Why do students decorate graduation caps?

For both high school and college students, graduation cap decorating has quickly become a valuable tradition. Mainly, students decorate caps to express their individuality and celebrate their achievements.

Plus, it’s a great opportunity for students to get creative and think about what they value most at this time in their lives. Some students may want to look to the future by making a “future doctor” cap, while others may cherish a fond high school memory or celebrate their hard work.

How do you raise money at a graduation cap decorating fundraiser?

To raise money for your school with this exciting student tradition, you have a few different options:

1. Host a student decorating event. Provide supplies at an event and let students decorate their caps themselves. Charge a small admission fee, play music, and let students get creative!
2. Hire a professional artist. Students can reserve time with the artist and request their own design. You can charge a higher fee for the professional service and raise more funds with this option, but less students may get to participate if the artist has limited time.
3. Recruit art student volunteers. Combine the other two options by hosting an event where students can get their caps decorated by several volunteer art students. The artists will get to showcase their skills, and the other students will appreciate the chance to wear artistic designs created by their friends.

Any of these options will excite students and drive donations. Evaluate your school’s resources and student interest to make the best decision for you.

What resources do you need to host a graduation cap decorating fundraiser?

First and foremost, you’ll need craft supplies. See what types of supplies your school already have available, then build from there by asking parents to donate other supplies. Make sure you have plenty of these essentials:

• Glue and tape
• Colored paper
• Fabric
• Scissors
• Stickers
• Pens, markers, and colored pencils
• A printer

In case any students have specific requests for supplies they want, such as flowers or glitter, send out a survey to students ahead of time. Let them know that you can’t guarantee any specific supplies, but you’ll take their requests into consideration.