Our top fundraising ideas for schools and youth groups

If your young people are inspired by the amazing work that Guide Dogs does, we’d love you to become part of it. Our life-changing work relies on the generosity of people, schools, groups and community leaders just like you. So why not join our amazing community of supporters by using one of our seven best fundraising ideas for schools and youth groups? Whether you want a challenge or just an easy fundraising idea, with so many wacky and wonderful ways to get involved, you can really put the ‘fun’ into fundraising! Don’t forget, you can launch it all with a visit from our amazing speakers, too.

1. Choose us as charity of the year 

Life-changing partnerships are what we do best. Partner with us and we will provide easy fundraising ideas and resources alongside learning tools to help the next generation understand what we can do to create a more inclusive world. Get to know the Guide Dogs family, receive dedicated support from a local contact, and use our comprehensive resources to enrich your young people’s learning. Get in touch to find out more.

2. Get involved in our Puppy Graduation Scheme  

Our challenge is…can your school or youth group raise £500? This will buy five puppies their off-to-school training kit: everything they need for our trainers to teach them the specialist skills of a fully qualified guide dog. 

Once completed, your reward is a special Puppy Graduation pack. This includes: 

• A fun yearbook about three pups who have grown into life-changing partnerships.  
• Stickers for every child involved. 
• A poster that details the training journey our pups go on to become life-changers. 
• A large certificate to show your achievement for the wider community to see. 
• An exclusive entry into our prize draw to win a visit at your school or youth group from our very special dog demo team (UK excluding Northern Ireland). 

One big event or lots of little fundraisers – the choice is yours! Start your adventure on this fundraising scheme by contacting us today. 

3. Name a guide dog puppy 

Our Name a Puppy scheme is a wonderful opportunity for schools and youth groups to be at the very heart of a guide dog puppy's story. We have a range of naming levels for you to choose from. Find out more about Name a Puppy.

4. Ready, set…Fund Race 

Take on an inclusive sports challenge using our resource pack, including a ready-made assembly about sight loss and inclusion. An easy fundraising idea for primary schools at summer sports day. Find out more about Fund Race.

5. Hold an Easter bake sale 

Whether you bake for a sale or host a coffee morning for families, cakes sell like…well like hot cakes! Sign up for a Make Every Cuppa Count pack for an excellent Easter fundraising idea for schools and youth groups. 

6. Get creative at Christmas

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! This time for giving is perfect for a fundraiser and we have resources to support lots of Christmas fundraising ideas for schools and youth groups. Host a Christmas-themed quiz, wear your silliest Christmas jumper or have a crafts day making cards and decorations. 

7. Get young people to design a fundraiser

Let your school or youth group develop their own best fundraising ideas for Guide Dogs. They might want to dress to impress with a Guide Dogs spin on a non-uniform day – how about dressing in our colours of blue and yellow, or going bright with high-vis, or even thinking about sun safety and wearing sunglasses for the day? Perhaps they prefer to go active – how about a sponsored walk with one of our colour-in pups? 

How to pay in your funds 

Every penny you raise means everything to us, and we’ve made it super easy for you to pay in those vital funds.  

People bringing in cash? No problem – you can pay in at any Barclays bank. Find out more about this or how to pay in by card, cheque or bank transfer by going to our paying in your fundraising page. 

Setting up a fundraising page to save your office time or for longer challenges? If you already use ParentMail or Iris PlusPay then simply create a donations page as this will accept donations from anyone, with or without an account. Just as easy is setting up a JustGiving page so the money comes directly to us. We can even provide images and text for a quick set up of your page.