14 School Fundraisers Everyone Took Way Too Seriously
These 14 school fundraisers started as simple events but often became highly competitive and taken far too seriously by students, parents, and schools.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
School fundraisers were created to support programs, trips, or supplies through student and parent participation. While many started as lighthearted or helpful events, they often turned into competitions with pressure to sell or win. This list looks at 14 common fundraisers that became more serious than anyone expected.
1. Magazine Subscription Drives
Pixabay on Pexels
Schools partnered with companies to have students sell magazine subscriptions to friends and family. Rewards were offered based on the number of orders collected. Some students felt pressure to sell more than their classmates. It often became more about winning prizes than raising money.
2. Chocolate Bar Sales
Pixabay on Pexels
Students sold chocolate bars, usually door-to-door or at school events, to raise money for various causes. The candy was often affordable, so sales became a competition. Parents sometimes bought entire boxes just to help their child meet a goal. The fundraiser became stressful instead of fun.
3. Walkathons
Conrad Poirier on Wikimedia Commons
Students collected pledges for every lap or mile they walked. It was meant to promote fitness and community support. In some cases, students pushed themselves too hard to outperform others. The event turned from a relaxed fundraiser into an endurance challenge.
4. Car Washes
Helene.3160 on Wikimedia Commons
School sports teams and clubs often held car washes in parking lots. While simple in concept, organizers often tried to outdo previous years in money raised. Volunteers worked long hours and sometimes competed with nearby schools. It was no longer just a casual fundraiser.
5. Catalog Product Sales
𝗛&𝗖𝗢 on Wikimedia Commons
Students sold items like gift wrap, candles, and kitchen tools from printed catalogs. These fundraisers included prize levels that rewarded high sellers. Some families purchased large quantities just to win or help the school meet its quota. The focus shifted from raising money to reaching sales targets.
6. Talent Shows
Thomas Taylor Hammond on Wikimedia Commons
Originally designed to showcase student skills, some talent shows were used to raise money through ticket sales and voting. Students spent weeks rehearsing and felt judged by the audience and staff. It became more of a contest than a school performance. The pressure often outweighed the fun.
7. Bake Sales
Isles Yacht Club on Wikimedia Commons
Parents and students made baked goods to sell at school events or sports games. Over time, the items became more elaborate, and some families tried to out-bake others. The sale turned into a quiet competition between parents. Some students felt left out if they brought basic or store-bought treats.
8. Silent Auctions
LassenNPS on Wikimedia Commons
These events often included donated items from parents or local businesses. Bidding sometimes escalated among families trying to win big-ticket prizes. Organizing the event took weeks of planning and coordination. What began as a school fundraiser often became a formal community competition.
9. Book Fairs
VulcanSphere on Wikimedia Commons
Schools hosted book fairs to raise money for libraries and reading programs. Children were encouraged to bring money to buy books and accessories. Some students bought large amounts while others couldn’t afford much, leading to social pressure. The fair transformed from a learning event into a display of who could spend the most.
10. Coupon Books
Fæ on Wikimedia Commons
Students sold coupon books for local businesses at a set price. Some were told they had to sell a certain number to attend events or win prizes. Parents often ended up buying extra copies to meet those goals. The original idea of helping the school was overshadowed by pressure to sell.
11. Penny Wars
Raimond Spekking on Wikimedia Commons
Classes competed to collect coins in jars, with pennies adding points and silver coins subtracting them. What started as a small game became a strategic competition between grades. Some students brought in bags of coins daily. The fun idea became stressful and time-consuming.
12. Raffle Ticket Sales
Artaxerxes on Wikimedia Commons
Students sold raffle tickets for donated prizes like gift cards or electronics. Some students felt forced to sell as many as possible to be eligible for rewards. Families sometimes bought dozens of tickets to improve their chances. The fundraiser felt more like a sales contest.
13. Spirit Week Competitions
EaglebrookSchool on Wikimedia Commons
Although not always fundraisers, Spirit Week events were often tied to donations or school drives. Classes competed for points based on costume days, donations, or event wins. Some students took it very seriously, and competition sometimes caused arguments. The original goal of school unity got lost in the rivalry.
14. Recycling Drives
Tulane Public Relations on Wikimedia Commons
Schools encouraged students to collect cans, bottles, or paper to raise money or support environmental programs. Some families went to extreme lengths, collecting from neighbors or businesses. The drive turned into a contest to see who could bring in the most material. The pressure often discouraged students who couldn’t keep up.