7 Creative Fundraising Ideas that Actually Work

Let’s start with something that’s guaranteed to get people’s attention, especially this time of year: a Haunted House! But, not just any haunted house—an immersive experience where your performers get to showcase their acting chops while scaring the bejeebers out of people. Think of it as a mini-performance that doubles as a fundraiser!

Why it works:

• You already have the creative minds to pull it off.
• Sets and costumes can be reused from previous shows.
• Charge admission, sell refreshments, and boom—you’ve got yourself a lucrative event that gets the whole school involved.

How much can you expect to make?
A high school in Bloomfield Hills, MI raked in over $5,000 in one weekend by transforming their school gym into a haunted maze. By requiring a small entry fee and some snack sales, they covered next season’s lighting and sound upgrades from this fundraising event alone. 

Director Bogrette said “We sell out groups of 6-8 every two minutes. We do a friendly ghost tour in the late afternoon for younger elementary students and those who have sensory issues. Individuals or groups can sign up together in a time slot. We do it right in our ticketing platform using an arrival times feature!”

Bonus Tip: Try incorporating local businesses by offering them a room to sponsor. Not only will they likely donate some cash for the promotion, but they might even get involved in the scares themselves.

Your school is already a huge part of the local community, so why not lean into that when it comes to fundraising? Reach out to local businesses and ask them to create and donate themed gift baskets. These can include items from their store, gift cards, or even curated collections of things they know will appeal to your audience. You then raffle these baskets off during intermissions or at the end of your show.

How to run it:

• Have 2-3 baskets for each performance to keep it fresh.
• Sell raffle tickets before and during the show.
• Draw winners during intermission or right before the final curtain, giving everyone a reason to stick around.

Why it works:
It’s 100% profit. Local businesses get enhanced promotion, you get sweet prizes to raffle, and patrons love a good chance to win something cool while supporting the arts.

How much can you make?
A high school in New York ran a similar raffle and made $3,000 throughout four performances. And they didn’t even have to leave the lobby to do it.

Bonus Tip: Make it a community-wide event by rotating the types of baskets—spa services, family night baskets, or even local restaurant gift cards. The variety keeps people coming back for more chances to win.

Parents love nothing more than watching their kids’ eyes light up. Create a Backstage Experience where young kids get to interact with your show in a hands-on way before it hits the stage.

How it works:

• Set up stations like prop-making, costume design, or dance lessons led by your talented students.
• The kids get to craft something they can take home (inspired by the show, of course) and learn a short piece of choreography or a behind-the-scenes theater secret.
• After the event, each child gets a ticket to the performance (and parents will have to buy theirs, obviously).

Why it’s brilliant:
You’re making money off the event and increasing ticket sales for your actual show. Plus, it’s a great way to engage the next generation of theater lovers and make them feel like part of the production.

How much can you make?
A Florida high school raised over $2,000 in one morning, charging $25 per kid for the backstage experience (which included the ticket to the show). And because kids had a blast, their parents couldn’t stop talking about the program—boosting ticket sales and community goodwill.

Similarly to the excitement generated by exclusive backstage encounters, providing a VIP experience is another great way to fundraise for your theater. Offer a VIP lounge add-on when your patrons are purchasing tickets as a way to capture those funds and revenue at the same time. A VIP experience at your performance can look like a special reserved section that offers great views of the stage, an exclusive concession stand that serves just the VIP section so these patrons can skip waiting in long lines, allow your VIP patrons to sit first ahead of doors opening, or have a special area to relax during intermission (think airport lounge style), etc.

How it works:

• Sell 100 VIP seats for your big performances. 
• VIP tickets come with access to a special lounge during intermission, decked out in themed decor and hors d’oeuvres, all prepared by parent volunteers.

Why it works: 

VIP seats give audiences an exclusive experience. Parents love getting involved in the setup, and your community will pay extra for luxury and fun!

Real-World Example: A school in Indiana made significant revenue by offering 100 prime VIP seats per performance, with a themed lounge full of treats.

If you want to inspire your patrons to give cash quickly, consider trying out the “money minute” method. It’s a fun way to get people to actively participate in fundraising, while even maybe having a few laughs as those students with buckets try to beat the clock!

How it works:

• Right before a performance, announce a one-minute countdown for a “Money Minute.” 
• Students run into the audience with buckets, collecting as much as they can in just one minute.

Why it works: It’s fast-paced, fun, and creates an exciting atmosphere. The limited time encourages quick, generous giving.

Real-World Example: A school in Indiana regularly raised an average of $1,000 per production using this simple method.

If the idea of a traditional letter-writing campaign makes you groan, hear us out. This isn’t merely slapping a pre-written letter in an envelope and hoping someone in your network sends a check. This is about personal connection. 

How to do it:

• Host a low-key event for parents at someone’s house or a local restaurant.
• Provide snacks, drinks, and blank letters.
• Each parent writes a personal note to friends, family, or anyone they know, asking for donations or sponsorships to support the arts program.
• It’s the personal touch that makes the difference—and research shows that people are way more likely to donate when the request is from someone they know.

Why it works:
A Michigan high school used this approach and brought in over $10,000 in donations in just one evening. The key? Personalized notes and a relaxed atmosphere. Parents were chatting, laughing, and writing heartfelt appeals—not generic requests for cash.

How much can you make?
A high school in Michigan implemented this strategy and raised over $10,000 in one evening. Yep, $10,000—just from personal letters sent to friends, family, and business contacts. They even got a few companies to sponsor entire performances, thanks to the clear information in the letter about sponsorship opportunities.

Bonus Tip: Include a QR code or clickable link to your ticketing platform in the letter, so recipients can donate, buy tickets, or even sign up to volunteer with just one click. Simple for them, and more money for you.

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

I’m thrilled to share the exciting news about the upcoming 2025 season for [High School Name]’s Performing Arts Program! This year, our students will be performing [Show Name] on [Dates], followed by [Second Show Name] on [Dates]. It’s an incredible season ahead, with over [Number of Students] passionate young performers, technicians, and crew members working hard to bring these shows to life.

Our program is about so much more than just putting on a play or a musical—it’s about teaching teamwork, building confidence, and fostering creativity. While we are fortunate to be a school-sponsored program, the truth is, school funding only stretches so far. That’s why we’re reaching out to our family, friends, and community for support. Your donation helps us do more than just “get by”—it helps us create unforgettable experiences for these students, both on and off the stage.

Here’s exactly how your support can make a difference:

• For every $10 donated, we can provide dinner for a student during tech week, making sure they’re well-fed and energized through those long rehearsal nights.
• For every $200, we can cover the full cost of sending one student to our state’s Thespian Festival, an event that can open doors for scholarships, career connections, and the chance to compete and showcase their talent at a higher level.
• For every $500, we can pay the royalty fees for an entire performance of a major show, giving our students the chance to perform professional-level productions that they’ll remember forever.

Your generosity allows us to go beyond what’s possible with our regular funding. It ensures every student has the opportunity to participate—whether that’s performing on stage, working behind the scenes, or traveling to experience professional productions. And it helps us continue to build a strong arts community within our school and beyond.

Last year, we launched an initiative called “Kids Helping Kids,” where our students performed at local elementary schools and donated the proceeds from ticket sales to fund arts education in those schools. It’s just one of the ways we’re paying it forward and keeping the arts alive in our community.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Yes, crowdfunding works—but who wants to lose a chunk of their hard-earned money to platform fees? Instead of turning to GoFundMe or Kickstarter, look for an online fundraising platform that’s built right into your ticketing system. You can launch an online fundraiser where patrons can donate, buy tickets, or sign up to volunteer—all from one page.

Why it works:
It simplifies the process for everyone and keeps more money in your pocket. Instead of hopping between sites, patrons can support your cause while buying their tickets. Plus, the platform doesn’t charge exorbitant fees.

How much can you make?
A high school theater in Texas raised $8,500 in one month by promoting their fundraiser on social media and linking it to their ticketing page. The seamless experience made it easy for people to give while they were already excited about attending the show.

With a little ingenuity and support from local businesses, incorporating creative fundraising ideas into your performing arts program doesn’t have to be daunting. From spooky haunted houses to exclusive backstage experiences, these approaches not only generate the essential funds your program depends on but also engages your community in meaningful ways. 

And be sure to follow to our blog as we dive deeper into our fundraising series to ensure you’re equipped with the knowledge and know-how you need to bring in the funds you need for your performances.

Ludus simplifies event ticketing and delights patrons. Our all-in-one suite of event management solutions has you covered from ticket sales to final curtain and everything in between. Thousands of organizations from K-12 schools to professional theaters to dance studios across the country have trusted Ludus to power their ticketing, marketing, fundraising, and registration needs for nearly a decade. For Ludus, we believe in bringing people together through shared experiences. Contact us today or book a demo to find out how Ludus can make your next event successful.