Top Preschool Fundraising Ideas: Creative Fundraiser Ideas for Preschools

Running a preschool means more than just nurturing young minds—it often requires creative ways to raise extra funds. Whether you're supporting classroom supplies, planning enrichment activities, or saving for a big event, the right preschool fundraising ideas can make all the difference. From classic bake sales to imaginative walk-a-thons and art auctions, there are countless ways to get families involved while boosting your budget.

In this article, we’ve rounded up some of the most effective and easy-to-organize fundraising ideas for preschools. These ideas are fun, family-friendly, and proven to inspire both participation and generosity—helping you strengthen your school community while reaching your fundraising goals.

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How to start a preschool fundraiser

The first step in starting a successful fundraiser is to take the time to develop a clear plan before jumping into the details. Without planning, you might have an event that is poorly organized, not well attended, and ultimately not very profitable.

Here are seven steps to take to ensure a successful fundraiser:

1. Determine your purpose

Fundraisers can be used to support various causes, so it's important to be clear about why you’re raising money. Here are some common reasons for hosting a fundraiser:

To supplement your preschool's operating budget
To pay for special projects or activities not covered by the budget
To build community and support for your preschool
To create a sense of buy-in and ownership for the school among families and other members of the community

2. Set a goal

Once you've determined the purpose of your fundraiser, it's time to set a goal. This will help focus your efforts and ensure you can track your progress. For example, maybe your goal is to raise $5,000 to buy new furniture for your program.

Be realistic in setting your goal and make sure that it’s achievable. It's also important to set a deadline for reaching your goal, as this will assist in retaining everyone's interest, motivation, and focus.

3. Choose a date

It's important to choose a date for your fundraiser that will work well for everyone involved. Consider the schedules of families, staff, and volunteers when choosing a date.

In addition, avoid scheduling your fundraiser too close to other events or holidays that could compete for attention.

4. Create a budget

Track your spending using a budget, ensuring that your fundraiser is profitable. When creating your budget, include the cost of materials, advertising, and any other necessary expenses.

Additionally, it's a good idea to set aside some of the proceeds from your fundraiser to cover any unexpected costs.

5. Choose a venue

The venue will depend on the type of event you’re planning.

Some common venues for fundraisers include:

Your facility
A local park or recreation center
A restaurant or other local business

6. Promote your event

Once you've got everything planned, it's time to start promoting your event. This will help ensure that people know about it and can participate.

There are several ways to promote your fundraiser, including:

Putting up flyers around the community
Sending out emails or including it in your newsletter
Posting about it on social media
Asking local businesses to participate or donate prizes for a raffle or auction

When approaching potential donors, be sure to have a clear and concise pitch prepared. Explain what your fundraiser is for and why their support is important. With a tool like brightwheel's childcare app, you can boost teacher productivity and improve communication with families. This easy-to-use app allows you to communicate with families individually or message your entire program with details on important announcements or upcoming events.

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7. Execute your event

Execution will involve putting all your planning into action and ensuring everything runs smoothly.

Some considerations for carrying out your event include:

Making sure that all volunteers are aware of their roles and responsibilities
Setting up the venue in advance
Making sure that all activities are running smoothly
Having a plan for clean-up

With brightwheel’s Sign-Up feature, you can easily coordinate volunteers and track RSVPs to ensure everyone knows their roles and responsibilities. Real-time tracking and automated reminders help keep your event organized and running smoothly from start to finish.

» No more paper RSVPs. Coordinate school events and activities in minutes and in one place with brightwheel Sign-Ups.

Preschool fundraising ideas to engage families and raise funds

How you fundraise will be based on the type of event you’re planning, your budget, and your goals. Every childcare program is different, so choosing a strategy that will work well for your particular situation is important.

Some common preschool fundraising ideas include:

Bake sale for preschool fundraising

A bake sale is a simple way to raise money for your preschool. Choose a theme such as cupcakes or breakfast sweets, and have each family contribute to the sale. Or see if a local bakery will donate items for you to sell.

This fundraising idea encourages family participation through baking and donating, while also building community by involving local businesses and drawing in neighborhood supporters.

Host a car wash

You'll need a secure location with good visibility and a water source for a successful car wash. Promote the car wash in advance to ensure a good turnout.

Car washes foster collaboration between families, children, and staff, creating a fun, hands-on way for everyone to pitch in. It’s also a great opportunity to connect with the broader community through signage and social outreach.

Read-a-thon preschool fundraiser

A read-a-thon is a simple yet powerful way to encourage literacy while raising funds for your preschool. Children gather sponsors—typically family and friends—who pledge donations based on how many books or minutes the child reads (or is read to) over a set period.

This fundraiser is especially effective for preschoolers because it encourages family engagement at home. Teachers can support it by sharing book lists, tracking reading logs, and celebrating milestones in class. At the end, host a “reading celebration day” where students wear pajamas, bring their favorite books, and enjoy a special storytime.

Sell tickets to a play or concert

Many families love watching their children perform on stage, and they’ll gladly do it for a small fee. Plan for the children to put on a play or concert at your facility. Sell tickets to family, friends, and other community members.

This idea sparks creativity in students and provides a memorable experience for families.

Have a yard sale

A yard sale is an excellent method to clear out clutter and raise funds simultaneously. Invite families and staff to donate items that they no longer need or use. You can also ask local businesses to donate any excess stock to your cause. Be sure to advertise in advance and have plenty of volunteers to help set up, clean up, and run the sale.

Participate in a walk-a-thon or bike-a-thon preschool fundraiser

A walk-a-thon gets people moving and raises funds at the same time. Have children and families collect pledges for how many times they promise to ride or walk around your neighborhood, park, or a track. Promote the walk-a-thon in advance and have plenty of water and snacks available for participants.

Host a coin drive

Place a container or jar near your classroom door and collect spare change from children and families at your program. You can also ask local businesses in your community if you can place collection jars at their location to collect spare coins or donations from customers.

This low-effort fundraiser makes it easy for all families to contribute, teaches children the value of small donations, and builds community partnerships when local shops join in.

Two preschool children playing plastic flutes.

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Put on a talent show

Allow your children (and staff!) to showcase their talents while raising money for your program. Charge a small fee for entry and let children put on their own show!

Organize a silent auction

Ask local businesses or families to donate various items or services for a silent auction. The event can be hosted at your program as a stand-alone event or at the same time as another event, such as an open house. All funds raised can benefit your program.

This idea strengthens school-community connections and gives families an opportunity to contribute through donations, bidding, or volunteering—all while supporting local businesses.

Host a trivia night

A trivia night can be a great way for families to interact with each other and raise money for your program. Participants can pay a small entry fee or make a donation to compete. Have a variety of trivia topics to choose from and prizes available for the winners.

Trivia nights foster friendly competition, teamwork, and family engagement in a relaxed, social setting—perfect for building bonds across your school community.

Create and sell art calendars

Use digital images of the children’s art and crafts activities throughout the year to create art calendars. Then, print a wall and desk version to sell to families. This is an excellent idea to execute before the holidays, and they make great gifts for grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other family members.

Grow and sell food and flowers

Plant a vegetable and herb garden with the children, and sell the produce at your event or local farmer’s market. Start with simple vegetables like cucumbers, lettuce, and herbs. Gardening projects promote hands-on learning, eco-awareness, and teaches children the importance of growing their own food. If flowers are blooming in the garden, collect bouquets for sale too.

Host cooking lessons

Families can always use simple recipes to prepare quick, healthy meals for their children throughout the week. Collaborate with a local chef or restaurant to teach families how to cook these meals for a fee. Host the lessons at your facility or an offsite location, depending on your needs and budget.

Cooking classes encourage family involvement, offer a valuable life skill, and build relationships with local culinary businesses. It’s also a great way to bring families together outside the classroom.

Acknowledge your donors with a thank you letter

After you have received donations from your fundraiser, it’s important to send out thank you letters. This shows your donors that their contributions are appreciated and helps build relationships for future fundraising efforts.

When writing a thank you letter, remember to:

Thank the donor by name. This helps to create a personal connection with the donor.
Include the amount of the donation. This will show your donors that you recognize their individual contribution.
Indicate how the donation will be used. Remind donors that their money is going to a good cause and reiterate your fundraiser or event.
Express your gratitude. Show appreciation for their specific gift.
Include a personal note. Acknowledge any special contribution the donor may have made such as volunteering their time in addition to a monetary donation.
Sign the letter. End on a personal and sincere note.

While there are plenty of sample thank you letters for donations to use as a guide, the most important thing to remember is to be genuine and show appreciation for the donation. Once you've completed writing your letters of gratitude, send them out as soon as possible. You don't want to wait too long, or the donor may forget about their contribution. The sooner you can thank your donors, the better.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some common questions and answers on planning a successful fundraiser for your preschool.

What are the best fundraising ideas for preschools?

The best preschool fundraising ideas are fun, simple to organize, and encourage family involvement. Popular options include bake sales, read-a-thons, walk-a-thons, talent shows, and yard sales. These ideas combine creativity with community participation to raise funds effectively.

How can we raise money for a preschool quickly?

To raise money quickly, choose low-effort fundraisers like coin drives, bake sales, or car washes. These events require minimal setup, engage families right away, and can be launched with little or no cost. Promoting the event through parent newsletters and social media can boost participation.

What are the tax implications of an annual fundraising event?

Depending on the kind of fundraising you're doing, there may be tax implications. Always verify with your accountant or tax advisor to ensure you comply with all federal and state tax laws.

Should we involve the children in our fundraising efforts?

Absolutely! It's important for children to play an active role in your fundraising efforts. There are many activities that they can do to help such as decorating collection jars or signs for your event, showing off their skills at a talent show, participating in a walk- or bike-a-thon, or donating items to a yard sale.

How do we ask for donations?

You can ask for donations in several ways, including in-person, at events, over the phone, via a website, email, or your newsletter. Remember to provide details about your fundraiser, what the money will be used for, and who the donation supports. You can also offer alternative options for people to help your cause in different ways such as donating event supplies or volunteering their time.

How can I make my fundraiser fun?

One way is to involve the children in the planning and execution of the event. This will give them a sense of involvement in the event and build their enthusiasm about participating.

Another way to make your fundraiser fun is by choosing an activity that people enjoy. You could hold a bake sale or have a raffle with prizes that people will want to win.

How can I involve families that can't make a monetary donation?

Invite families to donate items that can be used for the fundraiser, such as baked goods or prizes. You can also ask them to volunteer their time to help with the event. This could include setting up, manning a booth, or helping to clean up after the event. A family that cannot make a monetary donation can still be a valuable part of your fundraiser.

How often should a preschool host fundraisers?

Preschools often host 2–4 fundraisers per year, depending on budget needs and community interest. Spacing out events seasonally—such as a fall read-a-thon, a winter art calendar sale, and a spring walk-a-thon—helps prevent fatigue and keeps engagement high.

Final thoughts

With the right planning, any of these preschool fundraising ideas can bring joy to your children, families, and staff—while generating the extra resources your program needs to thrive. The key is choosing ideas that fit your community, involve families meaningfully, and align with your school’s mission.

From low-effort fundraisers like read-a-thons to creative events like preschool talent shows or art sales, you have plenty of opportunities to engage your families and raise support. Start with just one idea and build momentum—your next great fundraiser could become an annual tradition!