Fundraising ideas for schools and youth groups
If your young people are inspired by the incredible work of Guide Dogs, why not get involved and make a real difference? Our life-changing services are only made possible thanks to the generosity of schools, groups and community champions just like you.
Why fundraise for Guide Dogs?
Inspire awareness and advocacy
Help young people understand the different challenges people face and be advocates for a more inclusive world.
Build values and vital skills
Put compassion into practice, and develop life skills such as teamwork, planning, and money management.
See real local impact
We’ll show you how every penny you raise helps people with sight loss in your community and across the UK live the life they choose.
On this page
Our five best fundraising ideas for schools and groups
Join our amazing community of supporters by choosing one of our five best fundraising ideas tailored for schools and youth groups. Young people often love to develop a unique spin on these ideas so use them as inspiration while you fundraise your way. Whether you’re up for a challenge or simply want an easy fundraising idea, there’s a wacky and wonderful way for everyone to get involved – with our support, you can really put the ‘fun’ in fundraising!
1. Themed dress down day
Put a Guide Dogs spin on an own-clothes day. Dress in our colours of blue and yellow or wear it bright with high-vis like on the flash of our guide dog harnesses. You could even tie in learning about sun safety with our eye health resource and wear sunglasses for the day.
2. Sponsored walk with a puppy
Especially fun as a nursery or preschool fundraising idea, colour and cut out one of our puppy friends from our learning hub, pop on a ribbon lead and go for a walk! Whether it’s laps for a set distance or with a target destination in mind, these fundraisers are a great chance to get families involved.
3. 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.
4. Sports teamwork challenge
Take on an inclusive sports challenge using our Fund Race pack, including a ready-made assembly about sight loss and inclusion. Guided by a rope or a partner, this blindfolded obstacle course or running race is an easy fundraising idea for primary schools to add into sports day. Find out more about Fund Race.
5. Get creative at Christmas
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.
Fundraising goals
Big or small, your contribution means everything to us. If you’re up for a meaningful challenge, you may choose to join one of our rewarded fundraising schemes, where we will provide dedicated support from the start to help you reach a set target. One big fundraiser or a few smaller fundraisers…the choice is yours.
Our Puppy Graduation Scheme
Want to buy five puppies their off-to-school training kit? Start your adventure on this supported fundraising scheme to raise £500 and get fun information about the pups’ graduation into life-changers alongside resources to show your achievement. One more thing? Exclusive entry into a prize draw to win a visit from our demo team (UK excluding Northern Ireland).
Name a guide dog puppy
Our Name a Puppy scheme is a wonderful opportunity for schools and youth groups to be at the heart of a guide dog puppy's story. We have a range of naming levels for you to target, each following your named puppy on their unique journey with us. Some levels include the opportunity to meet the puppy you’ve named in person!
Charity partners
Life-changing partnerships are what we do best. Partner with us and we will provide easy fundraising ideas and resources alongside exclusive learning opportunities, all supported by a dedicated local account manager. Get in touch to explore choosing us as your charity of the year or term.
Guide dogs help people of all ages
“I’ve been so lucky to benefit from these amazing dogs since I was 13 years old. At 13, you don’t want to walk around holding your mum’s hand. When I was partnered with Rory, I trusted him instantly and, as soon as I could, I was out! For the first time in my life, I felt like I could do anything.”
- Hannah, guide dog owner
Fundraising tools for schools and youth groups
In addition to our usual pack for fundraisers, we offer tools specifically created with schools and youth groups in mind - helping boost donations while turning the experience into a meaningful learning journey. Why not use our themed page border pack so young people can create their own information sheet about us or a persuasive event poster? Or you can have a fun craft session making our money boxes to go home with each child?
-
Guide Dogs for school councils (pdf 5.31mb)
-
Editable letter to families (docx 484.36kb)
-
Guide Dogs themed page border portrait (pdf 1.02mb)
-
Guide Dogs themed page border landscape (pdf 1.02mb)
-
Young people’s sponsorship form (pdf 626.88kb)
-
Blazer’s money box cube activity (pdf 190.06kb)
-
Printable sticker sheets (pdf 2.26mb)
For more resources including a fundraising guide, register for our free standard pack and advice hub for all fundraisers.
How to pay in your funds
Every penny you raise means everything to us, and we’ve made it easy for you to pay in those vital funds.
People bringing in cash? No problem – pay in at any Barclays bank. Find out more or how to pay in by card, cheque or bank transfer at 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 accepts donations from anyone, with or without an account. Or set up a JustGiving page so the money comes directly to us. We can even provide images and text.
Get in touch to start your fundraising adventure
Our team are on hand with lots of fun and easy fundraising ideas for schools and youth groups. We can offer further resources and advice tailored just for you…and you might even want to invite us along! Even if you’re only at the ideas stage, contact us and we can make a difference together.