Seven Fundraising Ideas to Sustain and Strengthen Your Hope Squad

In today’s funding landscape, grants are incredibly valuable and often support programs like Hope Squad. However, grants can’t always keep school programs afloat. Funding cycles, priorities, and approvals can change from year to year. But, we believe the need for mental health support should remain a priority—and we want to keep our Squads active, trained, and present in school communities for years to come.

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Our program is centered on strong student leadership, which can be an essential key to turning your Squad into a legacy on campus. When Members help lead the charge—organizing efforts that can involve peers, staff, families, and community members—they build momentum that lasts beyond any single funding source.  

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Here are seven practical, community-driven fundraising ideas to strengthen and sustain your Squad–or simply to sponsor fun “extras” that can enhance your school’s culture and community.  

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1. Host a Hope Walk

A Hope Walk is a powerful, visible way to rally your community together around mental health awareness and support.

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How it works:

• Participants register and/or donate to join
• Students, staff, family, and community members walk together
• Include signage, storytelling, and moments of reflection to normalize the conversation around mental health

Whether you start small with a walk around the track or host a full-fledged 5k, Hope Walks can function as both fundraisers and culture-builders, raising awareness while generating monetary support.  

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2. Partner with local service organizations

Local nonprofits are often looking for meaningful ways to invest in their own community.  

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Consider reaching out to your local organizations, such as:

• Education Foundations
• Non-Profit Hospitals
• Chambers of Commerce
• Health Department
• Rotary, Kiwanis, or United Way Groups

Start by sharing Hope Squad’s mission and impact, inviting them to student presentations or events, and then asking about sponsorships or annual giving partnerships.  

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Whether these relationships become one-time donations or long-term funding opportunities, making connections within the community expands your network beyond the school, and more individuals get a chance to hear about hope and help.

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3. Run a sports tournament

Sports-based fundraisers tend to attract wide participation and repeat engagement.  

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Consider hosting a:

• Pickleball tournament
• 3-on-3 basketball competition
• Dodgeball or kickball bracket challenge

Charge team entry fees and encourage friendly rivalry between neighboring schools to boost turnout and fundraising potential. At the event, share mental health messaging and raise awareness, too!  

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4. Hold a fundraising challenge  

Hope Squads have found great success bringing energy and awareness to their mission during school events, turning a few minutes into meaningful impact.

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This could look like:

• A “Minute-to-Win-It” bucket pass: Squad Members move through the crowd collecting donations in a high-energy minute.
• A 50/50 drawing: Use the simple, familiar fundraiser where anyone has a chance to win if they support the cause.
• Raffle or giveaway items: Encourage donations with small prizes that draw attention and boost contributions.

School events often bring the community together, making them the perfect opportunity to turn school spirit into meaningful impact for student mental health.  

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5. Host a talent show or showcase night

A talent show or special showcase gives students an opportunity to shine while also raising funds.  

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Consider including:

• Music, dance, comedy, or spoken word performers
• Art entries
• Donation-based entry and concession items  

This type of event strengthens belonging while supporting the Hope Squad cause, making it a win-win.

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6. Restaurant spirit nights

Dine out to do good with local restaurants that donate a portion of sales back to your Squad. Have Squad Members do the legwork to organize and advertise, and then watch the money roll in.  

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Ideas include:

• Dine-in or carry out nights
• “Mention Hope Squad” fundraising days
• Rotating monthly partnerships at a variety of locations

These low-effort, high-return fundraisers are easy for families to support.  

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7. Simple, student-led initiatives

Fundraisers don’t have to be big; even simple, student-led activities can create a big splash, especially when they tap into the everyday rhythms of your school.  

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Try one of the following:

• Candygrams or treats: Sell and deliver special notes/treats students can send to a friend. Tie it to a holiday, like selling Boo-Grams at Halloween, or during Hope Week.  
• Themed spirit days: Dress-up days tied to a small donation are popular in elementary schools.
• Snack sales and pop-up tables: Offer quick, affordable treats during lunch or at school events.

These approachable ideas make it easy for students, staff, and families to support your Squad, while also turning everyday moments into opportunities for connection and support.

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Final thought

The strongest Hope Squads aren’t dependent upon one funding source; they’re supported from the inside out by systems that scale together. When schools combine community partnerships, student-led events, and repeatable fundraisers, they create a sustainable model for hope, connection, and peer support that can last for years to come.  

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Hope Squads thrive when communities come together to sustain them. If you’re a parent, educator, business, or community member who wants to help fund a squad, support a school, or invest in student-led mental health efforts, your involvement directly expands access to peer support and suicide prevention in schools.

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As always, Hope Squad is here to support you as you navigate funding. You can reach out directly to our team or visit HopeSquad.com/get-started.