Here's an impressive school fundraising project that encourages student participation and raises environmental awareness along with money: ink jet recycling. It's easy to do and there's no selling involved. Students collect laser and inkjet cartridges from family, friends, and local businesses.

There are millions and millions of printers in homes and businesses, and even more cartridges that will otherwise be heading to the landfill. Don't let anyone you know throw out another ink cartridge.

This can be an ongoing project that starts at the beginning of each school year. This concept also can be combined with cell phone fundraising for even higher earnings.

Could there be a better school fundraiser? Teach kids to be responsible citizens, help the earth, and raise money...all at the same time.

Fundraising Ideas

If you open a checking account at some banks, such as Washington Mutual (which is FREE) they'll give you a free debit card with which you can pay bills and buy stuff. This card then gives you the right you to enroll in their school fundraising program, which they call WaMoola for Schools.

Once you enroll and use your free card to buy things and pay your bills, you accrue "points", which then convert into dollars for your school of choice. Every time you use the card (except ATM transactions) you earn one point. Each point is worth five cents. At the end of the year, if the school accumulates $50 dollars or more, the bank donates the equivalent dollar amount.

If the school does not accumulate at least $50 dollars by the end of the year, the bank gives the money to organizations supporting education.

The school you choose has to be an IRS recognized tax-exempt school (most are). You can see their list of schools on the WaMoola for Schools site.

This fundraiser is as easy as they get. Think about the money your school will earn over the course of a couple of years if all the students’ parents and other relatives use a card like this for all of their shopping (online and off) and bill paying. The more people who join this program and pick your school, the more money your school gets.

At only five cents per transaction it doesn’t seem like very much, and honestly, this won't raise a money quickly like some fundraisers. But, as with magazine fundraising and t-shirt fundraising, if you're trying to raise money for your school, this is a “no-brainer” because it's free and requires very little effort.

In fact, after you enroll, you don’t even have to think about it anymore.  It works on its own as you do what you normally do…spend money.

Fundraising Ideas