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How to Run a Math-a-Thon Fundraiser
Math-A-Thons are fun and unique fundraisers. They’re effective too, and allow participants to develop key skills while raising money for their school, extra-curricular program, or club.
Here, we’ll show you the A-Z of math-a-thons, including planning, tracking donations, and ideas on how to organize and promote it.
Math-a-Thon Guide Table of Contents
1
Step by Step Guide
Everything you need to know about starting a Math-A-Thon from A-Z.
2
Math-a-Thon 101
A quick introduction to what a Math-A-Thon is and how it works.
3
What is an "A-Thon" & How Does it Work?
Thon’s can be a powerful fundraising tool.
4
What do you need to run a Math-a-Thon?
The tools, support, and volunteers you’ll need for a successful Math-A-Thon.
5
Using a Math-a-Thon to Fundraise
How to raise money with Math-A-Thons.
6
Templates, Ideas, Tools, & Resources
Kickstart your Math-A-Thon using curated templates and tools.
FutureFund is FREE for Schools
Schools that sign up get full access to all of FutureFund’s features—it’s always free and it always will be.
The Steps to Running Your Math-A-Thon
Step One: Choose a Date & Theme
- Choose the date of your Math-A-Thon three months before the event. Math-A-Thons usually take place over two weeks, so try to plan for a time of year that won’t conflict with other planned activities or trips.
- Make sure your PTA coordinates with the school ahead of time and sets aside a space for students to work on math problems—this could be the library, or a classroom.
Math-A-Thon Planning Infographic and Checklist
Use these templates to keep your Math-A-Thon planning on track:
Step Two: Call for Volunteers
- Put out a call for volunteers two months before the event. Use FutureFund’s built-in messaging system to reach the parents and volunteers most likely to participate.
- Make sure your call for volunteers clearly states what cause or project the Math-A-Thon will support.
- Perform background checks for any volunteers who need to be on campus during the event (if required by your school).
Example Volunteer Positions for Math-A-Thons
- Event Coordinator: Oversees the entire Math-A-Thon, including planning, coordination with the school, and post-event activities.
- Registration Team: Manages participant sign-ups and distributes math problem sets.
- Math Problem Creators: Develop age-appropriate math problems and puzzles for different grade levels. Ensures a range of difficulties to cater to all participants.
- Distribution and Collection Team: Organizes the distribution of math problem sets to students and the collection of completed work.
- Library Support Team: Assists in the school library during the event, providing a space for students who wish to work on math problems on-site.
- Scorekeepers and Validators: Check completed math problems for accuracy and keep track of participants’ progress and scores.
Step Three: Choose Student Incentives
- Incentives motivate students to register for your Math-A-Thon and collect pledges. Each student should have a specific fundraising goal—usually between $200-$400.
- It’s better to offer incentives to the class or group that correctly solves the most problems than to individual students, as this is a more cost-effective way to motivate groups and can also discourage unhealthy competition. Try an ice cream social or a pizza party for the best results.
Step Four: Create Your Math-A-Thon’s Campaign
Use FutureFund to create a Pledge-A-Thon campaign and provide your campaign details.
Make sure your campaign has the following elements:
- A clear and compelling event description and rules, including what the money raised will go towards and what the incentives will be for participating students.
- A leaderboard that shows the grades and teachers for each participating class, along with how much each has raised. These are fully customizable in FutureFund, so you can create custom categories for each Math-A-Thon.
- A template students can use to collect pledges from members of the school community. FutureFund provides a sample template for this in all A-Thon campaigns, which you can modify to include the specific details of your event.
Step Five: Announce the Event & Sign-Up Students
- Send out an announcement of your Math-A-Thon to the school community two weeks before the event begins and request that students sign up to participate.
- Share the news in as many places as possible—use the school newsletter, morning announcements, and FutureFund’s messaging system to tell everyone why the event is important and how they can be part of it.
- Use FutureFund to send follow-up messages every other day leading up to the event to encourage participation.
- On the first day of the event, send a kickoff announcement to get the school community excited about the event and encourage them to keep offering support.
- During the event, send progress updates every other day to remind people to keep pledging and let them know how close your school group is to reaching your goal.
Sample Email for Student Sign-Ups
Subject: Calculate Your Way to Victory with the [School Name] Math-A-Thon!
Hello Students,
Gear up for an exciting challenge with our annual Math-A-Thon! This isn’t just a math competition; it’s an opportunity to showcase your numerical skills, support our beloved school, and have fun solving problems.
Why should you join?
- Engage in a variety of intriguing and fun math challenges.
- Help raise funds for [insert cause or school project].
- Earn recognition and amazing rewards for your math abilities.
How to Sign Up:
Joining is easy! Just visit this link and follow the steps: [insert FutureFund link]. You’ll get a link to share with friends and family to collect pledges for each problem you solve correctly.
Whether you’re a math wizard or just keen to test your skills, this event is for everyone. Let’s crunch numbers and have fun together!
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[School or Name of School Group]
Use this Canva email script template to call out for Math-A-Thon participants, donations, and to keep your fundraiser top-of-mind. Click “Use template for new design” to create an editable version, then add custom information for your event, change fonts and graphics, and more!
Sample Follow-Up Email to Donors
Subject: Your Support Adds Up – [School Name] Math-A-Thon Progress Update!
Dear [Donor’s Name],
As our Math-A-Thon progresses, we want to extend our thanks for your invaluable support. Your contribution is helping to foster a love of math among our students and assisting us in reaching our goal of [insert specific goal or cause].
Current Update:
- [Number of students] have signed up to tackle math challenges!
- We are currently [percentage] towards our fundraising goal.
There’s still time to spread the word and support our event through FutureFund at [insert link]. Your generosity is a crucial part of our success and is deeply appreciated by our entire school community.
With gratitude,
[Your Name]
[School or Name of School Group]
Use this Canva email script template to call out for Math-A-Thon participants, donations, and to keep your fundraiser top-of-mind. Click “Use template for new design” to create an editable version, then add custom information for your event, change fonts and graphics, and more!
Sample Email for the Final Week Before the Math-A-Thon
Subject: Final Countdown to the [School Name] Math-A-Thon!
Hello [Name of School] Students & Families!
We’re just one week away from our Math-A-Thon, and anticipation is building! Our students are gearing up for a day filled with numbers, puzzles, and fun.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Only one week left to gather your pledges! Please consider making a last-minute donation via FutureFund at [insert link].
- Come and support our young mathematicians on [Date] at [Location], and don’t miss the closing ceremony where we’ll celebrate their achievements and recognize top problem-solvers!
Let’s make this final week a resounding success. Your encouragement and support are pivotal in making a difference at our school and for our students. Let’s end on a high note!
In the spirit of math,
[Your Name]
[School or Name of School Group]
Use this Canva email script template to call out for Math-A-Thon participants, donations, and to keep your fundraiser top-of-mind. Click “Use template for new design” to create an editable version, then add custom information for your event, change fonts and graphics, and more!
Templates for Promoting Your Math-A-Thon
Use these Canva templates to help you spread awareness for your Math-A-Thon on social media and in your community! Click “Use template for new design” to create an editable version, then add custom information for your event, change fonts and graphics, and more!
Canva Math-A-Thon Template for Instagram Story
Canva Math-A-Thon Template for Instagram Post
Canva Math-A-Thon Template for Printable Poster
Example caption: Support [insert school name]’s Math-A-Thon from [insert date]. Help our school community raise money for [insert cause] by registering to solve as many problems as possible!
Step Six: Find Sponsors
Ask local businesses to sponsor the Math-A-Thon. This can help your PTA reach your fundraising targets while business owners get exposure and positive PR.
Make sure to explain how each sponsor’s contribution will be recognized. For example, you could:
- Hang a banner in the gym with sponsor logos during the event.
- Offer branded water bottles or other swag to participants.
- Add sponsors to your school’s online store using FutureFund.
Types of Sponsorship:
- Direct donations—either towards your fundraising goal or to help cover the costs of supplies.
- Corporate matching is where a business makes a donation equal to all or a portion of the funds you raise from the community.
- Selling sponsorships on FutureFund via advertising on your campaign page.
Step Seven: Host the Math-A-Thon
Finally, the day of the event will arrive—and if you’ve followed all the steps above, you should have everything you need to make it a success. Here’s a sample schedule:
Launch Day (Day 1)
- Morning Assembly (8:00 AM – 9:00 AM): Official kick-off with an announcement to all participants. Distribution of math problem sets and instructions.
- Classroom Sessions (Throughout the Day): Teachers introduce the Math-A-Thon in class, discussing strategies and encouraging participation.
Daily Check-Ins (Week 1 & 2)
- Classroom Check-Ins (Daily): Teachers check in with students on their progress, provide assistance, and keep them motivated.
- Online Updates (Every Other Day): Post updates on the school’s social media and via FutureFund about the Math-A-Thon’s progress.
Mid-Event Checkpoint (End of Week 1)
- Assembly or Classroom Announcement (Friday, End of Day): Celebrate the halfway mark, share achievements, and encourage continued participation.
- Weekend Challenge (Weekend): Special challenge problems for special prizes or as a fun activity.
Final Week Push (Week 2)
- Daily Encouragements (Throughout the Week): Motivational announcements and reminders to keep the momentum.
- Final Challenges (Throughout the Week): Introduce last-minute challenges or puzzles to boost engagement.
Closing Day (Last Day of Week 2)
- Math Challenges and Activities (Throughout the School Day): Fun math activities and challenges in classrooms.
- Final Submissions (End of School Day): Deadline for submitting completed math problems and fundraising pledges.
Post-Event Activities (Week Following Event)
- Results Compilation (Monday – Wednesday): Teachers and volunteers compile results and calculate fundraising totals.
- Celebration Assembly (Friday): Announce winners, total funds raised, and recognize participants.
- Thank You Notes (Following Week): Send out thank-you notes to participants, volunteers, and donors.
Feedback and Review (Two Weeks After Event)
- Financial Reporting (End of Second Week): Use FutureFund’s financial tools to determine and report the funds you’ve raised.
- Celebration Event (Date TBD): Organize a special event (such as a pizza party or ice cream social) for classes or students who raised the most funds or solved the most problems.
Math-a-Thon 101
What is a Math-a-Thon?
A Math-A-Thon is a unique fundraiser, but it follows the same basic principles as other A-Thons, like Read-A-Thons or Walk-A-Thons. During a Math-A-Thon, students sign up to complete math problems in exchange for pledges they collect from friends and family.
Math-A-Thons work great because most donors are happy to support kids doing more math. It’s typically easy for students to collect donations.
Math-a-Thon Goals & Rules
Treat these as a base and feel free to tailor these to suit your specific event.
Length
Math-A-Thons can last anywhere from 10 days to 1 month. That said, the ideal amount of time is usually between 10 days and 2 weeks.
Math Goal
The math goal should change depending on the student’s grade the duration of the Math-A-Thon. Generally speaking, students should set a goal of at least 10 math sessions during the fundraiser.
Math Problems
Each grade should have a list of math problems. For younger grades, you can keep the questions as simple addition and subtraction. For older grades, you can incorporate more complex questions, like word problems and algebra.
Pledge Collection
Start telling students about the Math-A-Thon at least two weeks before it starts.
Students should be signed up in your fundraising system so they can gather donations for at least seven days before the fundraiser starts (although it’s still okay to take last-minute sign-ups).
Confirm That Everyone Knows What to Do
On the day the fundraiser starts, be sure to re-explain the rules and encourage students to continue fundraising.
Sample Math-A-Thon Rules Template
For a successful math-a-thon, make sure to:
- Decide the following before you start telling students about the math-a-thon:
- The dates and length
- The math goal
- The math problems
- The theme
- Start telling students about the math-a-thon at least 10 days before it starts.
- Students should be signed up in your fundraising system and gathering donations at least 7 days before the fundraiser starts.
- On the day the fundraiser starts, be sure to re-explain the rules and encourage students to continue fundraising.
- Halfway through the math-a-thon, remind students how many days they have left to finish their math problems.
Or, here’s a Canva template of sample Math-A-Thon rules. Click “Use template for new design” to create an editable version, then add custom information for your event, change fonts and graphics, and more!
Frequently Asked Questions About Math-a-Thons
How does a Math-A-Thon work?
Donors give students pledges, and in return, students solve math problems. For example, a student’s aunt could donate $1 for every math problem solved. Or maybe a family friend donates $20 to support the student.
The exact “rules” can vary based on what works for your school. The most important thing is that students do more math than normal. You can also choose whether students do the math problems at home, at school, or both.
How long does a Math-A-Thon last?
How long you make your math-a-thon is totally up to you. That said, if students are doing the math at school, you’ll want to have at least 10 sessions. Depending on the student’s grade, these sessions should be between 15 minutes to 1 hour.
If the students are working on the math problems at home, somewhere between 10 days and 2 weeks is the right amount of time. You want to give students enough time to complete their problems, but not so long they forget about them.
When should you hold a Math-A-Thon?
Math-a-thons can be held at almost any time of the year since they aren’t weather-dependent. Late fall or early winter is typically the ideal time.
That way, students have time to learn how to solve the math problems for their grade, but it’s not so late in the year that students aren’t interested in participating.
What problems should students solve?
A math-a-thon should be based around a student’s grade level. The math problems should be based on what they’re learning in math class and similar to the worksheets they do regularly.
To make sure the problems are the right fit, you should work with the students’ teachers to customize math problems for every grade.
What are the advantages of Math-A-Thon fundraisers?
Math-A-Thons are unique while still being easy to plan and participate in, so they make great fundraisers. It’s also relatively easy for students to collect donations since almost everyone can agree math skills are important. They check all the boxes for a successful fundraiser.
How do I use FutureFund to track my fundraiser’s success?
FutureFund gives you the ability to generate financial reports for fundraising campaigns in just a few clicks. To do this, navigate to Store and click the Reports tab near the top of your screen. Then choose Campaign Summary from the drop-down menu and click Generate Report.
Can volunteers for my Math-A-Thon sign up automatically through FutureFund?
Yes—FutureFund lets you create a list of the volunteer positions you’ll need to fill, then add a volunteer page to your registration portal so parents can sign up in just a few simple clicks. See the steps for signing up volunteers here.
FutureFund is FREE for Schools
Schools that sign up get full access to all of FutureFund’s features—it’s always free and it always will be.
What is a “Thon”?
Thon’s Are Fun & Effective Event-Based Fundraisers
An “a-thon” is a peer-to-peer style fundraiser that involves participating in a certain activity and gathering donations for participating in said activity.
The activity can be almost anything, from reading to running to bowling. No matter what activity you choose, the premise is the same. Participants commit to doing the activity (reading a certain amount of books, running a certain distance) and ask their friends, family, and coworkers to support them.
A-thons work great because you reach a huge donor pool through peer-to-peer fundraising. People are also more likely to donate since participants are “working” in return for the donations.
What Do You Need to Run a Math-a-Thon?
Power it With FutureFund
FutureFund’s built-in pledge campaigns allow you to easily collect money and keep donations/pledges organized. Since parents cover payment processing fees, 100% of the funds raised go to your school!
FutureFund is easy to use - for everyone
FutureFund makes running a Math-A-Thon easy for everyone. Easier for PTAs and PTOs to run, for students and parents to participate, and for donors to donate.
Accept online donations
Instead of dealing with paper pledge forms and cash and cheques, FutureFund takes the process online. Donors can donate instantly online with their credit or debit cards.
A single tool to power your entire A-Thon!
FutureFund makes it easy to track how the fundraiser is going. Easily view how much money has been raised and more with detailed reporting.
Using a Math-A-Thon to Fundraise
Consider the below when organizing your Math-A-Thon. Spending a bit of time upfront getting organized from an admin and donation perspective will save a lot of time and potential frustration later.
Managing and organizing pledges
Each student will sign up as a participant in the fundraiser. Then, they can collect pledges individually by credit or debit card. You can also accept cash pledges, but be mindful of properly storing and tracking cash you collect.
If you are using FutureFund, you can record these pledges and they will automatically count towards the student’s total and the grand total for the fundraiser.
Donor information and donation management
Before launching your fundraiser, confirm what records you need to collect from donors.
If you are using FutureFund, it’s easy for students to sign up, especially if their information is already in the system. You can bulk sign up entire grades or classes. All donor payments are automatically entered into the system, so you can instantly see each student’s total and the grand total.
Make sure you accept online donations
Fundraising campaigns that accept online donations perform much better than fundraisers that only accept cash or check.
If you are using FutureFund, you can accept payments online. Donors are given a donation link and can pay by credit or debit card. Any cash donations can also be noted in the system to be collected later.
Math-a-Thon Templates & Resources
Planning Resources
Use these templates to keep your Math-A-Thon planning on track:
Sample Math-A-Thon Rules
Participation Eligibility:
- All students from [specified grades or classes] are eligible to participate. Students must register through the FutureFund link provided by the school to be officially part of the Math-A-Thon.
Math Problem Guidelines:
- Each participant will receive a set of math problems tailored to their grade level.
- Problems will range from simple arithmetic for lower grades to more complex problems for higher grades.
Fundraising and Pledges:
- Participants are encouraged to collect pledges from family, friends, and community members.
- Pledges can be a fixed amount or based on the number of problems solved correctly.
- All pledges will be recorded and managed through FutureFund.
- Duration of the Event: The Math-A-Thon will last for two weeks, starting from [start date] to [end date].
Problem Solving Session:
- Participants are expected to work on math problems both at school and at home.
- Each participant should aim for at least 10 math sessions during the fundraiser.
Submission of Completed Work:
- All completed math problem sets must be submitted by the end of the Math-A-Thon for validation.
Scoring and Validation:
- Scorekeepers and Validators will check the accuracy of completed math problems.
- Scores will be updated on the leaderboard regularly.
Incentives and Recognition:
- Incentives will be awarded to the class or group that solves the most problems correctly.
- Individual recognition will also be given for outstanding participation and fundraising efforts.
Safety and Compliance:
- All volunteers and participants must adhere to the school’s safety and compliance policies, including any necessary background checks for volunteers.
Reporting and Transparency:
- Progress updates will be communicated through FutureFund and school channels regularly.
- A final report will be shared with the school community detailing the total funds raised and acknowledgments.
Feedback and Improvement:
- Participants, volunteers, and donors are encouraged to provide feedback after the event to improve future Math-A-Thons.
Closing Ceremony:
- A celebration assembly will be held at the end of the event to announce winners, total funds raised, and recognize participants and volunteers.
Or, here’s a Canva template of sample Math-A-Thon rules. Click “Use template for new design” to create an editable version, then add custom information for your event, change fonts and graphics, and more!
Sample math-a-thon event description
Unsure of where to start? Use this sample student and parent messaging to get the ball rolling!
—
Let’s get solving! Starting [date], [school name] will be hosting a math-a-thon to help fundraise for [cause]. You can help by doing as much math as you can! Parents, each student will be collecting pledges online through FutureFund: [link]. Please spread the word to your family, friends, and coworkers to help make this fundraiser a success!
Set up online pledges with FutureFund
Let parents and supporters donate online with FutureFund’s online pledges. Try it out for free!
—
Make your donation easily and instantly! Click this [link] to make your donation through secure credit or debit card payment.
If you prefer to donate by cash or check, just donate directly to the student you’re supporting. Thank you for your support!
Sample Math-A-Thon Email Scripts
Use these Canva email script templates to call out for Math-A-Thon participants, donations, and to keep your fundraiser top-of-mind. Click “Use template for new design” to create an editable version, then add custom information for your event, change fonts and graphics, and more!
Canva Math-A-Thon Student Sign-up Email Template
Design Templates for Promoting Your Math-A-Thon
Use these Canva templates to help you spread awareness for your Math-A-Thon on social media and in your community! Click “Use template for new design” to create an editable version, then add custom information for your event, change fonts and graphics, and more!
Canva Math-A-Thon Template for Instagram Story
Canva Math-A-Thon Template for Instagram Post
Canva Math-A-Thon Template for Printable Poster
Example caption: Support [insert school name]’s Math-A-Thon from [insert date]. Help our school community raise money for [insert cause] by registering to solve as many problems as possible!
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