How to Fundraise for a School Trip (A Parent's Guide)

If your child's class trip is short on funds, the most practical way to help is to set up a dedicated fundraising page, sell digital vouchers to friends and family, and ask grandparents and alumni to chip in. You don't need to be a professional fundraiser or have hours of free time — you just need a clear plan and a few willing helpers. This guide walks you through exactly how to do it from a parent's perspective, with realistic steps that work in New Zealand schools.

Start with the school office

Before you do anything, talk to the teacher or school office. Find out:

• Whether the school already has a fundraising account or platform
• If you're allowed to fundraise on behalf of the school
• Whether the trip is for the whole class or a smaller group
• What the total cost is per student and how much is already covered

Many schools in Aotearoa have their own processes, and some will prefer you run everything through them. If there's no existing system, you can register on Generous.nz and set up a page specifically for the trip. Keep the page name simple, like "Room 12's Year 8 Camp – Help Us Get There."

Decide on your fundraising model

You've got three main options as a parent organiser:

1. Donation page. The simplest option. Share the link with whānau, friends, and your wider network. People give what they can. This works well when the trip is for a specific student or a small group, and when you have relatives who live elsewhere and want to help from a distance.

2. Voucher drive. Local businesses sell digital vouchers (like a $20 coffee card for a $15 price), and your school earns a percentage of every sale. This works brilliantly because it gives people something in return for their money, and it supports local shops at the same time. You can learn more about why vouchers are a highly effective fundraising product.

3. A mix of both. Set up a donation page for cash gifts and add vouchers as an option for people who want something in return. This is the most effective approach for school trips because it captures both types of givers.

Tap into the grandparent and alumni network

Grandparents are often the most generous supporters of school trip fundraisers, and they're frequently overlooked. A personal phone call or a handwritten note from your child can go a long way. Have your child write a short message like: "We're raising money for our camp to Rotorua. I'd love to go with my friends. Could you help?"

Alumni are another underused resource. If the school has an old students' association or a Facebook page for former pupils, ask the school if you can post there. Frame it as giving back to the school community. People who have fond memories of their own school camps are often happy to help a new generation have the same experience.

Make it easy for local businesses to say yes

You don't need to walk into a shop and ask for cash. Instead, ask businesses to participate in a voucher scheme. This is a much easier sell because:

• They get paid for every voucher sold
• They gain new customers who may not have visited before
• It's a fixed commitment with no ongoing cost

Prepare a short script you can say in person or over the phone. Something like: "Kia ora, I'm helping fundraise for [school]'s Year 8 trip. We're selling vouchers to local businesses, and 100% of the sale price goes to the business — the school earns a commission from the platform. Would you be interested in putting a $20 voucher up?"

For more ideas on approaching local shops, read how to get local businesses excited about your fundraiser.

Use the school community's existing channels

You don't need to build a new audience. Use what's already there:

• School newsletter
• Class Facebook or WhatsApp groups
• Staff room noticeboard
• School app or portal announcements
• Parent-teacher evenings (have a tablet ready to show your page)

Ask the teacher to send a quick message to other parents. Most will be happy to share your link, especially if they know the family or the trip is for a shared class experience.

Get the timing right

School trip fundraising works best when you give people time. Start at least 8–10 weeks before the payment deadline. This gives you room for a slow start, a push at the middle, and a final sprint in the last two weeks.

The best times of year to launch are at the start of a term, after the Christmas break, or in early February when people are feeling fresh and generous. Avoid launching in the last week of term when everyone is distracted. For a full breakdown of seasonal timing, check out the best times of year to launch a fundraiser in New Zealand.

Share updates that show progress

People give more when they can see progress. After you set up your page, post updates:

• "We're 40% of the way there – thanks to everyone who's donated so far!"
• "Grandma Jean in Nelson just bought three vouchers – who else can help?"
• "Only $500 to go. We can do this!"

Keep updates short, warm, and personal. Use photos (with permission) of the class preparing for the trip. If you're stuck for words, these 15 social media templates for fundraisers can help.

Offer a small thank-you to donors

You don't need to spend money to show gratitude. Ideas:

• A hand-drawn card from your child
• A class photo sent by email
• A shoutout on the school's social media
• A baked treat at pick-up time (check school food policies first)

A personal thank-you makes people more likely to give again next time, whether it's for the same trip or a future one.

What to do if you hit a shortfall

If the deadline is approaching and you're still short, don't panic. You have a few options:

• Ask the school if a partial contribution can be made from other fundraising accounts
• Extend your deadline if the school allows it
• Run a small-scale event like a sausage sizzle or bake sale (check school and council rules first)
• Ask the school if they can subsidise part of the cost from general funds

Be upfront with the teacher about where you're at. Schools would rather know early and help find a solution than be surprised at the last minute.

A realistic example

Here's how a typical parent-led campaign might look for a Year 8 camp costing $450 per student, with 25 students going:

• Set up a page for the whole class, goal $11,250
• Week 1–2: Email grandparents and close whānau – raise $2,000
• Week 3–4: Launch voucher drive with 10 local businesses – raise $3,500
• Week 5–6: Post on school Facebook groups and newsletter – raise $2,000
• Week 7–8: School puts in $1,500 from its own fundraising account
• Week 9–10: Final push – remaining $2,250 comes from a mix of donations and a sausage sizzle

It's realistic, achievable, and doesn't require one person to do everything alone.

Final thoughts

Fundraising for a school trip is very doable when you break it into small steps and use the people around you. Start early, set up a proper page, ask grandparents and alumni, and use vouchers to bring local businesses on board. You'll be surprised how quickly small amounts add up when everyone chips in.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the school actually receive from a fundraiser on Generous.nz?

Generous.nz charges a platform fee plus payment processing fees, and the exact amount depends on the pricing plan you choose. See what it really costs to fundraise – fees explained simply for the current breakdown.

Can I run a raffle to raise money for a school trip?

Raffles are a popular option, but they're regulated in New Zealand. You'll need to follow the rules around tickets, prizes, and reporting. Read how to legally run a raffle in New Zealand before you start selling tickets.

Do donations to a school trip qualify for a tax credit?

Donations to registered charities can qualify for a tax credit, but school trips are usually not considered charitable donations because the donor may receive a benefit (like a child attending the trip). Check the donation tax credits guide and talk to your school or an accountant for your specific situation.

How long does it take to set up a fundraising page?

You can register and have a page live within about 15 minutes. You'll need a few basic details about the trip, a goal amount, and a photo or two. The getting started guide walks you through it step by step.

What if we don't reach our goal?

If you don't reach your goal, you still keep what you've raised (minus fees). You can then decide with the school how to use the funds — whether that's subsidising part of the trip cost, rolling it into a future trip, or topping up other school programs. Be transparent with donors about where the money went.