Fundraising ideas for kindy and early learning
Busy parents, small children and not many spare hours: kindy fundraising works best when it is short, family-friendly and easy to say yes to.
Kindergarten associations are community non-profits and can usually run raffles and appeals through their association. A privately owned centre is a business, so it usually needs a parent committee or a charity partner to run a raffle.
Best return for your time
- Class 4 gaming trust grants (NZCT, Lion Foundation, Pub Charity, Aotearoa Gaming Trust, Four Winds and others)$526/hrtypically $5,000 per grantGrants from pokie-machine proceeds for equipment, uniforms, travel and running costs of community groups.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 1–2 people
- Class art auction$222/hrtypically $5,000 per eventEach class makes one group artwork (a canvas, quilt, mosaic or ceramic piece) that parents bid on at a silent or live auction, often alongside individual student pieces.Weeks of part-time work, Check with council, 3–6 helpers
- Pie fundraiser$160/hrtypically $1,440 per campaignTake orders for frozen family or single pies from a bakery that delivers on one day.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 3–6 helpers
- Entertainment membership (formerly the Entertainment Book)$150/hrtypically $450 per campaignSell digital Entertainment discount memberships through your group's link; the group keeps 20%.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 people
- Children's art on calendars, cards and gifts$133/hrtypically $1,000 per campaignEach child's artwork is printed onto calendars, cards and diaries that families order; the school gets a share.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 people
- Frozen cookie dough (and croissant) pre-order$133/hrtypically $1,000 per campaignSupporters pre-order tubs of frozen cookie dough online; stock arrives on one pickup day.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 people
- Pantry and gift products (olive oil, cheese, sauces, snack bars)$117/hrtypically $700 per campaignSell premium NZ pantry goods or gift packs, often around Christmas, with a fixed amount per item to the group.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 people
- Keepsake tea towels with every child's drawing$104/hrtypically $1,200 per campaignPrint all the children's self-portraits onto one tea towel design and pre-sell it to families.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 1–2 people
Something different
Less common ideas that stand out because people haven’t seen them ten times already.
- Grocery grab / trolley dash raffle · typically $4,000 · a trolley dash prize feels fresh and exciting
- Samosa fundraiser · typically $1,500 · a tasty change from pies that stands out
- Buy-a-square grid (no-prize version) · typically $1,000 · a visual twist that most supporters haven't seen
- Santa photo booth · typically $1,000 · a festive twist that few groups run themselves
- Trunk-or-treat car-park Halloween event · typically $800 · an imported idea that still feels new here
- Matariki kite day (manu tukutuku) · typically $600 · a growing Matariki event that still stands out
* General fundraising information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Money figures are examples and estimates, not promises. Check current official requirements before you commit. About this guide