Show Me the Money

Schools are often on the look-out for creative ways to make money; however, they often rely on selling foods. Fundraising with non-food items and events can be just as profitable. This approach provides schools with a powerful opportunity to send consistent, positive physical and mental health messages that align with classroom lessons. It also encourages a supportive school food climate.

Follow the 4-step process to take a planned and comprehensive approach to work on this topic.

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Getting Started

• Is your school open to changing its approach to fundraising? 
• Have you considered fundraising through events and non-food items? 
• Have you considered how many fundraisers happen at your school, the timing of them, and how that impacts financial and social pressures on families? 

Bright Ideas

• Hold a walk/roll-a-thon, bowl-a-thon or dance-a-thon
• Host a read-a-thon or book fair
• Host a community camp fair - camps purchase tables to promote their camp activities to school community members
• Host an art show and sell student artwork
• Host a car wash event
• Host a school dance and sell glow in the dark items
• Organize a fun sporting event with nominal/optional fee for admission
• Sell School Spirit Wear or other items with the school logo (e.g., water bottles, car decals, mini sticks)
• Request donations to see teachers/school staff/local celebrities do fun activities/challenges (e.g., pie in the face, dunk tank)
• Host a community garage sale
• Collect spare change
• Contact a local nursery about selling seasonal plants
  • Poinsettias, fresh wreaths, garland, etc.
  • Spring bulbs
  • Seeds or seedlings for flowers or vegetables
• Have classes make crafts to sell at a school event (e.g., holiday wreaths)
• Sell greeting cards, wrapping paper, stationary products, etc.
• Sell gift cards or coupon booklets
• Host a raffle
• Host a silent auction - each classroom donates a basket of items with different themes
• Sell local farm fresh produce  
• Sell citrus fruit (e.g., oranges, grapefruit), 
• Sell local fresh herbs, spices, cheese, dried beans (e.g., soup mix), pasta, etc. 

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