School fundraising has come a long way from bake sales and car washes. These days, it’s all about working smarter, not harder, and peer-to-peer fundraising makes that possible. With the right tools (we’re looking at you, Cheddar Up templates!), your school community can rally together in new ways that are simple to launch and easy to share.
This toolkit rounds up some of our favorite peer-to-peer fundraising examples that work beautifully within broader school and PTA fundraising efforts, along with tips to help you launch them successfully. Whether you’re raising money for a trip, a program, or a project, this list will help spark ideas and set you up for fundraising success.
Helpful Resources on Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
Before we dive into specific examples, here are a few resources that can help you understand and plan your next peer fundraising campaign:
- What is Peer-to-Peer Fundraising? – Learn how to set up your first campaign and why peer-to-peer fundraising works so well.
- Athon Fundraiser Guide – Step-by-step advice for launching your own walkathon, danceathon, or other “-athon” event.
- Fundraising Sales Guide – Tips for getting started with product-based fundraisers and how to launch them successfully with peer-to-peer tools.
These articles pair perfectly with the peer-to-peer fundraising templates below, giving you a full picture of how to run a successful campaign.
10 Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Examples for the 2025/2026 School Year
Movement-Based Fundraisers
Walkathon
A classic school fundraising event that never loses momentum. Students and families gather pledges per lap or donation goals through their individual fundraising pages, then show up for a day of movement and community. It’s low-cost to organize, builds school spirit, and creates a visual sense of achievement as participants cross the finish line.
Perfect for: PE departments, wellness weeks, or back-to-school season.
Danceathon
Turn up the music and let the energy flow. Students can dance solo or in groups, while sponsors pledge per hour or routine. This fundraiser works well indoors, making it great for colder months. Add costumes, themes, or glow sticks to keep the energy high and create share-worthy moments for social media posts.
Perfect for: Winter months, spirit weeks, or school celebrations.
Color Run
Bright, messy, and tons of fun, a color run creates lasting memories. Ask local businesses to sponsor color stations to cover costs and involve the wider community. Providing plain white t-shirts ensures every participant ends the day with a colorful keepsake.
Perfect for: Spring events, field days, or end-of-year celebrations.
Sales-Based Fundraisers
Cookie Dough Sales
Cookie dough is a staple because it combines indulgence with simplicity. Families simply share their campaign page, and supporters can place their cookie dough orders online in just a few clicks. Peer-to-peer functionality helps extend the reach far beyond local neighbors.
Perfect for: Fall fundraising, holiday prep.
Holiday Wreath Sales
Holiday wreaths are easy to sell because they double as gifts and seasonal décor. Boost sales by bundling add-ons like bows or ornaments. You can even set up a pickup day with holiday music and cocoa to turn it into a festive community event. Built-in shipping options on Cheddar Up make it simple to reach supporters outside your local community.
Perfect for: Holiday drives and winter fests.
Plant Sale Fundraiser
Bring some greenery into your school community while raising funds. Offer a mix of flowers, herbs, and veggie starters so there’s something for everyone. Use eCheck payments on Cheddar Up’s team and pro plans to save on processing fees and keep more of the funds you raise.
Perfect for: Spring events, Earth Day, or outdoor school projects.
T-Shirt Fundraiser
Branded t-shirts are a great way to build school spirit. Launch before a big event, like homecoming, so everyone can wear them together. Offer variations (like long sleeves or hoodies) using Cheddar Up’s item options to give families more choices. Post your campaign link on a social media platform to quickly spread the word.
Perfect for: Spirit weeks, sports teams, or school clubs.
Creative & Community-Based Fundraisers
Readathon
A readathon encourages literacy while raising money. Set class or school-wide reading goals and celebrate progress with fun incentives, like a pajama day or popcorn party. Encourage team fundraising between classrooms to build collaboration and friendly competition.
Perfect for: Library programs or cozy winter fundraising.
Raffle Fundraiser
Raffles bring excitement and anticipation. Ask local businesses to donate items or create themed baskets like “Family Game Night” or “Sports Fan Kit.” Announcing winners at a school event adds energy and creates a memorable moment for the community. This type of online fundraiser works for any nonprofit organization.
Perfect for: School carnivals, holiday events, or as an add-on to another fundraiser.
School Trip Fundraiser
Trips are memorable but often costly, making this fundraiser especially impactful. Encourage students to share why the trip matters to them — personal stories resonate with supporters. For extra credibility, add a verified nonprofit badge through Cheddar Up to reassure donors that their contributions are tax-deductible.
Perfect for: Class trips, out-of-state competitions, or senior activities.
How to Launch Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Examples
Exploring peer-to-peer fundraising examples like these is a great first step, but putting them into action is even easier.
Here’s how to get started:
- Pick a template that matches your fundraiser type.
- Customize it with your school colors, images, and fundraising goals.
- Invite participants students or families can quickly create their own pages to share.
- Track progress with Cheddar Up’s built-in reporting, goal meters, and automatic tallies.
With Cheddar Up, you’ll have everything you need in one place — from setup to tracking — so your peer-to-peer fundraiser runs smoothly from start to finish. It’s that easy!
Before you go
Make your next school campaign stress-free and impactful by choosing one of these peer-to-peer fundraising examples and launching it on Cheddar Up!
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Getting elected PTA president is equal parts exciting and terrifying. One minute you’re celebrating, and the next you’re wondering what comes next. So what does the job involve? As PTA president, you’ll lead the organization, keep the board working together, and help your group stay focused on supporting students and families.
This guide walks through what to expect, from working alongside the rest of your board to navigating a typical school year. You’ll also find tools and tips that can make the administrative side of the role easier.
A PTA president is the elected leader of a parent-teacher association who guides the organization, leads meetings, and serves as the main point of contact between the PTA, school leaders, and your community. You help keep the board aligned, members informed, and everyone working toward the same goals. Local PTAs are part of a nationwide network connected to the National PTA, which offers resources and guidance for leaders at every level.
PTA vs. PTO: Which Parent Group Is Right for Your School?
PTA and PTO are often used interchangeably, but they’re actually two different types of parent organizations. The difference matters because it affects everything from where membership dues go to how your group is governed and what resources are available.
Starting a new parent group? Joining the board? Just curious what all those letters mean? This guide breaks down the PTA vs. PTO difference, compares each option side by side, and helps you decide which is the best fit for your school.
A PTA (Parent Teacher Association) is a chartered member of the National PTA. Members pay dues, a portion of which goes to the national and state organizations, and the group follows PTA bylaws in exchange for training, resources, and a voice in education advocacy. A PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) is an independent group with no national affiliation. It keeps all its funds local, writes its own bylaws, and handles its own nonprofit status and insurance.
PTA Virtual Fundraising: 10 Ideas That Raise Real Money
Running a fundraiser entirely online isn’t a backup plan anymore. For a lot of PTAs, it’s the smarter plan. No venue to book, no weather to worry about, no families who can’t make it because of work or a conflict on the calendar.
The strongest virtual PTA fundraisers share three things: a specific dollar goal, a clear deadline, and a payment link that’s easy to find and easy to use. This post covers 10 virtual PTA fundraiser ideas, from simple donation campaigns to ticketed events, plus practical guidance on running an online PTA fundraiser and collecting payments without the usual friction.
For a broader look at PTA fundraising options including in-person formats, see our PTA fundraising ideas guide.
10 Best PTO and PTA Fundraising Platforms (2026)
This guide is for PTA and PTO leaders comparing fundraising platforms before making a decision.
Picking a fundraising platform should take an afternoon, not a semester. But with dozens of options out there, most PTA and PTO leaders end up doing one of two things: choosing whatever a predecessor used or going with whichever platform they heard about at a conference.
Neither approach is wrong. But if you’re setting up your group for a new year, or switching away from something that’s been driving you (and parents) a little crazy, it helps to have a real comparison.
We reviewed the field of PTA and PTO fundraising companies and narrowed it to the 10 that make sense for PTA and PTO operations. Not generic school software. Not platforms built for large nonprofits. The ones parents and volunteers are using to run fundraisers, collect dues, sell spirit wear, and get paid without chasing anyone down.
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