Looking for a school fundraiser that doesn’t involve selling wrapping paper or cookie dough? A painting event combines genuine engagement with reliable revenue. Parents actually want to attend, kids end up with a memento, and your PTA or booster club takes a cut of the ticket sales.
Purple Easel has helped Inland Empire schools run painting fundraisers ranging from 20-person classroom events to 100+ painter community paint nights.
Why Painting Fundraisers Work
Three reasons schools come back to this format:
- Parents engage: “Bring your kid and paint together” sells better than another silent auction. Families pay, families show up.
- Social proof: Parents post photos of finished paintings on social media — every event is its own marketing for the next one.
- Reliable revenue: Ticket pricing is set in advance, attendance is capped, you know your numbers before the event.
Three Formats
At our Ontario studio: Best for closer schools (Inland Empire). Studio holds 20-116 painters. Parents drive themselves, you set the ticket price, we send you the painter count.
At your school (away event): We bring everything to your gym, cafeteria, or outdoor space. 30-300 painters. Larger fundraisers, more flexibility on scheduling, families don’t need to drive.
Virtual painting fundraiser: Live Zoom webinar format. Best for raising money across a wider geography or when scheduling in-person isn’t possible. Supplies shipped to families.
Revenue Structure
Revenue split varies by event format, group size, and whether your fundraiser markup goes above or below our base pricing. Email reservations@purpleeasel.com with your fundraising goal and we’ll work out the math together. We’ve structured everything from cost-plus models (pure revenue to the school above our base price) to flat-fee partnerships.
What Students (and Parents) Paint
You choose the painting from our catalog. Most schools pick something seasonal or themed to the fundraiser purpose. Recent themes: spring sunsets, school mascots, mandala designs for stress-relief themes, abstract art for upper grades, character paintings for elementary.
Typical Timeline
- 4-6 weeks out: Email us with your fundraiser idea, expected attendance, format preference
- 3-4 weeks out: Pick the painting, lock the date, send promo materials to your community
- 2 weeks out: Confirm final headcount (binds the materials order)
- Event day: We set up 60 minutes ahead, paint 90-120 minutes, students leave with finished canvases
- Day after: We send a recap with photos, you finalize the revenue split
Get Started
The first step is a conversation, not a contract. Email reservations@purpleeasel.com with your fundraising goal, expected painter count, and preferred format. We’ll send back a quote with specifics so you can take it to your PTA, principal, or fundraising committee.
See our private events page for adjacent formats (corporate parties, birthdays, bridal showers) that share the same logistics — you may find ideas that translate.