30 Unique holiday fundraising ideas for schools
The winter holiday season presents a special opportunity for schools to fundraise while promoting diversity, inclusion and cultural awareness. With creative Events tied to various religious and cultural holidays, schools can support important causes while fostering community. With creativity and cultural awareness, schools can organize holiday fundraisers that are meaningful, educational and bridge connections between diverse groups.
In this blog, we will explore 30 unique holiday fundraising ideas perfect for schools seeking to spread joy and support great causes this season.
Festive holiday shops and markets
Hosting a holiday shop or market is a great way to showcase student and community talent while offering the chance to sell quality seasonal items. Consider setting up:
Holiday gift shop
Let students and teachers create gifts, treats, decorations and crafts to sell. Holiday cookies, ornaments, cards and more make perfect gifts for families looking to support the school.
Winter craft fair
Rent booths to local artists, crafters and artisans to sell their wares. The school earns proceeds from the vendor fees and sales commissions.
Multicultural holiday market
Work with immigrant and minority families to set up booths selling traditional handicrafts, clothing, art and foods from their cultures. A great way to promote inclusion!
Spread cheer through performance
Leverage the creative talents of students and faculty to put on festive performances that entertain while fundraising.
Holiday concert or play
Have the band, choir, orchestra and drama department perform holiday songs or adapt a heartwarming show. Charge admission tickets.
Holiday talent show
Let students sing, dance, play instruments, act and show off their many talents in a festive show. Sell tickets and concessions.
Caroling performances
Send choral groups caroling at holiday Events or offer booking their services for private performances at holiday parties.
Host fun holiday Events
Hosting spirited holiday Events at school is a great way to bring everyone together for food, activities and entertainment while fundraising.
Santa’s breakfast
Organize a pancake breakfast with crafts, games, photos with Santa and holiday treats. Sell tickets and photos.
Holiday carnival
Set up classic carnival midway games and activities like pie eating contests and reindeer ring toss in the gym with prizes and concessions.
Holiday movie night
Screen a family-friendly holiday movie in the auditorium and sell tickets, snacks, pizza, and drinks for a cozy night.
Hot chocolate bar
Set up a hot chocolate bar at the holiday concert with toppings like peppermint, caramel, cinnamon and whipped cream for donations.
New Year’s Eve party
Host a family-friendly NYE party and countdown at school with music, photo booth, games, balloon drop, and refreshments.
Offer festive school services
Get creative with offering holiday services that spread cheer while raising money for a good cause.
Gift wrapping service
Set up a gift-wrapping station for students to beautifully wrap gifts and packages in exchange for donations.
Babysitting for parents
Offer holiday babysitting nights so parents can enjoy time out while kids play games, do crafts and watch movies under your care.
Holiday decorating
Assemble a student team adept at decorating to hang lights, set up trees, and decorate homes and businesses for donations.
Cookie decorating kits
Assemble decorate-your-own holiday cookie kits with recipe dough, icing, sprinkles and tools to sell.
Sell custom holiday items
Offer customized holiday products using the talents of students and teachers for heartfelt gifts, class projects or school spirit.
Holiday ornaments
Have art students design beautiful glass photo snow globe ornaments for families to purchase.
Holiday cards or calendars
Compile student designs, photos and art into holiday cards or calendars for parents.
Holiday stockings
Offer custom embroidered holiday stockings with student names.
Holiday books
Have students write and illustrate heartfelt holiday stories compiled into printed books to sell to parents.
Organize themed holiday Events
Take inspiration from different holidays and cultures to hold educational and inclusive fundraising Events.
Diwali dinner
Celebrate the Indian festival of lights with a catered Indian dinner, henna, Diya lamps, dance performances and more.
Hanukkah gift shop
Sell menorahs, gelt, dreidels, decorations, menorah kits, latke mix and Hanukkah themed gifts.
Las Posadas celebration
Host a traditional Mexican holiday party with piñatas, food, performances and reenactments of Mary & Joseph’s journey.
Kwanzaa showcase
Honor African heritage and principles through dances, music, crafts, fashion, poetry and food.
Chinese New Year banquet
Ring in the Lunar new year with a banquet featuring lucky foods, red decorations, dragon dances and crafts.
Offer Seasonal Services and Products
Leverage seasonal needs into holiday fundraisers to support your school.
Gift wrapping service
Set up a station for beautifully wrapping gifts, treats and presents for donations.
Holiday light installation
Offer a student team to hang holiday lights, decorations, trees for neighbors for a fee.
Pictures with Santa
Host an Event for keepsake photos with Santa in festive backgrounds. Sell print packages.
Christmas tree Sale
Sell freshly cut trees and holiday wreaths. Work with a local farm or distributor. Give delivery option.
Snow shoveling
Offer student teams to shovel and salt for busy neighbors in exchange for donations.
6 Tips for holiday fundraising success
- Promote early and heavily on social media, emails, and flyers. Send regular reminders.
- Spotlight student leadership and participation in planning and promotion.
- Enable easy online ticket Sales and donations for out-of-towners.
- Offer fun participation incentives like Raffles. Keep communication positive.
- Consult diversity groups on inclusive Events. Avoid promoting specific beliefs.
- Give back a portion to a meaningful cause. Share photos highlighting the community impact.
Simple tips for inclusive holiday fundraising
- Spotlight diverse students, families and groups in Event promotions.
- Enable online options for giving that supports inclusion and accessibility.
- Consult school diversity groups on Event themes and details.
- Connect fundraising to charitable causes that aid minorities.
- Promote cross-cultural participation and attendance.
- Share educational details on cultural traditions represented.
Bring your holiday fundraiser fully online
While creativity and inclusion are key, you need the right digital tools to maximize the success and reach of holiday fundraisers. Online fundraising solutions like RallyUp makes fundraising easy with:
- Customizable campaign websites
- Easy setup for any fundraiser
- Built-in communication and promotion
- Collecting donations and Sales online
- Tracking fundraising progress
- Detailed reporting and analysis
- Guidance from fundraising experts
- Peer-to-Peer fundraising with student incentives and easy sharing
RallyUp enables schools to connect broadly and deepen community engagement this holiday season. How, you ask? By simply taking your holiday fundraiser online! RallyUp provides an all-in-one platform designed for school fundraising. Everything you need to launch your perfect fundraiser and bring in donations is all under one cozy URL (rallyupschools.com).
Visit RallyUp to unlock the benefits of online fundraising and take your holiday campaigns to the next level!
Now that you’ve seen it in action, are you ready to start fundraising?
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