One of the biggest challenges facing school groups is how to host unique and fun fundraisers every year. After all, there are only so many cookie recipes to try before the next bake sale is a complete “been there, done that” experience.
The other challenge facing school groups is the reality of the situation – while you may be raising funds for the kids, it’s the adults that are shelling out the cash and, usually, participating in the events. So why not make it as fun for the parents as it is profitable for the group?
Adult Spelling Bee/Trivia Night
If it’s going to be primarily adults doing the fundraising, then you might as well make it interesting! The premise behind an adult Spelling Bee and Trivia Night are essentially the same – pay an entry fee and compete for a prize. The contestants can play individually or as a team – but teamwork is always more fun! Up the stakes by throwing in an extra contest for the “best dressed” team and encourage the contestants to come dressed in a themed costume.
If you’re hosting the event for a specific grade/class, consider using the year of birth for those students as the theme for the night – pulling costume inspiration from movies of the time, and using pop-culture references as the spelling words and/or trivia questions. You can host the event at school or make it more adult-centric and partner up with a local restaurant for some half-priced appetizers or even a split of their profits from the designated time period. You might be surprised by how many local and chain restaurants are willing to help out and donate!
Dance Marathon
Here’s a fundraiser that’s fun for all ages. There are lots of “-thon” fundraisers: walk-a-thons, swim-a-thons, etc. But Dance Marathons are definitely the most fun. Get participants to raise pledges from their family and friends, and then spend a few hours – or maybe even an entire weekend! – dancing up a storm. Dance-a-thons also have the flexibility to throw a lot of fun activities into the mix during the course of the event, from the Limbo or a giant Conga line, to a massive game of Simon Says for a prize. The possibilities are endless. Don’t believe us? Just ask the Penn State fraternities and sororities. Every year they hold a massive dance marathon called Thon, and since the first Thon in 1977 they’ve raised $127million for charity. Yes – you read that right!
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