High School Fundraising Ideas for This Fall

To help you plan your next fall fundraiser, we’ve put a list together of creative high school fundraising ideas. 

high school fundraising ideas

With back to school taking place in the Fall, there are endless opportunities to begin fundraising for your high school club or sports team to kick off the school year. To help you plan your next fall fundraiser, we’ve put a list together of creative high school fundraising ideas. 

  1. Restaurant Fundraiser: Restaurant fundraisers are one of the best options for schools and organizations wanting to host an easy and successful fundraiser. Chipotle fundraisers give back 25% of event sales, subject to achieving a minimum of $150 in fundraiser sales, and are easy to set up and be a host. If your supporters are in a hurry, we offer a digital option where they can place their order online or in the app for pickup by using the unique fundraiser code. To host your next high school fundraiser with Chipotle, apply here.
  2. Back to School Dance: If you’re raising money for your high school for this fall, host a back-to-school dance fundraiser for all students. Let the student council or administration choose the theme, hire a DJ, and clear out the school’s gym or cafeteria. Charge an admission fee and ask parents or staff to volunteer as chaperones. Hosting this during the fall time when school is back in session can help create excitement for the year ahead.
  3. Clothing Drive: Instead of spring cleaning, encourage families and staff to do some fall cleaning and donate new or gently used clothing items. Open your clothing drive up to the public for other community members to come shop and upgrade their wardrobe.  Be mindful of any sales tax collection requirements for this kind of sale.
  4. School Breakfast: Work together with the school cafeteria or other teachers to host a school breakfast in the cafeteria or gym. Students, teachers and staff can purchase a ticket for a delicious breakfast before the start of school. You can also ask the band or choir to perform a few songs for added entertainment.  Food safety will need to be taken into account for this kind of event.
  5. Outdoor Movie Night: This event is a great option in the fall if you have the space available for a large outdoor gathering. Rent out the equipment and charge an admission fee per person. This is a fun event for families to participate in and encourage viewers to bring blankets to sit on during the movie. If there isn’t an outdoor space available to host your event, consider partnering with a local drive-in movie theater where a portion of the proceeds that night will go to your school’s organization. Combine this with your restaurant fundraiser and you can raise even more money!  Just be sure to procure all the necessary performance rights for the movie you plan to screen.
  6. Car Wash: This is easy to execute and can lead to a great turnout! Either set up a car wash on your own or partner with a local car wash business to receive a certain percentage of proceeds for that day. Advertise to the whole school and local community to get their car washed to benefit your school.
  7. Sell School T-Shirts: If your school has a big rivalry game coming up in the fall or just to encourage school spirit, create a fun new design for a t-shirt and sell to students, parents, teachers and the community. Make this a limited-edition item that is only available for your fundraiser. If selling before a school fall sporting event, encourage everyone to wear it the night of the game and represent their school.
  8. Principal Challenge: You can ask your school’s principal to get involved and put together a creative fundraising challenge. This is a great bonding activity for your principal and students while raising money for your fall high school fundraiser. Here are some fun principal challenge fundraisers that your school could do to raise funds.
  9. Concession Stand: If your school has a big fall event coming up, set up a concession stand and sell an assortment of food and drink with proceeds going to your fundraiser.  Be sure to check on any applicable tax requirements for this kind of sale. 
  10. Change War: Turn your fundraiser into a competition and challenge each homeroom to bring in the most change. This is a fun way to raise money for your high school while adding a competitive twist. The homeroom that raises the most money can be rewarded with a pizza party or other VIP treatment.
  11. Fashion Show: Encourage all students to get involved in your fundraiser by walking in a fall fashion show. This can feature anything from fun dress up clothing to prom-inspired attire. Students can get as dressed up as they wish and other students, parents and the community can purchase tickets to watch them strut down the runway. Reach out to clothing stores in your neighborhood to see if they’ll donate items of clothing to your fundraiser.
  12. School Concert: Ask the school band, school choir, or a band put together by students to host a concert with proceeds going to your fundraiser.

For more high school fundraising ideas or seasonal fundraising ideas, visit our resources page here or click on the below blog posts.