8 Spring Fundraising Ideas for Schools, Teams, and Groups

Flowers are blooming, temperatures are rising, and each new day feels sunnier than the last—spring is here, and so are spring fundraisers! 

If you're searching for new ways to revitalize your earnings, check out our favorite spring fundraising ideas to make this your most profitable season yet. 

1. RaiseRight 

RaiseRight works year-round, but spring is a great time to start. 

When families shop, dine, and travel with their favorite brands, up to 30% of every purchase comes back to your group as earnings. No extra spending needed, as the earnings come from the brands, not your families.

Think about what families are already spending on this spring: Easter goodies, spring break travel, Mother's Day outings, graduation gifts, home improvement projects—whatever you're buying, RaiseRight can turn it into earnings.

Sign up for free, invite families to join, and start earning. It's that easy! 

2. Spring rummage sale 

Why not turn a beloved seasonal cleaning tradition into this classic spring fundraising idea: a rummage or yard sale? 

Start by encouraging community members to donate items they no longer want, such as clothes, toys, furniture, decor, etc.

Once you have the donations, set up the sale and let people shop for unique secondhand finds. Since all sale items are donated, overhead costs should be low, allowing you to put more of the profits toward your needs. 

3. A-thon fundraisers

It's true: "a-thon" fundraisers are classic spring fundraising ideas for schools, churches, and clubs alike. And the best part? You can get creative with the theme, making it a versatile fundraiser you can use multiple times.

Need some help finding the right "a-thon" event? Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Read-a-thon
• Walk-a-thon
• Sing-a-thon
• Dance-a-thon
• Bowl-a-thon
• Bake-a-thon

Pick a theme, set a timeframe, and choose a location (or make it virtual or hybrid so people can participate at home). Peer-to-peer fundraising is crucial for these events, so participants must be willing to ask for donations from family, friends, and the community.

4. Sports tournaments 

Spring weather means people are ready to get outside, and a sports tournament fundraiser gives your community a reason to show up and compete.

Pick a sport that fits your group: golf, basketball, baseball, volleyball, or even a multi-sport field day if you want to go bigger. Charge entry fees, run a concession stand, and you've got two solid earning streams before the day even ends.

The best part? Participants pay to play, so your group earns while everyone has fun.

5. Plant sale 

By the end of winter, everyone is ready for fresh flowers and greenery, making a plant sale an ideal spring fundraiser. It draws a wide crowd, too—from avid gardeners to thoughtful gift-givers. 

One RaiseRight band coordinator who also runs an annual spring greenery sale put it well: "Our community looks forward to this sale year after year. People love buying plants and they get to support our music program in the process." 

Partner with a local nursery to supply or donate plants, or negotiate a percentage of sales over a set period. Time it around Easter, Earth Day, or Mother's Day to maximize turnout, and consider adding native plants or a gardening class to sweeten the deal.

6. Picnics and potlucks 

As the weather warms up, spring fundraisers like picnics and potlucks aren't just possible—they're preferable! 

While you can host a picnic or potluck anytime, consider pairing it with other events or holidays to draw more attention, such as: 

• Spring equinox (the first day of Spring)
• Memorial Day
• Teacher Appreciation Week

7. Holiday celebrations

Spring is packed with holidays worth celebrating, so building a fundraiser around one gives your community a real reason to show up.

Here are some holiday-centered spring fundraising options, perfect for religious groups and diverse organizations alike:

• Easter: Egg hunts, photos with the Easter Bunny, or a pancake breakfast
• Ramadan/Eid al-Fitr: Feast and community celebration
• Passover: Seder night or Passover dinner
• Cinco de Mayo: Fiesta night or partnerships with Latinx-owned businesses
• Mother’s Day: Brunch, flower delivery, or Mom’s night out
• Memorial Day: Cookout, flag sale, or local benefit concert

The best holiday fundraisers do double duty by bringing people together around something they already care about while raising money in the process.

8. Community events 

Still looking for the right fit? A few more ideas to round out your spring fundraising idea list:

• Spring Fling dance
• Community carnival
• BBQ competition
• Spring break kids’ camps

Whether you run one event or combine a few, spring offers plenty of ways to bring your community together and fundraise while you're at it.

Increase year-round earnings with RaiseRight 

No matter the season, you can enhance your fundraising strategy with RaiseRight—and it's as simple as shopping or dining at your favorite places.

Earn on household names such as Instacart, Sephora, and Petco for routine purchases, or use RaiseRight to buy essentials for other fundraisers (think concessions, ingredients, signage, or prizes) to multiply your earnings.