FUNDRAISING RESOURCES

How to fundraise for Schools?

Schools benefit from diverse funding sources, including grants, corporate sponsorships, and innovative fundraising ideas. With our expertise, schools can access practical advice for sustainable fundraising.

Top 5 grants for Schools nonprofits in 2025

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

Community Clean Energy 2025 Grant Program

San Diego Foundation

Not specified

Foundation

Supports new and existing projects that move communities towards a healthier, more sustainable, clean energy future. Open to nonprofits including schools.

Apply

2025 Mental Health Service Expansion and Workforce Development Grant

San Diego Foundation

Not specified

Foundation

Supports nonprofit service providers and workforce development, advancing access to mental/behavioral and early relational health services for families and kids of all ages.

Apply

Faith & Action Project 2025 Grant

Christian Theological Seminary

Up to $30,000

Foundation

Supports organizations generating real change in communities, including education initiatives. Open to nonprofits and faith communities working to provide pathways out of poverty.

Apply

NIA Career Transition Award (K22)

National Institutes of Health

Not specified

Government

Supports postdoctoral fellows transitioning to faculty positions. While not specific to schools, it could benefit educational institutions with research programs.

Apply

Kingdom Advancing Grant 2025

Brotherhood Mutual Foundation

Share of $150,000 total

Foundation

Supports church programs that solve community problems and connect people to Jesus. Could potentially include educational initiatives run by faith-based organizations.

Apply

Top 5 companies donating to 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 Schools efforts.

Education
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Education
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Arts Education
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Education
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Education
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Top 5 best fundraising platforms for Schools

PayPal Logo
DonorBox Logo
Transaction fees
0%

No processing fees.

2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
2.2% + $0.30 per transaction for Stripe processing fees

Up to ‍5% + 35¢ per transaction

Platform fees
$0
When you run a campaign with Snapraise, you only keep 80% of the funds you raise.
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.
4.9% per transaction or a $1,250 flat fee upfront
Annual subscription. Undisclosed price
Monthly fees
$0 / month
No monthly fees
No monthly fees
Value for money
Capterra ratings
4.9 / 5
N/A
4.7/5
4.6/5
4.5/5
Ease-of-use
Capterra ratings
4.8 / 5
N/A
4.6/5
4.7/5
4.4/5
Quality of support
4.9 / 5
N/A
4.6/5
4.9/5
4.8/5

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10 Best fundraising ideas for 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 Schools.

1

Digital Yearbook Crowdfunding Campaign

Create a digital yearbook platform where students, parents, and alumni can purchase personalized pages or contribute content. Use social media and email marketing to promote the campaign, encouraging supporters to share their yearbook pages and donate.

2

Community Skills Auction

Organize an auction where community members, teachers, and students offer their skills or services (e.g., cooking lessons, tutoring, home repairs) for bidding. Host the event both in-person and online to maximize participation.

3

Eco-Friendly School Supplies Line

Develop and sell a line of eco-friendly school supplies branded with the school's logo. Partner with sustainable manufacturers to create items like recycled notebooks, bamboo pencils, and reusable water bottles.

4

Local Business Sponsorship Program

Create tiered sponsorship packages for local businesses to support school programs. Offer benefits like advertising in school publications, booth space at events, and recognition on the school website.

5

Student-Led Hackathon for Education

Organize a hackathon where students develop innovative solutions for educational challenges. Invite tech companies to sponsor the event and mentor participants. Charge an entry fee and offer prizes for the best solutions.

6

Virtual Reality Campus Tour Fundraiser

Create an immersive VR tour of the school campus, highlighting key facilities and programs. Offer the tour as a premium download or streaming experience, with proceeds going to school improvement projects.

7

Seasonal Pop-Up Restaurant

Transform the school cafeteria into a themed pop-up restaurant for a weekend, featuring dishes prepared by students and local chefs. Sell tickets for dining experiences and offer takeout options.

8

Personalized School Merchandise Marketplace

Launch an online marketplace where students, families, and alumni can design and purchase personalized school merchandise. Offer a range of products from apparel to accessories, with a portion of each sale supporting the school.

9

Corporate Mentorship Auction

Auction off mentorship sessions with successful alumni or local business leaders. Participants bid for one-on-one or small group mentoring opportunities in various fields.

10

Community Garden Subscription Program

Establish a school community garden where families can subscribe to a plot. Offer gardening classes, seasonal harvests, and community events. Use the produce in school meals and sell excess at local farmers markets.

Frequently Asked Questions

<div ms-code-snippet-q="1">What are the most effective fundraising ideas for schools in 2025?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="1">The most effective fundraising ideas for schools in 2025 blend traditional methods with digital innovation. Online crowdfunding campaigns have become increasingly popular, allowing schools to reach a wider audience and accept donations 24/7. Peer-to-peer fundraising, where students and parents create personal fundraising pages, has also proven highly effective. Virtual events like online auctions or live-streamed talent shows engage supporters remotely. Product fundraisers remain strong, especially when tied to local businesses or eco-friendly items. Lastly, recurring giving programs provide stable income, with many schools finding success in monthly donation drives tied to specific projects or goals. The key is to diversify fundraising methods and leverage technology to streamline processes and expand reach.</div><div ms-code-snippet-q="2">How can schools use social media for fundraising in 2025?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="2">In 2025, schools can leverage social media for fundraising by creating engaging, shareable content that showcases their impact. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are ideal for short-form video content highlighting student success stories or facility improvements. Facebook remains valuable for organizing fundraising events and fostering community engagement. Schools should utilize platform-specific fundraising tools, such as Facebook Fundraisers or Instagram's donation sticker. Live streaming special events or 'day in the life' content can boost engagement and donations. Consistently using relevant hashtags and partnering with local influencers or alumni can expand reach. Additionally, schools should focus on building a strong social media community year-round, not just during active campaigns, to maintain supporter interest and involvement.</div><div ms-code-snippet-q="3">What are the best practices for school fundraising campaigns in 2025?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="3">Best practices for school fundraising campaigns in 2025 emphasize personalization, transparency, and multi-channel engagement. Start by clearly defining campaign goals and creating compelling narratives that resonate with donors. Utilize data analytics to segment your audience and tailor messaging accordingly. Implement a multi-channel approach, combining digital methods (email, social media, text) with traditional outreach (direct mail, events). Leverage AI-powered tools for personalized donor communications and predictive analytics. Prioritize mobile-friendly donation processes, as over 65% of donors prefer giving via smartphone. Maintain transparency by regularly updating supporters on campaign progress and fund allocation. Lastly, focus on donor retention through personalized thank-you messages and ongoing engagement strategies, as retaining donors is more cost-effective than acquiring new ones.</div><div ms-code-snippet-q="4">How can schools increase parent involvement in fundraising efforts?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="4">To increase parent involvement in fundraising efforts, schools should focus on communication, convenience, and recognition. Regularly share updates on fundraising goals and progress through multiple channels (email, social media, school app). Offer a variety of involvement options to accommodate different schedules and skills, such as virtual volunteering or micro-fundraising tasks. Implement user-friendly online platforms for donations and volunteer sign-ups. Create a parent fundraising committee to foster leadership and ownership. Recognize and celebrate parent contributions publicly, both big and small. Host family-friendly events that combine fundraising with community building. Provide clear, tangible examples of how funds will benefit students directly. Lastly, survey parents annually to gather feedback and ideas, ensuring your fundraising approach aligns with their preferences and capacity to contribute.</div><div ms-code-snippet-q="5">What are the emerging trends in school fundraising technology for 2025?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="5">Emerging trends in school fundraising technology for 2025 focus on enhancing donor experience and streamlining operations. AI-powered chatbots are becoming prevalent for instant donor support and personalized giving suggestions. Blockchain technology is gaining traction for transparent fund tracking and cryptocurrency donations. Virtual and augmented reality experiences are being used to create immersive donor engagement, showcasing impact in innovative ways. Mobile-first platforms with integrated payment options (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are becoming standard. Predictive analytics tools help identify potential major donors and optimize outreach strategies. Gamification elements in fundraising apps increase engagement, especially among younger donors. Lastly, all-in-one fundraising management systems that integrate with school management software are streamlining administrative tasks and providing comprehensive donor insights.</div>