Virtual & Hybrid Fundraising Ideas for Schools, PTAs & PTOs That Actually Work

Last Updated June 2, 2026

Your school fundraiser doesn't have to mean clipboard sign-ups, cash envelopes, and hoping people show up. The most successful PTAs and PTOs are blending the best of in-person energy with the reach and convenience of online tools, and the results speak for themselves: more donations, more participation, and a lot less volunteer burnout.

Virtual and hybrid fundraisers let you meet families exactly where they are: at home, at work, across town, or across the country. Grandparents can bid in your auction from three states away. Busy parents can pledge for the jog-a-thon without ever printing a form. And your organizing team can manage the whole thing without drowning in spreadsheets.

Ready to run your most successful fundraiser yet? Here are the ideas, tools, and tips to make it happen.

Get Your Fundraising On

Whether you want to host an all-virtual fundraiser or supplement your in-person event with online options for communication, donations, and self-management for participants — we’ve got some great fundraiser ideas to kick off your best fundraising season yet!   

• Auctions: Ask local businesses for auction-item donations in exchange for marketing, or have participants make items to be auctioned off (like student-made art and crafts). Use an  online auction platform like Double the Donation     to set up online bidding.
    

• A-thons: Take pledges per-lap, per-hour, per-word, per-whatever makes sense for your fundraiser.   

  • Bike-a-thon  

  • Dance-a-thon  

  • Jog-a-thon  

  • Book-a-thon  

  • Serve-a-thon   

  • Skip-a-thon  

  • Spell-a-thon  

  • Sport-a-thon  

  • Walk-a-thon  

• Events: Ask an instructor to donate her or his time and ask attendees for donations to participate.   

  • Cooking class  

  • Fitness class  

  • Craft session (think knitting, crocheting, a seasonally-themed craft, etc.)  

  • Movie night  

  • Painting or drawing class  

• Competitions: Ask viewers of the competitive event to make donations on behalf of their favorite player or participant (bet on who will win, donate when a certain milestone is achieved, pay to initiate an action, etc.) and give a prize to the participant that collects the most.   

  • Online gaming tournament  

  • Online trivia  

  • Virtual talent show  

  • Virtual dares (who can do the most?)  

• Raffles: Use an online raffle manager like   Raffall   . Ask local organizations and businesses to donate prizes for your raffle in exchange for promoting them as sponsors.  

• Sweepstakes: Think “trip giveaway” (who doesn’t like to travel?) for the prize and request donations for entries. Check out   ViralSweep   for an affordable and intuitive option.  

• Online product fundraisers: Set up an online storefront on a platform like Springly or Shopify to sell your merchandise.   

The best school fundraisers aren't just about the money — they're about bringing your community together around something that matters. Virtual and hybrid formats make that easier than ever, letting you cast a wider net, reduce volunteer load, and give every family a way to participate on their own terms. 

SignUp takes the coordination chaos off your plate. Free online SignUps handle volunteer scheduling, event RSVPs, donation drives, and task assignments — with automatic reminders so nothing slips through the cracks. From your jog-a-thon planning team to your online auction helpers, SignUp keeps everyone organized and on the same page. 

Set up your first fundraiser SignUp free — no account required, no stress included.

❓FAQs

Q: What are the best virtual fundraising ideas for schools and PTAs?

A: Top options include online auctions, pledge-based a-thons (jog-a-thon, dance-a-thon, spell-a-thon), virtual talent shows, online raffles, and digital product storefronts. The best choice depends on your school community's interests and your volunteers' bandwidth.

Q: What is a hybrid fundraiser for schools?

A: A hybrid fundraiser combines in-person activities with online tools — for example, hosting a live jog-a-thon on campus while collecting pledges and donations through an online platform. This format expands participation beyond families who can attend in person.

Q: How do PTAs collect donations online?

A: PTAs can use online fundraising platforms, digital storefronts (like Shopify or Springly), raffle managers (like Raffall), or sweepstakes tools (like ViralSweep) to collect donations and payments. Many also use free sign-up tools to coordinate volunteers and track participation.

Q: What is a school a-thon fundraiser?

A: An a-thon fundraiser collects pledges based on a measurable activity — laps run, books read, words spelled, dances completed, and so on. Supporters pledge a set amount per unit, and participants collect as many pledges as possible. A-thons work for all ages and adapt easily to virtual or hybrid formats.

Q: How can schools get businesses to donate to fundraisers?

A: Offer businesses sponsor recognition in return for donated prizes or auction items. This can include logo placement on event materials, social media shoutouts, and mentions in school newsletters — giving local businesses marketing value while supporting your cause.

Q: How do I run an online school auction?

A: Use a dedicated online auction platform (such as Double the Donation) to list items, manage bids, and collect payments. Solicit donations from local businesses in exchange for sponsor promotion, or include student-made items like art and crafts for a personal touch.

You May Also Like:

SignUp's Fundraising Planning Center 

How to Boost Fundraiser Participation with Social Media 

Spectacular Spring Fundraising Ideas 

About the Author

   

Diana Schlott

Customer Champion & Content Creator

Diana is a SignUp co-founder and content creator of how-to user guides, YouTube videos, and Idea Center content on fundraising, mentoring, and business management. 

More about Diana →