8 Creative School Fundraiser Rewards Students (and Staff!) Will Love
Fundraising doesn’t have to be serious business—sometimes the best way to drive donations and engagement is through laughter!
Whether it’s launching your principal into a dunk tank, watching a teacher kiss a pig, or seeing the entire staff dressed up as characters from your favorite movie, funny incentives bring the FUN to school fundraising. These moments become core memories for students, viral-worthy posts for social media, and the talk of the carpool line for weeks.
Plus, they work. Schools using laugh-out-loud rewards often see a major uptick in participation and donations, especially when kids know they’re getting a chance to see their favorite grownups do something silly in the name of a good cause.
Ready to make your next school fundraiser unforgettable? Check out these hilarious (and highly successful!) fundraising rewards used by real schools we’ve partnered with, along with practical tips to pull them off at your own school!
Alien Kickball? Beam Us Up: Arlington Elementary’s Fun Run Was Out of This World!
Talk about a galaxy of fun: Arlington Elementary went all-out for their Color Fun Run after excited students raised over $92,000!
Teachers and staff truly made the experience out-of-this-world, combining elements of a Fun Run with bubbles, staff dressed as aliens, a kickball game, and even a pizza picnic party! Kids loved the opportunity to laugh and play alongside their teachers while parents cheered everyone on.
Tips for Coordinating Your Own Students vs. Staff Incentive:
- Build hype early: The key to a great incentive event is making sure students and families know exactly what they’re working toward. Be specific about the reward! When everyone understands how to earn it, participation and excitement go through the roof.
- Choose an awesome theme: Pick something unexpected and creative, like a staff vs. students kickball game featuring teachers in inflatable alien costumes! Wacky themes get students involved and give staff a chance to show off their silly side.
- Communicate clearly: Before the big day, let families and students know how the incentive works, what they can expect during the event, and what they should wear.
- Time it right: Arlington planned for their incentive event to take place during their Fun Run, so all students could enjoy the celebration together. Scheduling rewards in a way that’s convenient for school families keeps energy high and gives every student a chance to feel part of the fun.
Dunk Tank Fun: Cullen Elementary’s Red, White, and Blue Walk-Athon
Who says school staff can’t take the plunge for a good cause? Cullen Elementary proved that a little water goes a long way in rallying students to raise big!
During their Red, White, and Blue Walk-Athon, they turned fundraising into a splash-tacular event by letting the top-earning classes dunk their PTA President and school counselors. The result? Over $46,000 raised, with 95% profit kept from online donations and 100% from cash/check donations by using FundHub. Now that’s a win worth getting soaked for!
Pro Tips for Pulling Off a Dunk Tank Incentive:
- Partner with a local vendor early to reserve your dunk tank—especially in warm-weather seasons when they’re in high demand.
- Recruit volunteers (think principal, popular teachers, coaches, or even your mascot if you’re ok with the costume getting wet).
- Create milestone incentives: Let classes know exactly what donation goal unlocks the chance to dunk a staff member.
- Hype it up on social media and morning announcements with countdowns, teaser videos, and reminders of who’s on the dunk list!
- Make it part of your celebration event so everyone can cheer, laugh, and celebrate together.
This fundraiser prize idea doesn’t just make a splash—it makes memories, builds momentum, and fuels donations!
Mario Kart Race Through the School: Eagle Point Read-Athon
Eagle Point Elementary took their Read-Athon to the next level — Mario Kart level.
To celebrate their fifth successful Read-Athon, the school pulled off a hilarious and highly motivating stunt. After reaching their $40,000 goal, the admin team suited up as Mario and Luigi and raced scooters through the halls. Students and staff loved every second.
They weren’t the only ones getting creative. When Gullet Elementary passed their $100,000 goal — raising over $104,000 — the principal kept his promise. He dressed as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and rollerbladed through the school.
These rewards brought incredible energy to the final stretch and gave students a shared memory they’ll be talking about for weeks.
Pro Tips for a School-Wide Race Incentive:
- Keep it simple and safe: Use scooters, trikes, or even inflatable costumes to keep the race manageable, either indoors or outdoors.
- Choose a theme that fits your school’s vibe: Mario Kart, Star Wars, superheroes, etc. It doesn’t have to be complicated to be fun!
- Build hype with teaser videos or flyers, revealing what the race will look like and who’s racing (bonus points for letting kids vote on costume options).
- Design checkpoints or obstacles with fun visuals—think cones, stars, flags, or cardboard “power-ups”.
- Film the race and share it with families and on social media. Better yet, use the footage to build hype for next year’s fundraiser!
This laugh-out-loud fundraiser incentive showed students their efforts had a direct impact…and that even principals will get a little goofy!
Pie the Principal (or Teacher!): Banks Primary & Hood-Case Elementary
At Banks Primary County School, top fundraisers were treated to an unforgettable Pie the Teacher Assembly! The highest earners from each grade got to deliver a sweet whipped cream pie—right to the face—in front of their cheering classmates.
The event was a crowd favorite. It celebrated student success and created a school-wide buzz that had everyone talking.
Staff joined in with big smiles and ponchos, while families followed along through photos and video.
It was the perfect way to recognize top fundraisers and remind everyone that every dollar counts.
At Hood-Case Elementary, the Color Run got an extra burst of excitement when students earned the chance to pie their principal. Goggles on, the principal took pies to the face in front of the whole school. Laughter, high-fives, and unforgettable memories followed. The challenge was tied to a fundraising milestone, motivating students to meet — and beat — their goals.
Pro Tips for a Pie-tastic Fundraising Reward:
- Keep it simple and safe: Use whipped cream in foil pie tins or compostable plates—no crusts needed!
- Protect your pie-ees: Ponchos and swim goggles go a long way for comfort (and cleanup).
- Tie pies to donation milestones: Reward top individual fundraisers, top-earning classes, or unlock a school-wide pie party once a goal is hit.
- Make it an assembly or livestream it so everyone can join in the fun, whether in person or online.
- Capture the moment: Share the photos and videos on your fundraiser page, school socials, or next year’s campaign kickoff—it builds excitement and gives your event a fun, recognizable identity.
Both Banks Primary and Hood-Case Elementary proved that a good laugh can be the perfect recipe for record-breaking results!
Silly String the Staff: Northlake Hills Elementary’s First FundHub Color Run
Northlake Hills Elementary hosted their first-ever Color Run with FundHub, and it was a wild success! They surpassed their original goal and were well on their way to doubling what they had raised through catalog sales in previous years.
Their fundraiser prize idea? Students covering their teachers in silly string whenever their class reached its donation goal—an easy, joyful incentive that kept energy high and donations rolling in.
Tips for a Successful Silly String Fundraising Reward
- Buy in Bulk: Stock up on silly string early—look for multi-packs online or check with party supply stores.
- Pick the Right Spot: Designate a safe, outdoor area like the blacktop or grassy field. It makes cleanup easier.
- Set Clear Goals: Tie the reward to specific fundraising milestones—either per student, per class, or school-wide. Announce progress often to keep motivation high.
- Protect Your Staff: Have ponchos, goggles, or even shower caps ready for teachers and staff. Make it fun for them too!
- Capture the Moment: Invite parents to take photos or have someone record the action. These moments are gold for social media and next year’s promotion!
- Build Hype: Use announcements, countdowns, and posters to build excitement. Let students know who they’ll get to spray and when.
- Plan Cleanup: Have trash bags, paper towels, and access to water on hand.
Principals are the G.o.a.t
Who says fundraising can’t get a little wild? At Republic Middle School, students smashed their $20,000 goal, bringing in an amazing $27,000, and got to watch their principal kiss a pig (and even shave his head!) at a celebratory assembly!
Over at Eisenhower Elementary [picture] and again at Spout Springs School of Enrichment, students got to witness the unforgettable sight of their principals smooching a goat! It’s proof that a little creativity and a LOT of laughter can turn fundraising into something students can’t wait to be part of again.
Tips for Pulling Off a “Kiss the Animal” Fundraising Reward
- Get your principal on board early: The magic only works if they’re genuinely game for some messy fun, so confirm their comfort level and what type of animal they’re willing to smooch!
- Partner with a trusted local farm or petting zoo: Reach out to a nearby farm that’s experienced with school visits and ensure the animal is friendly, well-handled, and up to date on health checks.
- Keep it safe (and sanitary): Designate a calm space for the big moment, have hand sanitizer ready, and remind everyone that the kiss is more of a “gentle smooch” than a Hollywood moment.
- Build excitement along the way: Announce progress updates (“We’re $500 away from the big kiss!”) to keep students engaged and donations rolling in.
- Make the reveal a celebration: Plan a fun assembly or outdoor event where everyone can cheer, snap photos, and enjoy the payoff together.
- Add a few backup ideas, just in case!: In the event your chosen animal can’t make it (weather, logistics, etc.), have a backup plan, like a “pie in the face” moment or a silly costume day for the principal.
Principal Food Transformations: Riverview Elementary
At Riverview Elementary, fundraising rewards gets deliciously ridiculous. Their annual tradition? Turning their principal into a human taco, a sundae, or even a Caesar salad—all in front of the entire school!
This hilarious event has become a community favorite, drawing families, staff, and local supporters each year. Not only does it bring massive laughs, but it also fuels impressive fundraising results and school spirit like nothing else.
More Funny Food-Inspired Incentive Ideas:
- Human Sundae – Students add chocolate syrup, whipped cream, sprinkles, and a cherry hat!
- Walking Taco Principal: Have your principal sit in a kiddie pool while students take turns covering them in cheese, salsa, and tortilla chips.
- Caesar Salad Staff – Complete with a toga, croutons, and parmesan rain.
- Cotton Candy Hairdo – Stick cotton candy on a volunteer’s hairnet-covered head.
Principal Works from the Roof: Switzer PTO’s FunD Run
Switzer PTO turned heads—and raised the roof—by making their principal work from the school rooftop after crushing their FunD Run goal. With the help of FundHub, they raised an incredible $41,700, and the entire school got to see their principal take his laptop (and a whole lot of school spirit) to new heights.
Instead of a sleepover – which is another great idea! – this version of the challenge had the principal conducting business as usual—meetings, announcements, and even lunch—all from the rooftop. It created a buzz of excitement throughout the school and gave families a fun reason to keep donating.
How to Make Your “Principal on the Roof” Challenge Happen:
- Set the incentive: Pick a big but achievable goal (e.g., total donation goal reach) to unlock the rooftop reward. Announce it early to build momentum.
- Track progress with FundHub: Use FundHub to track donations in real time and keep the school community engaged.
- Promote the challenge: Generate buzz with teaser videos, email newsletters, daily announcements, and countdown posts on social media.
- Pick a time that works for your team: Laketown opted for an after-school roof reading reward, but your team might decide to have your principal camp out during the day! Whether it’s during or after school hours, choose the time that works best for your staff’s schedule.
- Document the fun: Live-stream the principal setting up shop or post short clips throughout the day—working, waving to kids, or reading rooftop shoutouts.
Make Your Next Fundraiser Hilariously Successful
Big incentives don’t just raise more money. They build school spirit, spark joy, and create memories that last for years.
From silly string showdowns to rooftop adventures to principals dressed as tacos, these laugh-out-loud rewards turn fundraising into something students will never forget.
Looking for a way to take YOUR school fundraiser to the next level? Our online donation platform, FundHub, gives you built-in donation tracking, visual goal displays, and easy-to-share updates to keep students and families engaged, from kickoff to the final celebration.
Ready to raise more (and have fun doing it)? Schedule your FREE FundHub demo at the link below!
