FUNDRAISING RESOURCES

How to fundraise for Primary Schools?

Exploring avenues for primary school fundraising brings tangible support and growth opportunities. This complete guide covers grants, corporate sponsorships, and inventive ideas, providing expert insights for effective fundraising strategies.

Top 5 grants for Primary Schools nonprofits in 2025

Unlock funding for your nonprofit with grants designed for Primary Schools. Explore government, foundation, and corporate grants to expand your impact.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Varies

Government

Supports community development activities to build stronger communities, including education initiatives. Open to nonprofits serving low and moderate-income areas.

Apply

Renew America's Schools PRIZE

U.S. Department of Energy

$300,000

Government

Supports implementation of infrastructure improvements in schools, focusing on rural and/or high poverty local educational agencies (LEAs).

Apply

NBCUniversal Local Impact Grant

NBCUniversal

$25,000 - $50,000

Private

Funds programs for youth education and empowerment, including those that equip youth with tools for success in primary education.

Apply

Walmart Foundation Local Community Grant

Walmart Foundation

$250 - $5,000

Foundation

Supports local organizations, including education initiatives. Applications accepted year-round and reviewed quarterly.

Apply

Bank of America Charitable Foundation Grant

Bank of America

Varies

Foundation

Supports programs focused on economic mobility and community development, including education initiatives for underserved communities.

Apply

Top 5 companies donating to Primary Schools nonprofits in 2025

Partner with businesses that share your mission! Corporate sponsorships can provide funding, in-kind donations, and visibility to help your nonprofit expand and sustain Primary Schools efforts.

Technology Education
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Education
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Education
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Education
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Education
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Top 5 best fundraising platforms for Primary Schools

PayPal Logo
DonorBox Logo
Transaction fees
0%
2.2% + $0.30 per transaction for Stripe processing fees
2.9% + $0.30 per transaction

No processing fees.

  • Stripe: 2.2% + $0.30 per transaction
  • PayPal: 1.99% + $0.49 per transaction
  • ACH/Bank transfer: 0.8% ($5 maximum)

Platform fees
$0
4.9% per transaction or a $1,250 flat fee upfront
If optional tips are disabled a 1% to 5% fee apply to each transactions with the Flex Plan. And $1,550 yearly subscription + 1% fee per transaction with the Partner Plan.
When you run a campaign with Snapraise, you only keep 80% of the funds you raise.
1.75% platform fees. 2.95% platform fees for event ticketing, membership payments and P2P campaigns. Reduced fees for pro and premium plans.
Monthly fees
$0 / month
No monthly fees
No monthly fees
Donorbox offers 3 subscription plan: Standard $0/month | Pro $139/month | Premium custom pricing
Value for money
Capterra ratings
4.9 / 5
4.6/5
4.7/5
N/A
4.7/5
Ease-of-use
Capterra ratings
4.8 / 5
4.7/5
4.6/5
N/A
4.7/5
Quality of support
4.9 / 5
4.9/5
4.6/5
N/A
4.8/5

The only 100% free
fundraising platform
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10 Best fundraising ideas for Primary Schools in 2025

Innovative fundraising fuels your mission. From peer-to-peer campaigns to community events, explore creative ways to raise funds and ensure long-term success for your Primary Schools.

1

Digital Classroom Sponsorship

Create a virtual representation of classrooms where donors can sponsor specific items (books, computers, supplies) through an interactive online platform. Each sponsored item unlocks a video of students benefiting from the donation.

2

Eco-Friendly School Carnival

Organize a sustainability-themed carnival with eco-friendly games, recycling challenges, and green technology demonstrations. Partner with local environmental organizations for educational booths.

3

Student-Designed Merchandise Line

Launch a competition for students to design school merchandise (t-shirts, bags, water bottles) with themes of education and creativity. Sell the winning designs through an online store and at school events.

4

Corporate STEM Challenge

Partner with local tech companies to create a series of STEM challenges for students. Companies sponsor challenges, provide mentors, and offer prizes. Culminates in a big showcase event with corporate donations.

5

Community Talent Time Auction

Organize an auction where community members, parents, and teachers offer their skills or time (cooking lessons, gardening help, tutoring) for bid. Host the auction online with a live virtual event finale.

6

Virtual Global Classroom Exchange

Create a platform for virtual cultural exchanges between your primary school and schools around the world. Charge a subscription fee for families to participate in interactive sessions, language exchanges, and collaborative projects.

7

Augmented Reality School History Tour

Develop an AR app that brings the school's history to life through interactive points around the campus. Sell app downloads and offer sponsored 'exhibits' to local businesses and alumni.

8

Seasonal Nature Walk Sponsorship

Organize guided nature walks each season, teaching students about local flora and fauna. Offer tiered sponsorship packages for families and local businesses, with branded activity booklets and refreshment stops.

9

Intergenerational Skills Swap

Create a program where students teach seniors technology skills, while seniors teach students traditional crafts or local history. Charge a participation fee and seek sponsorship from local retirement communities and tech companies.

10

Personalized Learning Time Capsules

Sell customizable time capsules filled with curriculum-based activities, school memorabilia, and personal growth trackers. Market as a keepsake of the primary school journey, to be opened at graduation.

Frequently Asked Questions

<div ms-code-snippet-q="1">What are the most effective fundraising ideas for primary schools in 2025?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="1">In 2025, the most effective fundraising ideas for primary schools combine traditional methods with digital innovation. Online fundraising platforms have become essential, with 67% of nonprofits now accepting donations through their websites[1]. Consider implementing a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign, which leverages your school community's networks and has shown a 12.1% increase in online donations[15]. Silent auctions, both in-person and virtual, remain popular and can raise significant funds[4]. Incorporate values-informed fundraising by aligning your campaign with donors' core identities, which has been shown to increase engagement and donation frequency[10]. Lastly, don't overlook the power of social media marketing – 34% of nonprofits now use paid social media advertising to boost their campaigns[15]. Remember to tailor these strategies to your school's unique needs and community.</div><div ms-code-snippet-q="2">How can primary schools use SEO to improve their fundraising efforts?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="2">Primary schools can significantly boost their fundraising efforts by implementing SEO strategies. Start by conducting keyword research to identify terms parents and potential donors are searching for, such as 'primary school donations' or 'support local education'[14]. Optimize your school's website content around these keywords, ensuring they appear in titles, headers, and throughout the text. Create high-quality, informative content that addresses common questions and showcases your school's impact. Improve your website's technical SEO by ensuring fast load times, mobile responsiveness, and proper indexing[11]. Build authority by securing backlinks from reputable local organizations and educational institutions. Leverage Google's nonprofit programs, like Google Ad Grants, which offers $10,000 in monthly ad spend to eligible organizations[9]. Remember, SEO is an ongoing process – regularly update your content and monitor your rankings to maintain visibility and attract more support for your school.</div><div ms-code-snippet-q="3">What are the top digital marketing strategies for primary school fundraising in 2025?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="3">In 2025, primary schools should focus on digital marketing strategies that maximize engagement and donations. Email marketing remains a cornerstone, with personalized campaigns yielding higher open rates and conversions. Implement AI-driven hyperpersonalization to tailor messages to individual donors' preferences and giving history[7]. Leverage social media platforms, particularly Facebook and Instagram, for targeted advertising and organic community building. Live streaming fundraising events has gained popularity, allowing for real-time engagement and donations[6]. Incorporate storytelling into your digital content, showcasing student success stories and the impact of donations. Utilize data analytics to track donor behavior and optimize your campaigns accordingly. Don't forget mobile optimization – ensure all digital touchpoints are mobile-friendly, as mobile giving continues to rise. Lastly, explore emerging technologies like virtual reality for immersive fundraising experiences that bring your school's needs to life for potential donors.</div><div ms-code-snippet-q="4">How much should primary schools aim to raise through fundraising in 2025?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="4">In 2025, primary schools should set ambitious yet realistic fundraising goals based on recent trends and economic forecasts. According to the Philanthropy Outlook 2024 & 2025 report, total charitable giving is expected to rise above historical average growth rates in both years[16]. For primary schools, a good benchmark is to aim for a 10-15% increase over your previous year's fundraising total. Consider that the median funds received by independent schools in 2023 were $1.5 million, a $1 million increase from the previous year[1]. However, your specific goal should account for your school's size, community, and needs. Focus on diversifying revenue streams, as 45% of primary and secondary schools reported revenue increases in their prior fiscal year[1]. Remember to factor in the continued growth of online giving, which saw a 12.1% increase in recent years[15]. Set both short-term and long-term goals, and regularly review and adjust your targets based on your campaign performance and changing economic conditions.</div><div ms-code-snippet-q="5">What are the key metrics for measuring primary school fundraising success in 2025?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="5">In 2025, primary schools should focus on a comprehensive set of metrics to measure fundraising success. Track total funds raised, but also monitor the donor retention rate – aim for retaining over 50% of new donors, which 65% of schools achieved in recent years[1]. Measure the average gift size, as trends show an increase in larger donations from major donors[13]. Evaluate the return on investment (ROI) for each fundraising channel, particularly digital ones. For online campaigns, track website traffic, conversion rates, and engagement metrics like email open rates and social media interactions. Monitor the growth of your donor base, aiming for a 5-10% increase annually. Assess the effectiveness of different fundraising methods, such as events, grants, and individual giving. Don't forget to measure volunteer engagement and in-kind donations, which can significantly impact your school's resources. Lastly, track the percentage of fundraising goals met for each campaign and overall annual targets. Regularly analyze these metrics to refine your strategies and improve future fundraising efforts.</div>