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10+ Fabulous PTA Fundraising Ideas

Say goodbye to tedious door-to-door fundraisers or unprofitable bake sales. Read-A-Thon's educational fundraising platform is the easiest, most rewarding way for your PTA to raise money and further student learning.

Here are 10 of the easiest PTA Fundraisers:

  1. Read-A-Thons: PTA’s are inherently involved parents who want the best for their students and that’s why so many hold reading fundraisers. Not only do they raise money, they get the students excited about reading.
  2. Sponsorships: Reach out to local businesses and ask if they would be willing to sponsor your PTA's fundraising efforts. This could include a monetary donation, or in-kind donations such as goods or services.
  3. Silent auctions: Host a silent auction with donated items from local businesses, community members, and parents. This can be a great way to raise funds and also showcase the support of the community.
  4. Restaurant nights: Partner with local restaurants to host a fundraiser night where a portion of the proceeds from the evening will go towards the PTA. This can be a great way to raise funds and also promote local businesses.
  5. Online auctions: Host an online auction where community members and parents can bid on donated items. This can be a great way to reach a larger audience and also make it easy for people to participate in the fundraising efforts.
  6. Raffles: Host a raffle with donated prizes from local businesses and community members. This can be a great way to raise funds and also give back to the community.
  7. Direct donations: Reach out to community members and ask for direct donations to the PTA. This can be done through a fundraising letter or by setting up a donation page on the PTA's website.
  8. Movie nights: Host a movie night at the school and charge admission for the event. This can be a great way to raise funds and also provide a fun and interactive event for the community.
  9. Community fundraiser events: Hosting a community event such as a charity walk or run, silent auction, or talent show can be a great way to raise funds for your PTA. These events can also bring the community together and help raise awareness about the PTA's mission and goals.
  10. Game nights: Host a game night at the school and charge admission for the event. This can be a great way to raise funds and also provide a fun and interactive event for the community.

In conclusion, there are many different ways to raise funds for your PTA. From community events to online auctions, there are plenty of options to choose from. The key is to find a fundraising idea that resonates with your community and that aligns with your PTA's mission and goals. With a little creativity and hard work, you can successfully raise the funds needed to support your PTA's programs and initiatives.

Just sign up, start your read-a-thon, and spread the word! Our intelligent fundraising platform will help to manage the rest, raising money for every hour your students read.

How Does Read-A-Thon Work?

Host a PTA fundraiser in 4 easy steps with Read-A-Thon.
  1. Sign up for your free account.
  2. Track your fundraising progress with our data reportage tools.
  3. Share your fundraiser with new supporters using our intuitive marketing tools.
  4. Sit back as donations flood into your Read-A-Thon account!

Check out our Read-a-Thon Basics guide to learn more about how read-a-thons operate and tips for running your own successful read-a-thon campaign!

Listen to PTAs from the 5,000+ Schools Who Use Read-A-Thon

Take a look at what schools and PTAs are saying about the Read-A-Thon platform!

The ENTIRE read-a-thon team was supportive and constantly available to help us with any questions or issues that came up during our read-a-thon. We look forward to holding our 3rd read-a-thon next year!

MORRISVILLE ELEMENTARY PTA

Raised $43,413.00

Take a look at what schools and PTAs are saying about the Read-A-Thon platform!

PTA Fundraising Ideas

Here are some ideas for fundraising for a Parent-Teacher Association (PTA):

  1. Hold a Read-a-thon to get your students focused on reading.
  2. Host a bake sale or a car wash.
  3. Organize a fun run or a walk-a-thon.
  4. Host a movie night or a game night.
  5. Sell items such as t-shirts, hats, or tote bags with the school's logo on them.
  6. Set up a booth at a local fair or festival.
  7. Have a yard sale or a garage sale.
  8. Organize a book drive or a toy drive.
  9. Host a talent show or a karaoke night.
  10. Offer a service such as a car detailing or a home cleaning service.
  11. Host a dinner or a silent auction.

It's important to involve the community and get as many people involved as possible in order to make the fundraising event a success. You might also consider reaching out to local businesses or organizations for sponsorships or donations.

When should our PTA fundraise?

It's a good idea to plan your PTA fundraising events well in advance, so you have enough time to properly promote and organize the event. You might consider scheduling your fundraising events at a time when the weather is pleasant (if the event will be held outdoors), or at a time when there is less competition for people's attention (such as not scheduling an event on the same night as a big sports game or a popular concert).

It's also a good idea to consider the needs of your PTA and when you will need the funds. For example, if you know that you will need to purchase new equipment or materials for a school project in the fall, you might plan a fundraising event in the spring or summer to give you enough time to raise the necessary funds.

Ultimately, the best time to fundraise will depend on your specific needs and goals, as well as the availability of your volunteers and the community. It's important to consider these factors and plan accordingly.

How many fundraisers should our PTA hold?

The number of fundraisers your PTA should hold will depend on a variety of factors, including your goals, the size of your organization, the availability of volunteers, and the level of community support.

In general, it's a good idea to have a mix of smaller, ongoing fundraisers (such as a school store or a weekly bake sale) and larger, one-time events (such as a carnival or a silent auction). This can help to keep things interesting and give your organization a steady stream of income.

It's also important to consider the needs of your PTA and the amount of time and resources that are available to devote to fundraising. If your PTA is short on volunteers or time, it might be more realistic to focus on a few larger events rather than trying to organize multiple smaller fundraisers.

Ultimately, the key is to find a balance that works for your organization and allows you to meet your fundraising goals without overwhelming your volunteers or the community.

Things to avoid while holding a PTA fundraiser

Here are a few things to avoid while holding a PTA fundraiser:

  1. Don't overburden volunteers: It's important to have enough volunteers to help with your fundraiser, but it's also important not to overburden them. Make sure to delegate tasks and give volunteers the support they need to be successful.
  2. Don't neglect promotion: It's essential to promote your fundraiser in order to attract participants and donors. Be sure to advertise through a variety of channels, including social media, email, and flyers.
  3. Don't skimp on quality: It's important to offer high-quality products or services at your fundraiser. This will help to ensure that people are willing to support your cause.
  4. Don't forget to thank donors: It's important to show appreciation for the support of your donors. Make sure to thank them in person or through a letter or email.
  5. Don't forget to follow through: If you promise to deliver something as part of your fundraiser (such as a prize or a service), be sure to follow through on your promise. This will help to build trust and credibility with your donors.

PTA Fundraising Prizes

Here are some ideas for prizes that you could offer as part of your PTA fundraising efforts:

  1. Gift cards to local businesses or restaurants.
  2. Tickets to local events or attractions (such as a movie theater or a theme park).
  3. Books or other educational materials.
  4. Sports equipment or other recreational items.
  5. Art supplies or craft kits.
  6. Home goods or kitchen gadgets.
  7. Beauty or grooming products.
  8. Experience vouchers (such as a massage or a cooking class).
  9. Technology items (such as a tablet or a smartphone).
  10. Gift baskets filled with various items (such as food, household items, or personal care products).

It's a good idea to offer a variety of prizes to appeal to a wider range of donors. You might also consider offering different levels of prizes (such as a grand prize and several smaller prizes) or tie the prizes to certain fundraising goals or achievements.

Planning Your PTA Fundraiser

Here are some steps to follow when planning your PTA fundraiser:

  1. Set a goal: Determine how much money you need to raise and what you will use the funds for.
  2. Choose a fundraising activity: Decide on the type of event or activity that you will hold to raise funds. Consider the needs and interests of your organization and community.
  3. Create a budget: Estimate the cost of your event, including supplies, marketing, and any other expenses.
  4. Recruit volunteers: Identify the tasks that need to be completed and recruit volunteers to help with the event.
  5. Promote the event: Advertise the event through a variety of channels, including social media, email, and flyers.
  6. Set up the event: Arrange for any necessary supplies or equipment, and set up the event location.
  7. Run the event: Make sure that everything runs smoothly and that all volunteers are able to complete their tasks.
  8. Follow up: Thank participants and donors, and follow up with any necessary tasks (such as collecting money or distributing prizes).

By following these steps, you can ensure that your PTA fundraiser is well-organized and successful.

Getting Parents Onboard Your PTA Fundraiser

Here are some ways to get parents onboard with your PTA fundraiser:

  1. Clearly communicate the purpose of the fundraiser: Explain the need for the funds and how they will be used to benefit the school or students. This can help to build support and understanding for the fundraiser.
  2. Involve parents in the planning process: Encourage parents to participate in the planning and execution of the fundraiser. This can help to build ownership and engagement.
  3. Offer opportunities for volunteerism: Provide opportunities for parents to get involved in the fundraiser, whether it's through volunteering their time or donating items.
  4. Make it fun: Make the fundraiser enjoyable for all involved. This can help to create a sense of community and encourage participation.
  5. Show appreciation: Thank parents for their support and participation in the fundraiser. This can help to build goodwill and encourage future involvement.

By following these steps, you can help to build support and engagement among parents for your PTA fundraiser.

Take a look at what schools and PTAs are saying about the Read-A-Thon platform!

Another amazing read-a-thon year in the books. This year we raised $58,600 and read over 650,000 minutes. Amazing!!! RAT is a no brainer when it comes to fundraising. Families, friends, and the community are so willing to donate money to enrich literacy and education in our youth.

SONORAN SKY PTA

Raised $58,739.31

Take a look at what schools and PTAs are saying about the Read-A-Thon platform!

What Makes Read-A-Thon a Top PTA Fundraiser?

1. Fundraising has never been easier

Read-A-Thon makes fundraising easier than ever for your PTA.

Fundraising at the PTA level is challenging. Many parent groups simply default to the fundraisers they've always done. But when asked whether they love their current fundraiser very few will go quite that far. At the same time, a great deal of PTA members are quick to dismiss new fundraising ideas!


It's time to take a leap of faith. Read-A-Thon may be new to your PTA or PTO, but it will take no time at all for you to get the hang of this incredibly simple and lucrative fundraising program.


For one thing, read-a-thons require practically no volunteers to host. Plus, because your entire fundraiser lives on the Read-A-Thon platform, we help you manage everything from marketing to tracking student reading hours and funds raised!

2. Educate students while raising money.

Incorporate education into your PTA's fundraiser with Read-A-Thon.

Rather than trying to pressure families into purchasing an unwanted fundraising product, consider a fundraiser that revolves around schoolwork your students are already doing.


One of the reasons read-a-thons make so much sense for a PTA is that it is completely relevant to parental concerns about both education and fundraising. Parents care more about making sure their kids can read and less about fundraising, and you will be blown away at how eager parents are to help their children participate in a fundraiser that supports their intellectual development.


Sign up for free to access any of our three Read-a-thon fundraising packages. With just a few simple clicks, you could be bringing in thousands of dollars in revenue for an activity that your students will benefit from the rest of their lives.

3. Say hello to the perfect virtual fundraising idea.

Read-A-Thon has all the tools you need to launch a seamless virtual school fundraiser.

It's time to stop chasing down a few hundred dollars from popcorn sales or cakewalk fundraisers. Read-A-Thon has helped countless PTAs raise thousands of dollars with a fraction of the work required by other fundraisers.


Just take a look at the testimonials from a few of the 5,000+ schools who have benefited from Read-A-Thon. Time and again, our users have been shocked at how quickly and effectively they are able to raise revenue from parents, family members, and friends who pledge their support to students' reading journeys.


Through our dedicated online fundraising platform, participants on the other side of the planet can support your fundraiser. On top of that, complicated processes like donation collection and data reportage are made available with just a few easy clicks.

4. The most profitable PTA fundraiser is at your fingertips.

Read-A-Thon is one of the most profitable PTA fundraisers possible for your school.

It's time to stop chasing down a few hundred dollars from popcorn sales or cakewalk fundraisers. Read-A-Thon has helped countless PTAs raise thousands of dollars with a fraction of the work required by other fundraisers.

Just take a look at the testimonials from a few of the 5,000+ schools who have benefited from Read-A-Thon. Time and again, our users have been shocked at how quickly and effectively they are able to raise revenue from parents, family members, and friends who pledge their support to students' reading journeys.


Take a look at our fundraising calculator to see how much money your own school could raise with a Read-A-Thon!

Want to Learn More? Check Out These Read-A-Thon Resources.

Get the answers to your basic questions in our Read-A-Thon FAQ section: Click Here

Get a brief explanation of how our Read-A-Thon system works: Click Here

See how much money your library can raise with our Read-A-Thon calculator: Click Here

Check out a sample prize store: Click Here

Check out a handful of other amazing PTA fundraisers to consider.

6 Amazing PTA Fundraising Ideas for Your School

1. Love My Library

Explore the benefits of a Love My Library fundraiser for your PTA.

Take a look at yet another way your PTA can raise money and promote a love of learning.


The perfect mix between a booster-thon and a book fair, this library fundraiser gives students access to their favorite books among 3 million titles in return for donations raised.


The Love My Library platform streamlines the entire fundraising process—you just have to sign up, create an event, and encourage readers to create and share donation pages with family and friends.

Sign up for free to kick off a virtual fundraiser that students, sponsors, and community members will be inspired by!

2. Drive in Movie Night

Explore the benefits of a drive-in movie fundraiser for your PTA.

Turn your fundraiser into a cozy community event with a drive-in!


Choose a night where nothing else is planned and use the school parking lot to set up a projector so cars can park and watch movies. Then have volunteers bring in speakers, old couches, and a projector, as well as booths for food and carnival-like minigames.


You can maximize your profits by charging admission, selling food and drinks, and asking attendees to pay to play games pitched around the event site.


There's not much upfront cost for this one, and it can reap quite a bit of money with the right planning. Plus, you'll provide a memorable night of fun for families, locals, and your student body.

3. Fall Festival

Explore the benefits of a fall festival fundraiser for your PTA.

Fall festivals are an especially effective school fundraiser to engage older students. They always promise a good time, plus they give you ample opportunity to make a bit of extra money with branded merchandise and product sales of popcorn, candy, and other tasty treats.


Recruit several volunteers to help with the planning and management of the event. The key is to have many booths and activities to attract community members who'd like to get in the spirit of the season.


For example, create booths where guests can participate in classic fall activities like bobbing for apples or pumpkin carving. Additionally, be sure to set up food booths with lots of tasty seasonal snacks.


From there you can have as many different types of booths as you want! If there is someone in your PTA that has sheep, goats, rabbits, and other farm animals, then consider creatine a petting zoo booth.


No matter what activities you offer, attendees will be excited to buy tickets to enjoy each unique activity booth and make the most of your fall festival..

4. Gala Dinner

Explore the benefits of a gala dinner fundraiser for your PTA.

Organize a dinner with pomp and panache that your adult donors and supporters will love. Use the school cafeteria or a community space, and have volunteers elaborately decorate it.


However, you don't need to pay extravagant prices to offer a luxurious fundraising experience. For instance, an Italian spaghetti dinner is cheap, and with some breadsticks can be made to look fancy. Student volunteers can act as waiters and waitresses, and you can even bring in additional revenue with an entertaining talent show or a raffle.


Be sure to charge attendees a small admission fee to attend this elaborate black-tie affair and enjoy a night of fancy fine dining!

5. Auction

Explore the benefits of a charity auction fundraiser for your PTA.

Turn donations, clutter, and unwanted items into revenue by holding a PTA-sponsored charity auction!


Volunteers can bring in and drop off new or gently used items from home that they want to get rid of. Additionally, local businesses may be willing to offer in-kind donations in the form of extra inventory, samples, and gift baskets.


Hold the event in the school theater or gym and set up tables so donated items can be displayed. Create flyers for the event and advertise on social media. You can even contact local newspapers and tv and radio stations. This is one PTA fundraiser you cannot over-advertise.


You can stimulate your fundraising by charging a small fee to obtain a bidder card and offering fees that people who really want an item can pay to have it moved up in the auction. This, plus the money raised by selling the donated items, can rake in a significant amount of money for your school!

6. Matching Gifts

Explore the benefits of matching gifts for your PTA.

Many businesses run matching gift programs, allowing them to show support for their employees and their communities by matching the donations their employees give to charitable causes. However, you don't have to be a nonprofit to receive matching gifts—many companies offer matching gifts for schools!


Make sure that parents, community members, and other members of your donor base are aware of matching gifts. Regularly remind supporters through email, text, and your website to check if their employers offer this program.


You may even consider integrating a matching gift database into your online donation form. This makes it even easier for donors to find their employers' matching gifts program, submit a request in seconds, and multiply their support without having to give an extra penny than they had planned.

Read-A-Thon | The PTA Fundraiser You've Been Looking For

From cookie dough sales to school concerts, there's no shortage of PTA fundraising ideas floating around for you to try. However, Read-A-Thon's low-risk, high-reward fundraising program offers rewards unmatched by any other fundraising program.


The Read-A-Thon platform is not only an easy method for raising thousands of dollars for your school. It also provides the perfect educational experience to bring students and your entire community together.


Start your Read-A-Thon journey today.

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