Dance-a-thon

A Dance-a-thon is pure joy turned into fundraising. Students dance for a set period (an hour, a lunchtime, or a whole afternoon) while supporters donate online through their campaign page. It's energetic, inclusive, and effective at raising money.

With Raised, you set up a free crowdfunding campaign where families collect donations before the big event. No cash to handle, no sponsor forms to chase. Just a shareable link and a whole lot of dancing.

Why Dance-a-thons Are Perfect School Fundraisers

• Every Kid Joins In: You don't need to be athletic or competitive. If you can move, you can dance. This makes it one of the most inclusive fundraisers possible. Every student participates, and every family donates.
• Massive Energy: There's nothing quite like a school hall full of kids dancing. That energy translates to social media content that parents share, which drives more donations.
• Low Cost, High Return: You need a sound system, a hall, and someone to press play. Total cost: practically nothing. Total return: $1,000–$5,000+ depending on your school size.
• Memorable: Students will talk about the Dance-a-thon for months. That positive association makes families more willing to support your next fundraiser.
• Great Content: Photos and videos of dancing kids are social media gold. Parents share them, grandparents love them, and they drive donations even after the event.

How to Run a Dance-a-thon with Raised

1. Create Your Campaign

Click "Start This Fundraiser" above to set up a free crowdfunding campaign on Raised. Set your goal, add event details, and create an exciting campaign description. "Room 7 is dancing for a new school garden!" gives supporters a clear reason to give.

2. Build Anticipation

Launch the campaign 2-3 weeks before the event. Send the link home through newsletters and parent groups. Students share with grandparents, aunties, and family friends. Each donation before event day builds excitement.

3. Plan the Event

Keep it simple:

• Book the school hall or outdoor space
• Create a playlist (let students vote on songs!)
• Set a duration: 1 hour is plenty for younger kids, 2 hours for older students
• Arrange for water and a rest area
• Set up a photo/video station

4. Dance!

On the day, crank up the music and let students go for it. Have teachers join in. Students love seeing their teachers dance. Take plenty of photos and videos for social media.

5. Share and Celebrate

Post event photos immediately. This is when late donations flood in. "Look how much fun we had! We're $200 away from our goal, can you help us get there?" is a great post-event push.

Pro Tips

• Let students choose the music: A student-voted playlist means more investment in the event. Set up a song request system the week before.
• Themed dances: Decades dance, disco, cultural dance celebration. Themes add an extra layer of excitement and costume opportunities.
• Dance-off competitions: Voluntary dance-offs between classes, teachers vs students, or age groups add entertainment and social media content.
• Live updates: Post to social media during the event. Real-time content drives same-day donations.
• Inclusive formats: Seated dancing, freestyle, follow-the-leader. Offer different ways to participate so everyone feels included.
• Combine with mufti day: Students donate a gold coin to wear mufti on Dance-a-thon day for an extra fundraising boost.

Why Use Raised?

Raised is free for NZ schools. Set up a crowdfunding campaign in minutes, collect donations online, and track your progress in real time. No fees on bank transfers. Your school keeps every cent. Card payment fees are paid by supporters at checkout.

Simple, modern, and built for schools like yours.

Ready to get dancing? Click "Start This Fundraiser" above to launch your free campaign on Raised.