Student-Powered Fundraising Projects
Forget cookie dough and catalog sales. Today’s fundraisers can do more.
Traditional fundraisers have their place, but they don’t always reflect what’s possible in modern classrooms. Schools now have access to tools that let students design, create, and sell their own products – right on campus.
From poster printers and vinyl cutters to sublimation systems, laser engravers, and 3D printers, educators already have the building blocks for creative, student-led fundraising built into their curriculum.
The best part? These fundraisers don’t just raise money. They build confidence, community, and career-ready skills.
Why Student-Led Fundraising Matters
Student-centered fundraisers flip the old model on its head. Instead of handing out catalogs or selling products for a percentage, students become the creators, marketers, and managers.
The benefits go far beyond the bottom line:
- Keep funds in-house. Every dollar raised stays with your school or program.
- Build real-world skills. Students learn design, production, and entrepreneurship.
- Promote ownership and pride. Fundraisers become “their project,” not another obligation.
- Connect to SEL, STEM, and CTE goals. Students collaborate, communicate, and problem-solve – all while supporting their school community.
No matter your grade level or program, there’s a way to turn your existing tech into a powerful fundraising engine. Let’s break it down.
Fundraising Ideas for Elementary Schools
Hands-on, creative, and community-oriented projects that put kids’ ideas front and center.
Student Art Show and Sale
Recommended tools: Poster Printer, Sublimation Printer
Turn your students’ art into a celebration — and a fundraiser. Have students select their favorite pieces, print them as posters or small sublimated items (like tote bags or bookmarks), and sell them during open house or art night. It’s creative, inclusive, and supports your art program while celebrating every student’s talent.
Personalized Gifts for Families
Recommended tools: Sublimation Printer, Laser Engraver
Younger students love giving something personal. Let them design ornaments, magnets, or keychains for families during the holidays or Mother’s/Father’s Day events.
Engrave student names or messages, and sell them at school events. The sentimental value makes these items easy to market.
School Pride Stickers and Magnets
Recommended tools: Vinyl Cutter, Poster Printer
Every kid loves stickers. Have students design school-themed decals featuring mascots, slogans, or school logos. Print the stickers with your poster printer and sell them to classmates, families, and community members.
Fundraising Ideas for Middle Schools
Middle schoolers thrive when given responsibility and creative freedom – this is where fundraising meets entrepreneurship.
Custom Spirit Wear
Recommended tools: Vinyl Cutter, Sublimation Printer
Let students create spirit wear or accessories — shirts, mugs, water bottles, or tote bags — featuring original designs. Tie this into digital design, entrepreneurship, or business classes for added learning impact.
Maker Market
Recommended tools: 3D Printer, Laser Engraver
Host a school “Maker Market” where students design, produce, and sell their creations and protypes. Students can make things like keychains, jewelry, or small trinkets. Pair this with business lessons on pricing, branding, and promotion.
Themed Fundraiser Events
Recommended tools: Poster Printer, Vinyl Cutter, Sublimation Printer
Students can take ownership of event fundraisers – like Valentine’s Day sales, winter fairs, or end-of-year carnivals – by creating all promotional materials and merchandise in-house.
From tickets and banners to shirts and signage, students handle production and marketing, turning the event into a fully student-run operation.
Fundraising Ideas for High Schools
High school fundraisers can double as CTE projects, marketing lessons, or even student-run enterprises.
Student-Run School Store
Recommended tools: Poster Printer, Vinyl Cutter, Sublimation Printer, Laser Engraver
Combine classroom learning and fundraising by setting up a permanent or pop-up student store. Students can be involved in every part of the operation – from designing spirit wear to managing pricing and advertising.
Perfect for business, entrepreneurship, or DECA programs — and every sale goes back to student initiatives.
Senior Gifts and Recognition Items
Recommended tools: Laser Engraver, 3D Printer, Sublimation Printer
Students can produce custom-made senior gifts, awards, or teacher appreciation items. This can be a great way to celebrate student achievements while simultaneously raising funds and teaching business skills.
Custom Event Merch
Recommended tools: Sublimation Printer, Vinyl Cutter
For sports teams, theater, prom committees, or other student organizations — create merch that students design and sell themselves.
Everything from shirts and water bottles to event signage can be produced in-house. It’s practical, profitable, and aligned with career-readiness skills.
Fundraising Ideas for Student Clubs and Organizations
Give every student group the power to fundraise for their own goals – while learning valuable production and business skills.
Club-Branded Merch
Recommended tools: Vinyl Cutter, Sublimation Printer
Let each student organization create its own small merch line — mugs for drama club, decals for esports, shirts for band, etc. Each sale supports the club directly while promoting school pride and teamwork.
Engraved Awards and Gifts
Recommended tools: Laser Engraver, 3D Printer
Clubs can use laser engravers or 3D printers to create personalized gifts or awards — for teachers, students, or local sponsors. This type of fundraiser is perfect for recognition events or seasonal sales.
Local Partnership Projects
Recommended tools: Poster Printer, Vinyl Cutter
Encourage clubs to collaborate with local businesses to create signage, promotional materials, or window decals — in exchange for sponsorship funds. This approach blends fundraising, work-based learning, and community partnership in one project.
Support When You Need It – EmpowR Academy
Empower your fundraising. Empower your students.
Ready to make fundraising easier and more impactful?
EmpowR Academy includes dedicated modules that help teachers and students plan and launch fundraising projects using the tools they already have.
Whether your students are designing posters, printing custom merch, or engraving personalized gifts, EmpowR’s fundraising support walks you through every step – from idea to execution.
Prefer a more hands-on partnership?
AGC’s team can help you map out projects, integrate fundraising into your curriculum, and show your students how to turn creativity into real results.
Turning School Tools into Student Success
When schools use their own technology to fundraise, students don’t just make products – they make progress. Every project becomes a chance to explore entrepreneurship, collaboration, and innovation. Whether it’s a poster sale, a school store, or a maker market, student-led fundraising turns creative energy into community impact.
Start small. Let students lead. Watch your next fundraiser build more than budgets – it’ll build pride, purpose, and possibility.