At Apex, we talk to a lot of schools. Like… thousands. Every year.

And whether we’re on campus cheering during a Fun Run or chatting with a PTA board at 7:30 a.m. over coffee and construction paper, one thing always comes up:

“We want everyone to feel like they’re part of this.”

That’s it. That’s the heart of it.

Fundraisers aren’t just about dollars, they’re about community. About bringing people together, lifting each other up, and giving every student a reason to smile (and maybe dance a little while running laps).

But here’s the thing: sometimes, unintentionally, school fundraisers leave a few folks on the sidelines. Not because anyone meant to, but because not every family has the same resources, time, or even language to engage.

The good news? You don’t need a big budget or a full committee revamp. Just a few small shifts can make your next fundraiser way more inclusive, and even more joyful for everyone involved.

 

1. Make It About Showing Up, Not Shelling Out

Here’s something we’ve heard from dozens of teachers and parents:

“We just want our kids to feel included, whether their family donates or not.”

Yes. A thousand times yes.

Fundraising works best when it feels fun and fair. That means making sure every student gets to participate fully, no matter what shows up on their fundraising page.

Try this:

  • Let every student be in the event: run in the Fun Run, dance at the Glow Party, win the high-five contest.
  • Celebrate spirit and kindness, not just dollars raised. Best class cheer? Most colorful team theme? That’s the kind of leaderboard we love.
  • Encourage families to contribute in ways beyond money, like setting up cones, writing encouragement notes, or helping translate a flyer.

When you say, “We’re glad you’re here,” and really mean it, people show up in the best ways.

 

2. Talk to Families in a Way That Makes Them Feel Seen

If we had a dime for every time a parent said “Wait, there was a fundraiser?”, well, we’d probably have another fundraiser.

Here’s what we’ve learned: it’s not just what you say, it’s how and where you say it.

Quick wins:

Send fundraiser info in the languages your families actually speak at home (we’ve seen schools go from crickets to 100% participation with just one translated text).

Use pictures, short videos, and a friendly tone. Think “neighbor explaining it over coffee,” not “policy memo.”

Post where your families already hang out; text threads, Facebook groups, hallway bulletin boards, even good old backpacks.

And here’s a pro tip straight from a PTA mom we adore:

“If it’s not fun to read, it’s not going to get read.”

So have fun with it! Use emojis, bold colors, silly GIFs, whatever feels like you. Because when your message feels like a welcome, not a reminder, more people lean in.

 

3. Celebrate the Whole Village

At the end of every Apex event, there’s this moment we love:

The confetti’s flying, kids are high-fiving, and the whole school is cheering, not just for the money raised, but for the effort, the energy, and the togetherness.

That’s the vibe you want to end on.

A few ways to make it happen:

  • Thank every single contributor; whether they donated $1, helped tape signs to walls, or just showed up to clap.
  • Highlight different kinds of contributions: “shout-out to the dad who DJ’d the dance party,” “thank you to the fifth grader who made the best ‘Go Team!’ poster we’ve ever seen.”
  • Celebrate with an event that’s free, simple, and full of heart, like a school-wide dance break, popsicle party, or kindness parade.

The more you expand what it means to contribute, the more people feel seen, and the more joy your fundraiser creates.

Let’s Raise More Than Just Money

You don’t need a perfect plan. You just need a little perspective shift:

From “How much did we raise?” to “How many people felt like they mattered?”

At Apex, we’ve seen the most magical fundraisers happen when schools lead with love, inclusion, and just a little bit of glitter.

So here’s your permission to do it your way. To think big, welcome wide, and build the kind of fundraiser where every family walks away feeling proud they were part of it.

And hey, if you ever want to swap stories or brainstorm ideas? You know where to find us. 💙

 

 

Need help making your next fundraiser feel even more inclusive?

We’re always happy to share what we’ve seen work.