High School Student Fundraising

Students who are members of high school groups, such as the chess club, the drama group, band, or debate club, may often develop their own fundraising ideas to fund trips, equuipment sales, or large events. These organizations are often not written into administrative budgets. A teacher may be asked to act as an informal advisor, but the group has no money to use from the budget. A chess team needs entry fees and chess boards and clocks. Drama teams need set rental, costumes, play book rentals, and advertising money; and most clubs need transportation money to travel to events held at other schools.

While clubs and groups were part of standard high school budgets in the past, recent financial hardships and budget crunches in school districts across the country have left high school kids in clubs scrambling for cash. When the school budget can barely manage the part-timie art teacher's salary, student-run clubs are less of a priority.

Most high school fundraising events ususally help to promote the student group itself, or provide a large community event that helps raise the school's profile in the area. High school fundraising committees use these events, such as carnivals, mock gambling nights, or conventions, to boost the school's image and to provide fun for members of the town.

There are also many professional companies that offer food, clothing, services, and other products that students can sell for a profit. For instance, candy bar companies often give student groups 40% or more of the price of the candy for the student group's fundraiser. In many cases, unsold candy can be returned to the company, at company cost, and most provide free advertising materials to help boost sales.

Car washes have become a cheap, fun way to raise money. A group of students, a few hoses, some soap, buckets, and sponges and student clubs can generate a few hundred dollars on a sunny afternoon. In addition, community members benefit, helping to promote support for education in general.

Silent and live auctions have become very popular in recent years. Students ask local businesses to conate goods and services, to be sold for various amounts and a benefit auction. Such events are often nearly pure profit: the event can be held for free at the local high school, refreshments donated by a local restaurant, and an entrance fee can be charged to cover any overhead.

The most crucial aspect of any educational fundraising event is the oversight by teachers and advisors, parental assistance, and student motivation. By giving students the opportunity to learn organizational and management skills, fundraising can kill two birds with one stone: educate and fundraise.