Organising an educational school trip can be an exciting and rewarding experience for students.
However, the cost of these trips can be a challenge for both schools and families. The good news is that with the right fundraising strategies, schools can help reduce the financial burden and make these enriching experiences more accessible to all students.
At Activ4 School Tours, we understand the importance of fundraising for school trips and have seen firsthand how the right strategies can make all the difference. Here are some of the best school trip fundraising ideas that schools can use to raise money for their upcoming educational tours.
How to Raise Money for Educational Tours: Top Fundraising Ideas for School Trips
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Sponsored Events: Walks, Runs, and Challenges
Organising a sponsored walk, run, or cycle event is a fantastic way to engage students, parents, and the local community in fundraising. Encourage participants to gather sponsorships from family and friends, and all proceeds can go toward the trip.
💡 Tip: Set a clear fundraising target and create a fun challenge to motivate everyone to take part. The more participants, the more funds you can raise.
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Crowdfunding & Online Donations
Crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe, JustGiving, or Kickstarter are ideal for gathering donations from a wide audience. Schools can create a fundraising page and promote it through social media, emails, and school newsletters.
💡 Tip: Share stories about the benefits of the trip, such as how it supports student learning and cultural exchange. Visuals like photos or videos of the planned trip can help increase engagement and donations.
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Quiz Nights & Themed Events
Hosting a quiz night or a themed fundraising event is a fun way to raise money. You can charge an entry fee, sell refreshments, and organise raffles to boost funds. Themed events related to the trip’s destination (such as a Spanish-themed night for a trip to Spain) can also make the event more engaging.
💡 Tip: Involve students and parents in creating the theme, activities, and raffle prizes to make the event feel like a community effort.
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School Fair or Car Boot Sale
A school fair or car boot sale is another classic fundraising idea that works well for raising money for school trips. Students and parents can donate second-hand items, baked goods, or handmade crafts to sell. You can also set up a booth for students to showcase and sell their talents or creations.
💡 Tip: Ask local businesses if they would be willing to donate items for raffles or sell their products at the event to increase the funds raised.
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Corporate Sponsorship & Local Business Support
Many local businesses are willing to support educational school trips in exchange for advertising or community goodwill. Schools can approach businesses, supermarkets, or banks for corporate sponsorships or donations to support the trip. In return, you can feature their logos on promotional materials, event signage, or trip t-shirts.
💡 Tip: Be sure to explain how supporting the school trip aligns with the business’s community involvement and how they’ll benefit from increased exposure.
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“Buy a Brick” or Name-a-Seat Campaigns
A “Buy a Brick” or name-a-seat campaign is a creative way to involve students and the local community in fundraising efforts. In exchange for a donation, people can buy a symbolic “brick” or have a name plaque placed in the school, such as on a school bench or classroom wall.
💡 Tip: Make sure the plaques or bricks are clearly displayed in the school to create a lasting reminder of the supporters’ contributions.
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Social Media Challenges
Encouraging students and families to participate in a social media challenge can help raise awareness and generate donations. A fun and engaging challenge, such as a fitness challenge, a talent show, or a viral video challenge, can be shared on social media platforms, with donations collected online.
💡 Tip: Use relevant hashtags and encourage students to share updates and progress on their social media accounts to generate excitement and motivate others to donate.
Making School Trips Accessible for Every Student
At Activ4 School Tours, we understand that financing educational trips is a common challenge for many schools. That’s why we work closely with schools to offer budget-friendly options and expert advice on how to make these amazing experiences more affordable for everyone.
By using these ideas on how to raise money for educational tours, your school can ensure that every student has the opportunity to experience the learning, cultural exchange, and adventure that comes with educational school trips.
Ready to Plan Your Next School Trip?
If you’re looking for expert planning support for your next educational school trip, contact Activ4 School Tours today! We specialise in creating bespoke school tours to destinations such as France, Spain, Italy, and beyond, and we’re here to help you make your trip a reality.
