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15 Fall Fundraiser Ideas for Schools

The article presents 15 fall-themed school fundraising ideas, highlighting easy, low-cost, and community-involving options such as bake sales featuring seasonal treats, pajama days with sponsored participation, and read-a-thons where donors pledge per book or page read, all designed to capitalize on autumn's mild weather and festive spirit to boost school fundraising efforts.

Fall is an excellent time to turbo-charge your school fundraising. The school year is still fresh, and so is enthusiasm among students and families. Plus, with the mild weather of autumn, you can take advantage of outdoor school fundraising ideas before it gets too cold. There are plenty of awesome holidays in the fall to inspire your fundraising with fun seasonal themes.

In this blog, you’ll learn more about:

  • Easy Effort Fundraisers
  • Ways to Get Your Community Involved
  • How Booster Can Help with Your Fundraiser

So, without further ado, here are the best school fundraisers for fall! (Note: many of these outdoor school fundraising ideas can be adapted to an indoor setting in case of bad weather.)

The Best School Fundraising Ideas for Fall

General School Fundraising Ideas

1. Bake Sale

  • Effort: Low
  • Cost: Low
  • Potential profit: Medium-high
  • Grade levels: Elementary school, middle school, high school

A bake sale is a classic fundraiser suitable for any season, especially pleasant in the cooler fall months. Fall brings the opportunity for delicious seasonal goodies featuring pumpkin, apples, and more. Encourage participants to bring their best pumpkin bread and apple pies.

Tip: Sell seasonal refreshments like hot apple cider, hot chocolate, and even pumpkin spice lattes.

2. Pajama Day

  • Effort: Low
  • Cost: Low
  • Potential profit: Medium
  • Grade levels: Elementary school

Invite donors to sponsor students for the privilege of wearing pajamas to school for a day. Teachers and administration can participate too by donating. Include sleepover-themed activities such as drinking hot chocolate, reading, or watching a movie.

Tip: Pair this fundraiser with a read-a-thon.

3. Read-A-Thon

  • Effort: Low
  • Cost: Low
  • Potential profit: High
  • Grade levels: Elementary school, middle school, high school

Donors pledge a certain amount per book or pages read by participating students. This fundraiser can be held indoors and helps foster a love of reading.

Tip: Boost profits by auctioning off popular book series, holding raffles for prizes like books or reading lights, and selling snacks and drinks.

4. Dance Marathon

  • Effort: Low
  • Cost: Low
  • Potential profit: High
  • Grade levels: Elementary school, middle school

Host a dance marathon in your school cafeteria or gym. Rent sound equipment and lighting, add fall-themed decor, and consider making it a costume party if near Halloween.

Tip: Add a twist with a DanceFit event, incorporating high-energy music and routines.

5. Chili Cook Off

  • Effort: Medium
  • Cost: Low
  • Potential profit: Variable
  • Grade levels: Elementary school, middle school, high school

Invite the school community to a chili cook off. Sell event tickets, refreshments, and desserts. Add music and games for a festive atmosphere.

Tip: Encourage vegetarian chili options to accommodate all dietary needs.

6. Fall Pep Rally

  • Effort: Medium
  • Cost: Low
  • Potential profit: Variable
  • Grade levels: High school

Turn your pep rally into a fundraiser by selling admission tickets. Open the concession stand, showcase school groups, and sell school spirit gear.

Tip: Raffle off fall-themed prizes like a Thanksgiving turkey or event admissions to maximize profits.

Outdoor School Fundraising Ideas

7. Fun Run

  • Effort: Medium
  • Cost: Low
  • Potential profit: High
  • Grade levels: Elementary school, middle school, high school

A fun run is a reliable fundraiser where donors pledge per distance run. Use your school track or a local trail.

Tip: Have participants wear custom shirts sponsored by local businesses.

8. Fall Fest

  • Effort: Medium
  • Cost: Medium
  • Potential profit: Variable
  • Grade levels: Elementary school, middle school, high school

Host a family-friendly fall fest with tents, tables, autumn drinks, snacks, and sweets. Sell admission tickets.

Tip: Hire a DJ or use student talent for entertainment.

9. Tailgate Party

  • Effort: Medium
  • Cost: Medium
  • Potential profit: High
  • Grade levels: High school

Host a tailgate party during football season. Sell admission tickets, set up tents, offer yard games, and serve snacks and drinks.

Tip: Partner with local businesses for refreshments.

Holiday School Fundraising Ideas

10. Haunted House

  • Effort: Medium
  • Cost: Low
  • Potential profit: Medium-high
  • Grade levels: Elementary school, middle school, high school

Set up a haunted house for Halloween and sell admission tickets.

Tip: Involve the theater department for talent, costumes, and props.

11. Costume Contest

  • Effort: Low
  • Cost: Low
  • Potential profit: Medium
  • Grade levels: Elementary school, middle school, high school

Hold a costume contest, possibly as part of another event. Participants can seek sponsorships for entering.

Tip: Give the contest a theme for guidance.

12. Pumpkin Carving Contest

  • Effort: Medium
  • Cost: Low
  • Potential profit: Medium
  • Grade levels: Elementary school, middle school, high school

Sell pumpkins to participants and host a carving contest. Display the jack-o-lanterns on campus afterward.

13. Sell Pumpkins

  • Effort: Low
  • Cost: Medium
  • Potential profit: Medium-High
  • Grade levels: Elementary school, middle school, high school

Partner with a local pumpkin supplier to sell pumpkins. Consider advertising the sale at other fall events.

14. Turkey Trot

  • Effort: Medium
  • Cost: Low
  • Potential profit: High
  • Grade levels: Elementary school, middle school, high school

Host a turkey trot, typically on Thanksgiving day. Participants can walk or run to raise funds before the holiday meal.

Tip: Pair with a shoe drive or can-a-thon for added impact.

15. Can-a-Thon

  • Effort: Low
  • Cost: Low
  • Profit: Medium
  • Grade level: Elementary school, middle school, high school

A can-a-thon is a food drive where donors pledge per can collected. After tallying, donations are collected and cans are donated to charity.

Tip: Offer raffle tickets for participation and raffle off prizes like a Thanksgiving turkey or pumpkin pie.

Ready, Set, Fundraise!

Fall is an exciting time of year, packed with fun holidays, good food, and excitement for the school year. Take advantage of the season’s high spirits with these outdoor school fundraising ideas. You’ll create an amazing fundraiser to remember!