9 Easy Things to Make for Fundraising

Let’s be honest, most fundraising leaders are juggling too much. You don’t have time for complicated crafts, bake sale burnout, or freezer disasters. The good news is you don’t need any of that to raise real money.

Here’s what you do need:

• Easy projects you can finish in under an hour
• Crowd-pleasers that actually sell
• Ideas that work with just 1–2 people
• Creative, giftable items for any season

Whether you’re a PTO leader flying solo or a scout troop on a budget, these ideas are fast, fun, and proven to work even without a big team.

Let’s dive in.

Top 9 Easy Things to Make for Fundraising

When groups ask us, “What’s the easiest thing to sell that actually works?”, we light up, because we’ve seen plenty of smart, low-lift fundraisers raise money without a single oven preheated or tent pitched. If you’re short on time, short on volunteers, or just want something that’s simple and fun, these ideas deliver: easy to prep, affordable to make, and always a crowd-pleaser.

1. Themed Pasta Salad Kits

See the full recipe -> Delicious Winter Pasta Salad

Combine dry pasta, a simple spice blend or vinaigrette packet, and a quick “how-to” card, and you’ve got a ready-to-make meal that families will love.

Pro tip: Offer samples at school pick-up or community events. Some leaders do a “Pasta Night” theme, complete with recipe cards. It’s creative, delicious, and zero cooking required at your fundraiser table.

2. DIY Cookie Mix in a Jar

A classic that never goes out of style. All you need are mason jars, some basic baking ingredients, and a printable recipe tag. Layer the dry ingredients, flour, sugar, chocolate chips, and suddenly you’ve got a charming gift people want to buy.

These sell especially well around holidays and Teacher Appreciation Week. And if you have crafty students or parents in your group, let them design the tags!

3. Bath Bombs & Sugar Scrubs

This one’s for your creative crew! With a few ingredients like baking soda, Epsom salt, and essential oils, you can whip up self-care gifts that smell amazing and sell even better.

Bundle them together for holidays like Mother’s Day or Christmas. It’s a great hands-on project for middle and high schoolers and an easy one to scale up if demand takes off.

4. Decorated Donuts (Buy + Resell Strategy)

This one’s for the “we need money by Friday” crowd. Buy plain donuts in bulk (think Walmart or local shops), decorate them with icing or sprinkles, and resell at school for $1 each.

It’s fast, low-lift, and beloved by students and teachers alike. Just be sure to check your school’s food policy first!

5. DIY Dog Treat Bags

Easy peanut butter or oat-based treats are simple to make and wildly popular with pet parents. Package them in paper bags or clear wrap, tie with ribbon, and add a “Puppy Love Fundraiser” tag.

Great for scout troops, neighborhood events, or any group looking for a fun twist on the traditional bake sale.

6. Painted Rock Magnets or Bookmarks

This idea is sweet, sentimental, and surprisingly profitable. Elementary students can paint magnets or bookmarks using donated craft supplies, and people will pay for the emotional connection more than the item itself.

Parents, grandparents, and teachers love supporting kids when the fundraiser feels personal. It’s also a great indoor activity that doubles as art enrichment.

7. Upcycled Jar Lanterns

Collect used jars, pop in a tealight or battery fairy lights, and let the decorating begin. Think seasonal themes: snowflakes, stars, hearts.

These are beautiful around the holidays and always a hit at craft fairs. Plus, they’re practically free to make if you collect donations of used jars.

8. Hand-Painted Pot Holders or Tea Towels

Grab some fabric-safe markers and let kids or teens design their own towel or pot holder. These make perfect gifts for Mother’s Day, holidays, or community markets.

Older generations especially love practical items with a personal touch. And younger kids feel proud seeing their art turned into something useful.

9. Cake in a Cup Kits

Perfect for a “treat yourself” vibe. Pre-mix dry cake ingredients, pop them into a cute mug or cup, and include microwave instructions. Add sprinkles or a mini spoon for bonus flair.

These fly off tables during Valentine’s Day and school spirit weeks, and they’re small enough for even a solo fundraiser to manage easily.

Beyond the Bake Sale: What to Avoid

There’s a reason why so many fundraising leaders come to us saying, “We’re done with bake sales.” And honestly? We don’t blame them. The old-school fundraisers, frozen cookie dough, chocolate bars, DIY craft overload, might seem easy on paper, but in reality, they often lead to more headaches than dollars raised.

Melt-Prone Foods = Disaster in Warm Weather

Chocolate bars might look tempting in the brochure, but once the weather hits 80 degrees, it’s game over. We’ve heard more than a few horror stories about melted messes in backpacks, car seats, and gym bags. 

That’s one of the reasons we created our pasta fundraiser with a 100% non-melting shipping model. It doesn’t matter if you’re in Arizona or Alabama in August; your product arrives safe, clean, and intact. And that kind of reliability means peace of mind for everyone involved.

Frozen Foods = Logistic Nightmare

We can’t count the number of times a group leader has said, “Never again” after trying to manage frozen food deliveries. The time windows, the coolers, the panic over what’s still sitting in the school office fridge, it’s too much. Especially when you’re working with small teams and limited volunteer help.

With shelf-stable options like pasta or cookie mix jars, there’s no rush and no stress. Your fundraiser runs on your timeline, not your freezer’s.

Overcomplicated Crafts = Burnout

We love a good hands-on project, but there’s a difference between creative and chaotic. When crafts get too complicated (think 10-step candle-making kits), what starts as a fun idea turns into a marathon of coordination, setup, and cleanup.

The trick is to choose crafts that are easy to make in batches, kid-friendly, and affordable. Painted rock magnets, hand-drawn bookmarks, or bath scrubs with simple ingredients keep the charm without burning out your volunteers.

At the end of the day, the most successful fundraisers aren’t the ones with the flashiest materials, they’re the ones your team can actually pull off. That’s why we always say: skip the meltdown, avoid the freezer, and keep it simple. Your sanity (and your sales) will thank you.

Tips to Maximize Your Easy-Make Fundraiser

See how Fun Pasta Fundraising helped Prince of Peace Preschool reach their goals. 

If your fundraiser is easy, that doesn’t mean it can’t be powerful. Over the years, we’ve worked with groups that doubled their profits simply by making a few strategic tweaks. These simple tips can help you raise more with the same amount of work.

Bundle for More Value

People love a deal, and a good-looking bundle feels like one. If you’re selling small items like cookie mix jars, hand-painted tea towels, or bath bombs, try grouping 2–3 together for a higher price point. You’ll increase your average sale without increasing your workload.

Promote Online First

We’re living in a digital-first world, and online promotion is the secret weapon of modern fundraisers. Start by sharing your fundraiser on social media, via email newsletters, and even text chains. Parents are busy, they’ll appreciate a link they can tap and order from their phone in 30 seconds flat.

Offer Light Incentives

Motivation doesn’t have to cost much. Sometimes, a little recognition goes a long way. Simple, fun incentives like a “pizza party for the top classroom,” “sunglasses day,” or even a shout-out on morning announcements for the first student to hit $100 in sales can ignite friendly competition.

Ready to Try a Fundraiser That Practically Runs Itself?

If you’re dreaming of a fundraiser that’s easy to run, fun to promote, and actually delivers results, you’re in the right place. At Fun Pasta Fundraising, we’ve helped thousands of schools, teams, and groups raise money with zero stress and maximum smiles.

No minimums. No freezing. No stress. Just pasta, profits, and a whole lot of fun.