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Fundraising ideas

14 PTA and PTO fundraising ideas for busy volunteers

Your volunteers have jobs, kids and a dozen other commitments. These ideas raise real money without taking over anyone's evenings.

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Big-impact ideas

  1. Annual fund drive

    Ask every family once, early in the year, with a clear goal and milestones.

    Run it on HooRaise

  2. Silent auction

    Collect donated items and school experiences, run bidding online, and close it at a family event.

    Run it on HooRaise

  3. Read-a-thon or fun run

    Students share a page and supporters cheer them on. Classes race each other.

    Run it on HooRaise

  4. Business sponsorships

    Local businesses sponsor your drive and get their logo on your page and their name on receipts.

Easy add-ons through the year

  1. Teacher appreciation fund

    A short drive in spring to thank teachers with a gift from every family.

  2. Spirit wear pre-orders

    Take pre-orders so there's no leftover stock.

  3. Dine-out nights

    Partner with local restaurants that give back a share of the night's sales.

  4. Box tops and receipts programs

    Low effort, small returns. Good as a background fundraiser.

  5. Grandparents day drive

    Invite grandparents to visit and to support their grandchild's class.

  6. Matching gift push

    Remind parents that many employers match donations.

Community-building events

  1. Family movie night

    Low cost, high turnout. A great night to close your auction.

  2. Trivia night for parents

    Teams buy a table, and the winners get bragging rights.

  3. Fall festival

    Games and food trucks, with a goal thermometer on the big screen.

  4. Talent show

    Students perform and supporters give to cheer them on.

Tips that raise more, whatever you pick

  • Say exactly what the money pays for: "$40 covers one player's tournament fee" beats "support our team."
  • Ask families to add at least 10 supporters each. Most gifts come from people who were asked directly.
  • Plan three messages: a kickoff, a halfway nudge and a last-day "ends tonight."
  • Celebrate milestones out loud, and let the goal grow when you reach it.
  • Thank every supporter within a day, and share the final result.

PTA fundraising questions

How many fundraisers should a PTA run each year?

Many PTAs do best with one big ask, like an annual drive or a-thon, plus one event, like an auction. Fewer, bigger fundraisers mean less fatigue for families.

How do we make fundraising easier for volunteers?

Use a tool that sends the reminders and receipts for you, and add co-organizers so no one carries it alone.

Do PTA donations come with a tax receipt?

If your PTA is a registered nonprofit, supporters can get a receipt with your tax ID.

Run your next fundraiser on HooRaise

Player pages, group goals, a-thons and silent auctions, with reminders sent for you. Free to start.

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