5 Ways to Run an Inclusive School Fundraiser

When you’re a part of a public school, either as a teacher, administrator, parent, or community volunteer, you’ll likely be tasked with providing fundraising support at one point or another. While public schools in the United States receive funding to cover basic costs like teacher salaries, some fundamental classroom supplies, and maintenance, most schools rely on fundraising to provide other essentials that public funding does not cover. 

This can include professional development for teachers, classroom supplies, clubs and after-school activities, special classes like gardening, robotics, or clay making, and field trip funds to ensure that all students can attend out-of-school learning events.

While school fundraising might seem straightforward, it’s essential to consider how your fundraising efforts will feel to all school community members: from those with a lot of disposable time and income to those with very little, if any, extra time or income. This article will highlight ways to ensure that your school fundraising efforts are inclusive to all school community members.  

Why inclusivity matters in school fundraising

When we talk about inclusivity in school fundraising, we mean creating ways for every family to participate in a way that works for them. That includes families with limited income, tight work schedules, language barriers, transportation challenges, or those who may not feel comfortable in traditional school settings.

A lot of fundraisers, without meaning to, lean on the same group of families to carry most of the effort. Selling higher-priced items, attending in-person events, or hitting donation targets can leave some students on the outside looking in. You’ll see it in small ways. Kids who don’t participate as much. Families who stay quiet.

When you plan with inclusivity in mind, you start to remove those barriers. You give families more than one way to show up. And when that happens, participation feels natural, not forced, and the fundraiser becomes something the whole school can be part of.

5 ways to make your school fundraiser more inclusive

Now that you understand why inclusivity matters, the next step is putting it into action. Below, we’ll walk through how to plan a school fundraiser that doesn’t leave anyone out.

1. Make room on the fundraising committee. 

One of the best ways to ensure that a school fundraiser is equitable and inclusive is to ensure that the school fundraising committee is representative of the larger school community. While PTO meetings are sometimes attended disproportionally by the parents with the most flexible schedules (often, the highest incomes), there are many ways to ensure access to PTO meetings.  PTO meetings should be alternate between morning, afternoon, and evening times, should happen with real-time translation for every language represented at the school, should have virtual options that allow for genuine participation, and should be kicked off by a school official who is familiar with all communities represented and can welcome everyone to the meeting.  

2. Create lots of ways for parents to volunteer or get involved. 

Most parents want to be involved in their child’s school community, but barriers like transportation, finances, and comfort in a school setting prevent some from having the chance to be as involved as they’d like. One way to knock down barriers is to create a variety of ways for parents to be involved as volunteers. While showing up at school at a specific time might be required for some volunteer positions, others, like coordinating with local businesses, translating flyers and materials, putting together packets, organizing supplies, and so much more, can be done from home.  

3. Provide real value to families. 

While some families might be able to splurge on expensive cookie dough, wrapping paper they won’t use until next year, or other non-essential items, a lot of families won’t be able to participate in these sorts of fundraisers. Instead of selling things not all families can afford, consider hosting events that are fun, valuable, and affordable for families. A big-screen family movie night can be hosted in the school cafeteria with refreshments for sale, a community coupon book can be sold, or a school store, with necessary school items sold at a discount, can be hosted each week.  

4. Create lots of ways to win prizes. 

When students hear about school fundraisers, they’re often excited about the prizes. For many students, though, reaching a certain “level” of donations is not possible, which can leave them feeling disappointed and excluded. Instead of tying all prizes to amounts earned or pledged, consider creating multiple pathways to prizes that allow all kids to show their school spirit.  

Many schools have found success offering prizes for all students who sign up to participate and then different prizes for students based on receiving a single donation of any amount, receiving several donations, receiving up to $5 (a price point that is more accessible for many kids and families), participating in any sort of spirit activities during the fundraiser such as wearing a school t-shirt or writing a thank you note to their teacher or any other number of activities to ensure that all kids receive some prize over the course of the fundraising event.  

5. Choose appropriate prizes.  

One of the best ways to deflate kids’ enthusiasm for participating in a fundraiser is to offer a prize that is not appropriate or that can’t be used by them. Avoid giving coupons to restaurants, theme parks, or other expensive attractions that student’s families are not likely able to afford even with a coupon or that are too far from the school for families to access easily.   

Bringing it all together with the right tools

School fundraisers can be a fun and meaningful way to raise the money your school needs while strengthening community at the same time. With thoughtful planning, an inclusive committee, and input from teachers, families, and students, you can create something that more people feel comfortable being part of.

Using an all-in-one fundraising platform like RallyUp can make that process easier to manage. With flexible campaign types and simple participation options, it’s easier to build something that works for different families. 

You can support both online and in-person fundraising without adding any extra complexity!

FAQs on inclusive school fundraisers