FAQs

  • We are the only School Fun Run provider to have schools raising over $100k in single events.

    Heading into 2023, our TOP 100 events have raised $50,968 on average and our TOP 10 events raised an average of $83,695 each. So, you’re in safe hands with us as no other School Fun Run business gets anywhere near our numbers.

    Make no mistake! School Fun Run is a high profit school fundraiser. We hold several Australian records for the most amount raised in single events. In fact, we have the top 5 spots for highest amount raised in a single School Fun Run event.

    Our TOP 3 events are Milton Public who raised $114,058 during COVID-19. Terrigal Public who raised $104,998 in 2022 and Waverly College who raised $100,264 with around 360 kids!

    If you’re a smaller school its good to know that last year we helped Yandelora School raise $22,786 with 100 students, and Goolgowi Public School to $8,514 with just 35 kids. We have also helped a school with 47 students to $24,493, and we helped Joseph Varga School raise $10,788 with just 20 kids!

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  • FULL-SERVICE FUNDRAISING 

    School Fundraising is about community coming together to make great things happen! We acknowledge you for being part of that cause. After 36 years of doing this, we know that fundraising is volunteer driven. That’s why customer service is our primary focus. In short, we’re here for you every step of the way:

    PERSONAL SUPPORT

    We’ll piggyback you from start to finish with a dedicated Fundraising Coach. Your coach will figure out what you’re looking to achieve, tailor an inspiring plan to get your school there, and proactively work with you to ensure you don’t miss a trick.

    PRINTED SUPPORT

    Everything you need to succeed will be supplied to you, including Class Kits, Promotional Posters, Sponsorship Forms, Student Incentive Prizes and much more.

    THE EXTRA STEP

    Your Fundraising Coach will go even further for you. In the past we have even written custom documents for schools… We’ve got you covered!

  • Our national champ is Milton Public School. They raised $114,058 in a single School Fun Run! Since then, we’ve helped three more schools crack the $100k mark. In fact, our top 5 schools average $104,997 per School Fun Run!

  • A school colour day can raise money for a number of different causes. Many schools choose to use the money raised from a colour day to fund new playground equipment or to help pay for school trips and events. Some schools also donate a portion of the money raised to charity.

    The purpose of a school Colour Run is to raise money for a good cause, to have fun, and create a memorable experience. A school Colour Run is a great way to bring people together and create lasting memories. Plus, it's a great way to show your support for a good cause! Whatever the cause, a school colour run is a great way to raise money and have fun at the same time!

  • There is no age limit for participating in a school colour fun run like our Crazy Colour Day. The event is open to people of all ages, and the colour powder used is safe for everyone.

  • Student rewards are the life blood of the School Fun Run. They engage the student body to get active in support of your fundraiser. Compare our prizes to anyone else, we’re confident the difference will be clear! Oh, and don’t forget, families order their rewards online through our wonderful website, so you don’t have to create spreadsheets etc. Those days are history as our website does the admin for you.

    CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PRIZES

  • In our opinion, the best time to hold a colourful fundraising event is in the spring or summer. This is because the weather is usually warm enough to allow people to be outside for extended periods of time, and the colours will show up better in natural sunlight. Most of our school hold their Crazy Colour Day in Term 3 or 4 each year. It can also be a great event to kick off the school year in Term 1.

  • You can link your School Fun Run to an existing school event: cross-country, sports day or swimming carnival… they will all work! You’re already doing the hard work to set up the day (you’re just not fundraising off that effort). 

    By combining your existing school event with the School Fun-Run you’ll add extra excitement, increase participation raise easy funds for your school budget too!

  • St Patrick’s College in Strathfield did this, back in 2013 they only had 10-13 kids out of 360 running in their school cross country (it wasn’t compulsory to run). The Sports Master called us and asked if adding the School Fun Run would get more kids taking part on the day.

    Participation went to 100% of the kids running and the school has raised over $420,000 to boot! We also arranged for James Tedesco and Mitchell Moses to visit the kids and congratulate them. Not bad for a school not looking to fundraise ha ha!

  • Yes, ideally all students can take part whether they fundraise or not. However, this is ultimately a call for the school.

  • We suggest having a small loop circuit, approx 200m in length. The students will then run laps of the course. You want to avoid large tracks so that the kids stay bunched… it’s more fun this way. We also suggest limiting the run time to 15 mins max per group. Students simply complete as many laps as they can within the set time. If you are holding a Crazy Colour Day, the more laps a student completes, the more colourful they will become.

  • Nope, we’re sure you can find cheaper options out there. But, you can have complete confidence you are making the best decision when you hold a School Fun Run… because the idea that “you get what you pay for” is true in almost every industry. School Fundraising is no exception!

    The bottom line is that you get what you pay for, and what you’re paying for is the most amount of net profit in your fundraising account. That’s our primary goal.

    After three decades of experience, we’ve built a school fundraising idea in School Fun Run that will maximise profit for your school. Because we work on a profit-share basis, there are no financial risks to your school… and your success is our success… which is another reason we work so hard for you.

    The success produced by our methodologies is one key reason we’re the Fundraising Company of the Year seven years running. It’s also a major reason why we’re the only Fun-Run company to have multiple schools raise over $100,000 in single School Fun Runs. Our formula also empowered our TOP 100 schools to average over $50K!

    NOTE: If you have used a cheaper provider, let us know, we’re happy to give you a net profit guarantee, because we want to invest in your success!

  • We use safe, natural gluten free corn-starch to make a talc-free colour powder for our fun runs. Some people think the powder is chalk or paint, but it’s actually food grade corn-starch with vegetable dye added to make the colour. This means that the colours are completely safe for children, animals and the environment. We can supply you with a Material Safety Data Sheet and an Environmental Impact Statement if you like.

    Our powder has even been approved for use on Gold Coast beaches before!

  • We call our version of a school colour fun run, the Crazy Colour Day and it is not political in any way. The colour doesn't represent anything - it's just there for fun!

  • You can register your School Fun Run right here or you can call 1800 FUN RUN (386 786)

  • WHERE: School Fun Run events normally take place on school ovals, however sometimes they happen in parklands if the school has no suitable greenspace. If an event takes place in parklands, approval from the local council needs to be gained.

    WHEN: Most schools like to hold their event between 1pm and 3pm (or after lunch till the end of the day). This why the students can go home hyped up and colourful.

For Schools

  • You don’t need a budget to benefit because we have ZERO UPFRONT COSTS.  School Fun Run is 100% self-funding.  You also CAN’T LOSE MONEY; profit is guaranteed!

    Let's check the math...

    • 60%* is kept by the school as pure cash profit to keep and use as your school chooses. On average, our top 100 schools each retained $30,580 NET Profit. 

    • 40% +GST creates record breaking fundraising for you by motivating your students. That’s because it covers the costs of our awesome student rewards (including freight). 

      It also ensures you receive all the support needed for an easy event. It covers the cost of your personal, printed and digital support.

    * All percentages are based on net online amounts and on your ability to claim GST.

  • Nope, Online Fundraising is 100% fee free! Our payment processing partner JustGiving has no platform fees for the school or credit card fees for your donors… how cool is that :)

    JustGiving operate a Tip Jar model that allows donors to leave an optional "tip" to support the platform itself, in addition to their main donation to a your school. Here's how it works within JustGiving's online payment platform:

    1. Prompt at Checkout: After a donor selects the amount they wish to donate, JustGiving prompts them to leave an optional tip before finalising the payment. The tip is a way to support the operational costs of JustGiving, which helps them maintain the platform, offer services to fundraisers, and continue supporting charitable causes.

    2. Predefined or Custom Tip Amounts: JustGiving often suggests preset tip amounts (e.g., 5%, 10%, or 15% of the donation), but donors can also choose a custom amount or opt to leave no tip at all.

    3. Separate from School Donation: Any tip goes directly to JustGiving and not to the school or fundraiser itself. This transparency ensures donors know where their money is going—what portion goes to the charity and what goes to support the platform.

    4. Optional: Tipping is not mandatory, and users can still proceed with their donation without leaving a tip if they prefer.

    5. Payment Processing: After selecting a donation and optional tip, the payment is processed in a single transaction. Donors receive a receipt that breaks down their contribution, showing the donation amount and any added tip.

    By including a tip jar, JustGiving sustains its free platform for fundraisers, relying on tips rather than mandatory fees.

    JustGiving Is the world’s largest online fundraising platform. We have purpose built our online platform to maximise your profit and keep your students safe online.

    If you would like to know more about our Cyber Safety initiatives at School Fun Run click here or please call 1800 FUN RUN.

  • OUR WEBSITE IS THE CORNERSTONE OF SCHOOL FUN RUN. IT’S LIKE NOTHING YOU’VE EVER SEEN BEFORE… IT’S UNIQUE TO SCHOOL FUNDRAISING AND IT’S 100% EXCLUSIVE TO SCHOOL FUN RUN!

    FUNDS TRACKER

    You can track your fundraising progress in LIVE time. Identify high fundraising classes and students then use those experiences to help others with their fundraising.

    COMMUNICATION

    Our website is smart! It will send automated emails on your behalf to keep your school community motivated with hints and tips. Plus, you can also take control and send custom messages to all your fundraising families in a single click.

    HELPFUL CONTENT

    You can watch video tutorials and download pre-written support material like Newsletter Articles, Parent Letters and Parent Communications.

  • Your school will provide the ultimate direction. However, as a general rule, you will be getting covered in coloured powder during your school’s colour run. So, it is best to wear clothes that you don't mind getting dirty. White clothing is especially good for showing off the colours! You should also wear comfortable shoes that you can run or walk-in.

  • A lot of our partner schools have felt that way in the past, but ultimately, they to create great profits with School Fun Run. That is because our online fundraising system extends your local catchment to include the global community. It means anyone in the world can support your school!

    For example: based on past fundraising experience, Metella Road Public School expected to raise $2,000 with School Fun Run but they ended up raising over $31,000.

  • The most any single student has raised with School Fun Run is $33,400 (raised in 2022).

  • The School Fun-Run has no products to buy or sell… so your parents will love it! Thanks to Online Fundraising, they can literally fundraise while they sleep!

    Plus, our Online Fundraising service spreads the financial burden far away from your local community. It connects students to extended family members and close family friends all around the country and even the world! It connects people to the school that have most likely NEVER been able to contribute to their loved one’s education via normal fundraisers.

  • We suggest having the students wear a white T-shirt, these work best for a colour run. Old shoes are also a good idea as they will get colour powder on them. Students should also bring an old towel to sit on when heading home. A change of clothes may also be worth bringing on the day.

  • If children wish to NOT be covered with colour powder, they can bypass the colour stations and should not be squirted. Your Fundraising Coach will send you a Colour Day Assist video to further explain all this to you. We also recommend that children who do not wish to be squirted wear a bright coloured T-shirt (instead of a white one), this will help your volunteers avoid squirting them.

  • We’ve conducted over 2,500 Crazy Colour Days and never had a health problem. We have had plenty of compliments however around the quality of our powder. That’s because the colour powder we supply is sourced directly from India, the home of Holi Powder. It is made of high-quality corn starch and is dyed with food colours. It’s non-toxic, biodegradable, skin-safe and environmentally friendly. It’s also gluten-free and celiac-safe. A material safety data sheet that contains a toxicological risk assessment and ingredient listings can be obtained from us upon request. If you have any concerns at all about safety, we suggest that students wear swimming goggles or sunglasses as eye protection and/or bandanas or scarves around their noses and mouths.

  • If there is bad weather on the day of the event, you can simple postpone it to another suitable date.

  • We offer a range of services to help with your fundraising needs, including Crazy Colour Days, fun run events, and more. We also provide a Fundraising Coach to help you every step of the way. Browse our website for more school fundraising ideas.

    You don’t need a budget to start (our events are 100% self-funding) and there is no financial risk, annual fee or out-of-pocket transaction fees or expenses. Because we work on a profit share basis, there are no financial risks to your school - which is another reason we work so hard for you. 

  • From a running point of view, our school based colour fun run is not a competition. The Crazy Colour Day is about having fun, getting students active, breaking down social barriers and supporting your school’s cause.

    That doesn't mean kids there aren't rewarded for their efforts however. They can earn some great prizes. We have a range of rewards on offer for those who raise money for your school. The School Fun Run's lifeblood is its student prizes. They motivate the student body to participate actively in your fundraiser.

    We take our prizes seriously - after all, bigger better prizes lead to more fundraising… and because we offer automated prize ordering through our wonderful website, there’s no need for families to create pesky spreadsheets!

  • If you’re participating in a school-based fundraiser, where the funding raised will benefit your school, then it's NOT likely the donations will be tax deductible. This is because very few schools operate as registered charities holding DGR Status.  It is that status which makes donations deductible. You can check with your school, however the short answer to this question is no, donations are unlikely to be a tax deduction.

  • We recommend to all our schools that there should be no registration fees. Instead, we encourage students to fundraise for their school and this also covers all the costs of the School Fun Run. We also suggest that even if kids do not raise any money, they can still take part in the School Fun Run.

    Having said all that, entry fees and participation requirements are ultimately a choice for each school to make.

  • School Fun Run is a school fundraiser. However, it’s much more than just that. It’s a chance for the school community (local and extended) to come together, break down social barriers, promote mental health and build bonds while boosting school spirit. Yep, it’s true that the money raised will improve the physical learning environment, but the experience of fundraising and taking part in the event day is where the instant benefits come for your kids. So, jump on in, support your school and have the best day of the school year!

  • The general answer is YES… of course, this is subject to change when dealing with a global pandemic. But in normal times we love to see parents and family come out to watch the event! School Fun Runs are as much about building strong culture as they are about fundraising.

  • You can register your child at www.funrun.com.au

  • Nope, if you don’t want to fundraise that’s fine. Its also good to know that your donors can choose to sponsor you with any amount they like. With School Fun Run, there is no financial obligation at any stage for families and donors.

  • You should always check this with your school. However, most of the time, a white T-shirt is your best option. The colour powder also looks great on a black T-shirt. The powder should wash out of your clothes, but it is still a good idea to NOT run in high-value shoes, pants and shirts etc. Students should also bring an old towel to sit on when heading home.

    EXTRAS: If you have any concerns at all about safety, we suggest that students wear swimming goggles or sunglasses as eye protection and/or bandanas or scarves around their noses and mouths.

  • In the event of bad weather, most schools will simply postpone their School Fun Run event. It will still go ahead (so don’t worry about that), it will just happen on a fair weather day.

For Families

  • You can do whatever makes you feel good! School Fun Run is not a race, you can skip, jog, wheel, walk or run. How you move through the course is up to you… but always remember the more laps you complete the more colourful you’ll become!

  • First create a Student Profile Page at www.funrun.com.au (its free). Once you have done this, you’ll get a personalised online fundraising link. You should then share this link via text message, email and social media. Donors can then click the link and make a credit card donation online.

    To discover the best ways to fundraise for your school, please click here.

  • Our colour powder is made of high-quality corn starch and is dyed with food colours. It’s non-toxic, biodegradable, gluten-free and celiac-safe. In short, its skin-safe and environmentally friendly. A material safety data sheet that contains the ingredient listings can be obtained from us upon request. Just give us a call on 1800 FUN RUN.

  • Most schools are always looking for parent volunteers. So, if you’d like to get up close and personal on the event day, reach our to your schools P&C/F and ask if you can throw some powder or help out in any other way on the big day!

  • You can collect sponsorship right up until your Prize Close Date!