Fundraiser Ideas for Schools

One place for group management and fundraiser ideas for schools

From member drives to event planning, find everything you need to manage your school group efficiently. Find tools for organizing volunteers, simplifying donations, and exploring new fundraiser ideas for schools—all in one place to help you maximize your impact.

Cheddar Up for Schools

Cheddar Up was built to make group payment processing easy and intuitive. Start collecting for your school in minutes — simply create a collection page and share the link. All payments and information are tracked automatically. No more data entry!

cheddar up user review

Fundraiser Ideas for Schools: Meet Christina

PTA Board Member, PTO Expert & Organizing Guru
Attorney turned PTA volunteer and expert, Christina has included Cheddar Up in her PTO leader bag of tricks for years.

Getting Started

It’s quick and easy to get started on Cheddar Up!

1. Sign up

 To register, create a free account on Cheddar Up.

2. Create a collection

Create online collection pages for fundraisers, member drives, and volunteers (anything!).

3. Share with your group

Share your collection with your community — via email, text, or any communication channel. 

4. Manage Funds

Track payments on the platform with easy reporting and withdraw funds directly to your group bank account

Getting Started

It’s quick and easy to get started on Cheddar Up!

Custom Forms, Sign Ups, and Waivers too!
We get it. Collecting money from your school community requires much more than the swipe of a card. You need to collect information associated with your group payments, volunteer sign ups for events, and so much more. With Cheddar Up, you can seamlessly create custom forms to collect the information you need — including signatures!
registration examples
event registration examples
sign up examples
waiver examples
merchandise and spirit wear examples

Sponsor registration

Collect sponsorship forms with or without payment.

Event tickets

Sell tickets and make event check-in a breeze.

Volunteer sign ups

Manage classroom and event volunteers with ease.

Waivers

You’re covered with online waivers and easy exports.

Store front

Sell spirit wear to raise funds for your group.
registration examples

Sponsor Registration

Collect sponsorship forms with or without payment.

Example Collection

event registration examples

Event tickets

Sell tickets and make event check-in a breeze.

Example Collection

sign up examples

Volunteer sign ups

Manage classroom and event volunteers with ease.

Example Collection

waiver examples

Waivers

You’re covered with online waivers and easy exports.

Example Collection

merchandise and spirit wear examples

Store Front

Sell spirit wear to raise funds for your group.

Example Collection

Top Fundraiser Ideas for Schools

Fundraising is essential for schools to support programs, events, and student activities. Whether you’re raising money for new classroom supplies, field trips, or extracurricular programs, Cheddar Up makes it simple. Explore fundraiser ideas for schools and use our platform to create custom donation pages, collect contributions, and track funds—all in one convenient place.

Fundraising Resources for Schools
School fundraiser calendar blog

Top 20 Holiday Fundraisers for Schools That Are Easy, Festive, and Effective

The holidays come with competing demands for families and schools.

School fundraiser calendar blog

Coffee Fundraiser Ideas: 5 Best Ways to Perk Up Your School

Coffee isn’t just a morning must-have. It’s a built-in community builder. 

School fundraiser calendar blog

School fundraiser calendar with monthly ideas

Get ready for a whole year of fun and creative ways to raise money for your favorite causes! Each month, we’ve got…
calendar fundraiser

Calendar Fundraiser: Fun, Flexible, and Effective

Calendar fundraisers are a smart way to raise money while giving your community something they can interact with…

Fundraising Smarter in Uncertain Times

Fundraising Smarter in Uncertain Times

When the economy wobbles, giving gets cautious. Across schools, nonprofits, and community groups, organizers…
penny wars

Penny Wars: The Ultimate Fundraising Competition

At its core, penny wars (also called coin wars) is a friendly fundraising competition where teams collect pennies…

readathon fundraiser

Readathon Fundraiser with Peer-to-Peer Power

If you’re organizing a readathon fundraiser and want to maximize donations without piling on admin work….

Athon fundraisers

Launch an Athon Fundraiser

Athon fundraisers have long been a favorite for schools, sports teams, and community groups.

Spirit Wear Fundraising Ideas for Schools

Spirit wear fundraiser + FREE template

Get our top tips on running a successful spirit wear fundraiser and a FREE template to set up your own fundraiser.
bingo fundraiser

Level Up Your Bingo Fundraiser with Cheddar Up

Bingo nights are always a crowd-pleaser. They’re fun, social, and packed with fundraising potential. 

Golf Tournament Fundraiser

Golf Tournament Fundraiser

Golf tournament fundraisers are the perfect blend of fun and fundraising. Imagine a sunny day…
School fundraising ideas to increase donations

Fundraising Tips: How to increase charity donations

Looking to learn how to increase donations to your charity?

booster club fundraiser

Booster Club Fundraiser Toolkit

Booster clubs power the experiences that make school and extracurricular programs memorable.
Pumpkin patch nonprofit fundraiser blog

Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser

A pumpkin patch fundraiser is a fall favorite for schools, community groups, and non-profits.
School fundraising ideas to ask for donations blog

How to ask for donations

Planning a fundraiser is often the easy part — it’s how to ask for donations that often leaves people mystified…
School fundraising and sponsorship form templates

Level Up Your Fundraising

Sponsorships are crucial for any event. Explore sponsorship form templates and key how to’s when it comes…
gift card fundraising for schools

Ultimate Guide to Gift Card Fundraising for Schools

Gift card fundraising for schools offers a lower-stress option for raising money…

peer-to-peer fundraising ideas

12+ Creative Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Ideas

The best peer-to-peer fundraising ideas help your supporters multiply…

School Fundraising Templates
School fundraising report
Cheddar Up began thanks to a simple school fundraiser, and supporting schools remains an important part of our mission. We launched this nationwide survey to help schools — and their supporting organizations — find ways to operate more effectively and efficiently. We asked parents, teachers, and administrators, and here’s what we found. In short, schools are heavily dependent on supplemental fundraising and many also struggle with volunteer recruitment and retention. We hope these insights can help move the needle.

 

Registrations & Class Sign Ups

Managing registrations for school programs and activities has never been easier. Whether it’s for after-school clubs, sports teams, or enrichment classes, Cheddar Up streamlines the process. Create custom forms, collect fees, and capture all the details you need in one place.

Registration Resources
Membership dues blog

How to collect membership dues and fees online

Whether it’s for your school, PTA, sports team, or club…there are so many reasons to rethink how you collect membership dues and fees.
PTA membership form blog

Easy PTA Membership Form with Sign-Up + Payments

Getting people to sign up for your organization is crucial to achieving your goals and making a difference in your school.
Booster Club Membership Form

Booster Club Membership Form

A booster club membership represents a formal connection between community members and the programs they support. Whether it’s parents, alumni, or local sponsors…
school fees

How to Collect School Fees

Public schools may not charge tuition, but they still collect school fees all year long.

After school program blog

After School Program Activities

With the help of Cheddar Up, organizing and managing after school programs becomes a breeze.
School fundraising and Sponsorship form blog

Level Up Your Fundraising with Sponsorship Form Templates

Sponsorships are crucial for any event. Explore sponsorship form templates…

Camp registration software

The Easiest Camp Registration Software for FREE!

From sports and music lessons to STEM and science camps, schools thrive on participation…
Registration Templates

Fundraiser Sales and Spirit Wear

Show off your school spirit and simplify spirit wear sales with Cheddar Up. Whether you’re selling uniforms, team apparel, or branded merchandise, our platform makes the process effortless. Customize collection pages with sizing options, variations, and payment methods to suit your needs. Plus, explore fundraiser ideas for schools to turn spirit wear into a fun and effective way to raise funds.

School Fundraiser Sales
Create a spirit wear store for school fundraising

Create an Online Spirit Wear Store

Create an online spirit wear store in 4 simple steps with an example to get you started! Custom receipts…
Flower sale template for nonprofit fundraising

Run a Flower or Plant Sale

We see hundreds of thousands of fundraiser ideas on Cheddar Up, but one that always stops our scroll is…
school spirit shirt ideas

School Spirit Shirt Ideas That Students will Buy (and Love)

The best school spirit shirt ideas build pride, create buzz, and raise real money for your school.

Bake sale blog for nonprofit fundraising

Host a Bake Sale

If you’ve ever organized a bake sale, you know that a sign-up sheet can make or break your event.
School spirit wear fundraiser

Top Spirit Wear Ideas

Get the top spirit wear ideas that schools can sell to boost morale and create a sense of community.
Concession stand ideas blog for nonprofit fundraising

Concession Stand Ideas

Running a concession stand can be a blast, especially when it doubles as a fantastic fundraiser.
donut fundraiser

Donut Fundraiser

Donut fundraisers combine community spirit with a sprinkle of fun and flavor.
School fundraiser sales templates

School Event Ticket Sales

Make selling tickets for school events simple and efficient with Cheddar Up. Whether it’s for a school play, talent show, or carnival, our platform lets you create custom event pages, track sales, and manage attendees effortlessly. Provide a seamless purchasing experience while exploring fundraiser ideas for schools to turn your events into successful fundraising opportunities.

School Event Resources
Create nonprofit fundraising event tickets with Cheddar Up

Create event tickets

Cheddar Up’s game-changing ticketing feature is designed to give you full control over how you create event tickets…
Event management blog for nonprofit fundraising

Stage a Stellar Event

Cheddar Up’s payments + forms power duo makes for pretty robust free event management software for nonprofits.
Create a waitlist for nonprofit fundraising events

Create a Waitlist for Events

For any event you’re hosting, there’s always the challenge of items or spots running out. But with Cheddar Up…
Host a fall festival for nonprofit fundraising blog

Festival Games to Keep Everyone Entertained

Whether your event is a school fundraiser or charity event, these festival games will keep guests of all ages entertained.
school events

Back to School Events

As summer winds down and the school year kicks off, back to school events are the perfect way to get kids excited about returning to class.
schools ticketing events prom

Prom Tickets

Prom night is the biggest event of the year — glamorous outfits, epic dance moves, and memories that last a lifetime.
after prom ideas

Top 20 After Prom Ideas for PTAs

After prom ideas have come a long way, and PTA organizers are raising the bar every year.

School Event Templates

School Volunteer Management

School events thrive on the support of dedicated volunteers, and Cheddar Up makes organizing them a breeze. Whether you’re coordinating classroom helpers, event chaperones, or concession stand crews, our platform lets you create sign-up forms, schedule shifts, and keep everyone in the loop. Pair these tools with fundraiser ideas for schools to maximize participation and support for your events.

Volunteer Resources
Volunteer sign up forms and examples for nonprofit fundraising

Volunteer Sign Up Form + examples

When planning an event, ensuring volunteers are on the same page can make the difference. The key to success…
schools, signups, volunteers

A First Timer’s Guide to Room Parent Duties

Fall is in the air, the kids are back in school, and you’ve just signed up to be a room parent…
Potluck sign up examples

Potluck sign up sheet template + planning tips

Here’s how you can plan the ultimate potluck, using a potluck sign up sheet template to make it the…
Best Tools for PTO/PTA Meeting Sign Ups and Volunteer Coordination

Best Tools for PTO/PTA Meeting Sign Ups and Volunteer Coordination

Finding the best tools for PTO/PTA meeting sign ups and volunteer coordination isn’t just about going digital. 

Volunteer Templates

School Travel and Field Trips

Planning a school field trip has never been easier. Cheddar Up helps you collect and manage travel fees, distribute trip details, and gather necessary permissions and documents—all in one place. Whether it’s a local museum visit or an overnight excursion, our platform streamlines the process. Plus, explore fundraiser ideas for schools to help cover trip costs and make these experiences accessible to all students.

Travel & Field Trip Resources
Group travel planning with Cheddar Up

Group travel planning made easy with Cheddar Up

Here’s your ultimate guide to group travel planning, focusing on key aspects…

Field trip form blog

Field Trip Form

Imagine a permission slip, fee collection, and volunteer sign-up all in one online form.
How to Fundraise for a School Trip

How to Fundraise for a School Trip

Field trips and school travel adventures are some of the best parts of the school year.

Travel & Field Trip Templates

Teacher Appreciation & Celebrations

Celebrate milestones and show gratitude with ease using Cheddar Up. Whether you’re organizing a teacher appreciation gift, planning a holiday party, or celebrating student achievements, our platform helps you collect contributions, manage RSVPs, and coordinate every detail. Make school celebrations meaningful and stress-free with tools that bring your community together.

School Celebration Resources
ice cream social ideas

Ice Cream Social Ideas

Who can resist an ice cream social? With a bit of creativity and the right tools like Cheddar Up, your event will be a delicious success.

Teacher Appreciation week blog

Teacher Appreciation Week Ideas

Make your Teacher Appreciation Week a breeze with easy collections, creative ideas, and more.
volunteer appreciation week

Volunteer Appreciation Week

Volunteers are the force behind countless initiatives. They give their time, energy, and heart…
maycember

Maycember Is Real: 5 Tips to Survive the Year-End Chaos

If May feels like a sprint toward a finish line that keeps moving, you’re not imagining it. 

Best teacher gifts survey

Best Teacher Gifts

Here are the questions we asked teachers across the country— and what they told us they love (and don’t love) to see.
glow party

Glow Party: The Ultimate Guide for Schools and PTAs

Glow parties are fun, low-cost, and bring the whole school community together.

Potluck sign up sheet blog

Group Potluck

Throwing a potluck can be a blast, but keeping everything organized can sometimes feel like herding cats.
End of year banquet blog

End of year Banquet

Organizing an end-of-year banquet is a wonderful way to celebrate the achievements and hard work…
teacher appreciation notes

Teacher Appreciation Notes Made Easy + Free Template

A thoughtful message can go a long way, especially when it comes to recognizing teachers.

Group Activity Templates

School Fundraiser & Reporting Management

Clear and accurate financial management is essential for any school. Cheddar Up helps you generate detailed financial reports, track payments, and easily manage funds for events and programs. Ensure transparency and accountability while exploring fundraiser ideas for schools to support everything from classroom needs to extracurricular activities with confidence.

Reporting & Fund Resources
Cheddar Up reporting features for school fundraisers

Cheddar Up Reporting Features

From account-wide custom reports to payer response reports, take a look at all the reporting Cheddar Up has to offer…
School fundraiser report card example

How to create a fundraising report card [+ free template]

Use Cheddar Up to create an easy-to-understand fundraising report card. Ideal for groups tracking profits, losses…
pta treasurer duties

PTA Treasurer Duties: What You Need to Know

From budgeting to fundraising, learn how Cheddar Up simplifies finances so you can focus on supporting your school.
Reporting Templates

More school fundraising resources

Contact Us

Email us at:
[email protected] or chat with us from 9-5 (MT) by clicking the chat link.

Learning Sessions

Ask questions and learn from Cheddar Up product experts in real time.

Knowledge Center

Learn how to create collections, manage payments, and become a Cheddar Up expert — all in one place.

Template Library

See how others are using Cheddar Up with our collection templates made specifically for school groups.

Video Library

Watch these brief videos to discover the basics about Cheddar Up features.

Feature tutorials

Get step-by-step instructions on how to use each feature.

School Fundraiser Testimonials

cheddar up user
“Having easy access to reporting has saved our treasurer and volunteers hours of time.”
Andrea Fraser

Northeast Elementary School PTA

cheddar up user
“The platform is so flexible. I can use it to collect for an event, a donation and even to set up an online store.”
Christina Hidek

Greenview Upper Elementary PTA

“I needed to collect the students’ contact info, t-shirt size, and a signed waiver. Parents provided all of this on the spot along with payment.”
Gloria Halfacre

Venice High School PTSA

Ready to start?

Kick the tires

Create a free account and build a collection to see how easy it is to collect money.

Watch a demo

Learn everything you need to know to get started in six minutes!

See all features

Check out more features that help groups like yours collect payments and Information.