Here are some fundraising ideas to help you grow your Chapter:
- Put on a bake sale, and decorate the pastries with chemical and STEM symbols
- Set up a game night or virtual bingo: Give participants the opportunity to pay to play and win unique STEM prizes
- Take part in a restaurant fundraiser night: Work with a well-known local restaurant so that part of the proceeds are donated back to the school
- STEM survival kits for AP exams, mid-terms, or finals that are filled with an inspirational quote or joke, a healthy snack, water or juice, etc
- STEM Showcase, Science, STEM fair that shows off students’ creations to the public while also charging them entry. Extra money can be made by hosting a concession stand
- Recycling Electronics Drive: Collect old electronics like computers, phones, and batteries for recycling, research local companies that give money for these items
- Host an in-person or virtual STEM lesson by inviting the community to participate and having the students teach a lesson. Donations can be accepted at the door, and raffle off an item related to STEM
- Have a flower sale for Mother’s day with different flowers that represent different months being sold
- STEM-Themed Escape Room: Set up an escape room with puzzles related to STEM concepts.
- Host a movie night with a STEM-related movie and ask for “donations” for admissions and host a concession table
- Coding Hackathon: Host a coding marathon where participants solve challenges or develop apps within a set time.
- Hold a letter-writing campaign where each member sends 5-10 letters to local supporters or family members asking for donations to the Chapter
- Raffle: Sell tickets for the chance to win a particular prize – this could be a basket of goods, a 50/50 draw for cash, or another donated prize
- STEM-Themed Trivia or Quiz night: Divide participants into teams (or ask them to sign up as teams). Prepare a list of questions based on a particular theme and have a volunteer “Quiz master” who can ask the questions.
- STEM Bingo: Organize a bingo night, and participants can pay to play with an opportunity for the winners to get small prizes
- Online Crowdfunding: Use an online crowdfunding platform to get donations for your Chapter. Think of creative STEMMY incentives you can give to people who donate, with bigger incentives for larger donations.
- Engineering Challenges: Organize engineering challenges or design contests
where students create solutions to specific problems. - Other General Fundraising Ideas: car wash, color run, haunted house, scavenger hunt, singing valentines, sports camp or clinic, donation jars, raffle tickets, concession stand at a sporting game, battle of the bands, talent show, git card sales, pancake breakfast, popcorn sales, winter or summer carnival, flower or bulb sale, bake sale, chocolate sale, pizza day, flea market, craft sale, fun run, coupon book sale, holiday wreaths, dance-a-thon, gift basket bidding/auction, silent auction, teacher charity game or concert, Read-a-Thon, dress down day, gift-wrapping station, fashion show, “Give It Up” challenge, movie night, rubber duck race, etc.
