Fundraisingfun.co.uk - Other Events

200 Club
Sell individual numbers to parents for £1 a month, £12 for a year. To minimise administration, ask for a single annual payment if possible. Hold a draw each month with the winner receiving a set sum of money (for example 50% of the monthly takings, up to a maximum of £50). For larger schools increase the level of numbers to 300 (and call it the 300 Club!). You will need to obtain a lotteries license to run this scheme.

Car Boot Sale
A great way to raise money for minimum effort! Sell 'spaces' for £5 a car. Advertise well to ensure there are sufficient buyers. Make additional money by selling refreshments. This is a good event to hold once or twice a year. Check with your local council as to whether you need a license.

Charity Dinner
This will require a great deal of organisation but can make thousands of pounds. Approach a local hotel to see if they can offer you a special deal.

Film Night
Hold an after school film night. There are a number of companies that specialise in this, but remember you will need to have a relevant license which can be quite expensive.

Frog Racing Evening
A frog racing evening offers fun and excitement combined with the opportunity to raise money with limited effort. Profits come from ticket sales, entry fees for the races, the bar and the Tote.

No previous skill is required for the racing. Each Jockey draws their Frog along a rope which is supported by a trainer. The race course is usually arranged in 6 lanes of around 8 - 10 metres each. The racing is generally run over 6 heats, 2 semi finals and a final. A fee is charged for each Jockey for entry to the racing. The frogs are made out of MDF with a hole for the rope to pass through. Why not sell blank frogs in advance and award a prize for the best decorated frog.

Non-Uniform Days
This is a very easy way to raise funds. Simply hold a non-uniform day (usually the last day of term) and ask pupils to pay £1 for the privilege. It can be a good idea to combine a non-uniform day with a 'bring a prize for the tombola' campaign.

Online Shopping Reward Schemes
There are a number of websites that offer a reward scheme if you access online shops through them, rather than going directly to the online shop itself. Some of these schemes work on earning points which can then be exchanged for educational goods. Others provide cash rewards - cheques are usually sent out once every quarter. (See Suppliers)

Pamper Evening
Arrange a pamper evening for parents (this event is most likely to appeal to mums so consider arranging it around Mother's Day) where they can relax and have their nails painted, have a hand massage, buy jewellery and other accessories. Approach local businesses to participate. There may be a number of parents who run their own mobile business who would be interested in attending. Either charge a 'table' fee for participants or ask them to contribute a prize for a raffle. Charge an entrance fee which includes a drink and 'nibbles'.

Penny Race
Provide each class with a collection box and ask pupils to bring in their loose change over a set period of time (e.g. 2 or 4 weeks). Provide a small prize for each pupil in the class that raises the most money.

Promise Auction
Invite parents to offer a 'promise' that can be auctioned off. For example a meal for two at a popular restaurant, tickets to a sporting event. Get the children involved too - they could promise to wash cars every week for a month. Hold an auction evening and encourage people to put in a bid. Increase your profits by selling food and drink.

Race Night
There are various companies that provide everything you need for a race night. Alternatively, you can now buy a Race Night DVD (for horse or dog racing) which comes with all the things you need including betting slips, bookies board, form guide and rule booklet. (See Peeks)

Salsa and Samba Evening
Are their any star dancers among your PTA, school staff or parents? If there are, ask them to organise a dance evening where both parents and pupils can learn a new dance, such as the Salsa or Samba.

School Discos
School discos are very popular among pupils in lower school years. Interest seems to fade from Year 7 onwards. Sell sweets and drinks to raise additional money. Glowsticks also sell extremely well and can make an excellent profit. Find out if a parent or member of staff has a mobile disco business - they may put on a disco free of charge for you.

Wine Quiz
A twist on the traditional Quiz Night. Find an extrovert within your committee to be the Quiz master. Purchase wine from your local supermarket or from a local wine merchant on sale or return terms. It's a good idea to select a theme for the evening e.g. Australian wines, South African wines etc. The room can then be decorated in accordance with the theme. Serve a new wine with each round of the Quiz. Aim to have around five rounds. These could include guess the wine, based on clues given; name that tune (play bits of songs and ask the teams to match the singer / group with the correct photo); wine knowledge (questions about wine regions and terminology); general knowledge questions about the theme country. End with a pictionary style round where each member of the team has to draw an item given to them by the Quiz Master. All the letters together should spell the name of a wine from the region. Points are awarded for each round. The winning team is the one with the most points.

Provide supper part way through the evening. Sell tickets in advance, including a reduced cost ticket for drivers. If you are going to sell wine you will need to obtain a license from your local council.