Entrepreneurship · Lesson Plan
Fundraising
Charities can’t do their work without money — so they fundraise. This lesson explains why charities need a regular income, the main fundraising methods (asking for donations, events, selling merchandise, memberships), and why donors choose to give. Students then design their own fundraising appeal, making the case for support for a cause they care about.
For Teachers
Lesson at a glance
- Topic
- Entrepreneurship
- Grade Level
- Grades 4–8
- Resource Type
- Lesson + Worksheet
- Estimated Time
- 60–90 minutes
- Format
- Lesson + activity
- Materials
- Printable lesson, activity sheet, classroom currency
What Students Learn
Learning objectives
- Explain why charities need to fundraise
- Describe the main fundraising methods
- Explain why donors give money
- Understand making a case for support
- Design a fundraising appeal
Materials
What you’ll need
- Printed lesson and activity (one per group)
- Charity promotional materials
- A3 paper, scissors, glue, colored pens
- Fake coins or counters (10 per pupil)
Key Terms
Vocabulary
- Fundraising
- Asking people or companies to give money to support an organization.
- Donation
- Money given to support a charity.
- Donor
- A person or company that gives a donation.
- Charity
- An organization that uses donations to help a cause.
- Case for support
- The argument a charity makes for why people should give.
- Subscription
- A recurring membership fee that supports an organization.
For Teachers
Lesson plan
Estimated time: about 90 minutes (30 min teaching + 60 min activity).
Lesson sequence
- Why fundraise? (10 min). Discuss why charities need income and what they spend it on.
- How charities fundraise (12 min). Donations, events, merchandise, and memberships, with examples students have seen.
- Why donors give (8 min). Reasons people donate and how charities make a case for support.
- Design an appeal (60 min). Groups create a fundraising appeal for a chosen cause.
Assessment
Assess the fundraising appeal for a clear method, audience, and a convincing case for support.
Discussion
Discussion questions
- Why do charities need to fundraise?
- What are the main ways charities raise money?
- Why do people choose to donate?
- What makes a strong case for support?
- How would you fundraise for a cause you care about?
Printable Lesson & Activity
Fundraising — Lesson & Activity
A printable lesson on how charities fundraise: why they need income, the main methods, why donors give, and a design-your-own-appeal activity.
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