Did you know? A recent CAF America survey found that 62 percent of Americans plan to make donations during the holiday season, and 15 percent say they give exclusively during this time.
The key is choosing holiday fundraisers for schools that tap into seasonal habits like gifting, gathering, and giving back, and making it easy for your community to get involved. If you’re looking for creative school fundraising ideas that work even in December, this list delivers.
Here are 20 holiday fundraisers for schools that are easy to organize, festive enough to get everyone excited, and effective when it comes to bringing in real support.
Top 20 Holiday Fundraising Ideas for Schools
Holiday Athons: Get Active, Get Giving
Read Athon
Read athons are perfect for quiet snowy days and winter breaks. Students collect pledges for every page or minute they read. Throw in a pajama day or hot cocoa corner to make it extra cozy.
Dance Athon
Deck the halls and the gym with music, lights, and sparkle. Students get sponsors for every hour they dance. Dance athons are high energy, low cost, and big fun.
Kindness Athon
Challenge students to complete acts of kindness: holding doors, writing thank-you notes, or donating toys. Friends and family pledge support, and everyone walks away smiling.
Turkey Trot or Jingle Jog
Add a holiday twist to your typical fun run. Students collect pledges and complete laps around the school while wearing festive gear. Think reindeer antlers, tinsel tutus, or jingle bells on their shoes. Whether you host it indoors or outside, Turkey Trots are energetic and festive.
Sing Athon
Let students share the season through song. They can perform holiday tunes at school, organize virtual concerts, or go caroling in the community. It’s a heartwarming way to engage families and raise funds.
Pro-Tip:
For events like read athons or kindness challenges, choose an online fundraising platform with peer-to-peer capabilities, like Cheddar Up. This allows students or families to create and share personalized donation pages, helping build excitement, ownership, and wider community support around your holiday fundraiser.
Check out these customizable templates to get started.
Sellable Favorites: Because Everyone’s Gifting
Nothing Bundt Cakes Fundraiser
Delicious, gift-ready, and easy to promote. Partner with a local franchise and take pre-orders online. It’s a sweet win for everyone involved.
Cookie Kits
Decorating kits are perfect for families who want fun without the mess of baking from scratch.
Ornament Sale
Let students craft keepsakes or source customizable ones in school colors. Great as grandparent gifts or to mark the school year.
Hot Cocoa Jar Kits
Layer cocoa mix, marshmallows, and peppermint for an Instagram-worthy (and easy to make) fundraiser.
Holiday Card Packs
Feature student art or funny holiday quotes. Offer them in bundles and you’ve got a fundraiser with heart and humor.
Poinsettia or Wreath Sale
A seasonal classic. Partner with a greenhouse or supplier, and let families preorder online for simple pickup or delivery.
Limited Edition Spirit Wear
Add a festive twist to your school swag. Think: cozy hoodies, beanies, or fuzzy socks in seasonal colors.
Pro-Tip:
Offer bundles or limited-time deals to encourage larger orders, and be sure to advertise deadlines early so families can plan their holiday shopping around your fundraiser.
Need a head start? Use one of Cheddar Up’s product sale templates to set up your fundraiser in minutes with built-in tools for item variations, inventory tracking, and pickup or shipping options
Experiences That Bring People Together
Holiday Movie Night
Popcorn, pajamas, and a school gym transformed into a holiday theater. Sell tickets in advance and offer pre-packed snack boxes.
Winter Wonderland Festival
Games, crafts, and maybe even a snow machine. Pre-sell wristbands and tickets to keep things moving.
Gift Wrapping Station
Set up shop at school or a local business. Collect donations in exchange for wrapping gifts. You can even add student volunteers for extra charm.
Photos with Santa or the School Mascot
Create a photo booth backdrop and let families snap keepsake pics. Offer printed or digital options.
Holiday Hallway Stroll
Turn school hallways into a festive walkthrough with lights, music, and themed displays by each grade. Families buy tickets to stroll, snap photos, and enjoy the atmosphere. Add cocoa or cookies at the end for a sweet finish.
Pro-Tip:
Want to make your experience-based fundraiser feel even more festive and community-driven? Add local flavor by inviting small businesses or makers to participate. You can feature them in your winter festival, hallway stroll, or even alongside a movie night. It’s a great way to boost turnout and raise additional funds through vendor fees or donations.
Need help getting started? Check out this step-by-step guide to hosting a vendor market.
Raffles, Giving, and Easy Wins
Winter Basket Raffle
Themed baskets like movie night, spa day, or teacher favorites are simple to assemble and easy to raffle off. Sell entries online and draw winners at an event or assembly.
Holiday 50/50 Raffle
Keep it simple but festive. Sell raffle tickets throughout your holiday events or online. Add a seasonal spin by drawing the winner during your winter concert, holiday hallway stroll, or pancake breakfast. One lucky supporter wins half the pot—the other half supports your school.
Be sure to check your local and state regulations regarding raffles, as some areas may require permits or prohibit certain types of fundraising games.
Holiday Giving Tree
Create a list of needs from teachers, students, or families, ranging from classroom supplies to warm clothing or grocery gift cards. Display the list in a central location at school or share it digitally, allowing families to choose an item to sponsor.
Pro-Tip:
Build momentum before your fundraiser even begins. Share sneak peeks of raffle baskets, 50/50 prize totals, or giving tree wish lists in newsletters, on social media, or during morning announcements. Highlighting real items or stories makes your fundraiser feel more tangible and encourages early participation.
How to Organize a Holiday Fundraiser with Cheddar Up
Once you’ve landed on your holiday fundraiser, whether it’s a jingle jog, Bundt cake pre-sale, or festive movie night, bringing it to life is easier than you might think.
With Cheddar Up, you have everything you need to keep things organized, collect payments and info, and rally your school community with confidence. It’s a platform made for moments like this, helping you turn great ideas into real impact.
Here’s how to make it happen:
Create a Custom Collection Page
Start by setting up a beautifully branded page with your fundraiser details. Add item images, banner graphics, descriptions, goal meters, and even videos to make your page eye-catching and informative.
Offer Multiple Payment Options
Give families flexibility. Accept credit cards, eChecks, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, or track offline payments like cash and checks. Everything is logged in one place, no extra apps or logins required for parents.
Collect More Than Just Payments
Need to gather student names, shirt sizes, or volunteer sign-ups? Use custom forms, waivers, and sign ups to collect all the info you need alongside payment.
Make It Shareable
Promote your fundraiser easily with a unique URL, QR code for flyers or signs, or email invites. Cheddar Up gives you built-in tools to help your fundraiser reach more people, faster.
Track Everything Automatically
No more data entry. Cheddar Up keeps tabs on every payment and form submission in real-time. Download reports in Excel or PDF, filter by item or payer, and wrap up your fundraiser with clean, ready-to-share data.
Whether you’re running a classic bake sale or launching a school-wide giving tree, Cheddar Up gives you all the tools to make your holiday fundraiser seamless, secure, and successful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best holiday fundraisers for elementary schools?
Elementary schools do well with hands-on and family-friendly fundraisers like cookie kits, ornament sales, read athons, and pancake pajama parties. These events are simple to run and get students excited to participate.
How can we fundraise without overwhelming families during the holidays?
Choose fundraisers that align with what families are already doing, like buying gifts, wrapping presents, or attending seasonal events. Bundt cake sales, gift wrapping stations, and raffles are great because they offer convenience while supporting your school.
How do we collect payments for our fundraiser?
Use a platform like Cheddar Up to collect online payments, track cash or checks, and even accept eChecks. It’s secure, easy for families, and removes the need to chase down money.
Can we run multiple fundraisers at once?
Yes, especially if you stagger your communication and target different audiences. For example, launch a giving tree early in the season and promote a holiday movie night closer to winter break.
Before you go
If you’re planning holiday fundraisers for schools, Cheddar Up is your go-to tool to simplify the process and boost results. From collecting payments to tracking participation, it helps you run your fundraiser with ease and confidence.
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