How to Start a Fundraiser for Girls’ Education in Your Community

In a small village in rural Rajasthan lives Ayesha (name changed), a bright and curious girl who dropped out of school at the age of eight. Many barriers stand in the way of her returning to education. Her family does not believe that a girl’s education is important and sees her as more helpful at home, or believes that getting married young is a better path than continuing education. 

Even if her family allows her to study, the school is too far. Her story is not uncommon. According to UNESCO’s 2025 Global Education Monitoring Report, around 133 million girls globally are currently out of school.

The challenge is large, but the solution starts with one person deciding to act. Community fundraising for girls’ education creates collective action. You too can start a fundraiser for girls’ education, right from your neighbourhood.

How to Start Your Own Fundraiser for Girls’ Education

1. Find Your ‘Why’

Every fundraiser begins with a purpose. Your ‘why’ is what fuels your efforts and helps others connect with the cause. It could be a story like Ayesha’s, a personal experience, or a belief that every girl deserves the chance to learn.

2. Set Clear and Achievable Goals

Once you have your ‘why’, define what success looks like. Set SMART goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. For example, you might aim to raise donations to support the enrolment of five girls over one year. 

3. Partner with an Expert NGO

To ensure your effort creates maximum impact, partner with experts. NGO fundraising for girls’ education helps ensure that donations translate into meaningful change on the ground.

Educate Girls is one such NGO whose work aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4, promoting inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all children.

Through the Vidya program, Educate Girls works with community-based volunteers, known as Team Balika, to identify out-of-school girls aged 6–14, engage with families to shift mindsets around girls’ education, and support their enrollment into education.

Once girls are enrolled, Educate Girls delivers Gyan ka Pitara (Repository of Knowledge), an innovative remedial foundational course for students like Ayesha who struggle with basic literacy and numeracy. Ensuring girls not only enrol but stay in education is key to unlocking their potential and creating lasting change for them and their communities.

4. Choose Simple, Meaningful Fundraising Ideas

A community fundraiser does not need a big budget. Simple, personal ideas can be just as effective in bringing people together for a cause.

• Festival Stall for Education: Set up a small stall during festivals like Diwali, Holi, or Christmas, selling homemade snacks, crafts, or festive items. Proceeds can go toward supporting girls’ education.
• Skills Workshop: Run a short class based on a skill you enjoy, such as baking or pottery, and donate the participation fee to support girls’ education.
• Cycle-for-Cause Ride: Organise a community cycle ride where participants get sponsored for the distance they cover. Friends, family, or colleagues can pledge a small amount per kilometre or a flat donation to support girls’ education.
  

5. Spread the Word and Build Momentum

Share your ‘why’ on social media and within your local community. Put up a poster in your local community space. Talk about your fundraiser, invite participation, and encourage others to contribute. Your passion makes others connect and care.Community fundraisers are a great way for people to come together and raise money for causes they believe in. Let us help you. We provide the tools and on-ground network to make your community fundraising for girls’ education a resounding success.