Maths-a-thon Fundraiser NZ

A maths-a-thon is a sponsored maths challenge where students raise money for the problems they solve. It builds maths skills, runs in the classroom, and works on pledges so almost everything raised is profit.

A maths-a-thon gives students a reason to practise their maths and gives families a reason to get behind it. There is no stock to buy and no supplier to pay, so the sponsorship money goes straight to the school.

Teachers tend to like it because it fits inside normal class time. Every student works at their own level, so it suits a whole school as well as a single class.

How a maths-a-thon works

Students collect sponsors ahead of the challenge, either a set amount per correct answer or a flat pledge for taking part. Each year group gets a problem set pitched at its level, from basic facts for juniors to fractions and problem solving for seniors.

After a week or two of practice, students sit a timed challenge in class. Results go home, sponsors pay what they pledged, and the class or year group that raises the most gets bragging rights.

Why a maths-a-thon works

High margin

Pledge money has almost no cost behind it, so nearly everything raised is profit for the school.

Builds maths confidence

Students practise for weeks beforehand because they want a good score, which does more for fluency than another worksheet.

Works in any weather

It runs in the classroom, so there is no event day to cancel when the forecast turns.

Easy for sponsors to back

Grandparents and family friends like supporting schoolwork, and they can see exactly what their pledge rewarded.

Other a-thon events

The same sponsorship model works for reading, learning and active events too. Pick the one that suits your students and your term.

Read-a-thon

Students get sponsored per book or per minute read. The other classroom a-thon most schools start with.

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Learn-a-thon

Each student picks something to learn, from times tables to te reo Māori, and sponsors back them to get there.

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Walk-a-thon

Walkers collect pledges per lap or kilometre. Suits every age and fitness level.

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All a-thon events

See how the sponsored a-thon model works and which event suits your school.

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Collect maths-a-thon pledges online

Give every student their own page with a link and QR code, so sponsors pledge and pay in one step. Class leaderboards add some friendly competition, and there is no cash to count afterwards.

Start a maths-a-thon on Raised

Maths-a-thon: common questions

How does a maths-a-thon work?

Students collect sponsors before the event, either a set amount per correct answer or a flat pledge for taking part. They practise over a week or two, then sit a timed set of problems pitched at their level. Once results are in, the pledged money is collected.

How do you make it fair across year groups?

Give each year group or maths group its own problem set. A new entrant counting to 20 and a Year 8 working through fractions can both have a real challenge, and sponsors are backing effort at the right level rather than raw difficulty.

Should sponsors pledge per answer or a flat amount?

Per answer pledges tend to raise more, but some sponsors worry about an open ended bill. Suggest a cap, such as 50 cents a correct answer up to $20, or offer a flat pledge as an alternative. Online pages make both options easy.

How do we collect the pledges?

You can use paper sponsorship forms and gather cash afterwards, or set up an online page where sponsors pledge and pay directly. Online collection saves a lot of counting and chasing, and family who live out of town can back a student just as easily.

Compare the other sponsored events

A maths-a-thon sits well alongside a read-a-thon or a fun run on the school calendar. See how the sponsored events compare.

All a-thon events All fundraising ideas

Last updated: September 2026

How a maths-a-thon works

After a week or two of practice, students sit a timed challenge in class. Results go home, sponsors pay what they pledged, and the class or year group that raises the most gets bragging rights.

Why a maths-a-thon works

High margin

Pledge money has almost no cost behind it, so nearly everything raised is profit for the school.

Builds maths confidence

Students practise for weeks beforehand because they want a good score, which does more for fluency than another worksheet.

Works in any weather

It runs in the classroom, so there is no event day to cancel when the forecast turns.

Easy for sponsors to back

Grandparents and family friends like supporting schoolwork, and they can see exactly what their pledge rewarded.

Other a-thon events

The same sponsorship model works for reading, learning and active events too. Pick the one that suits your students and your term.

Maths-a-thon: common questions

How does a maths-a-thon work?

How do you make it fair across year groups?

Should sponsors pledge per answer or a flat amount?

How do we collect the pledges?