What’s the secret to a school fundraiser that keeps students engaged and excited, from kickoff all the way to the finish line? 

A clear, measurable challenge to beat. 

For lots of schools using FundHub, that challenge is the 50 State Challenge.  

In this blog, we’re explaining exactly how your PTO/A board can use this idea to inject enthusiasm (and a little friendly competition!) into your next school fundraiser, while simultaneously keeping students involved at every step. 

What Is the 50 State Challenge? 

The 50 State Challenge is exactly what it sounds like: students collect at least one donation from every U.S. state before your school fundraiser wraps up! 

The challenge transforms school fundraising into a shared adventure that reaches grandparents in Florida, cousins in Oregon, and family friends scattered across the country. 

You might be wondering, “How could my school keep track of so many nationwide donations?!” Great news! When your school hosts your fundraiser on FundHub, tracking progress is just a click away. The online donation platform features a real-time donation map that lights up each time a new state sends a donation, so students can watch their school’s success spread across the country in real time. 

Why It Works: Fundraising with a Shared Mission

The 50 State Challenge works because it gives students, staff, and family members a fun way to measure fundraising success in something other than dollars. Instead of focusing only on the amount donated, schools create a visual story of progress that everyone can understand and participate in! 

Riverview Elementary proved how powerful visual reminders can be when they raised $23,995 using the 50 State Challenge, and kept an incredible 96% profit! How did they promote this challenge? With a DIY hallway map that allowed all students to keep track of which states contributed, and which ones were still up for grabs.  

The best part? You don’t need to create your donation map from scratch. With FundHub’s predesigned templates and real-time tools, it’s easier than ever to track progress and provide donation updates, moment by moment. 

The 50 State Challenge is also a great motivator for student families. Parents love sharing the challenge with relatives across the country, which helps spread awareness and support way beyond the school’s local community. Students get to track the states they’ve helped unlock, teachers cheer them on, and the whole school gets to celebrate when a new ‘state’ donates! 

50 State Challenge Success Stories: Real Schools, Real Results 

Schools of all sizes have used the 50 State Challenge to reach record-breaking fundraising totals. 

Alta Vista Elementary set a goal of $50,000 and ended up raising $56,795, keeping 100% of in-school donations and 95% of online donations through FundHub. Their PTA credited the challenge for helping them raise $20,000 more than the previous year! 

Rosemeade Elementary opted for a Cash Drive-style fundraiser, which worked wonderfully with the 50 State challenge layout. Excited students rallied together to strategically pull in donations from all 50 states, blowing past their fundraising goal of $18,000 and raising $19,545!  

Find more examples below, including strategies for promoting the challenge that you can bring to your next fundraiser!

Make It Manageable: Breaking the Map into Regions 

If 50 states feels like a big number, take a note from Holy Redeemer School. They divided the U.S. map into regions (West, Midwest, South, and East) and had a mini celebration each time the school ‘filled in’ a region. 

By helping students focus on a smaller area of the map first, it made the challenge feel achievable while still keeping everyone motivated to complete the whole 50 state map.  

It’s a simple but smart way to make the challenge more digestible for students while aiming for the full 50-state finish line! 

50 State Challenge Fundraising Incentives That Keep Students Engaged 

The best part of the 50 State Challenge is how easy it is to build creative, school-wide incentives around it. Schools that complete the challenge have found some unforgettable ways to celebrate. 

At Homestead Elementary, the principal became a human sundae once the final state came in–and even followed up by shaving his head!  

Gulf Breeze Elementary took a slightly different route and had their principal kiss a pig, which quickly became an unforgettable story among students and staff.  

And at Chandler Oaks Elementary, students earned the right to turn their principal into a human taco when the 50 States map was complete. Their celebration video even became one of the year’s most-viewed social posts! 

Each school’s version of an incentive looked a little different, but they all shared the same energy and excitement. When every new state lights up, the anticipation builds…but you don’t have to wait for the final donation to roll out rewards (literally)! At Scarbourough Academy, students were surprised with a rolling cart of delicious snacks and treats every time a student successfully captured a donation from a new state. This sweet idea kept classrooms energized and eager to pull in more funds for weeks on end. 

How to Set Up Your 50 State Challenge on FundHub 

Setting up your challenge on FundHub takes just a few steps: 

1. Launch your fundraiser. Once your fundraiser is live, FundHub automatically tracks which states your donations are coming from. 
2. Announce the challenge. Use FundHub’s predesigned flyers, posters, and social media graphics to share your goal. Every design can be customized with your school name and event details. 
3. Keep your map visible. The real-time donation map updates instantly, showing which states have joined and which are still waiting. You can also print a large version for your hallway so students can color in each state as it’s unlocked! 
4. Celebrate progress. Each time a new state receives a donation, make a school announcement or post an update online. Recognition keeps the excitement going and motivates families to continue sharing. 

The $1,000 Grant Opportunity 

In case you needed one more reason to join the challenge: for every ten schools that complete the 50 State Challenge on FundHub each year, one is randomly selected to win a $1,000 grant. It’s a fun way to reward schools that go the distance. The pride of completing the challenge is already huge, but the chance to earn an extra $1,000 makes it even more rewarding. Marshall Elementary, Tonawanda Elementary, John Wetten, and Julington Creek have all earned recognition as 50 State Challenge Winners in recent years. Could your school be next?! 

Ready to Raise Donations from All 50 States??

The 50 State Challenge turns a typical fundraiser into a nationwide adventure by connecting your school community, giving families a clear goal, and making every new donation feel like part of something bigger. 

If your PTO/A group is ready to take your next fundraiser to the next level, FundHub is the simplest way to get started. The built-in map, predesigned templates, and real-time tracking tools make it easy to organize and fun to follow. 

Your school could be next on the map…so get started, get sharing, and get ready to celebrate when all 50 states are filled in! 

The post The 50 State Challenge: A Nationwide Fundraising Adventure appeared first on Get Movin' Fundraising.

December Fundraising Ideas for Schools: Fun Runs to Holiday Shops

December is one of the best times of year to bring your school community together — full of joy, energy, and opportunities to give back. Between the twinkling lights, cozy cocoa, and end-of-semester excitement, schools can harness that festive spirit to fund the programs that matter most.

Whether you’re organizing a holiday-themed Fun Run, a Winter Olympics challenge, or your school’s annual Holiday Shop, there are plenty of creative ways to combine fun and fundraising — especially when you’re using FundHub to track donations, manage incentives, and reach supporters near and far.

Festive Fundraiser Themes to Light Up December

Holiday-themed fundraisers are a great way to keep students active and engaged when winter sets in. Here are a few crowd-favorite themes schools love to host during December.

Winter Wonderland Walk-Athon

Turn your track or gym into a sparkling scene of lights and snowflakes. Add soft holiday music and encourage festive outfits like scarves, hats, and light-up accessories. Use FundHub to set individual and classroom donation goals, track progress in real time, and reward milestones with winter-themed incentives — from fuzzy socks to classroom hot cocoa parties!

Winter Olympics Challenge

Bring the excitement of the Winter Games to your school!

For active events:

Set up winter-inspired stations like a snowball toss, sled relay, or “curling” with beanbags. Use your gym space for obstacle courses and relay races. One school using FundHub hosted “Music in the Halls” as a movement incentive — when donation goals were met, upbeat songs played between classes. Another transformed their hallways into a playful obstacle adventure with hallway limbo, DIY balance beams, and even “Pin the Mustache on the Principal.” FundHub made it easy to track donations by class and celebrate every milestone along the way.

For a Read-Athon twist:

Turn reading goals into “Olympic events.” Each book, chapter, or reading milestone earns a medal or point for the student’s “country” (classroom or grade). FundHub can track total minutes read and classroom standings — just like a real medal count! Top readers can “advance to the podium” and earn fun prizes like snowflake medals or a class movie day.

Real School Spotlight — Millcreek Elementary’s Winter Sports Read-Athon
Millcreek Elementary took this idea to another level with their Winter Sports Read-Athon, giving students an unforgettable Olympic-themed experience. As a celebration for hitting their fundraising goal, students were surprised with limousine rides from the school to the County Ice Center, where they skated with Derek Parra, a U.S. speed skater and gold medalist from the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. Derek won gold in the 1500m and silver in the 5000m events — and shared stories of perseverance and teamwork that inspired every kid on the ice.

The best part? Local businesses donated the limousine rides, ice time, and skate rentals, while Derek Parra and the Utah Olympic Oval generously donated their time. It was a perfect example of how community partnerships, creativity, and FundHub’s simple donation management can come together to create a truly magical experience for students.

Frosty Fun Run

Bundle up for this cool schoolwide event! Students dress in fun, weather-appropriate costumes — think snowmen, elves, or reindeer — and complete their laps to festive tunes. End the event with a hot chocolate party for everyone.

With FundHub, families can donate online before and during the run, classrooms can compete for top fundraiser spots, and you can share your success on the live event dashboard. A Frosty Fun Run isn’t just a fitness event — it’s a memory-maker that builds excitement right before winter break.

Jingle Jog (Warm-Weather Edition)

If your school’s December feels more like sunshine than snow, a Jingle Jog with foam is the perfect way to celebrate the season without the cold!

Imagine students racing or dancing through clouds of bubbly foam as festive music plays and bright garlands decorate the course. Santa hats, elf ears, or even reindeer antlers paired with sunglasses make for perfect holiday photo ops. The foam adds that magical “snow” effect without a single flake — just pure fun and laughter.

Use FundHub to bring this event to life and make it easy for families to get involved:

• Create an online donation page where supporters can contribute and watch progress build in real time.
• Set milestone incentives that fit the weather — like popsicle parties, festive outdoor picnics, or a school-wide foam finale for hitting your goal.
• Show live leaderboards to spark friendly competition between classrooms or grades.

The Jingle Jog is an ideal warm-weather alternative that keeps the holiday cheer alive. It’s easy to host, great for photos, and perfect for communities that want to pair fun, movement, and fundraising under blue skies. With FundHub managing donations, incentives, and updates, your sunny “snow day” practically runs itself.

What is the School Holiday Shop?

A unique pop-up shop set up within school premises, this allows students to step into the role of thoughtful shoppers, selecting gifts for family and friends. It’s not just about the funds, but the whole experience it offers.

A school Holiday Shop is a long-standing tradition — students love picking out gifts for family and friends, and parent groups love the excitement it brings to the halls. But when you connect your Holiday Shop to your FundHub fundraiser, it becomes much more than a week of shopping — it becomes the culmination of your entire December campaign.

Instead of running a Holiday Shop as a separate event, make it the reward and wrap-up for your FundHub fundraiser. This approach keeps all your momentum in one place, builds excitement leading up to the shop, and helps your school raise significantly more.

How It Works

1. Launch your main FundHub fundraiser first.
   Whether it’s a Frosty Fun Run, Read-Athon, or Winter Olympics Challenge, let students raise donations through FundHub during the first part of December.
2. Tie shop perks directly to FundHub incentives.
   FundHub automatically tracks donations and milestones, so you can reward fundraising success with Holiday Shop privileges:
   • Students who raise $25 get early shopping access.
   • Students who raise $50 earn a $5 shop credit.
   • Top classes get a bonus shopping time slot or extra spending credit.
3. Host the Holiday Shop as the grand finale.
   The shop becomes a reward experience for students’ hard work. They see a direct connection between their efforts and the fun of shopping — reinforcing the purpose of fundraising while keeping it engaging.

Why It Works So Well

• It motivates students. When kids know their fundraising earns them shop perks, participation naturally increases.
• It keeps everything in one system. FundHub tracks all donations, credits, and incentives, so you don’t have to manage separate spreadsheets.
• It drives higher totals. Schools that integrate their shop into their FundHub campaign consistently report stronger results than those that run both independently.

Go Further with FundHub!

When your Holiday Shop ties into your FundHub fundraiser, it becomes more than a seasonal activity. Students see the excitement of earning rewards. Teachers see the impact of the funds raised. Your parent group ends the year proud, organized, and successful.

With FundHub, your December holiday event breaks free from the school’s physical boundaries. Now, you have the power to collect online donations from anywhere in the world. This global outreach can significantly amplify the support for your themed fundraisers, be it a Snowy Sprint, Winter Wonderland Walk-a-thon, Festive Fun Run, or Jingle Bell Jog!

The post December School Fundraisers + Holiday Shops appeared first on Get Movin' Fundraising.

Creating a Fall Fundraiser that Delivers

Turkey Trot season is here! Schools across the country are gearing up to host these popular November events, raising funds and school spirit while keeping students active. A Turkey Trot can be more than just a Fun Run—it’s a way to engage your entire school and meet your fundraising goals. Whether you’re hosting your first trot or looking to enhance an established event, we’ve got you covered with essential tips and ways to make your Turkey Trot even MORE fun! 

The Essentials for a Successful Turkey Trot 

Before you break out your turkey costume, here are five things you need to know to lay the groundwork for an unforgettable event. 

1. Set a Clear Goal: Define how much you want to raise and what the funds will support—this keeps students and families motivated. 
2. Use a Registration and Donation Platform: With FundHub, schools get an all-in-one toolbox for fundraising. Families can easily register students online, share personalized donation pages, and track progress in real time. Plus, the Online Donation Map adds an extra layer of excitement by showing support coming in from all over the county.  
3.  Promote the Event Effectively: Share event details in newsletters, on social media, and with flyers. FundHub gives schools a ready-to-go Event Toolbox and Dynamic Flyers, so you can create custom event materials without starting from scratch.  
4. Offer Incentives and Prizes: Drive participation with fun challenges and exciting rewards. Themed prizes or extra recess can work wonders! Or, get your admin involved—have your principal dress in a turkey costume as a reward for reaching your school-wide donation goal. 
5. Plan for Safety: Make sure your route is clearly marked, volunteers know their places, and everyone is aware of the day’s schedule.  

6 Ways to Make Your Turkey Trot Even More Fun and Profitable 

Students? Check. School spirit? Check. Taking your Turkey Trot from fun to fantastic? Keep reading!  

1. Get the Principal Involved in a Big Way

At Desert Vista Elementary, the principal dressed up in an inflatable turkey costume and greeted students at drop-off and pick-up. It created buzz among students and parents and participation skyrocketed! 

2. Create a Fun Incentive: Pumpkin + whipped cream Pie in the Face

At Crosswind Elementary, if students met their goal, the principal would get a pie in the face during the awards ceremony. This creative incentive built enthusiasm and helped them surpass their fundraising goal. Their kick-off video was a hit with families, and they quickly raised enough to fund all PTA programs! 

3. Host a Student Logo Design Contest

Mokapu Elementary has been hosting their Turkey Trot with FundHub since 2019 and has consistently met or exceeded their goals. One year, they boosted excitement by running a student logo design contest for the event. This not only increased engagement but also gave students a sense of ownership and personal involvement with the event!

4. Don’t Be Afraid to Put a Unique Spin on Your Turkey Trot 

Want to take your Turkey Trot to another galaxy? St. John Vianney School’s Trot Wars turned their fundraiser into a cosmic adventure full of teamwork, competition, and fun. Students were divided into themed teams: The First Order (Red), Mandalorians (Green), Jedi Order (Blue), and Droids (Yellow). Then, in a hilarious twist, school teachers, staff, and parish members joined as The Galactic Republic (Orange)! 

Over six weeks, students completed “planet challenges” to earn Intergalactic Passport Stamps, leading up to the big Turkey Trot finale. Epic prizes added extra motivation: think Star Wars droids, LEGO Millennium Falcon sets, and even Principal for a Day! 

5. Involve Local Businesses for Community Support

Engage local businesses to sponsor your event or donate prizes. Offer sponsorship packages with logo placement on T-shirts, banners, or social posts. Sponsorships are especially valuable during the holiday season, right before Black Friday and holiday shopping. 

With FundHub, you can feature your sponsors on a dedicated section of the school webpage with clickable links to their businesses, making it easy for families to engage with the businesses that support your event!

6. Day-of Donation Push: “Final Lap Challenge”

Did you know the day of your event is a huge day for bringing in donations? By providing live updates, you can significantly increase the amount of donations raised on the day of your event!

1. Real-Time Goal Updates: Announce fundraising progress on social media throughout the event to build excitement. Include your community webpage link for people to donate right to your school without donating to an individual student!
2. Mini Challenges: Offer a fun incentive like, “Raise $500 more, and the principal will finish the race in a turkey costume!” Or, if we get 20 more social share today, then we will have a pie eating contest between the teachers!
3. Social Media Sharing: Encourage attendees to post live updates with the donation link for their students or classroom!

These quick strategies create urgency, engage participants, and ensure a final donation surge before the event ends!

Make This Year’s Turkey Trot Unforgettable

Whether you’re hosting a Turkey Trot or some version of this classic event, your school’s fall fundraiser can be fun AND profitable when you plan with purpose. With the right tools, clear goals, and creative ideas, PTOs can engage students and their families while raising funds and making a difference.  

Explore FundHub today and see how our all-in-one online platform, complete with personalized coaching, dynamic flyers and easy donation tracking, can help your school raise more with less stress! 

The post Let’s Talk Turkey Trots appeared first on Get Movin' Fundraising.

Fun Fall Read-Athon Ideas for Schools & Parent Groups

Yes, it’s true — a School Read-Athon is traditionally a springtime favorite. But here’s the secret more and more schools are discovering: fall is actually one of the best seasons to host one! Between fresh back-to-school energy, Scholastic book fairs, and the natural coziness of autumn, it’s the perfect time to build a fundraiser that families will love.

If you’re a PTO, PTA, or parent group leader looking for an engaging way to raise funds and support literacy, a Fall Read-Athon might just be your golden ticket.

Why Fall is the Perfect Time for a Read-Athon

When you’re planning your school’s fundraising calendar, fall often feels crowded: Fun Runs, spirit wear sales, and holiday events are competing for attention. That’s exactly why a Read-Athon works so well — it’s flexible, inclusive, and can tie into the season in ways other events can’t.

A fall Read-Athon helps schools:

• Build reading routines early. Hosting in September or October sets the tone for the whole school year.
• Pair with book fairs. Scholastic fairs are already happening — a Read-Athon makes the perfect companion event.
• Engage every student. Reading is an activity all students can enjoy, whether they read independently or are read to by parents, grandparents, or siblings.
• Celebrate the season. Kids (and families!) love a theme. Lean into fall’s cozy, festive energy.

Cozy Fall-Themed Read-Athon Ideas

Here are five tried-and-true fall Read-Athon themes, complete with real-life school examples to inspire your own event!

Fall Into a Good Book

Village Elementary Charter hosted “Fall Into Reading” and set simple but powerful goals: each student aimed to read (or be read to) for 20 minutes a day for 10 days. Parents and teachers logged minutes on FundHub, and the results were inspiring:

• $13,900+ raised
• 32,000+ minutes read
• Top readers got a pizza lunch with the principal
• $250+ earners spun a prize wheel stocked with local business donations (see below!)

This theme works beautifully in September or October. It’s easy to promote with fall imagery (leaves, cozy blankets, pumpkins) and simple to track with FundHub’s Activity Counter.

Spooktacular Stories

Calvin Smith Elementary leaned into Halloween with a Spooktacular Read-Athon that delivered major results:

• $23,600+ raised
• 37,400+ minutes read
• Top earners mummified the principal in toilet paper
• Top readers earned bags of new books
• A winning grade enjoyed a spooky movie + popcorn night

They even planned a pajama-and-blanket reading day where the whole school turned into one big cozy story time, check it out below. Halloween themes like this are a natural win in October. Add in costume contests and spooky decorations to make it extra memorable.

Fall Frenzy: Read or Run

Edward C. Killin Elementary combined two of the most popular fundraisers — the Fun Run and the Read-Athon — into one Fall Frenzy event. Students could choose to participate by reading, running, or both. Check out their promo below, which they combined with a Superhero theme!

This is a great way to engage students with different interests and abilities. Some kids thrive on movement, others love books, and giving both options ensures high participation and inclusivity for your event.

Gobble Up a Good Book

Point Fermin Elementary turned November into reading month with their Gobble Gobble Read-Athon. Their results were jaw-dropping:

• $38,000+ raised
• 197,678 minutes read (!!)
• Participation and donation supported by an awesome Read-Athon bingo game!

Hosting a Read-Athon in November is a fun alternative to a Turkey Trot. Pair it with a gratitude theme or encourage students to read books about family, thankfulness, and community. Check out the Point Fermin event video for more ideas!

Polar Express Read-Athon

Jack Elementary makes December magical with their annual Polar Express Read-Athon. The event has become a beloved tradition, raising over $20,000 each year and inspiring students to read 190,000+ minutes in just one month.

The extras are what set a December Read-Athon apart:

• Hot chocolate bar and visits from Santa
• Gift-wrapping station for book fair purchases
• Milestone prizes like Whoville visitors, the principal dressed as Elf on the Shelf, and even a spring foam party for meeting the overall goal (all examples from Jack Elementary!)
• Student-led “Conductor Club” holding signs at pickup to boost registrations (check out those helpful elves below!)

December is often short on fundraising days due to winter break. A Read-Athon is easy to manage, can run mostly at home, and keeps students engaged in the midst of holiday excitement.

Tracking Student Reading with FundHub

Running a Read-Athon doesn’t have to be complicated. With FundHub, your school gets:

• Activity Counter to log and track reading minutes in real time
• Chairperson Dashboard to monitor donations and participation at a glance
• Automated communication tools to keep parents engaged and updated
• Flexible prize tracking to reward readers for both minutes and donations

Use FundHub’s reports to spotlight top readers and classrooms. Recognition goes a long way in keeping momentum high!

Get Movin’ Fundraising has helped thousands of schools run successful Read-Athons. Whether you want to “Fall Into a Good Book” or host Spooktacular Storytime, we’ll equip you with the tools and support to make your event easy, fun, and profitable.

Schedule a Demo Today and see how FundHub can power your next Read-Athon.

The post From Spooky Stories to Polar Express: Fall Read-Athon Themes Students Love appeared first on Get Movin' Fundraising.

A Complete PTO/A Guide for Meet the Teacher Night (or Any Back-to-School Event)

Whether your school hosts a Meet the Teacher Night, Back-to-School Bash, Open House, or something totally unique—this is one of the best opportunities your PTO or PTA has to make a powerful first impression.

Families are walking into the school eager to connect, understand how things work, and find out how they can get involved. This is your chance to introduce your group, build early trust, and show how parent involvement (even in small ways) helps make the school year better for everyone. You don’t need a Pinterest-worthy display. Just bring a warm welcome, a few key materials, and a clear message—and you’ll walk away with new supporters ready to make a difference. This guide will walk you through what you need to know as a PTO/A Leader.

1. Show Up & Be Visible

Parents can’t get involved with your PTO or PTA if they don’t know you exist. Visibility is everything at back-to-school events, and simply being present in a friendly, approachable way can go a long way toward building relationships.

Consider creating a unified look for your volunteers with matching shirts, name tags, or “Ask Me About the PTO” buttons. Set up in a central location—near the entrance, registration table, or wherever families are sure to pass by. If there’s a microphone moment or principal welcome, ask to briefly introduce your board and invite families to stop by your table afterward.

Takeaway Tips:

• Wear something that signals you’re part of the PTO or PTA.
• Set up where parents naturally gather—think entryways and food tables.
• Use music, food, or giveaways to draw parent’s attention [who doesn’t love a free snack?!).
• Add a fun photo booth with props and a school-themed backdrop to attract families to your table and create shareable moments.

2. Create a Welcoming, Purposeful Table

Your PTO or PTA table doesn’t need to be elaborate, but it should be intentional. Use a colorful sign or banner that clearly identifies who you are and why families should stop by. Think beyond flyers—add photos, visuals of what you fund, and a few easy call-to-actions to get parents connected.

Key things to include: a tri-fold or flyer that outlines what your PTO or PTA supports, QR codes that link to your volunteer form or website, and a sign-up sheet with low-pressure ways to get involved. Sweeten the deal with candy, small prizes, or a raffle for those who sign up.

This is also a great place to sell school spirit wear or other merchandise! Have a small display of items available for purchase or pre-order—T-shirts, water bottles, magnets, or whatever your group offers. If you’re using a platform to sell online, include a QR code to make checkout fast and easy.

Takeaway Tips:

• Keep your materials clean, bright, and clutter-free.
• Visuals are more powerful than text—show what your group does.
• Make it interactive with a drawing, quick game, or themed photo booth.
• Use this space to showcase and sell PTO/PTA-branded merchandise.

3. Share What You Do—and Why It Matters

One of the best ways to get parents involved is to clearly explain what your group supports and how it impacts their child. Create a visual display or short handout that lists specific things you’ve funded recently—field trips, classroom supplies, assemblies, school dances, teacher grants, and more.

Make it personal. Include a “Why We Volunteer” sign with photos or quotes from board members and volunteers. Show that there’s a place for every parent, whether they have one hour a month or a few minutes to share a fundraising page online.

Takeaway Tips:

• Use real examples from your school to show impact.
• Break down how funds are raised and where the money goes.
• Include quotes or quick testimonials from past volunteers.

4. Give Families an Easy Way to Get Involved

Make it simple for families to take action. Have a low-pressure sign-up form or QR code they can scan to become a member, join your email list, or follow your social media accounts. Avoid overwhelming them with big commitments—use language like “Join Our Interest List” or “Learn More About Volunteering.”

Offer a menu of micro-volunteering opportunities: helping at one event, sharing a post, prepping materials at home, or donating a few supplies. The goal is to help parents see that any level of involvement is welcome and appreciated.

Takeaway Tips:

• Meet people where they are—start with small asks.
• Use QR codes to streamline follow-up.
• Offer both online and paper sign-up options.

5. Start the Fundraiser Conversation Early

If you’ve already booked your fundraiser, Meet the Teacher Night is the perfect time to give families a preview. Share your event name and dates, and let parents know how they can get involved from day one. A flyer or handout with your registration link and a QR code makes it easy for families to take action right away.

If you’re using FundHub, you can show parents exactly how the platform works—how easy it is to register, create a page, and share it via text, email, or social media. You’ll boost early engagement and help parents feel confident from the start. Even better? FundHub has ready-to-use flyers—including one designed just for this type of early promotion. It’s perfect for a soft launch of your fundraiser, giving parents a chance to register before the event officially begins. This way, your team builds momentum early and has more time to reach your goals.

Takeaway Tips:

• Use a simple visual or flyer to introduce your fundraiser.
• Share your goals and how the money will be used.
• Direct families to register early with your FundHub event link or QR code.

Start Strong, Stay Connected

Back-to-school events like Meet the Teacher Night are powerful moments for building trust, creating connections, and setting the tone for a year of collaboration. With just a little preparation, your PTO, PTA, or Booster Club can show up with purpose—welcoming families, sharing your impact, and inviting them to be part of something meaningful.

The best part? You don’t have to do it all at once. Start with small, personal interactions. Offer clear ways to get involved. Share your goals, your fundraiser, and how every family can contribute in a way that works for them. By getting organized early—and using tools like FundHub to simplify the process—you give your team the confidence, clarity, and momentum to create a successful year from day one!

The post A Complete PTO/A Guide for Meet the Teacher Night appeared first on Get Movin' Fundraising.

Boost Read-Athon Donations Through Classroom Participation

Planning a School Read-Athon? Don’t Forget About Your Teachers!

When planning a school fundraiser, we often focus on the students, parents, and donors—but there’s another group that can make a big difference for your event: your teachers! Teachers have a unique influence on students, and their involvement can significantly drive donations and participation in your Read-Athon fundraiser. Let’s explore why teachers love Read-Athons and how you can involve them to maximize your fundraising success!

Why Teachers Love Read-Athons

Teachers naturally gravitate toward activities that enhance student learning, and Read-Athons are a perfect match. These fundraisers combine literacy promotion with effective fundraising, making them a favorite among educators. Here’s why teachers love Read-Athons—and why administrators should, too.

(Tip: These points are great to have in hand when getting admin approval for your event!)

1. An Educational Activity They Can Get Behind

Teachers care deeply about their students’ academic growth. Unlike fundraisers that involve selling candy or gift wrap, a Read-Athon is centered on improving literacy—a foundational skill that impacts every subject.

• The Need: Reading scores have been on a decline since COVID, with educators nationwide seeking ways to boost literacy.
• The Impact: Read-Athons promote a school-wide focus on reading, giving teachers a reason to talk about its importance every day.

Read-Athons create excitement around books, encouraging students to read more while helping schools raise much-needed funds. It’s a win-win.

2. Easy Integration Into the Classroom

Teachers are busy, and they appreciate fundraisers that fit naturally into their lesson plans without adding extra work. Read-Athons do just that:

• Storytime: Reading aloud to the class? Those reading minutes count!
• Independent Reading: Silent reading time can be logged toward classroom totals.
• Group Activities: Reading circles and book discussions contribute to the overall reading goals.

3. Motivating Students With Fun Rewards

Teachers love watching their students set and achieve goals. Read-Athons make it easy to incentivize both reading and donations!

Here are a few ways teachers can encourage participation:

• Daily Shout-Outs: Teachers can highlight students who hit their reading or donation goals.
• Classroom Rivalries: A little competition between classrooms can ignite a fun, goal-driven environment. The Classroom Leaderboard on FundHub makes this easy to track in real-time!
• Reward Variety: From extra recess to a pizza party or certificates, teachers can help celebrate milestones big and small.

How to Boost Donations Through Classroom Participation

Teaming up with Get Movin’ Fundraising makes it simple for teachers to actively participate in a Read-Athon. Our platform includes teacher dashboards designed to make their participation easy and impactful. With FundHub, teachers can:

• Track reading minutes for their entire classroom or individual students.
• Monitor progress toward classroom donation goals.
• Celebrate successes with students in real-time, creating excitement and motivation as they work together to become top of the Classroom Leaderboard!

These tools empower teachers to stay engaged and drive student participation. Below are specific ways that the PTO/A can help teachers stay up-to-date and involved in your school Read-Athon!

1. Host a Read-Athon Guest Speaker Series

Invite teachers to bring their favorite children’s books to life. Not only does this build excitement, but it also promotes a love of reading across the school. Here’s how:

• Morning Announcements: Kick off the day with a teacher reading a chapter or excerpt from a beloved book.
• Assembly Readings: Incorporate live reading sessions into a kickoff assembly or event day.
• Virtual Storytime: Host online readings via Facebook Live to engage families and creating a special experience after school hours.

Pro Tip: Pair readings with fundraiser updates. For example, after a chapter reading, announce the top classroom for reading minutes or donations.

2. Recognize and Promote Achievements

Teachers love celebrating their students, and the PTO can make it even better by supporting them with fun tools and competitions. One great idea? Track social shares and turn them into a class-wide challenge!

• Run Reports: Use tools like FundHub to see how many parents are sharing student webpages for each class.
• Create a Class Competition: Share the results with teachers and challenge classrooms to see who can get the most shares.
• Reward the Winners: Celebrate the top class with a fun prize like a pizza party, extra recess, or a raffle reward.

This simple addition keeps parents involved, teachers excited, and students motivated. Plus, it’s an easy way to boost donations!

3. Create Teacher Incentives

Teachers love a little recognition, too! Adding fun incentives for teachers can keep them motivated and excited to rally their classrooms. The PTO/A can set up simple rewards to show appreciation for their hard work.

• Top Classroom Teacher Prize: Offer a gift card, lunch delivery, or even a special coffee run for the teacher whose class logs the most reading minutes or raises the most donations.
• Team Effort Reward: Celebrate all participating teachers with a group reward, like a casual lunch or treat day, if the school hits its overall goal.
• Fun Challenges: Encourage teachers to take on challenges for their classes, like dressing up as a character from a book or hosting a wacky theme day if their class reaches a milestone.

These small gestures go a long way in making teachers feel valued and creating a sense of fun and camaraderie during the fundraiser!

Raise More with Teacher Engagement

Teachers are the secret ingredient to a successful Read-Athon. By offering tools like classroom webpages, social share tracking, and fun incentives, you can keep teachers and students motivated throughout your fundraiser.

Want to see all the ways FundHub makes it easy for teachers to get involved? Book a FundHub Demo today and discover how our platform can help your school raise more!

The post Teachers Love Read-Athons appeared first on Get Movin' Fundraising.

Creative Ways to Celebrate Love and Kindness at Your School!

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about candy and cards—it’s a chance to emphasize kindness, gratitude, and togetherness. Schools can use this holiday to teach important values while hosting fun activities that encourage participation from students, teachers, and families.

If your PTO is organizing a fundraiser, Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to tie your efforts into the theme of love and kindness. For example, the Valentine Hills PTO’s annual “CARES-athon” combines acts of kindness with a two-week fundraiser. In 2024 they raises over $54,000—far surpassing their $45,000 goal. Their celebration culminated in a fun, active outdoor event for the students. Events like these not only raise funds but also create lasting memories for the entire school!

Whether you’re planning classroom activities, a schoolwide event, or tying Valentine’s Day into a larger fundraising goal, the possibilities are endless. With some thoughtful planning and a touch of creativity, your school can turn Valentine’s Day into a celebration that leaves a lasting impact on students, families, and the entire community. Let’s explore some fun, meaningful, and fundraising-friendly ideas to make this Valentine’s Day unforgettable!

7 Valentine’s Day Event Ideas for Parent Groups

1. Kindness Carnival

Valentine’s Day Kindness Carnival

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to focus on kindness. A “Kindness Carnival” is a fun way to teach students about empathy while helping others. Host it in your school gym, cafeteria, or multipurpose room. It works well as a morning or afternoon event and lasts about two hours. If you want it schoolwide, plan for two to three weeks to get everything ready.

Here are a few simple and meaningful stations to include:

• Valentine Cards: Provide paper, markers, and stickers for students to make cards for nursing home residents or hospital patients.
• Kindness Jars: Give students small jars and paper slips to write compliments or positive notes for their classmates.
• Cookie Decorating: Set out plain cookies, frosting, and sprinkles for kids to decorate. They can keep their cookies or donate them to local shelters or first responders.
• Kindness Tree: Make a large tree outline on poster board. Have students write acts of kindness on paper hearts and add them to the tree.

Ask parent volunteers to help with the stations and donate supplies like cookies and craft materials. Local businesses might also be willing to sponsor or donate items. To keep everything running smoothly, let groups of students rotate through the stations in short time slots. This ensures every student has time to participate without overcrowding the space. A Kindness Carnival is not only fun but also reinforces important values that tie perfectly into the Valentine’s Day theme.

2. Love-Athon: Fun with a Purpose

If your PTO is running a fundraiser, a Love-Athon is a fantastic way to bring energy and excitement to your campaign. To incorporate acts of kindness into your Love-Athon, consider these charitable activities for students:

• Assembling Care Packages: Set up a station where students can fill bags with essentials like toiletries, socks, snacks, and uplifting notes for a local homeless shelter.
• Creating Greeting Cards: Provide craft supplies for students to design Valentine’s Day cards or cheerful notes for residents at nursing homes, children in hospitals, or military service members.
• Food Drive Challenge: Include a station where students sort and organize canned goods and non-perishable items donated by families. These can be delivered to a local food pantry after the event.
• Planting Positivity: Have students decorate small pots and plant flowers or herbs that can be donated to a senior center or community garden.
• Toy or Book Collection: Ask students to bring gently used toys or books to donate to a local children’s charity or foster care.
• Neighborhood Cleanup: Depending on your school’s location, students can spend part of the day cleaning up the schoolyard or nearby park, collecting litter and leaving the area better than they found it.

Valentine Hills PTO set a great example with their “CARES-athon.” Families were encouraged to “show they care” by making donations and participating in acts of kindness, raising over $54,000 and making a tangible impact on their community.

To organize your Love-Athon, schedule activities that students can rotate through in small groups, ensuring every child has time to participate in both the active and charitable components. With thoughtful planning, this event not only raises funds but also reinforces the importance of helping others!

3. Thoughtful Gram Fundraiser: A Better Alternative to Candy Grams

Who doesn’t love receiving a little surprise on Valentine’s Day? While candy grams are a classic tradition, why not try a more unique and inclusive twist that spreads kindness without all the sugar? A “Thoughtful Gram” fundraiser allows students to send personalized messages, small tokens, or experiences to their friends, teachers, and family members in a creative way.

Here are some fresh ideas to replace or complement the traditional candy gram:

• Kindness Grams: Offer beautifully designed cards where students can write uplifting messages. Pair the cards with small, non-candy items like a friendship bracelet, mini eraser, or sticker. These simple tokens are meaningful and perfect for students who may not want candy.
• Plantable Seed Grams: Send a message of growth and love with plantable seed paper hearts. These eco-friendly grams let recipients plant their message and grow flowers or herbs.
• DIY Bookmark Grams: Provide customizable bookmarks that students can decorate and personalize with messages. These are practical, long-lasting, and tie perfectly into reading-related events like an “I Love to Read-Athon.”
• Charity Grams: For every gram purchased, donate a portion of the proceeds to a local charity. You can include a note letting the recipient know a donation was made in their honor. This turns the act of sending a gram into a way to give back.
• Glow Stick Grams: “You make my day brighter!” is the perfect message for a fun, candy-free gram that includes a single glow stick or glow bracelet. These are inexpensive, exciting for kids, and easy to assemble.
• Puzzle Piece Grams: Hand out mini puzzles where each piece has a kindness message. Recipients can assemble them to reveal the full note.

To make your Thoughtful Gram fundraiser seamless, set up a pre-order system where students can choose their gram type and write personalized messages. Offer a pickup or delivery option on Valentine’s Day, with students receiving their grams in class or at a designated location. Not only is this fundraiser a fun and engaging activity, but it also encourages creativity, connection, and kindness—making it a win-win for your school!

5. Valentine’s Day Craft Stations

Get creative with Valentine’s Day craft stations that allow students to make cards, friendship bracelets, or even kindness jars filled with positive affirmations. These activities can be done in classrooms or as part of a larger event.

Using pre-made Valentine craft kits can save time and ensure everyone has the materials they need. Whether the crafts are kept as keepsakes or shared as gifts, this is a fun and engaging way to celebrate the holiday.

6. Family Valentine Movie Night

A family movie night is a fantastic way to bring the whole school community together. Transform your gym or cafeteria into a cozy movie theater with comfortable seating, popcorn, and themed decorations. Choose a family-friendly movie with a Valentine’s or kindness theme, like Paddington 2 or The Peanuts Movie.

7. Heart-to-Heart Dance-Athon: A Valentine’s Day Fundraiser

Turn up the music and the fun with a Valentine’s-themed Dance-Athon fundraiser! This high-energy event combines the excitement of a dance party with the power of fundraising, making it perfect for elementary and middle school students. A Dance-Athon is not only engaging but also a fantastic way to get students moving, involved, and excited to support your school’s PTO.

Host the Dance-Athon in your school gym or cafeteria, transforming it into a Valentine’s dance floor with festive decorations like heart-shaped balloons, string lights, and themed backdrops. Encourage students to dress in festive Valentine’s colors like red, pink, or white to add to the atmosphere.

Include a photo booth with Valentine-themed props for keepsakes and memories. You can find affordable photo booth supplies here. For extra fun, organize dance games like freeze dance, dance battles, or a conga line challenge.

Valentine’s Day is a perfect opportunity to celebrate love, kindness, and community while supporting your school. Whether you’re hosting a fundraiser, organizing a craft party, or planning a schoolwide event, these ideas are sure to make your celebration a success

The post Sweet Ideas for Valentine’s Day appeared first on Get Movin' Fundraising.

Now that you’ve discovered your ultimate goal for 2025, it’s time to see how FundHub can help you achieve it! Take a quick online demo and see how FundHub’s tools make organizing and fundraising easier than ever.

From customizable fundraising pages to real-time donation tracking, FundHub helps you manage everything in one place. Engage your school, run successful events, and meet your fundraising goals.

The post Your 2025 Fundraising Goal appeared first on Get Movin' Fundraising.

Managing school fundraiser finances

Managing school fundraiser finances comes with a lot of responsibility—it’s more than just collecting donations. You track expenses, record everything properly, ensure compliance with IRS regulations, and keep all the paperwork organized. As the Group Treasurer for your PTO, booster club, or parent organization, you know how vital it is to stay organized. If you’re new to the role, it can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry—understanding financial literacy and using the right tools can make a huge difference.

Fundraising has evolved over the years, and so have the tools to help. Platforms like FundHub simplify what might seem like an overwhelming job—making it easier to track donations, manage receipts, handle tax compliance, and more. Whether you’re a seasoned Treasurer or just learning the ropes, combining financial knowledge with smart software can transform how you manage school fundraisers.

Let’s break down what a Group Treasurer does, why financial literacy is so important, and how using tools like FundHub can streamline your job!

The Role of a Group Treasurer: More Than Just Balancing the Books

The Group Treasurer is often the unsung hero of a successful fundraiser. You’re not just counting money—you’re responsible for ensuring every dollar is properly accounted for and that your school or group is complying with the law. Here are some of the key tasks you handle:

• Managing the Budget: Every fundraiser needs a plan, and it’s your job to create and manage the budget. You’ll outline expected income and expenses, track how the fundraiser is performing, and make sure that funds are being allocated correctly. Staying on top of the budget is critical to meeting your goals.
  
• Tracking Donations: Accurate tracking of donations is essential for transparency, financial accountability, and legal compliance. Whether donations come in through cash, checks, ACH transfers, or digital wallets like PayPal and Apple Pay, they need to be carefully logged and reported. For each donation, you should record:
  • Donor’s name and contact information
  • Donation amount
  • Payment method (cash, check, ACH, digital wallet)
  • Date received
  • Purpose of donation (e.g., specific project, general fund)
    
• Issuing Receipts: When a donor contributes $250 or more in a single donation, the IRS mandates that your organization provides a written acknowledgment, or receipt, for the donor to claim a tax deduction. If you fail to issue this receipt, the donor risks losing their tax benefits, and your organization may face scrutiny for non-compliance with IRS regulations.
  • Providing these receipts not only protects the donor but also demonstrates your organization’s transparency and professionalism. It ensures compliance with the IRS while building trust with your supporters, showing that your organization operates with integrity and follows all legal guidelines.
  • What to Include in a Receipt: To meet IRS requirements and maintain good standing, your receipt must include:
    • Organization’s name and full address
    • 501(c)(3) number (Tax-exempt status identifier)
    • Total donation amount
    • You must include a statement indicating whether any goods or services were provided in exchange for the donation.
      

IRS Compliance

Nonprofits, including school fundraising groups, are required to file annual tax returns with the IRS. Whether you file a Form 990-N, 990-EZ, or full Form 990 depends on your group’s income level, but an EIN is needed for all filings. This EIN ensures that your group’s tax returns and finances are associated with the right entity. The Federal EIN is a unique 9-digit number assigned by the IRS to identify your nonprofit organization. It functions much like a social security number for individuals or a tax ID for businesses, serving as your organization’s official identity for tax reporting, banking, finances, and other legal and financial activities.

How FundHub Makes managing finances Easier

Let’s talk about how tools like FundHub can simplify your role as a Group Treasurer. FundHub is designed specifically for school fundraisers, offering solutions that eliminate the manual work in financial management. Here’s how it helps:

• Real-Time Donation Tracking: Stop waiting for updates. With FundHub’s Event Dashboard, you can track donations and finances in real time, keeping you fully informed of your fundraiser’s progress and whether you’re meeting your goals.
• ACH Transfers and Flexible Payments: Managing checks and cash slows things down, but FundHub makes it easy with ACH transfers and digital wallets like PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Wallet. This speeds up donations and keeps tracking simple.
• Employer Match Programs: FundHub makes it easy to double donations through employer match programs. It identifies potential matches and guides donors through the process, helping you maximize your school’s fundraising efforts.
• Effortless Compliance: FundHub manages IRS compliance by organizing donations, issuing receipts, and creating necessary reports, so you can stay focused on fundraising without worrying about missing documentation.

FundHub’s real-time tracking, automated receipts, and flexible payment options help simplify the financial process, so you can focus on what matters—raising funds for your school and having fun!

Ready to simplify your fundraising efforts? Schedule a demo and see how FundHub can transform the way you manage finances for your next fundraiser!

The post Financial Literacy and School Fundraising appeared first on Get Movin' Fundraising.