Fundraising Ideas For Early Childhood Services

Hosting a fundraising event can be a great way to meet additional or unexpected costs incurred at your service. What’s more, it helps children to learn to be giving and provides a sense of accomplishment at contributing to an event. The following article provides a variety of fundraiser ideas for your early learning service.

Here are some creative and effective fundraising ideas for early childhood services:

Read-a-thon: Kids love stories! Organize a read-a-thon where parents and teachers read to the preschoolers. Create a scorecard for students and parents to log their reading time and the number of books each child has read. Collect donations by having the children ask for sponsorships from family members and friends for each book read to them within a given time frame.
Engraved Pavers or Bricks: For a fundraiser that contributes to the centre’s environment and connects with the community, engrave pavers or bricks with the names of your students. Choose a spot in the centre or playground that could use a pick-me-up and design your new pavement or wall. Ask for donations in exchange for a signature on one of the pavers or bricks.
Themed Costume Days: Themed costume and colour dress days are routine in Australian preschools. Pair your themed costume day with a charity cause or choose a costume theme that relates to a cause your centre supports. Ask for a gold coin donation on the day.
Holiday Stalls: Organize stalls during holidays where children and parents can sell handmade crafts, baked goods, or other items. This not only raises funds but also encourages creativity and community involvement.
Scavenger Hunt: Plan a scavenger hunt where children and their families can participate in finding items or completing tasks. Charge a participation fee and offer small prizes for the winners.
Bake Sales: Host a bake sale where parents and children can contribute homemade baked goods. This is a classic and effective way to raise funds while involving the community.
Partnerships with Local Businesses: Partner with local businesses to host fundraising events or receive a percentage of sales on certain days. This can help raise funds and build community relationships.
Fun Runs and Walkathons: Organize a fun run or walkathon where children and their families can participate. Collect sponsorships for each lap or distance completed.

These ideas can help you raise funds while engaging children, parents, and the community in meaningful and enjoyable activities.

Eco-Friendly Fundraising Ideas

Here are some eco-friendly fundraising ideas that can help you raise funds while promoting sustainability and environmental awareness:

Plant Sale or Seedling Exchange: Organize a plant sale or seedling exchange event where community members can purchase locally grown plants or exchange seeds and seedlings. This encourages gardening and sustainability.
Zero-Waste Market or Fair: Host a zero-waste market or fair where vendors sell eco-friendly products, such as reusable bags, bamboo utensils, and organic foods. This promotes sustainable living and reduces waste.
Sneaker Drive Fundraiser: Collect gently used sneakers and send them to organizations that recycle or repurpose them. This helps reduce waste and supports a good cause.
Eco-Friendly Fashion Show: Organize a fashion show featuring clothing made from sustainable materials or upcycled garments. Charge an entry fee and sell tickets to raise funds.
Community Cleanup Challenge: Host a community cleanup event where participants collect litter from local parks, beaches, or streets. Participants can seek sponsorships for each bag of trash they collect.
Sustainable Cooking or Recipe Book: Create and sell a cookbook featuring sustainable and eco-friendly recipes. This can include plant-based meals, zero-waste cooking tips, and more.
Eco-Friendly Art Auction: Organize an art auction featuring pieces made from recycled or sustainable materials. This can include paintings, sculptures, and crafts.
Tree-a-thon or Plant-a-thon: Host an event where participants plant trees, seeds, or bulbs. Encourage the community to learn about sustainability, gardening, and agriculture while raising funds through sponsorships.
E-Waste Collection: Organize an e-waste collection event where community members can drop off old electronics for recycling. Partner with a recycling company that offers fundraising opportunities for collected e-waste.
Used Book and Clothing Sales: Host a sale of second-hand books and clothing. This promotes recycling and reduces waste while raising funds for your cause.

These ideas can help you raise funds in an environmentally responsible way while engaging your community in sustainable practices.

Virtual Fundraising Ideas

Here are some creative virtual fundraising ideas that can help you engage participants and raise funds effectively:

Virtual Raffle: Host an online raffle where participants can purchase tickets for a chance to win prizes. Use a random number generator to select winners and announce them live.
Peer-to-Peer Fundraising: Encourage your supporters to set up personal fundraising pages and share them with their networks. This method leverages the power of social connections to raise funds.
Online Auction: Organize a virtual auction where participants can bid on items or experiences. Use an online platform to facilitate the bidding process and keep it exciting.
Virtual Run/Walk/Bike-a-thon: Host a virtual fitness event where participants can run, walk, or bike in their local areas. Track their progress using fitness apps and encourage them to seek sponsorships for each mile or kilometer completed.
Virtual Cooking Class: Partner with a local chef or cooking enthusiast to host a virtual cooking class. Charge a participation fee and provide attendees with a list of ingredients and recipes.
Online Workshops and Webinars: Offer virtual workshops or webinars on topics of interest to your audience. Charge a fee for access and provide valuable content and resources.
Virtual Concert or Talent Show: Host a virtual concert or talent show featuring local artists or community members. Sell tickets for access to the live stream and encourage donations during the event³.
Digital Cookbook Fundraiser: Compile and sell a digital cookbook featuring recipes from your community. Include tips on sustainable and eco-friendly cooking.
Virtual Trivia Night: Organize a virtual trivia night where participants can join teams and compete for prizes. Charge an entry fee and use an online platform to host the event.
Virtual Art Show: Host a virtual art show where artists can display and sell their work. Charge a participation fee for artists and a viewing fee for attendees³.

These virtual fundraising ideas can help you engage your community and raise funds while adapting to the digital landscape.

References:
Eco - Friendly Fundraising Ideas, Got Sneakers
14 Creative Virtual Fundraising Ideas, Team Building
40 Virtual Fundraising Ideas, Soap Box Engage
Fundraising Ideas For Preschools, Child Fund