The Complete List of 2024/2025 School Holidays in the US

Explore our complete list of 2024/2025 school holidays in the US to help inspire your school fundraisers and plan ahead accordingly. FutureFund’s complete list includes key holidays, heritage months, and other celebrations that are lesser known but might just inspire your next fundraising event. 

Download FutureFund’s School Holiday Calendar

Planning ahead is essential to keeping your fundraiser on track. We put our 2024/2025 School Fundraising Calendar into a Google Sheet for easy access, so hit the link below.

Here’s how to use it:

• Open the “File” menu and click “Make a copy” so you can edit your calendar (this template is View-Only)
• Use the tabs at the bottom of the sheet to navigate between different months.
• To edit a field, double-click the text box and type in your custom text.
• Incorporate your fundraising plans into this calendar and include shareable links from your FutureFund campaigns on launch dates for easy reference.

View the 2024/2025 School Calendar

Note: Holidays that allow for school closures in some, if not all, US public school districts.***

Need fundraiser inspiration? Check out our Ultimate List of School Fundraisers blog.

School Year Overview

A typical school year in the United States is marked by a variety of holidays, observances, and breaks that shape the academic calendar. Understanding these key dates is crucial for planning educational and recreational activities, as well as taking advantage of fundraising opportunities throughout the year.

You’ll want to schedule fundraisers when you know people will be most available and interested in participating. Avoid running fundraisers when school is out of session or bigger commitments (like exams, proms, or sports competitions) are going to be competing for the school community’s time.

On average, the school year begins in August and ends late in May. Let’s break down each month and highlight those opportunities surrounding some of the most important dates and celebrations.

August | National Dog Month, Immunization Awareness Month, World Cancer Support Month

August signals the beginning of the academic year in many parts of the United States, with students and educators gearing up for a fresh start. This month typically includes back-to-school preparations, orientation days, and anticipation for the year ahead.

This is also a time to celebrate diversity and global issues, which can be of great inspiration for the year’s fundraising plans. Set up a multi-cultural fair for World Indigenous People’s Day to show off Indigenous art, show off your community youth in a talent show, or provide some community service in honor of World Humanitarian Day or even Senior Citizens Day.

August Key Dates:

• August 9th: World Indigenous People’s Day & Book Lover’s Day
• August 12th: International Youth Day
• August 19th: World Humanitarian Day
• August 21st: Senior Citizens Day
• August 23rd: International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
• August 26th: Women’s Equality Day

September | National Suicide Prevention Month, Hispanic History Month

A few sections of the US begin school after Labor Day, September 2nd, which makes this month a continuation of the “back-to-school” energy. There are a lot of opportunities to raise awareness for different causes while gaining help that will propel the school, clubs, and teams forward throughout the year.

For example, World Suicide Prevention Day is an important cause to support, especially when dealing with our youth. Create a fundraising opportunity alongside this date by organizing a “Suicide Prevention Walk.” Native Americans Day is another way to celebrate culture and share a space with Native American art.

September Key Dates:

• September 2nd: Labor Day***
• September 5th: International Day of Charity
• September 10th: World Suicide Prevention Day
• September 11th: Patriot Day | 9/11 Remembrance
• September 16th: Mexican Independence Day
• September 17th: Constitution Day
• September 21st: International Day of Peace
• September 22-28th: Banned Books Week
• September 23rd: Celebrate Bisexuality Day
• September 24th: National Voter Registration Day
• September 27th: Native Americans Day

*September 15th – October 15th is Hispanic History Month

Read more: 15 September Fundraising Ideas for Schools

October | Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Hindu History Month, LGBTQ+ History Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, National Anti-Bullying Month

October is tinged with the beauty of fall throughout the US. It is also packed with many cultural, social, and health awareness dates of significance.

Host a walk or a run through the fall foliage in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month or at the tail end of the month for Red Ribbon Week (a drug and alcohol prevention initiative). Of course, Halloween also presents many opportunities to create unique fundraising experiences for the community – from haunted houses to costume contests!

Note: Some school districts offer a time for a “Fall Break” during this October which could be up to a full week of school closure. Ensure that your Fall fundraising initiatives that involve in-person participation don’t coincide with when participants will be off for Fall Break.***

October Key Dates:

• October 1st: International Day of Older Persons
• October 2nd: International Day of Non-Violence
• October 2nd – October 4th: Rosh Hashanah
• October 4th: World Smile Day
• October 7th: (First Monday of October) Cabrini Day
• October 10th: World Mental Health Day
• October 11th: National Coming Out Day, International Day of the Girl Child
• October 11th – October 12th: Yom Kippur
• October 14th: Columbus Day
• October 15th: Latinx AIDS Awareness Day
• October 16th: International Pronouns Day
• October 17th: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Spirit Day
• October 26th: Intersex Awareness Day
• October 23rd – 31st: Red Ribbon Week
• October 31th: Halloween

Read more: 15 October Fundraising Ideas for Schools

November | Native American & Indigenous Heritage Month, Movember (Men’s Health Month), National Veterans & Military Families Month

November is the start of the holiday season and the beginning of the grateful spirits. There’s a lot of potential here for fundraising, including the path to Giving Tuesday early in December.

Veteran’s Day is a great opportunity to hold an assembly or even a concert that can share funds between the school and a veteran’s charity. World Kindness Day is another great way to spread the right intentions and have your students and school benefit from the funds raised – sell “Kindness Grams” or plan a Pay-it-Forward Campaign.

Note: Public schools are closed on Thanksgiving, the fourth Thursday in November. Some districts will close for that entire week, while others may close school the Wednesday before and Friday after.***

November Key Dates:

• November 1st – November 2nd: Dia de los Muertos
• November 5th: Election Day***
• November 8th: Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine (STEM) Day
• November 11th: Veterans Day
• November 13th: World Kindness Day
• November 13th – November 19th: Transgender Awareness Week
• November 16th: International Day for Tolerance
• November 17th: International Student’s Day
• November 19th: International Men’s Day
• November 20th: Transgender Day of Remembrance, International Childrens’ Day
• November 25th: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
• November 28th: Thanksgiving***
• November 29th: Native American Heritage Day

Read more: 15 November Fundraising Ideas for Schools

December | Universal Human Rights Month

December presents many opportunities to fundraise because of the festive spirit in the air and the generosity of the season. It’s also one of the busiest times of year to be competing for your school community’s time and piggybanks, so make sure you time your fundraiser strategically and plan an event that will captivate their interest. 

Sell hot chocolate and baked goods during those holiday chorus concerts to raise a little extra money for the music program at school. Human Rights Day could be a wonderful time to plan a charity drive or host volunteer gift-wrapping days for pay-what-you-can donations. 

Note: Public schools generally close several days before Christmas and remain closed until after New Year’s Day. Times vary by district but it’s usually a 2-3 week break.***

December Key Dates:

• December 1st: World AIDS Day
• December 2nd: International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
• December 3rd: National Day of Giving (Giving Tuesday), International Day of Persons With Disabilities
• December 9th: Feast of the Immaculate Conception
• December 10th: Human Rights Day
• December 16th – December 24th: Las Posadas
• December 18th: International Migrants Day
• December 25th: Christmas***
• December 25th – January 2nd: Hanukkah
• December 26th: Boxing Day
• December 26th – January 1st: Kwanzaa

Read more: 15 December Fundraiser Ideas for Schools

January | Poverty in America Awareness Month, Slavery & Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Mental Wellness Month

January may mark the middle of the school year, but it marks the beginning of a new calendar year and the “first days” back from winter break. It can be a great time to send emails to the community recapping the previous year’s accomplishments and what goals are on the horizon for the rest of the school year.

After sending the email, create a campaign with FutureFund where community members can donate to your school’s, club’s, or team’s goals for the year. You can make a single bucket or several different options for donations.

January Key Dates:

• January 1st: New Year’s Day***
• January 4th: World Braille Day
• January 13th: Korean American Day
• January 19th: World Religion Day
• January 20th: Martin Luther King Jr. Day***
• January 27th: International Holocaust Remembrance Day
• January 29th: Tết

Read more: 15 January Fundraising Ideas for Schools

February | Black History Month

The month of love and the celebration of Black history, February has some warm-hearted opportunities to give to the school. For example, Valentine’s Day generates a lot of fun ideas from candy grams to flowers from secret admirers sold right in school.

Host a Black History Awareness Month assembly or even a cultural fair that celebrates diversity and generates funds for your school.

February Key Dates:

• February 1st: National Freedom Day, World Hijab Day
• February 7th: National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
• February 11th: International Day of Women and Girls in Science
• February 14th: Valentine’s Day
• February 19th: President’s Day***
• February 20th: World Day of Social Justice
• February 28th – March 30th: Ramadan

Read more: 15 February Fundraising Ideas for Schools

March | Women’s History Month, Deaf History Month, Bisexual Health Awareness Month, Greek American History Month, Irish American History Month

March closes out the winter season and welcomes spring, specifically, spring break for so many school calendars. It’s also the start of spring sports which naturally introduces more athletics-based fundraiser opportunities into the mix.

Take advantage of St. Patrick’s Day by selling “Lucky Charms” treats in the lunchroom or have students pay $1 to dress up in green on the big day. Utilize Women’s History Month to spread awareness as well as generate funds – walks, assemblies with guest speakers, or even a charity auction.

Note: As mentioned above, spring break usually falls within March or April for most schools and typically lasts one week.***

March Key Dates:

• March 1st: Zero Discrimination Day
• March 4th: Mardi Gras
• March 5th: Equal Pay Day
• March 8th: International Women’s Day
• March 14th: Holi
• March 17th: St. Patrick’s Day
• March 18th-March 24th: Neurodiversity Celebration Week
• March 20th: International Day of Happiness
• March 18th to March 24th: National LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week
• March 21st: World Down Syndrome Day, International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
• March 25th: International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
• March 29th: Day of Silence
• March 31st: César Chávez Day, International Transgender Day of Visibility

Read more: 20 Fundraising Ideas for High School Sports Teams

April | Sexual Assault Awareness Month, National Arab American Heritage Month, Autism Acceptance Month

The sunshine is out and everyone is starting to spend more time outside. Focus your fundraising on health and wellness within this month. Get inspired by days such as World Health Day, plan Yoga in the Park, or host a Color Run for kids of all ages. 

Earth Day offers a particularly inspirational fundraising theme with practical and beautifying options like Clean Up the Community Days or recycling drives. Have students hold assemblies to spread awareness of climate change, all while selling repurposed, handmade, and Earth-friendly goods. 

Note: Most school districts will close schools for Good Friday, the Friday before Easter.*** 

April Key Dates:

• April 2nd: World Autism Awareness Day
• April 7th: World Health Day
• April 16th: Emancipation Day
• April 18th: Good Friday***
• April 20th: Easter
• April 22nd: Earth Day
• April 25th: American Genocide Remembrance Day
• April 26th: Lesbian Visibility Day

Read more: 15 April Fundraising Ideas for Schools

May | Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, Military Appreciation Month, Indian Heritage Month, Mental Health Awareness Month

May is a wonderful time to remember and appreciate so many of those around us. It also marks the end of the school year in many districts, observed with events like promotion ceremonies and graduations. It’s a great time to gauge both sides of that coin and use it for fundraiser planning in plenty of different avenues. 

Plan “Muffins with Mom” one school morning and host a Cinco De Mayo fiesta. Don’t forget to send out “end of year” emails to donors, sponsors, and volunteers to let them know how far you’ve come with their support and what is needed to accomplish your fundraising goals before the school year closes out – make sure to link FutureFund storefronts and donation pages to this communication. 

Note: In a lot of school districts, May is the final month of school before summer break.***

May Key Dates:

• May 1st: May Day, National School Principal Day
• May 5th: Cinco De Mayo
• May 11th: Mother’s Day
• May 11th – May 17th: National Women’s Health week
• May 15th: International Day of Families
• May 17th: International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, & Biphobia
• May 18th: World AIDS Vaccine Day
• May 21st: World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
• May 22nd: Harvey Milk Day
• May 27th: Memorial Day***

Read more: 15 Fundraising Ideas for Mother’s Day – FutureFund

June | Summer Break, LGBTQ+ Pride Month, Caribbean American Heritage Month

Although in most places in the US, June becomes the first month of summer break, it can still be a great time to hold fundraisers for different groups, clubs, or sports teams. Coincide with Father’s Day or Global Day of Parents to really expand your reach. 

In fact, bake sales and car washes are the perfect June fundraiser!

June Key Dates:

• June 1st: Global Day of Parents
• June 2nd: Native American Citizenship Day
• June 9th – June 15: National Men’s Health Week
• June 12th: Loving Day
• June 15th: Father’s Day
• June 18th: Autistic Pride Day
• June 19th: Juneteenth
• June 20th: World Refugee Day
• June 28th: National Insurance Awareness Day

Read more: 15 Father’s Day Fundraising Ideas for Schools

July | Summer Break, French American Heritage Month, BPIC Mental Health Awareness Month, Disability Pride Month

Summer is in full swing and there’s talk of “back-to-school” time on the horizon. July may not be the best time to fundraise but there are some great possibilities. Create a summertime school carnival that community members can attend and center the theme around the 4th of July!

July Key Dates:

• July 4th: Independence Day
• July 17th: World Day for International Justice
• July 26th: National Disability Independence Day
• July 27th: Parent’s Day
• July 30th: International Day of Friendship

Read more: 20 Summer Fundraising Ideas for Your School

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best timeline for planning a fundraiser?

Prepping and planning fundraisers varies depending on the type of campaign you’re running and the nature of the event. But in most cases, here’s what we recommend:

• Two to Three Months Prior: Choose the date and theme
• Three Weeks Prior: call out for volunteers
• Two Weeks Prior: Launch the campaign on FutureFund and announce it to the school community so you can start fundraising.
• Every Two Days from the Announcement to the Event Date: Send a campaign update with details.
• One Day Prior: Reminder update email with a final call for donations.
• Event day!
• One Day Later: Thank you message to volunteers and participants.
• One Week Later: Evaluate your success and provide a final summary to the school group.

Should my school fundraiser be a Purchase or a Donation campaign?

Use Purchase campaigns to sell event tickets or physical items (like baked goods, merchandise, or arts and crafts).

Use Donation campaigns to collect money from community members in support of a specific goal or cause (like a food drive).

How can I use FutureFund’s messaging system to promote my fundraiser?

FutureFund’s messaging system lets you:

• Send messages to every parent in your school community or filter your audience to reach specific groups.
• Create unique sender profiles to make sure the message is always coming from the appropriate party.
• Use customizable message templates to save time when broadcasting updates or announcements.

How can school groups engage parents more effectively for fundraisers in the 2024/2025 school year?

Parent engagement is the key to successful fundraisers. We recommend:

• Organizing events that appeal to a wide audience, such as fairs, performances, or sports events.
• Partner with local businesses for sponsorships or donation matching. FutureFund lets you add corporate matching to any donation campaign.
• Involve community members in volunteer roles to create a stronger connection and encourage them to become personally invested in the success of your fundraising efforts. Use FutureFund to sign up volunteers automatically.
• Use effective messaging to reach parents when announcing fundraisers, calling for donations, and more. FutureFund’s built-in messaging system lets you filter recipients, customize templates, create sender profiles, and more.

How can 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.