How to Host a Math Fundraiser
Hosting a math fundraiser, also known as a Math-A-Thon or math marathon, can be a rewarding and impactful way to support your school or organization while promoting the importance of mathematics. Whether you're aiming to raise funds for new educational resources, extracurricular activities, or charitable causes, a math-themed event can engage participants of all ages and skill levels.
In this step-by-step guide, we'll focus on setting up a math fundraiser in the ForOurSchool.org platform. Refer to our complete math-a-thon guide for tips and suggestions for planning, promoting, and gathering feedback on your events.
1Register for a free account
There is no cost to create an account for you or for parents or students.
2Create a fundraiser
Once logged in, click on your avatar and select the "Start New Fundraiser" option.
3Enter school information
If your school or organization is a 501(c)(3), enter the business name and EIN, so donors will receive donation receipts and corporate matching instructions. We recommend 2 weeks for the duration of your event.
4Set participant goals
You can set a fundraising goal for the school and for each participant, as well a goal for the target number of problems solved. You can later override these on the class level and parents can set their own goals if they choose.
5Enable leaderboards
You have the option to enable leaderboards, either by class or by individual, which we recommend to help promote healthy competition. Students only see their own name on the individual leaderboards and parents can still opt out of them if they prefer.
6Select payment method
Choose how you want to receiving the proceeds from the donations. Your options are PayPal or direct to your bank account. View our pricing page to learn more about the differences
7Add classes
You only need to add the classes that will be participating in your fundraiser and individual student names as they will add themselves. For each class, you set the grade level, teacher's name, and donation and math goals for each student in the class.
8Invite parents
We provide an email template that you can use to send to parents inviting them to register for your Math-A-Thon, but feel free to edit it however you choose. The key is to provide parents with the 6-digit "Fundraiser Code".
9Parents create student profiles
Parents can then register for a free account in their name and then create profiles for their children.
10Select classes and goals
When setting up the profile, parents select the class and student goals. If set, these goals take priority over the school or class goals. If individual leaderboards are enabled for your fundraiser, parents can choose whether they want their students to participate in them.
11Student plays math games
Students can then play math games that progress through the entire year's curriculum, but students can skip any games they want and they will automatically move onto the next level. Once they go through all the types of math games available, they will randomly be shown games of all types and the website will encourage them to surpass their personal math goals.
12View hints with visual aids
If a student is stuck, they can view a hint that will show them a visual guide and explanation that helps them arrive at the correct answer.
13Or complete walkthroughs to problems
If the student answers the problem incorrectly, they will be shown the same visual guide, but with the correct answer highlighted.
14Or celebratory fireworks
When a student answers a problem correctly, they see a quick, celebratory fireworks display and a counter will update letting them know how many additional games they need to solve to move on to the next level.
