- Have a theme: It makes sense to have a theme to the event for example, a read-a-thon to raise money for an upgrade to the school library. This can really help with the messaging. Some other good examples are a hop-a-thon around Easter time, a sponsored obstacle course to raise money for new playground equipment, or a kindness challenge to support school well-being programs.
- A team effort: it’s really important to get buy-in from the teaching staff throughout the school, both so that they bring their own passion to the fundraiser and to minimise the workload your team. Giving different classes or departments ownership of a different fundraiser is ideal (e.g. the PE dept will run a sponsored row, the library team will host a sponsored read-a-thon etc). It also creates a buzz around the sponsored activities, and a sense of the whole school community pulling together to achieve a common (and challenging) goal.
- Make it a challenge: the more challenging the activity, the more sponsorship you are likely to obtain from friends, family and even local businesses – plus it will help to create a greater buzz and maybe even some local media coverage. Of course, it needs to be age appropriate and you don’t want to make the challenge too hard for young fundraisers.
