids to read more while raising money.
- Advantages: No products to sell; flexible to run in classrooms or school-wide.
- Considerations: Works best with parental support at home to track reading.
- Best for: Schools that want to promote literacy alongside fundraising.
3. Custom T-Shirts or Tote Bags
Spiritwear fundraisers give families something tangible while building school pride. Kids love showing off shirts or totes with their school name or mascot.
- Why it works: Strengthens community identity while raising money.
- Advantages: No inventory to manage if run through an online store; popular with both parents and students.
- Considerations: Requires a vendor or platform to set up designs and manage orders.
- Best for: PTO/PTA-led fundraisers or schools looking to boost spirit.
4. Smencils & Smens
Scented pencils and pens are inexpensive items kids can’t resist. They’re easy to sell at school events, through classrooms, or during specific weeks.
- Why it works: Affordable, fun, and easy for students to buy themselves.
- Advantages: Low price point makes them accessible to all families; easy for schools to stock and sell.
- Considerations: Works best as a small-scale, ongoing fundraiser rather than a one-time campaign.
- Best for: Classrooms or schools looking for a quick, kid-driven fundraiser.
5. Holiday Shop
Holiday shops are a tradition in many elementary schools, giving students the chance to buy small gifts for family members. The school sets up a temporary shop, often stocked by a vendor, and kids shop during school hours.
- Why it works: Creates a fun, memorable experience for students while raising funds.
- Advantages: Builds excitement and independence for kids; can become a cherished annual event.
- Considerations: Seasonal timing; requires volunteers to help run the shop.
- Best for: PTOs/PTAs or schools that want a family-friendly, holiday-focused fundraiser.
Conclusion
Elementary school fundraisers work best when they balance fun for students with practicality for parents. Options like food sales, spiritwear, and holiday shops give families something tangible, while pledge-based events like read-a-thons encourage learning and participation. These examples highlight just how many ways schools can creatively raise money — and they’re only a small slice of the many best fundraising ideas groups are using successfully today.
