And let’s be honest—your show choir can hit all eight counts, but if you don’t hit your financial goals, your production ends up looking more like a dress rehearsal than a grand finale.
Fear not, directors and boosters. Here’s your complete, unfiltered (and occasionally sarcastic) guide to show choir fundraising—the good, the great, the not-so-great, and the “we’ll never do that again.”
- The Tried-and-True Product Sale
Examples: Cookie dough, popcorn, candles, chocolate, coupon books
Why It Works:
You buy low, sell high, and if you’re lucky, nobody burns their eyebrows off lighting those cinnamon swirl candles. Product sales can generate consistent revenue and are usually backed by experienced fundraising companies with streamlined order processes.
Pros: Easy to launch, structured system with support, appeals to friends, family, and neighbors
Cons: Your choir families end up hoarding 17 tubs of frozen cookie dough in the garage; product fatigue (how many times can Grandma buy popcorn?); lower profit margins (you keep 30–50 percent)
Illustration:
Imagine your alto section desperately pushing chocolate bars like musical street vendors in the school hallway—“Please, it’s for show choir!”
- The “Event-of-the-Year” Gala
Examples: Dinner theater, silent auction, themed showcase night
Why It Works:
Combine your talented kids, good food, and a room full of checkbooks and you’ve got a gold mine. Galas or “Show Choir Nights” allow donors to experience the magic and open their wallets.
Pros: High profit potential; great publicity for the program; allows sponsors and donors to see the students in action
Cons: Requires lots of planning and volunteer help; catering costs can eat into profits; risk of low attendance if not marketed properly
Illustration:
Your booster president, wearing sequins and balancing meatballs on a tray, nervously whispers, “This better raise more than last year.”
- The Car Wash / Bake Sale / Rake-a-Thon Classic Combo
Why It Works:
It’s low-cost, mostly sweat equity, and often draws in the community. Bonus: it teaches kids hard work (and how to not miss a spot on someone’s Honda).
Pros: Easy to organize; 100% profit (minus soap and rakes); community-building
Cons: Weather-dependent; lower dollar yield; heavy labor, light glamour
Illustration:
Bass singers wielding leaf blowers like Ghostbusters, giggling while raking leaves off Mrs. Henderson’s roof.
- Corporate Sponsorships & Program Ads
Why It Works:
Local businesses get exposure in your programs, banners, or social media in exchange for cold, hard cash. It’s a win-win: businesses support the arts, and you get help paying for that $1,200 fog machine.
Pros: Great long-term partnerships; large donations possible; builds local support
Cons: Requires a pitch and professional materials; may need to tailor benefits (like shoutouts or logo placement); tougher sell without strong community ties
Illustration:
“Let’s give a warm round of applause to Carl’s Auto Body, the official sponsor of our fog machine!”
- Online Fundraising and Crowdfunding
Examples: GoFundMe, Snap! Raise, Facebook Fundraisers, Givebutter
Why It Works:
No boxes of cookies, no car washes—just a smart phone, a tear-jerking pitch, and a link that Aunt Patty in Florida can click.
Pros: Fast and convenient; no physical product; reaches a wide donor base
Cons: High platform fees (often 10–15 percent); requires strong marketing, can result in supporter fatigue if overused
Illustration:
You’re begging your baritones to record emotional videos: “Just say, ‘Without your help, my dreams will melt like ice on stage.’ Go!”
- The Magical Merch Machine
Examples: T-shirts, hoodies, stickers, mugs with group logo
Why It Works:
Fans love spirit wear! Plus, parents, grandparents, and former members are usually thrilled to show their support in sweatshirt form.
Pros: Easy to pre-sell; builds choir identity and community; option for online store = minimal hassle
Cons: Requires design and coordination; risk of unsold inventory; some profits go to vendor
Illustration:
Your baritone’s dog is now wearing a “Pitch Perfect” onesie in the holiday card photo. Branding level: expert.
- Restaurant Nights
Examples: Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, Panera
Why It Works:
Choir families get fed. The program gets a cut of the bill. You didn’t have to bake anything or vacuum glitter afterward.
Pros: Easy setup; no upfront costs; low volunteer requirements
Cons: Small percentage return (often 10–20 percent); only profitable with high turnout; limited control over logistics
Illustration:
Your whole choir shows up in matching hoodies at Applebee’s… and the manager panics, thinking you’re a flash mob.
- Seasonal Fundraisers
Examples: Holiday wreaths, Easter candy, Valentine’s singing telegrams
Why It Works:
Timed correctly, these fundraisers align with the buying habits of your audience—and who wouldn’t want to be serenaded by a barbershop quartet on Valentine’s Day?
Pros: Fresh and fun; great promotional opportunity; can become annual tradition
Cons: Requires tight planning; profit depends on timing; some ideas are hit-or-miss
Illustration:
Four show choir tenors in tuxedos interrupting 3rd-period algebra with “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.” Priceless.
- The Big Ticket Raffle
Why It Works:
Sell chances to win a high-demand item—think electronics, a vacation, or premium concert tickets. One prize, lots of tickets, big returns.
Pros: Exciting and high earning potential; often sells well beyond school families; can tie into a larger event
Cons: Requires a valuable donated item (or startup cash); may require a raffle permit or legal oversight; logistics for drawing and notifying winners
Illustration:
You say, “Let’s raffle a PlayStation.” Two weeks later, kids are auctioning off their siblings for ticket money.
The Secret Sauce: Participation + Booster Power
Even the best fundraiser falls flat if your team doesn’t show up. We’ve all seen it: 10 percent of the kids do 90 percent of the work, and half of the boosters vanish faster than a quick change during finals.
Here’s what makes a difference:
- 100 percent member involvement: Whether it’s selling, singing, or sorting donations, everyone needs a role. Set participation goals and create team incentives.
- Booster buy-In: Your booster club isn’t just there to clap at shows. They’re your backstage MVPs. Give them clear roles, a calendar, and actual appreciation (consider cookies, wine, or a thank-you video featuring jazz hands).
- Student motivation: Tie efforts to tangible outcomes. “Help us raise $10K” is less compelling than “Help us raise $10K so we can fly to Nationals and wear real rhinestones this time!”
A Few Final Tips (And a Little Pep Talk)
- Diversify: Don’t rely on just one type of fundraiser. Mix high-yield events with low-effort campaigns throughout the season.
- Market smart: Use social media, email blasts, posters, and yes—even those adorable choir kids—to promote.
- Recognize effort: Celebrate milestones. A fundraising thermometer in the hallway? Classic. Pizza party when goals are met? Even better.
Remember, every dollar raised brings your students closer to that perfect performance, unforgettable memories, and the lifelong confidence that comes from being part of something bigger than themselves.
Plus, if you’re lucky, you’ll also help a baritone learn how to use a rake. Life skills!
In Conclusion…
Fundraising isn’t just a chore—it’s a stage all its own. It’s your pre-show warm-up, your opening number, your community curtain call. When done right, it inspires, connects, and empowers everyone involved. And yes, it pays for the glitter.
So go forth, fundraise with flair, and remember: while the costumes sparkle on stage, the real shine comes from the people who worked together to make it happen.
Break a leg—and a fundraising record.
