How to fundraise for your school
🎉 Parent Power Activated 🎉
So... you’re on a mission to support your school? Amazing! We’re thrilled you’ve landed here because we’re about to spill the top-secret tips from our most successful fundraising families — and yep, of course there’s even a BONUS TIP at the end!
These aren’t just any tips — these are proven strategies that have helped students (and their grown-ups!) raise serious funds, add fun and claim some seriously cool prizes. So let’s dive in…
TOP SECRETS OF OUR HIGHEST-FUNDRAISING STUDENTS
1. Create a V.I.P. List of Donors
Before diving headfirst into sharing your fundraising link on social media, take a moment to make a list of V.I.Ps. These are your fundraising MVPs — Grandma, Grandpa, Aunties, Uncles, close family friends — the folks who are always in your corner. The best fundraisers text or email these VIPs personally before sharing their link anywhere else. It makes people feel extra special — because they are!
💛 Hot Tip: Got family interstate or overseas? Perfect. They often love the chance to get involved from afar, and this might be the first time they’ve ever been asked. Make sure they’re on your list as people can donate to your school from ANYWHERE on the planet (and do).
2. Post That Link (and Post It Again!)
Once your VIPs have had their moment, it’s time to go public. Share your fundraising link on your socials — Facebook, Instagram, wherever your proud parent moments usually go.
📅 Keep it fresh: Reposting every few days with an update is key. Not everyone will see your first post (thanks, algorithms), and regular updates keep the momentum going. People enjoy following the story as they watch how your fundraising adventure is going.
💡 Bonus idea: Get creative! Post a little video update with your child about how the fundraising is going. People love seeing the fun behind the cause, and it keeps them feeling involved.
3. Publicly Thank Your Donors
A big-hearted thank you goes a long way. When someone donates, give them a shout-out on social media — a simple tag and thank-you message works wonders!
📞 If you’ve got a more private donor, a thoughtful text or phone call is the way to go.
💛 Donors love to feel appreciated — and bonus: when others see you giving thanks, it might just inspire them to get involved too!
4. Update Your Personal Story
You’re sharing your fundraising link with your people… so make it feel personal!
🗣️ Update your profile page story to include your child’s goal and what the school is fundraising for. Whether it’s new bubblers, classroom tech, or some fresh playground gear — let people know why it matters.
🎯 Example: “I’m aiming to raise $150 because I really want that lava lamp, and my school is hoping to put in new air con before summer hits!”
People give to people — so tell your story and show how what you’re up to will benefit your life.
5. Get Creative & Have Fun With It
This is where the magic happens! Sure, you can just share your link — but what about turning your fundraiser into a fun little project?
🎥 Create short videos explaining your goal and how it will benefit the school… and hey — if you come up with something fun, share it with us on the School Fun Run Facebook page. We LOVE celebrating creative fundraisers!
🎁 BONUS TIP: Set a SMART Goal
Want to really make it happen? Help your child set a SMART goal:
Specific: “I want to raise $150 to earn a lava lamp!”
Measurable: That means about $40 a week over 4 weeks.
Achievable: Start with a realistic number — you can always raise it later.
Relevant: Tie your goal to what the school is trying to achieve.
Time-bound: Work within your fundraising window and track your progress along the way.
🎉 Pro Parent Tip: Write your goal down and stick it on the fridge. It’s a great motivator and a fun conversation starter too!
🙌 Final Thoughts
We’ve been helping families raise money for their schools for over 35 years, and we can tell you this:
💙 The families that have the most fun — and get the best results — are the ones that get involved, tell their story, and spread the joy.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Your efforts make a real difference and your school is lucky to have you on board.
Now go get fundraising — and remember, you’ve got this!
