20 Band Fundraiser Ideas to Hit Your Goal Fast

At high schools across the country on Friday evenings, marching band members are already hard at work long before kickoff. Instruments are polished, uniforms are pressed, and the drumline can be heard warming up in the parking lot.

The "Buckeye Battle Cry" and dotting the I at Ohio State University is one of the most famous marching band traditions in America. At HBCU’s, bands play a prominent role. Whether it’s Mississippi Valley State’s Mean Green Marching Machine, Jackson State’s Sonic Boom of the South, or Florida A&M’s Marching 100, these bands are integral to the college experience.

At the high school level, the spirit is much the same. Bands fill the bleachers with energy, lead the crowd in school fight songs, and take the field at halftime with carefully choreographed shows. From traditional marches to popular hits, their music keeps the game-day atmosphere alive and connects the community through sound and school pride.

Too often, marching bands feel forgotten, and fundraising is no different. Fundraising for marching bands is tough, and travel, expenses, and equipment for these elite musical groups are growing significantly. Below we’ve talked with over 100 coaches, athletic directors, and music program directors, and here are some of the 20 best marching band fundraiser ideas out there.

Band Fundraising Idea #1 - Alumni Concert

Bring your band community together with an alumni concert! Here’s how it works. You can either charge admission like a normal concert, or ask for donations at the door.

Invite alumni back to your school to play a concert featuring some classic simple tunes that even after a few years out of playing are easy to pick up. Whether the alumni are playing with just fellow alumni, or current band members, it’s a fun way to bring your school’s band community together.

Band Fundraising Idea #2 - Crowdfunding

The classic fundraising tactic, crowdfunding is just a simple online donation based page right? Sort of, but with Teamfi it’s so much more than that.

• Customized landing page dedicated to your program and individuals fundraising within your program.
• Automated reach out to potential donors.
• One of the most effective fundraising tools on the market.

One football program recently raised over $60,000 using crowdfunding. You can be next. Follow their playbook and you could be next. What could $6,000 do for your band program, let alone $60,000?

Band Fundraising Idea #3 - Football Game Bake Sale

While a bake sale can be seen as a lower level fundraiser, it can be effective especially at football games. A large crowd, band parents already there, and let’s face it, a product everyone enjoys.

Make desserts like cookies, muffins, candies like gummy bears and sour gummy worms, try to avoid things that might melt in the heat, and you’ve got yourself a great bake sale. Don’t be afraid to sell your goods at prices that help your program earn money. After all, it is a fundraiser.

Band Fundraising Idea #4 - Gather Local Business Sponsors

A must for any program looking to fundraise, you can acquire sponsorships in a variety of ways. It’s going to take work though, particularly using relationships to reach out to potential sponsors, and providing those businesses actual value.

Local businesses can pay to have their logos featured on a field-side banner, parade banner, or band trailer. Layer in social media shoutouts to easily boost their exposure while limiting your costs (it’s free to start a social media page!). 

Band Fundraising Idea #5 - Color Run

You already know about hosting a 5k fundraiser. What about taking that idea to the next step? A color run is a great way to do it, and when executed correctly can be an elite choice for fundraising.

Color runs are generally the same length as a 5k, allowing both competitive runners, and families with kids the opportunity to participate. Using non-toxic powder, mostly made of corn starch dyed with food coloring, runners are showered lightly with color throughout the race.

As the host, you can get funds raised through sponsorships, other fundraisers along the way, and of course the actual tickets to enter the color run.

To Maximize your fundraising, consider adding extra revenue opportunities before, during, and after the run. Sell white T-shirts in advance so participants can show off their color splashes, offer food and drink stations with suggested donations, and set up a photo booth at the finish line for memorable snapshots. You can also include a VIP registration option with perks like sunglasses, a swag bag, or early check-in.

Interested? We have a complete guide on how to run a color run fundraiser.

Band Fundraising Idea #6 - Pop-up Shop

Sell branded apparel like t-shirts, hoodies, and hats. Selling both band related apparel and general school related apparel is a great way to appeal to a variety of potential buyers.

Great for booster tables at football games or online shops. To increase sales, consider offering limited-edition designs or seasonal items that create a sense of urgency. Promote your shop through social media, email newsletters, and announcements at events to drive traffic. If you're selling online, make it easy for supporters to check out with mobile-friendly platforms.

Be sure to be able to accept payment options like Venmo and credit cards. Over 40% of people don’t use cash at all.

Band Fundraising Idea #7 - Battle of the Bands

Host a concert or battle event between local bands, garage groups, or jazz ensembles and charge for entry and concessions. 

As rock and roll music became popular in the 1950’s and 1960’s, Battles of the Band rose in popularity and have continued to be popular today, even with social media downplaying their need.

One example is the National Battle of the Bands taking place in Houston. Of course, that’s at a tremendous scale. You don’t need a big arena for your battle of the bands. Just an auditorium and some musicians. This is a great way to bring local talent into one place, you can even have some of your students perform!

Band Fundraising Idea #8 - Request a Song

What if people could pay to have songs performed at your school's halftime show? For high donations consider playing halftime shows of donors choice, considering of course it is school appropriate and you have plenty of time to learn them.

For example, offer a sponsorship with a spot on a banner, social media shoutouts, and you get to pick one song at halftime for $1000.

Alumni, parents, and local businesses will love the chance to hear their favorite song played by the band in front of the whole crowd. You can even create a short video series of the band rehearsing the chosen songs and post it online to promote the fundraiser and show off your hard work. 

Just be sure to set a clear timeline for submissions, and prioritize songs that align with the band’s skill level and performance schedule.

Band Fundraising Idea #9 - Calendar Fundraiser

Looking for the best bang for your buck? Calendar fundraisers are great for two reasons. One they’re free to run which of course is great. Two they’re high yield, low effort fundraisers.

Each band member is assigned a digital calendar with 30 days, and they ask friends, family, and supporters to “claim” a day by donating the dollar amount that corresponds to it. For example, $1 for the 1st, $15 for the 15th, and so on. When fully completed, each calendar raises $496. 

It adds up quickly when the whole band participates. 

• You don’t need to sell or ship anything.
• Funds are collected digitally, and you get to keep over 96%.
• Very little effort is needed on your part, Teamfi’s automated outreach system will help you.
• Shareable links tailored to your school to boost your fundraiser on social media.

It’s one of the simplest ways to raise serious money without burning out your students or volunteers.

Band Fundraising Idea #10 - Community Garage Sale

Each band family donates a few items. Combine everything into one big sale at the school or stadium lot.

A community garage sale is a great way to bring people together while raising funds for your band. Ask each family to contribute gently used items like clothes, toys, books, or household goods, then organize everything into a single large sale. 

Choose a high-traffic location, like the school parking lot or stadium entrance on a game day, to attract more shoppers. Promote the event through flyers, social media, and school newsletters to maximize turnout. You can also boost profits by offering coffee, baked goods, or a donation jar at the checkout table.

Band Fundraising Idea #11 - Band Movie Night

Use the auditorium or football field to screen a family-friendly movie. Sell tickets, popcorn, and drinks for a fun, low-cost evening.

There is one important stipulation. You can’t just play movies and sell tickets without permission. 

While movie nights can be a fun and low-cost way to raise money, it’s important to understand the legal side before planning your event. Public showings of movies, even on school grounds, require a special license. Companies offer school-friendly licensing options, but they come with a fee. Make sure to account for this cost when setting your ticket price or look for a sponsor to help cover it. 

With the proper permissions in place, movie nights can still be a great community event that supports your band and provides a fun evening for families.

Band Fundraising Idea #12 - Restaurant Partnership

A community classic, partner with a local restaurant to have a marching band night. This can be especially effective with marching bands with a high number of families involved. 

The restaurant gets a big crowd and you, of course, will get a certain percentage of the orders that night from those affiliated with the fundraiser.

It’s no secret that restaurants in local towns are struggling, they'll jump at the chance to bring more foot traffic into the door. Just speak with restaurant owners and negotiate what cut they’re able to get you before deciding on a date and location.

Band Fundraising Idea #13 - Helping Hand From the Band Fundraiser

Give your supporters a way to donate while getting a helping hand in return. With a "Helping Hand From the Band Fundraiser" fundraiser, students volunteer their time for simple tasks like yard work, dog walking, babysitting, or holiday decorating. 

Community members make a donation in exchange for a few hours of help, and the band benefits from both the funds raised and the positive local engagement. This type of fundraiser also teaches students the value of service and responsibility. Be sure to set clear guidelines for what types of work are permitted, and students should work in groups for safety.

Band Fundraising Idea #14 - Virtual Tip Jar

A virtual tip jar is an easy way to boost donations during livestreamed concerts, halftime shows, or community events. By setting up a QR code that links directly to your Teamfi digital fundraiser, you give supporters a quick and convenient way to contribute on the spot. 

Put the code on posters, programs, or even a music stand near the band so it’s visible during performances. You can also display it on-screen during livestreams. This is a great add-on to your main crowdfunding campaign and works well for reaching family members, alumni, or out-of-town supporters who want to give but can't attend in person.

Making a QR code is easy, but with so many QR code websites out there, and a few that aren’t reliable, we decided to make our own. We’ll provide you QR codes to share your fundraiser so you don’t have to stress!

Band Fundraising Idea #15 - Marching Band Car Decals

A simple and fun idea for fundraising is a car decal fundraiser. One that can easily be paired with other fundraising ideas like a merchandise sale or bake sale.

Order simple marching band decals and stickers for your cars, laptops, notebooks, and more. You can buy stickers in bulk from a number of reputable vendors.

With that bulk pricing, turn your stickers around and sell them for a modest profit. It’s not going to raise thousands of dollars, but it will provide a deliverable to fans, and can net a few hundred dollars even.

Left over stickers can be used next year or as a giveaway.

Band Fundraising Idea #16 - March Madness Bracket Challenge

Turn the excitement of college basketball into a fun and easy fundraiser for your band. Set up a March Madness bracket pool where participants pay a small entry fee to join. A portion of the proceeds goes to the band, and the rest is awarded as a prize to the winner or top finishers. 

You can run the challenge through free online platforms or even collect paper brackets (though we highly recommend an online platform). To boost engagement, consider offering band-themed prizes or a shoutout during a spring concert. It’s a low-effort fundraiser that taps into a nationwide event people already love.

Band Fundraising Idea #17 - Music Themed Haunted House

A music-themed haunted house is a fun and creative way to raise funds during the Halloween season. Transform your band room, school hallway, or gym into a spooky walk-through experience with different sections themed around eerie music, haunted instruments, or ghostly composers. 

Use props like old instruments, cobweb-covered drum sets, or creepy sound effects from your own band recordings to set the mood. Charge admission, sell snacks outside, and consider offering a less scary version earlier in the evening for younger kids.

Don’t like this idea, but love the idea of a fall fundraiser? Other fun fall fundraiser ideas include apple cider stands, pumpkin carving, and corn mazes!

Band Fundraising Idea #18 - VIP Treatment

A school fundraiser item for something as simple as a parking spot can generate a lot of money. 

The potential effect of a fundraiser like this was actually highlighted in the NBC show Parenthood in 2010, when two rival moms squared off during a live auction over a parking spot that culminated in $1,920 being paid to park about 50 feet closer to the school. 

Now, are you likely to raise nearly $2,000? Maybe? Maybe not? It is something people will pay for though. Simple luxuries like a reserved parking spot, front row seats at the band concerts this year, or sneak peaks at performances. 

Offering VIP treatment is a simple way to generate extra funds while making supporters feel special. You can auction items off online, include them in a raffle, or sell them as part of a premium sponsorship package. Make sure to promote the exclusivity and convenience these perks offer. It’s a low-effort fundraiser that adds a touch of luxury while supporting your band program.

Band Fundraising Idea #19 - Silent Auction Night

In a similar theme as the last item, a silent auction night can be a great fundraiser for your band program.

A silent auction night gives your program the chance to raise significant funds in one evening while also building community support. Ask local businesses, parents, and alumni to donate items or services, such as gift baskets, event tickets, restaurant gift cards, or custom band memorabilia. 

Set up the auction in the school cafeteria, gym, or band room, and allow attendees to browse and place bids throughout the night. To make the event even more engaging, include live music from the band, refreshments, or student performances. With enough planning and promotion, a silent auction can become one of your biggest annual fundraisers.

Band Fundraising Idea #20 - 50/50 Raffle

A 50/50 raffle is one of the easiest fundraisers to run, especially during high-traffic events like football games, concerts, or festivals. Sell raffle tickets at a fixed price, then draw one winner at the end of the event. Half of the total money raised goes to the winner, while the other half supports your band program. 

It’s a quick and engaging way to raise funds, and the chance to win cash encourages more people to participate. Make sure to promote the raffle throughout the event and announce the prize pot frequently to keep interest high.

Make sure you’re not overstepping another program already doing a 50/50 during football games though.

‍Wrapping Up Your Band Fundraiser Game Plan

No matter the size of your program, consistent and creative fundraising is key to keeping your marching band running strong. Whether you are outfitting your drumline with new gear, planning a spring trip, or just covering the basics, having a variety of fundraising options helps prevent burnout and keeps your community engaged. 

The best fundraisers are the ones that feel natural for your band and easy for your supporters to say yes to. If you want to do a raffle? Great. If one of our Teamfi products like crowdfunding or calendar fundraisers stick out, sign up and we’ll be happy to show you the ropes.

Use these 20 band fundraiser ideas as a starting point, and do not be afraid to adapt them to your school or community. With the right plan, strong promotion, and enthusiastic participation from your students and boosters, you can turn your fundraising goals into real results.

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