5 Effective Tips to Increase Fundraising Event Attendance
A successful fundraiser starts with one thing: a packed event! When families and students show up in full force, excitement and energy follow. And that leads to better participation and higher sales! The more people you get involved, the more fun it is, and the more money you raise for your school. Everyone wins!
In this article, you’ll discover 5 effective tips to increase fundraising event attendance. Whether you’re planning a fun run, a catalog sale, or something else, these tips will get everyone excited to join in and help make the fundraiser a success.
Let’s dive in!
1: Promote Early and Often
Don’t wait until the last minute to spread the word. Start promoting weeks in advance so families can mark their calendars.
Use every communication tool at your disposal:
- Send flyers home in backpacks.
- Announce it in the school newsletter.
- Post reminders on social media.
- Send fun email updates.
Make it exciting! Highlight the best parts of the fundraiser: fun activities, cool prizes, and any special surprises. You can even create a countdown in classrooms or on social media to build anticipation. The more buzz you create, the more people will want to be there!
2: Create a Buzz with Exciting Incentives
Incentives are a great way to boost participation and make your event feel like a can’t-miss occasion – they give potential attendees something to look forward to!
Here are some fun ways to motivate students:
- Prizes for Top Fundraisers – Offer awesome rewards for students who sell the most during your brochure fundraiser.
- Raffles & Giveaways – Hand out raffle tickets at your event for a chance to win fun prizes.
- Snack Stations & School Spirit Merch – Keep attendees engaged with treats and goodies.
- Milestone Celebrations – Plan fun mini-events throughout your fundraiser to keep the excitement going. (This is especially helpful with brochure fundraising!)
Gifts ‘N Things makes it easy to create buzz with built-in incentive programs that boost participation and make fundraising even more fun! Check out My Prize Program to see how you can use rewards.
3: Make It Fun and Family-Friendly
A great fundraiser isn’t just about raising money—it’s about bringing your school community together! When fundraising feels like a celebration, participation skyrockets.
For example, Color-A-Thons turn fundraising into a vibrant, high-energy event where participants run, walk, or dance through clouds of color! You can also use Brochure Fundraising to get students and families excited with a catalog full of unique products.
4: Involve Teachers, Staff, and Students
Teachers, staff, and students can be your biggest cheerleaders, so make sure they’re part of the excitement.
- In-Class Reminders – Ask teachers to remind students about the event during classroom announcements and school activities. A quick, enthusiastic shoutout goes a long way!
- Classroom Competitions – Turn attendance into a friendly competition: whichever class has the most students at the event or the most funds raised wins a prize!
- Highlight Student Involvement – Let students take charge and encourage their friends to show up!
5: Make It Easy to Participate
If parents and students have to search for details or jump through hoops to participate, attendance will drop. Keep it simple and accessible for everyone.
- Clear Event Details – Share the date, time, and location in multiple places (flyers, emails, social media) and remind families often.
- Step-by-Step Instructions – Explain exactly how to participate, whether it’s registering for an in-person event or collecting brochure orders.
- Offer Flexible Participation Options – Offer online donation options so families can still support your fundraiser from home or out of town.
Put These 5 Effective Tips to Increase Fundraising Event Attendance Into Action!
A well-attended fundraiser sets the stage for higher participation, bigger sales, and more support for your school. By using these 5 effective tips to increase fundraising event attendance, you can turn your event into a can’t-miss experience!
Partner with Gifts ‘N Things to make your next school fundraiser a hit! We provide everything you need to maximize attendance, participation, and fun!
Browse our fundraiser options today!
