Read-a-thon Fundraiser NZ

A read-a-thon is a sponsored reading event where students raise money for the books or minutes they read. It rewards reading, works indoors in any weather, and runs on pledges so almost everything raised is profit.

A read-a-thon is one of the easiest a-thons to run. There is no stock to buy and no supplier to pay, so the sponsorship money students bring in goes straight to the school. Every child can take part, and because reading happens indoors it is a safe choice when the weather cannot be trusted.

It also backs something you want students doing anyway, which makes it an easy event for teachers and families to get behind.

How a read-a-thon works

Students collect sponsors ahead of the reading period, either a set amount per book or per minute read or a flat pledge for taking part. Pledges are recorded on a form sent home or gathered online before it starts.

Over the following week or two, students read and log their books. Once the period ends the pledged money is collected. Online collection makes this part easier because sponsors pay when they pledge.

Why a read-a-thon works

High margin

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

Rewards reading

It backs something you want students doing anyway, so the event supports learning as well as funds.

Works in any weather

Reading happens indoors, so a read-a-thon is a safe choice when an outdoor event is a risk.

Sponsors give freely

People pledge generously when the money goes straight to the school and the kids are doing the work.

Other a-thon events

If reading is not the right fit, the same sponsorship model works for a range of events. Pick the one that suits your students and your space.

Walk-a-thon

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

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Colour Run

Students run a course while getting showered in coloured powder. The easiest a-thon to sell to kids.

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Fun Run

The classic lap or course event, and usually the biggest earner on the calendar.

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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 sponsorship and pledges online

Setting up an online page for your read-a-thon means sponsors pledge and pay in one step, so there is no cash to count or chase afterwards. It also lets family who live out of town back a reader. See how Raised handles the collection.

See how online collection works

Read-a-thon: common questions

How does a read-a-thon work?

Students gather sponsors before the event, either a set amount per book or per minute read or a flat pledge for taking part. Over the reading period they log what they read, then the pledged money is collected. It rewards reading and raises money at the same time.

How much can a read-a-thon raise?

Because it runs on sponsorship rather than product sales, almost everything raised is profit. Totals depend on how many students take part and how well sponsorships are collected, but a whole-school read-a-thon can be one of the larger fundraisers of the year.

How long should a read-a-thon run?

A common length is one to two weeks of reading. That gives students time to read and log their books without the event dragging on. Give yourself a few weeks beforehand to send sponsorship forms home and promote it to families.

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 it makes it easy for wider family to sponsor a reader even if they live out of town.

Compare the highest-earning school fundraisers

A read-a-thon is a strong earner, but it is not the only one. See how the sponsored events compare to the other options that raise the most for NZ schools.

All a-thon events All fundraising ideas

Last updated: July 2026

How a read-a-thon works

Over the following week or two, students read and log their books. Once the period ends the pledged money is collected. Online collection makes this part easier because sponsors pay when they pledge.

Why a read-a-thon works

High margin

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

Rewards reading

It backs something you want students doing anyway, so the event supports learning as well as funds.

Works in any weather

Reading happens indoors, so a read-a-thon is a safe choice when an outdoor event is a risk.

Sponsors give freely

People pledge generously when the money goes straight to the school and the kids are doing the work.

Other a-thon events

If reading is not the right fit, the same sponsorship model works for a range of events. Pick the one that suits your students and your space.

Read-a-thon: common questions

How does a read-a-thon work?

How much can a read-a-thon raise?

How long should a read-a-thon run?

How do we collect the pledges?