How to Fundraise for Your School or Group in 2025: Modern Methods & What to Avoid
How to Fundraise for Your School or Group in 2025
School fundraising has evolved far beyond bake sales and door-to-door candy bars. In 2025, the most successful campaigns focus on convenience, digital tools, and student motivation. Whether you’re fundraising for athletics, fine arts, or your PTO, this guide shares what works—and what doesn’t—this year.
Quick Tips for School Fundraising Success in 2025:
- Use online platforms for easy management and cashless payments
- Offer high-demand products like popcorn that are easy to promote
- Avoid paper forms and manual cash handling—always include a digital option
- Motivate students with meaningful and immediate incentives
- Track results in real-time with a digital dashboard
Top Fundraising Methods in 2025
In 2025, digital fundraising platforms are the gold standard. They streamline the process, allow for direct-to-supporter shipping, and eliminate manual tracking.
One standout is the InstaRaise Fundraising Platform. It’s fully online, offering high-quality products and built-in tools for payment, logistics, and progress tracking. Teams can quickly launch, monitor success in real time, and raise more—year after year.
Product fundraisers remain popular and profitable. Popcorn, for example, delivers high margins and mass appeal. See this popcorn fundraiser in action to understand how simple and effective it can be.
Outdated Fundraising Tactics to Avoid
- Paper forms & cash: Risky, time-consuming, and outdated.
- Door-to-door sales: Safety concerns and low engagement make this less viable.
- Low-profit events: Bake sales and car washes require lots of effort with minimal return.
Best Student Incentives That Work in 2025
Motivating students is critical to participation. In 2025, the best incentives combine immediacy, experience, and recognition:
- Experiential Rewards: Pizza parties, field trips, or movie days generate buzz
- Instant Treats: Offer candy or snacks on the spot for actions like registering or sharing
- Public Recognition: Shoutouts on school social media or morning announcements
- Classroom Competitions: Friendly rivalries help boost engagement and results
Want to see a real-world example? Check out this live gift fundraiser.
Choosing the Right Fundraising Platform
The best platform depends on your group’s style:
- InstaRaise: Fully digital, perfect for fine arts, athletics, and middle/high school groups. Fast setup, high profits, and repeat success thanks to built-in contact saving.
- Believe Kids: Great for elementary schools that prefer brochure-based options, while still offering strong online support for hybrid fundraising.
Quick Comparison:
| Feature | InstaRaise | Believe Kids |
|---|---|---|
| Format | 100% Online | Brochure + Online |
| Best For | Fine Arts, Athletics, Middle/High Schools | Elementary Schools |
| Product Options | Popcorn, Tumblers, Apparel, Bundts | Catalog Variety, Home Goods |
| Setup | Fast, Digital | Traditional + Online Support |
| Link | Start with InstaRaise | Explore Believe Kids |
Final Thoughts
Fundraising in 2025 is about working smarter, not harder. With digital tools, student-friendly incentives, and streamlined platforms like InstaRaise, your group can raise more with less stress.
Ready to make your next fundraiser your best yet?
Schedule a free demo to get started.
