15 March Fundraising Ideas

Updated: December 2024

Summary:

• Raise money for your school in March with one of these 15 fundraising ideas. Plan events around Saint Patrick’s Day, spring break, and holidays for even better results.
• Duck races, touch-a-truck days, and pet photo contests are easy March fundraisers to organize. Saint Patrick’s Day meals can also let parents enjoy a fun night out.
• Sell tickets to lunch and learns, sports camps, spring fling socials, student art gallery nights, and roller rink events—then scan people in at the door with the Turnstile app.
• Vendor fairs give families the opportunity to shop for gifts and other fun items. Charge an entry fee and share the profits so everyone benefits—or host them online!
• You can sell physical products like spring-planted bulbs or prom formalwear in person or right from your FutureFund account. Or, host a-thons and let students participate in springtime activities for pledges!

March is a time for renewal and growth—and that’s exactly why it’s such a great time to launch school fundraisers. As the first crocuses break through the snow and temperatures begin to rise, it gets easier to host activities indoors and out.

Capitalize on all that youthful energy with one of these 15 March fundraising ideas. Use FutureFund’s free campaign tools for K-12 schools to meet or exceed your school’s goals.

1. Camping gear lucky draw

By early March, people are already planning outdoor adventures in nicer weather. Try collecting donations for school field trips—and incentivize the donation process by asking local shops to donate prizes for a draw at the end, where every donor gets entered.

How to get results from a camping gear lucky draw

• Set a start date in early March, but don’t run the draw until your fundraiser ends.
• Ask campgrounds to donate gear or cabin rentals as prizes.
• Use FutureFund to keep track of donors and accept payments online.
• Keep it fair by limiting donors to a maximum of one prize each.

When the campaign is over, assign each donor a number internally. Use the Wheel of Names to select a winner for each prize fairly and equitably.

2. Duck races

Put those melting rivers to good use! Students, teachers, and parents who want to participate can “adopt” a rubber ducky in exchange for a donation and race it down a local river. Set up stations at the start and end to keep track of scores!

How to get results from duck races

• Set a rain date if the weather isn’t nice just yet—or head to a local pool instead.
• Use FutureFund to set up to four donation tiers and track progress to your goal.
• Stay safe—even shallow water can be risky, so adults should closely supervise.
• Let kids be creative by decorating their ducks with non-toxic washable markers.

The timing makes an event like this an ideal way to raise money for other activities throughout the spring. Use the opportunity to fundraise for new sports equipment, field trips to the pool, or outings to the local zoo. 

Don’t live near a river or want to try a different activity? Find more ideas for fun field trips.

3. Touch or Tour-a-Truck

Ask your local fire department to donate a few hours of their time and bring a truck down for students to see and explore up close. Make it an event by inviting a local food truck to set up and serve refreshments like hot dogs, hamburgers, and cold drinks.

Accept donations online with Google Pay, Apple Pay, or Cashapp, or take them in-person at the event and in the two-week period before the day of. Split the proceeds between the school, the fire department, and the vendor!

How to get results from Touch or Tour-a-Truck events

• Set a date three months out and coordinate on a time that works for everyone. 
• Recruit volunteers to help set up a grill and serve food if you can’t get a food truck.
• Say thank you with our free business donor templates after everything wraps up.

Take lots of pictures and share them on social media after the event. This helps draw attention to your school’s campaigns and important local causes.

4. Pet photo contest

Looking for a fundraiser that doesn’t require any selling? Raise money for prom, homecoming, and other end-of-year events with a pet photo contest! Set up an album on your school’s social media account so everyone can submit their favorite shots. Each donation earns 1 vote.

How to get results from a pet photo contest

• Start in early March so you have time to post pictures before spring break.
• Ask donors to comment on the picture or send a message with the ID to vote.
• Use FutureFund to message donors about votes or ask for their support.
• Spread the word by asking people to share the contest on social media.

To raise more interest, follow our guide to record a hype video in advance. Setting categories that help frame the contest is optional, but highly recommended—try “baby pets,” “silliest outfit,” and “sweetest seniors” if you need ideas.

5. Saint Patrick’s night out

Sell tickets to a Saint Patrick’s night out and give parents the opportunity to have a little culturally-influenced fun. For a flat fee, attendees get a few amenities: a traditional Irish meal, one or two drink tickets, and access to live music. Streamline check-ins at the door with our easy-to-use Turnstile app.

How to get results from a Saint Patrick’s night out 

• Set a date at least three months out so you have enough time for event planning.
• Use FutureFund to recruit and manage volunteer cooks, musicians, and more.
• Use the Turnstile app to streamline ticket redemption at the event.
• Keep costs low by asking local grocery stores to donate food and drinks.

If you don’t have the resources for an event like this, there is another option: reach out to local Irish pubs and ask if they want to partner up. Split the proceeds to cover their costs and keep the rest for your school.

6. Lunch and learn

Know an expert with experience in a rare or interesting field? Ask them to donate a few hours of their time by hosting a lunch and learn session at your school. Sell tickets at a rate that will bring in funds for your school and help pay for catering, too.

How to get results from lunch and learn events   

• Pick hosts who can break down info in a way kids and families understand.
• Sell tickets to the lunch online and check people in with the Turnstile app.
• Thank hosts with our free email templates after the event wraps up.
• Make it educational by having teachers work content into their lesson plans.

You can host this one in the school cafeteria if you have one. If you don’t, contact your local library—most have event spaces available for functions like this and will be happy to help.

7. Sports camp or clinic

Have a super-talented sports team or local celebrity athlete you can tap for a little help? Ask them to host a sports camp or clinic over spring break in support of your school. Sell tickets to raise money for catering, sports equipment, or any other cause.

How to get results from sports camps and clinics

• Use FutureFund’s tools to communicate with hosts and volunteers.
• Host the clinic in your school’s gym or outside, depending on the weather. 
• Loop sports teams in by having them co-lead or organize the clinic. 
• Get permission from parents quickly by customizing our free waiver template.

Don’t have a sports team? That’s okay—you can still make this work. Just re-target the event to better fit interests at your school by running it as a drama, art, or science camp instead.

8. Spring fling social

Celebrate the coming of spring and warmer weather with a spring fling social and picnic. It’s the perfect time for activities like flower planting, arts and crafts, or outdoor games. To make this a fundraising opportunity, just charge an entry fee!

How to get results from your spring fling social

• Set a date at least two months in advance so you have time to sell more tickets.
• Add a rain date in April just in case March decides to come in and go out like a lion.
• Set up a grill or ice cream stand and have volunteers sell snacks on-site for a fee.
• Set up activities like scavenger hunts, three-legged races, and face-painting.

If you don’t have much of a budget, consider setting up another fundraiser in support of the spring social in late fall. You can use the money to pay for catering, door prizes, or special activities like bouncy castle rentals.

9. Student art gallery night

Give your students an opportunity to show their creative side by hosting a student art gallery night and silent auction! Keep the event to families only, or open it up to the entire community for even better results.

How to get results from your student art gallery

• Start recruiting artists in late fall to give kids plenty of time to work on their art.
• Sell a few pieces at the auction, or ask galleries and artists to donate an item.
• Recruit volunteers easily with our built-in volunteer management tools.
• Reward students who donate their art—art supplies are a great gift!

You can also let attendees vote on their favorite pieces, then hand out prizes to the top 3, 5, or 10 artists.

10. Roller rink fundraiser 

Have access to a roller skating rink in your area? Set up a time and place where students and their families can spend a little time showing off their grooviest moves in support of your school. Sell tickets in person or online, all from your FutureFund account.

How to get results from your roller rink fundraiser

• Reach out to venues before you set a date to avoid rescheduling later.
• Recruit volunteers who can teach kids how to skate if it’s their first time.
• Ask the rink if they have adjustable roller skating aids available for newbies.
• Use FutureFund to send out waivers to parents and promote your event.

For even better results, sell glow sticks and other fun swag at the event. You can buy these from most dollar stores on the cheap—just mark them up slightly to bring in more funds.

13. Saint Patrick’s Day minigame-a-thon

Get creative with a series of minigames designed to be completed in a minute or less! Teams or students can collect pledges per game completed. Carnival and fair games, like knocking down cans, three-legged races, coin tosses, and magnetic fishing work well for this one. 

How to get results from your Minigame-a-thon

• Theme games around Saint Patrick’s Day for a festive and cohesive event.
• Use FutureFund’s tools to track pledges, accept donations, and manage volunteers.
• Offer prizes like themed gift baskets or class pizza parties for top performers.
• Serve snacks like green cupcakes and lime soda for free or for a small fee.

For older students, scale the difficulty by having them complete challenges blindfolded or with only one hand. Or, extend the total time and use activities like solving a Rubik’s cube, trivia lightning rounds, and stacking cards or cups instead. 

See Also: 15 More Ideas for A-Thons.

14. Prom dress drive

March is only a couple of months away from prom, and not every student can afford formalwear. Host a donation drive to collect gently used dresses and tuxedos, then sell them back to the community at an affordable flat rate. Encourage people to cover the cost of an outfit on behalf of a student in need.

How to get results from your prom dress drive

• Schedule the sale in late March, but start collecting outfits at the end of February.
• Set rules for the condition of clothing—outfits shouldn’t have rips, tears, or stains.
• Ask local shops to donate a few newer pieces in exchange for a little advertising.
• List dresses online one by one, or let students come in and pick after they pay.

Set up at least one donation box at the school for drop-offs or make someone responsible for coordinating the logistics. Take lots of pictures of the best outfits that come in and share them on social media. This helps draw more attention to your cause! 

15. Saint Patrick’s Day bake sale

Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day with a bake sale in the school gym! Recruit people who can bake or put together treat bags in advance, then set up a purchase campaign to let buyers pre-order them for pickup.

How to get results from Saint Patrick’s Day bake sales

• Check local regulations to confirm if you need a special permit or license first.
• Partner with shops by asking them to donate treats and split the proceeds.
• Get tips for running a great bake sale to maximize your fundraising potential. 
• Follow food safety protocols by keeping treats in the refrigerator until sale day.

Selling products on FutureFund is really easy. To get started, all you have to do is launch a purchase campaign and add some info about what you’re selling.

Don’t Miss: How to run a bake sale

11. Spring-planted bulb fundraiser

Spring into warmer weather and raise money for your school with a planted flower bulb fundraiser. You can either partner with a platform like Dutch Mill Bulbs or ask a local nursery to sponsor your school by donating them instead.

How to get results from a spring-planted bulb fundraiser

• Start selling in early March—most spring bulbs ship by April or May.
• Make it educational by having students create planting guides for buyers.
• Promote the sale locally and online with posters, social media, and emails.
• Include other plants like vegetables, fruits, or berries if they grow well locally.

To add another element of fun to this one, ask school administrators to order a few bulbs for a small flower garden on the school grounds. Recruit and manage student volunteers who can take turns caring for it over the spring and summer months with a signup campaign.

See Also: How to make fundraisers more educational

12. Vendor fair

A vendor fair is a special event where small to medium businesses set up booths and sell their products or services, usually in an informal marketplace-style setting. Ask vendors to donate a small percentage of their profits—everyone benefits! 

How to get results from vendor fairs

• Start planning in late fall—most vendors book tables months in advance.
• Use FutureFund to cultivate a list of vendors by having them sign up in advance.
• Ask vendors to donate one item per table to hand out as door prizes during the fair.
• Invite students to set up a booth and sell crafts or other handmade items.

To raise some extra cash from this event, buy a roll of raffle tickets in advance and sell them for a small fee at the door as people arrive. Use them to draw for door prizes at the end or at regular intervals during the fair!

March toward success with these 15 fundraising ideas.

March is full of fundraising potential—and with FutureFund’s free platform for K-12 schools, you can make the most of it. Launch as many of your favorite campaigns from the list above as you like, and remember: we’re here to help if you’re looking for inspiration or support along the way.

Ready to smash your fundraising goals? Get started today and we’ll put you in touch with one of our fundraising experts (Psst—yes, that’s free, too.)