THE BEST MARCHING BAND FUNDRAISING IDEAS
Fundraising for bands that’s music to your ears
RaiseRight is one of the best fundraising ideas to earn money for everything—from day-to-day operational expenses to unforgettable trips and experiences.
A sound investment for success
Through music education, students learn communication, teamwork, leadership, and critical thinking skills that positively shape their character and improve well-being. They’re also more inclined to succeed academically, stay in school, or pursue higher education.
However, music programs are financially demanding for many families. Between uniforms, instruments, travel, competition fees, and camp, the costs add up fast.
But that shouldn’t discourage parents from supporting their kids’ involvement in music programs. By kickstarting a band fundraising program through RaiseRight, you can expand access to life-changing opportunities for students and allow them to flourish and become their best selves.
How it works
Once you start a band fundraising program with RaiseRight, earning money for your music group is easy as 1, 2, 3.
Buy gift cards or shop online across hundreds of popular brands.
Instantly earn with every purchase (6% average, up to 20%).
Use or distribute the funds to meet your band's fundraising goals.
RaiseRight partners with well-known, beloved brands, so there’s something for everyone—no matter
their lifestyle or preferences.
Why RaiseRight?
See why 8,000+ bands and music programs love fundraising with RaiseRight.
Earn up to 5x more than other band and music fundraisers
The highest-earning marching band fundraiser on RaiseRight earned $35,816 in 2023.
Easy earnings on everyday purchases
Earn money by shopping online or paying for gas, groceries, and everyday purchases with gift cards. Minimize the need to ask for donations, sell goods, or plan labor-intensive events like car washes or bake sales.
Flexible, free programs with no restrictions
RaiseRight is free to join—no commitment, minimums, or maintenance fees. Plus, your music program keeps 100% of the earnings, and you can use the funds however you like.
Unlimited earning potential for all your band’s needs
Many families easily earn $1,000+ annually. Put that money towards once-in-a-lifetime trips, competition fees, instruments and sheet music, uniforms, equipment, color guard gear—you name it.
Year-round earning without the effort
Families can buy gift cards or shop online 24/7, 365 days a year, ensuring ongoing support for your music program—even during holidays and off-season.
Compare different fundraising ideas for bands
- Type of
Fundraiser - Time Required
Each Month - Volunteers
Needed - Timeframe
to Start Avg Annual
Earnings
Each Month
-
RaiseRight
-
RaiseRight
1-2 Hours
-
RaiseRight
1-2 People
-
RaiseRight
3 Days or Less
-
RaiseRight
$54,000
- Door-to-Door Selling
-
Door-to-Door Selling
8 Hours
-
Door-to-Door Selling
3-4 People
-
Door-to-Door Selling
3 Weeks
-
Door-to-Door Selling
$9,000
- Battle of the Bands
-
Battle of the Bands
14 Hours
-
Battle of the Bands
5-10 People
-
Battle of the Bands
8 Weeks
-
Battle of the Bands
$9,000
-
March-a-Thon Pledge
-
March-a-Thon Pledge
24 Hours
-
March-a-Thon Pledge
20-30 People
-
March-a-Thon Pledge
2 Weeks
-
March-a-Thon Pledge
$5,000
- Concession Stand Sale
-
Concession Stand Sale
5-6 Hours
-
Concession Stand Sale
8-10 People
-
Concession Stand Sale
2 Weeks
-
Concession Stand Sale
$2,000
Top earning fundraiser
“As a marching band booster group, we needed an easy way to earn money that wasn’t a burden. We started our RaiseRight program with only four parents using gift cards consistently, but as the band grew, so did our program. Last year, RaiseRight helped 30 kids cover most (if not all) of their fees. Personally, I was able to cover 100% of my daughter's fees and half of my son's! That’s $975 that I didn’t have to pay out-of-pocket.”
Katie, fundraises for her children’s marching bandNo-limit band fundraising means more money for:
Once-in-a-lifetime trips
Musical instruments
Marching band uniforms
Band competition costs
Color guard equipment
Top 10 fundraising ideas for bands and music programs
Band fundraising is essential for both necessities and dream opportunities—from new instruments and uniforms, to travel competitions and inspiring field trips. Earn money for your band needs and more with these show-stopping band fundraiser ideas below. The unmistakable star of the performance? Fundraising with RaiseRight.
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Gift card & shopping fundraising
Gift card and online shopping fundraising with RaiseRight is an easy way for bands to raise money year-round. Simply invite participants ... to join your RaiseRight program and shop online or purchase gift cards from hundreds of well-known, beloved brands. With each purchase, your band or music program earns a percentage back, and you get to keep every cent. Families can shop online as they normally would, and use gift cards for everyday expenses, from gas to groceries, retail shopping, travel, and more—all while raising money for their favorite musician.
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March-a-thon fundraisers
Marching band “march-a-thon” fundraisers are a unique way to earn money while showcasing one-of-a-kind talent with those in your local ... community. Simply map out a route and rehearse a few toe-tapping songs to get community members on their feet. To raise money, your band members will need to find sponsors to pledge a certain amount for every minute played, or foot marched.
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Band competition fundraisers
A little healthy competition is great for boosting morale and raising money for your music program. Organize a “battle of the bands”, or let individual ... stars duel it out on stage for some great entertainment. Charge for tickets, and sell concessions and merchandise to raise extra money. These events take a lot of planning and volunteer power, so consider offsetting some costs by running a RaiseRight gift card fundraiser simultaneously (or at the event itself).
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Cabaret night fundraisers
Cabaret night fundraisers are another fun idea, if you don’t mind a bit of planning. Not only do you have to organize the talent line-up, but you also ... have to consider venue, seating, decorations, and food. While these events are certainly entertaining, you might not make much of a profit. To recoup some costs, use your RaiseRight gift cards to purchase food and beverages for the event.
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Dueling pianos fundraisers
If you have two piano aficionados in your band or music program, invite them to test their skills during a dueling pianos fundraising event. Keep in ... mind that pianos can be swapped for any instrument — dueling trombones can be just as fun to watch, if not more so! Like any event-based fundraiser, you’ll need to plan the logistics: finding a venue, selling tickets, securing a host or emcee for the evening, and offering food and beverages.
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If your band is already playing at your school’s sports games, why not run the concession stand as well? You can earn money from both selling and ... buying food and drinks by using gift cards purchased through RaiseRight; stock the concession stand with items from stores like Walmart, ShopRite, or Walgreens.
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Halftime performance fundraisers
Looking for a marching band fundraiser idea that’ll earn you money and wow a crowd? Blow sports fans away with an exciting marching band routine ... during half-time at the big game. Ask spectators to donate after the show, or they can pledge extra money to request their favorite songs during the performance.
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Musical telegram fundraisers
If you’re looking for more unusual band fundraiser ideas, try hosting a singing or musical telegram campaign. Interested individuals or organizations ... can pay for a single band or choir member (or a larger group) to serenade a telegram recipient. Musical telegrams are perfect for spreading holiday cheer or celebrating special occasions, like birthdays or Valentine’s Day.
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Music lesson fundraisers
Band fundraising can be useful in multiple ways. While you can earn money for new instruments or travel costs, you can also entice potential new ... members to join your band or music program. Combine both objectives by hosting music lessons or workshops to raise money. Band members can teach students or younger musicians one-on-one or in groups. If students are eager to continue their musical journey, encourage them to use gift cards to buy instruments or supplies from places like Guitar Center or Best Buy, so your program can earn some cash back!
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Musical movie night fundraisers
Share your love of music and entertainment with the community by hosting a musical movie night. Show a beloved movie musical, or rehearse the ... score to an iconic film and accompany it live during the screening. The only downside is that you’ll need access to some equipment, like a projector and speakers, and movie theater snacks. Luckily, you can use gift cards from RaiseRight to acquire these movie night essentials and earn money back with each purchase.
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