Seeking alumni donations isn’t just about fundraising—it’s about connecting with former students. By tapping into emotional motivators like nostalgia, recognition, and shared impact, you can inspire former students to stay engaged and give back.
Teacher Appreciation Week takes place during the first full week of May each year in the United States, and it’s a golden opportunity to let the educators at your school know just how much they mean to the community. But school budgets are often tight and resources are scarce, so how can your school group make teachers feel valued without breaking the PTA budget?
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FutureFund is here to help with this list of 20 no-cost teacher appreciation ideas you can use during Teacher Appreciation Week or any other time of year. Our free fundraising platform for school groups also makes it easy to raise the money you need if you’re planning a more expensive celebration for the hard work your teachers do.
More Teacher Appreciation Resources
Use FutureFund to Boost Your School’s Teacher Appreciation Budget
The ideas presented below won’t cost you anything—but FutureFund can also help you raise money for more elaborate teacher appreciation events. Our platform gives you free access to powerful tools like:
- Ready-to-go custom campaign templates for donation drives, ticketed events, “A-Thon” style pledge campaigns, and more.
- A custom online store where you can sell school spirit wear, supplies, PTA memberships, and other items.
- A built-in messaging system that makes it easy to tell the school community about upcoming fundraisers and get important feedback about which projects to fund next.
- One-click financial reporting that saves time for your Treasurer and improves compliance with federal and regional nonprofit regulations.
Get Started with FutureFund to see how these tools can work for you, or keep reading for a list of teacher appreciation ideas that you can use right now for free.
#1: Thank You Notes
Students write personal notes expressing their gratitude towards their teachers.
Why it’s great: Personal and heartfelt; easy for students of all ages.
Requirements: Paper, pens, a designated time for writing.
#2: Recognition in School Announcements
Use the school’s PA system or online platforms to publicly acknowledge and thank teachers.
Why it’s great: Provides public recognition and boosts morale.
Requirements: Access to the school’s announcement system.
#3: Student Video Tributes
Students create and share video messages of gratitude, which can be compiled into a presentation for teachers.
Why it’s great: Highly personal, and videos can be saved as keepsakes.
Requirements: Students’ or school’s video recording devices, basic editing software.
#4: Classroom Door Decorating
Organize a surprise event where students decorate their teacher’s door with appreciative messages and artwork.
Why it’s great: Visually impactful and a delightful surprise!
Requirements: Existing classroom materials, art supplies.
#5: Social Media Shout-Outs
Highlight teachers’ achievements and thank them using the school’s social media platforms.
Why it’s great: Engages the wider community and promotes positive social media use.
Requirements: Access to school’s social media accounts.
#6: Peer Recognition Program
Create a program for teachers to nominate and acknowledge their colleagues’ outstanding contributions.
Why it’s great: Encourages peer appreciation and fosters community.
Requirements: A nomination system (could be a simple box or an online form through FutureFund).
#7: Teacher Feature in School Newsletter
Regularly spotlight different teachers in the school newsletter.
Why it’s great: Highlights individual stories and fosters a sense of community.
Requirements: Access to newsletter publication, either digital or print. FutureFund’s messaging system can help.
#8: DIY Awards
Students create handmade awards to show appreciation for their teachers.
Why it’s great: Encourages creativity while teachers receive a unique token of appreciation.
Requirements: Basic classroom craft supplies.
#9: Special Teacher Appreciation Assembly
Host a school-wide assembly (virtual or in-person) to honor and celebrate teachers.
Why it’s great: Unites the school in appreciation during a highly memorable event.
Requirements: An assembly space or a virtual meeting platform.
#10: Personalized Poems or Stories
Students write poems or stories that express gratitude or feature their teacher as a character.
Why it’s great: Fosters creativity; very personal.
Requirements: Writing materials, a session for students to write and share.
#11: School-Wide Thank You Banner
Create a large banner for students and staff to write thank you messages to teachers.
Why it’s great: A collaborative and visible expression of gratitude.
Requirements: A large piece of paper or fabric, markers.
#12: Virtual Talent Show for Teachers
Organize a talent show where students perform acts dedicated to their teachers.
Why it’s great: Showcases student talents; entertaining for teachers.
Requirements: A virtual meeting platform, some planning to coordinate acts.
#13: Teacher Appreciation Wall
Dedicate a wall in the school for posting notes, pictures, and artwork that express gratitude.
Why it’s great: A lasting display of appreciation.
Requirements: A designated wall space, materials for posting items.
#14: Thank You Flash Mob
Organize a surprise flash mob with students to thank teachers through a fun performance.
Why it’s great: Energetic and memorable; involves teamwork.
Requirements: Practice space, coordination of students.
#15: Customized Classroom Posters
Students create and hang posters in their classroom expressing thanks to their teacher.
Why it’s great: Personalizes the classroom; involves artistic expression.
Requirements: Poster materials, time for creation and hanging.
#16: Teacher Appreciation Tree
Set up a tree in the school where students can hang notes or small crafts expressing thanks.
Why it’s great: Visually appealing and symbolizes the school’s growth of appreciation for teachers.
Requirements: A tree or tree-like structure, materials to create notes/crafts.
#17: Classroom Supply Drive
Organize a drive to gather and distribute unused supplies to replenish teachers’ resources. You can run a donation campaign with FutureFund to raise money to buy supplies as well.
Why it’s great: A practical way to show support that also demonstrates thoughtfulness.
Requirements: Collection box, communication to parents and students.
#18: Professional Development Day
Dedicate a day for teachers to share knowledge and skills with each other.
Why it’s great: Promotes growth and collaboration among teachers.
Requirements: Scheduling within the school year, a plan for sessions or workshops.
#19: Homemade Teaching Aids
Students and parents can create useful teaching aids to support classroom learning.
Why it’s great: Provides practical help and shows understanding of classroom needs.
Requirements: Basic materials, coordination with teachers to understand needs.
#20: Storytelling Session About Teachers
Host a session where students share stories or experiences that highlight the impact of their teachers.
Why it’s great: Personal and touching; strengthens the student-teacher bond.
Requirements: A designated time and place for sharing, facilitation by staff or older students.
Let Your Teachers Know How Special They Are
Whether you’re planning to go big for your teacher appreciation activities or keep them budget-friendly, we’ve got you covered. Use our platform to raise the money your school group needs, or use the ideas on the list above to plan activities that won’t cost you anything.
If you’re considering using FutureFund for the first time, get started here by booking a quick discovery call with our team. We’ll show you how to use the tools we provide for more efficient fundraisers that save time for your volunteers and make your school community a better place for students and teachers alike.
