If you ever went on a field trip as a child, you know just how fun they can be! For one, field trips are a great option for youth-centered organizations to make learning both enjoyable and memorable.
But, if you run a youth-centered organization, you know just how expensive field trips can be. Transportation, admission fees, meals, and lodging costs add up quickly and can pose a serious barrier.
The good news? With the right fundraising approach, you can offset field trip costs (without placing the burden on parents or guardians). So, in this article, we’ll cover a few of the best field trip fundraising strategies for schools, camps, and youth groups. Further, we’ll share information for those looking to explore locally or internationally.
Our Favorite Field Trip Fundraising Idea: A Shoe Drive Fundraiser
When it comes to fundraising, the best ideas are those that anyone can do. A shoe drive fundraiser is just that!
A shoe drive fundraising partner like Funds2Orgs can make hosting a shoe-drive fundraiser seamless. Funds2Orgs provides you with everything you’ll need: collection boxes, promotional materials, and consistent support. As a result, all you need to do is collect your community’s gently worn, used and new shoes. Then, send them back (in prepaid mailers), and earn funds based on the number of bags shoes you collected!
Funds2Orgs has partnered with just about every organization you can think of: schools, youth groups, summer camps. Shoe drive fundraisers have no upfront costs, are easily repeatable, and pair well with other fundraising events. Even better, they give gently worn shoes a second life and keep them out of landfills!
Field Trip Fundraising Ideas by Organization
Though some field trip fundraising ideas are easily transferable, others work better for particular organizations. Here are a few fundraising ideas by organization to help you engage your community!
Fundraising Ideas for School Field Trips
- Read-a-Thon: Have students collect pledges for each book or minute they read.
- Penny Wars: Spare change can really add up! Penny wars fundraisers encourage classrooms to collect the most spare change.
- Teacher Challenges: Have students donate toward entertaining goals/teacher challenges. For instance, one incentive can be having the principal wear a silly costume!
- Family Fun Night: Bring students and their families together for a fun night of games, food, and activities! And don’t forget to charge a small fee for entry and participation.
Fundraising Ideas for Summer Camp Field Trips
- Camp Talent Show: Encourage your campers to showcase their talents! Also, charge for admission to raise money while building campers’ confidence.
- Family Picnic Fundraiser: Host a picnic with food, games, and activities! Sell tickets to generate revenue. And, for extra fundraising potential (and to reduce upfront costs), consider hosting it potluck-style.
- Community Movie Night: Organize an outdoor or indoor screening. Sell concessions and charge for tickets, and then use the proceeds to benefit the trip.
- Camp Merchandise Sales: Sell camp t-shirts, water bottles, and other branded merchandise to campers and their families.
Fundraising Ideas for Youth Group Field Trips
- Work-a-Thon: Encourage your youth group members to volunteer to complete various jobs around the community in exchange for donations.
- Community Dinner Fundraiser: Host a dinner where families and community members purchase tickets to enjoy a meal and support your field trip fundraising efforts.
- Sponsor a Youth Campaign: Encourage supporters to pledge donations to particular youth group members.
- Envelope Fundraiser: Display a fundraising board with numbered envelopes. Also, invite church members to donate the dollar amount that they choose from the board.
Fundraising Ideas for Local and International Field Trips
Field trips come in all shapes and sizes, from tours of local organizations to international adventures. Local and international field trips may have similar impacts. But they do have vastly different budgets! Therefore, here are a few field trip fundraising ideas to help you fund both local and international travel.
Fundraising Ideas for Local Field Trips
- Bake Sale: Do you have talented bakers in your organization? If so, consider selling homemade baked goods at community events!
- Fun Run or Walkathon: Collect pledges and registration fees for a fun run or walkathon! As a result, it’ll get your supporters moving for a good cause.
- Car Wash: Have participants wash cars for donations. Generally, people love having clean cars!
- Snack Sale: Sell individually packaged snacks at community events. And to stir up engagement, emphasize that all proceeds will go towards your field trip!
Fundraising Ideas for International Field Trips
- Corporate Sponsorships: Ask local businesses to sponsor your trip in exchange for recognition. For the best results, ask local organizations whose mission statement aligns closely with your values!
- Silent Auction: Ask local businesses to donate products, services, or experiences. Then, auction them off to the community.
- Online Merchandise Store: Do you have a social media presence? If so, selling custom apparel and branded merchandise online can be a great approach. For instance, it’s an excellent way to engage supporters beyond your local community.
- Cultural Fundraising Event: Host an event inspired by the destination country! For example, showcase their unique cuisines, performances, games, or activities. And don’t forget to allow attendees to purchase tickets to enjoy the event.
Turn Donations into Memorable Field Trip Experiences
So, if your group is going down the street or halfway across the world, the right fundraising plan can make the trip more affordable. Further, a good plan makes fundraising more accessible. Therefore, choosing fundraisers that are easy, simple, and profitable can help your organization provide youth with once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Remember, the most successful fundraisers are often the easiest. And a shoe drive fundraiser with Funds2Orgs gives you an easy way to fundraise. Plus, it gives supporters an easy way to contribute!
Thinking about hosting a shoe drive fundraiser to raise money for your organization’s field trip? Funds2Orgs can help! Get started here.
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