The content on this site may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that, at zero cost to you, we will earn an affiliate commission if you click on one of the links and buy something.
Looking for the best bang for your buck? These top 10 fundraising ideas are perfect for schools, offering high return with minimal stress. šš #PTAFundraisers #PTOEvents #SchoolFundraisingTips

If youāve ever asked, āWhatās the one fundraiser that actually brings in money?āāyouāre in good company.
Between field trips, teacher wish lists, playground updates, and enrichment programs, schools need support now more than ever. And while thereās no shortage of fundraising ideas floating around online, not all of them are created equalāsome are big hits, others barely break even.
So letās talk about the ones that really workāthe fundraisers that bring in serious dollars, get the community excited, and donāt completely wipe out your volunteer crew in the process.
This guide covers:
- Why fundraisers are essential for schools today
- What actually makes a fundraiser profitable
- 10 tried-and-true school fundraisers that bring in big results
- Links to helpful guides so you can hit the ground running
š Why Fundraisers Matter for Schools
Fundraisers arenāt just ānice to haveāātheyāre how things get done.
While school budgets cover the basics, thereās often no extra funding for the things that really make school life specialālike:
- Field trips and transportation
- Updated classroom tech
- Library books and supplies
- Arts and music programs
- Playground equipment
- School events, assemblies, and spirit days
Thatās where PTA/PTO groups and school fundraisers come in. The money you raise fills the gap between just getting by and actually giving students the experiences theyāll remember forever.
š” Pro Tip: A good fundraiser doesnāt have to be fancy. The best ones are easy to understand, fun to run, and make families feel like theyāre part of something meaningful.
š” What Makes a Fundraiser Profitable?
because a good idea is nice, but a money-making idea is what weāre really after š”šš°
Not all fundraisers are created equal. Some sound amazing on paper⦠but once you factor in costs, effort, and participation, youāre left wondering why you even bothered.
So what separates the fundraisers that raise $200 from the ones that raise $5,000+?
Hereās what to look for when choosing your next school fundraiser:
ā Low Overhead
The most profitable fundraisers are the ones that cost very little to run. Think donated items, low-cost supplies, or events where families contribute instead of purchase. Less spent = more earned.
ā High Participation Potential
The easier it is for families to join in, the better. You want something that everyone can get behind, whether itās buying a treat, attending an event, or sharing a donation link.
ā Flexible Formats
Look for fundraisers that can be scaled up or repeatedālike frozen treat carts, ticketed raffles, or seasonal events that come back every year.
ā Built-in Upsells
The best fundraisers have ways to boost your earnings beyond the base price. Think raffle ticket bundles, snack tables, photo booths, VIP seating, or sponsor shoutouts.
ā Itās Actually Fun
Letās be honestāfun = attendance = dollars. If your event is exciting, people will stay longer, spend more, and come back next time.
š” Pro Tip: The most successful schools often run a mix of low-effort/high-margin fundraisers and bigger, community-building events throughout the year.
š Top 10 Most Profitable School Fundraisers
1. Tricky Tray (aka Basket Raffle Night)
Why itās profitable: Guests buy ticket bundles and often spend more to win the baskets they really want. Itās interactive, flexible, and great for all ages.
How it works: Set up a room full of themed baskets and donated prizes. Guests buy raffle tickets and drop them into the containers for the baskets they want to win. One winner is drawn per basketāso the more tickets you buy, the better your odds!
š Tricky Tray Basket Ideas + Guide
2. Spaghetti Dinner Night
Why itās profitable: With low food costs and easy meal prep, this family-friendly dinner is a great chance to upsell with raffle tickets, desserts, and even a 50/50 draw.
How it works: Host a casual dinner in the cafeteria or gym. Sell entry tickets ahead of time (and at the door), then add extras like a dessert table, games for the kids, and a small raffle table. You can even offer takeout for families who canāt stay!
š Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser Guide
3. Walk-a-Thon or Fun Run
Why itās profitable: No selling involved! Students collect pledges from friends and family and the entire school participatesāhigh energy, low overhead.
How it works: Each student asks for donations based on how many laps they walk/run, or as a flat amount. On event day, everyone joins in for a fun, fitness-focused experience. You can theme it (color run, neon, superhero) and even add water stations and music for extra flair.
š” Bonus tip: Let classes compete to see who can raise the mostāmaybe with an ice cream party as a prize!
4. Frozen Treat Cart
Why itās profitable: You can buy frozen treats for under $1 and sell them for $2ā$3. Itās quick, fun, and repeatable all summer long.
How it works: Load up a cooler or cart with popsicles, ice cream sandwiches, or fruit bars, and sell them after school or at events. Set up near pickup time, field day, or summer programsāand let the kids do the rest (theyāll spot it a mile away).
š Frozen Treat Cart Fundraiser Guide
5. Bake Sale + Coffee Morning
Why itās profitable: When items are donated by families, youāre making pure profitāand coffee upsells are always a win.
How it works: Set up a table near drop-off or pickup filled with donated baked goods and hot drinks. Keep pricing simple ($1ā$3 items), and include signs that tell people what the fundraiser supports. Bonus points for a cute theme like āMuffins for Musicā or āCookies for Classrooms.ā
š Easy Bake Sale Ideas
6. 50/50 Raffle
Why itās profitable: Thereās no prize costāyou split the money raised with the winner! Itās easy to run and works well alongside any other event.
How it works: Sell raffle tickets (1 for $2, 3 for $5, etc.) during your event. At the end, draw one winner who gets 50% of the pot, and your school keeps the other 50%. Itās a great way to raise funds with minimal setupāand adds excitement to any fundraiser.
š 50/50 Raffle Guide
7. Read-a-Thon
Why itās profitable: No products to sell, no events to hostājust students reading and raising money through pledges. Itās low-effort, high-impact, and great for literacy goals.
How it works: Students collect pledges from friends and family to read a set number of minutes, books, or pages over a certain time period. Itās easy to manage with online platforms or a simple paper tracker, and you can host a celebration at the end to reward readers.
š” Bonus: March is National Reading Month or you can use a Read-a-Thon as a springboard into summer reading!
8. Ice Cream Social
Why itās profitable: Ice cream is low cost, universally loved, and easy to upsell with toppings, raffles, or themed games.
How it works: Host a build-your-own sundae bar and sell tickets for bowls (or do an all-you-can-scoop model!). You can run this as a standalone event or attach it to something bigger, like a talent show or end-of-year party. Add a raffle table or treat cart for bonus funds.
9. School Carnival
Why itās profitable: It brings in families, sponsors, and local supportāand there are so many ways to make money: ticket sales, concessions, raffles, and game booths.
How it works: Set up simple games (like ring toss or balloon pop), rent a bounce house, and line up food tables or trucks. Sell wristbands or tickets for entry, and offer classroom-run booths or a prize table. Partner with businesses for sponsorships or in-kind donations to lower costs.
š” Bonus: Carnivals are great annual traditionsāfamilies look forward to them!
10. Spirit Wear or Custom Merch Sales
Why itās profitable: Once your design is done, sales can run year-round. Plus, people love showing off school pride!
How it works: Sell school-branded t-shirts, hoodies, water bottles, or hats through a print-on-demand shop or in-school order forms. Offer designs for different seasons (think: āField Day 2025ā or ā5th Grade Grad Squadā) to keep people buying throughout the year.
š” Tip: Open sales before big school events or holidaysāperfect timing for grandparents and school photo day!
š Wrapping It Up: Whatās the Best Fundraiser for You?
Thereās no one-size-fits-all answer to the most profitable fundraiserābut the ideas in this list have consistently helped schools raise real money while keeping the stress (and overhead!) to a minimum.
Hereās how to choose the right one for your school:
ā
Think about how many volunteers you can count on
ā
Consider your timeline and budget
ā
Pick a format that fits your community vibeāsome schools love big events, others prefer low-key wins
ā
And remember, you donāt need to reinvent the wheelājust run what works well
Whether you go all-in on a school carnival, set up a weekly treat cart, or launch your first-ever Tricky Tray, the key is to choose something thatās easy to run and fun to support.
Let the fundraising begināand may your next event be your most profitable one yet! š°š
All the flyers you need for a full year of fundraisers!
Get More Fundraising Ideasā¦
- Donāt Let the Weather Ruin Your School Carnival
- How to Create a Volunteer Schedule for Carnival Day (That Actually Works)
- School Carnival Promotion Timeline & Checklist (So You Donāt Have to Wing It at the Last Minute)
- 10 School Carnival Mistakes to Avoid
- 60 School Carnival Prize Ideas (That Kids Actually Likeāand Wonāt End Up in the Trash)
- 20 Easy Carnival Games for Kids {Fun to Play and Easy to Manage}
- Classic Carnival Theme Ideas That Never Go Out of Style
- How to Throw a Glow-in-the-Dark School Carnival Kids Will Rave About
- Need More Carnival Volunteers? 20 Genius Ways to Get More Help at School Events
- From Freebies to Fundraising Partners: Making the Most of Local Business Support