How To Run a Popcorn Fundraiser: Guide for Schools and Parent Groups

If you have ever helped start a fundraiser at your school, you already know the challenge.

You need something families will actually get excited about, something that does not require a huge volunteer team, and something that raises enough money to make it worth everyone’s time.

This guide walks through everything your parent group, school foundation, or nonprofit needs to know to run a popcorn fundraiser, from choosing the right format and popcorn company to using simple tips that can meaningfully increase how much you raise.

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What is a popcorn fundraiser?

A popcorn fundraiser is a popular fundraising idea for schools or nonprofits where students and families sell bags or tins of popcorn, and the school or parent organization keeps a percentage of every sale.

Most popcorn fundraisers run through a dedicated fundraising company that supplies the products, order forms, and often an online store where families can share a link with friends and extended family.

Depending on the program you choose, popcorn is either preordered and then distributed on a set pickup day, or customers order directly through an online platform and have popcorn shipped to their homes. Both formats work well for schools, though they serve slightly different goals.

Popcorn fundraisers are popular at elementary, middle, and K–8 schools because they require little effort from volunteers, are easy for students to participate in, and do not require families to manage refrigerated items or complicated inventory.

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Why popcorn fundraisers work so well for schools

For one, popcorn is easy to sell. It’s familiar, affordable, and something most families already enjoy. Popcorn tins and gourmet flavors also double as simple gift options, which helps sales pick up around the holidays or toward the end of the school year.

The numbers usually work in your favor too. Many popcorn programs offer profit margins in the 40 to 50 percent range. That higher return means schools can raise meaningful funds without needing every single family to participate.

Just as important, popcorn fundraisers are flexible. Many can run almost entirely online, which cuts down on paper order forms, cash handling, and distribution headaches. For busy volunteer teams, that simplicity can make a huge difference.

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How to run a popcorn fundraiser step by step

Choosing your fundraiser format

Most school popcorn fundraisers run in one of two ways: a traditional pre order sale or an online storefront.

With a pre order fundraiser, students bring home order forms, collect orders from family and neighbors, and the school places one bulk order with the supplier. The popcorn is then handed out on a scheduled pickup day.

With an online fundraiser, each student receives a personal link to share with friends and family. Supporters place their orders and pay online, so there is no paper to manage and no cash to collect.

Schools with active social media communities or families who prefer online shopping often see strong results with the digital format. It makes it easy for grandparents, relatives, and friends to support the fundraiser from anywhere. Pre order models can still work well for schools that want families to pick up a physical product on a set day.

Many schools end up using a mix of both, combining paper order forms for on campus sales with an online store for extended family and community supporters.

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Picking a popcorn fundraising company

There are quite a few popcorn fundraising companies to choose from, and the right one depends on your school's priorities around profit percentage, format, minimum orders, and how much hands-on management your volunteer team can handle.

Here is a look at some of the most commonly used options.

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Double Good

Best for: fully online, no-inventory fundraisers

Double Good is one of the most popular app-based popcorn fundraising programs available right now.

Groups raise money through individual Pop-Up Stores that each participant shares via text, email, or social media. Popcorn ships directly to supporters, so there is zero inventory, zero distribution, and zero cash handling for your volunteers.

The profit split is 50%, and Double Good reports that the average group raises over $3,000 per campaign. It is a strong fit for schools that want a modern, low-lift fundraiser with broad reach.

Learn more → doublegood.com

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Poppin Popcorn

Best for: brochure-based and hybrid fundraisers with lots of flavor variety

Poppin Popcorn is a dedicated school fundraising company offering multiple program formats, including traditional brochure sales, virtual storefronts, and hybrid options that combine both.

They carry an extensive lineup of gourmet flavors (over 20 varieties), which gives supporters plenty of choices and tends to drive up average order sizes.

They offer free fundraising kits, student incentive prize programs, and online ordering.

Schools interested in a more traditional take-home brochure experience alongside online reach will find Poppin Popcorn to be a well-rounded option.

Learn more → poppinpopcorn.com

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The Goodies Factory

Best for: brochure fundraisers with free shipping and strong incentive programs

The Goodies Factory operates the same popcorn products as Poppin Popcorn (they appear to share the same supply chain) and offers similar programs, including brochure-based and online options.

What stands out is that they provide free shipping to your school or organization, free selling materials including brochures, prize flyers, and posters, and flexible packing options.

Profit comes in at 40 to 50 percent depending on the program, with no minimum orders required to get started. A good option for schools that want structure and support from the fundraising company throughout the process.

Learn more → thegoodiesfactory.com

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Popcornopolis

Best for: well-known gourmet brand with classic brochure format

Popcornopolis is a recognizable gourmet popcorn brand known for its signature cones, Zebra popcorn (striped with chocolate), and caramel varieties.

Their school fundraising program runs through a classic brochure format in partnership with Gateway Fundraising, a company with over 40 years in the fundraising space. Supporters collect orders, payment is collected upfront, and the group places one consolidated order.

The brand recognition helps sell the product, especially to parents who already know and like Popcornopolis from retail stores. Note that setup and logistics are managed through Gateway Fundraising directly.

Learn more → popcornopolis.com/fundraising

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Mama Moore's Gourmet Popcorn

Best for: fully online campaigns with no setup costs and no minimums

Mama Moore's is a Texas-based gourmet popcorn company with a clean, straightforward online fundraising model.

They set up a custom fundraising storefront for your group (logo, campaign description, and all), you share the link, and they handle everything from ordering to fulfillment to shipping directly to the buyer. Your school keeps 50% of sales profits and 90% of any direct donations.

There are no setup costs, no minimum orders, and campaigns are kept to a focused 7-day window to maximize urgency.

Note that their fundraising season runs from January through mid-November. A good pick for smaller schools or groups that want a truly hands-off experience.

Learn more → mamamoorespopcorn.com

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Deanan Gourmet Popcorn

Best for: groups looking for the highest possible profit margin

Deanan stands out with some of the most aggressive profit margins in the space, advertising up to 77% profit on their traditional fundraising programs.

They are a Texas-based company offering both traditional (brochure) and online fundraising formats.

Their site includes a profit calculator so your group can estimate earnings before committing. This can be especially helpful for PTOs and school foundations that need to hit specific dollar targets and want to evaluate options side by side.

Learn more → deanan.com

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Popus Gourmet Popcorn

Best for: schools with a local or Midwest connection wanting a small-batch, artisan option

Popus is a boutique gourmet popcorn company based in Joliet, Illinois. Their fundraising program offers unique flavor options like banana pudding, garlic parmesan, and their Midwest Mix (caramel and cheddar), which tend to stand out compared to what larger national companies offer.

They offer a fundraiser sampler pack ($35) so your organizing team can taste the product and present it to families before launching.

Fundraising details are available by contacting them directly through their website. A good option for schools interested in a more locally oriented, small-batch product.

Learn more → popusgourmetpopcorn.com

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JustFundraising (Poppin Popcorn Distributor)

Best for: schools that want a fundraising partner to help manage logistics

JustFundraising is a fundraising platform and catalog company that distributes Poppin Popcorn programs, among many others. Rather than going directly to a popcorn manufacturer, schools can work with JustFundraising as a one-stop resource that also offers comparison tools and a free fundraising kit.

They serve elementary, middle school, and PTA/PTSA groups specifically. It is worth looking at if your school is undecided between multiple fundraising options and wants guidance on which program fits your goals and group size.

Learn more → justfundraising.com

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When evaluating companies, look at the profit percentage, minimum order requirements, whether they offer online selling tools, and how shipping and distribution are handled.

It is also worth reading reviews from other school groups to get a realistic sense of customer service quality, especially around delivery timing. Some programs also provide fundraising kits, flyers, and promotional materials at no extra cost, which can save your team real planning time.

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Setting your sales window

A focused sales window almost always outperforms an open-ended one. When there is no clear deadline, families put it off, and participation drops. Most school popcorn fundraisers run for one to two weeks, which is long enough to reach most families but short enough to keep momentum going.

A common approach is to kick off the fundraiser at a school event or during morning announcements on a Monday, keep sales open through the following Friday, and schedule distribution about a week after the order window closes. Clear start and end dates help families prioritize their participation and give volunteers a manageable timeline to work with.

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Promoting your fundraiser

Promotion makes a much bigger difference than most organizers expect. Sending home a popcorn fundraiser flyer is a good start, but pairing it with email reminders, social media posts, and morning announcements tends to drive significantly higher participation.

Be specific about what the money will support. Families respond more enthusiastically when they know proceeds are going toward something concrete, like new library books, a science lab, classroom technology, or field trips. A single clear sentence on every piece of communication can make a meaningful difference in how many people choose to participate.

Also remind families that the online store makes it easy to share with grandparents and relatives who want to support the school but do not live nearby. That reach often adds a surprising amount to the final total.

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Collecting orders and distributing popcorn

If you are running a traditional pre-order fundraiser, designate one or two people to collect forms and consolidate the order. Keeping this process simple and centralized helps avoid errors and makes follow-up easier.

For distribution, scheduling pickup during a regular school event like dismissal, a PTA meeting, or a school celebration keeps things organized and reduces the risk of unclaimed orders. Sending a reminder the day before distribution helps families remember to pick up their orders and reduces the number of items that need to be followed up on.

If you are running an online-only fundraiser, most of the distribution work happens automatically through the company's platform. Your main job is promoting the storefront and communicating clearly about the timeline.

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How much money can a popcorn fundraiser make?

How much a school popcorn fundraiser raises depends on participation, the profit percentage your program offers, and how well the fundraiser is promoted. Schools that run focused, well-promoted campaigns often raise between $1,000 and $5,000 or more in a single two-week window.

At a 40 to 50 percent profit margin, even modest participation levels can produce meaningful results. For example, if 100 students each sell $50 worth of popcorn, the school earns $2,000 to $2,500 from a relatively small campaign. Larger schools with strong communication and parent engagement regularly exceed those numbers.

Groups tend to see the best results when they are clear about what funds will support, use online selling tools to extend reach beyond the school community, and keep the fundraiser window short to maintain urgency.

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Popcorn fundraiser ideas to raise more money

A few additions can help your school popcorn fundraiser raise more without adding much to the volunteer workload.

Offer a classroom or grade-level challenge. Setting up friendly competition between classrooms, grades, or teacher teams consistently drives up participation. The class that sells the most popcorn might earn a pizza party, extra recess, or free admission in a STEM program. It gives students a reason to talk about the fundraiser at home, which is the most effective kind of promotion.

Add a tasting event. If your popcorn company can provide samples, hosting a small tasting at a school event, pick-up day, or open house lets families try before they buy and often leads to additional sales on the spot.

Promote seasonal flavors as gifts. Popcorn tins and gourmet varieties make genuinely nice gifts, especially in the fall and around the holidays. Lean into that messaging in your promotions. Reminding families that popcorn is a great gift for teachers, coaches, and neighbors can meaningfully increase individual order sizes.

Include a staff participation component. When teachers and administrators participate by promoting the fundraiser to their own networks, it signals to families that the whole school community is behind the effort. A quick shoutout from the principal goes a long way.

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5 tips for a successful school popcorn fundraiser

1. Keep the timeline short and focused

One to two weeks is the sweet spot for most school popcorn fundraisers. Longer campaigns tend to lose momentum, and families start to tune out the reminders. A short, focused window creates natural urgency and tends to produce better results than open-ended campaigns.

2. Be specific about what the money supports

Families are more likely to participate when they understand the impact of their purchase. Instead of a general fundraising message, try something like: "Every bag of popcorn sold helps fund our school's after-school science program." Specific goals make the fundraiser feel more meaningful and worthwhile.

3. Use the online store to extend your reach

One of the biggest advantages of modern popcorn fundraising programs is the ability to sell beyond your immediate school community.

Encourage families to share their student's personal fundraising link with grandparents, family friends, and coworkers.

Those extended network sales can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to your final total without requiring any extra effort from volunteers.

4. Send at least three communications

Even the most motivated families appreciate reminders. A kickoff message, a mid-campaign reminder, and a final "last chance" message are usually enough to capture most of your potential participation. Keep each message concise and include clear deadlines so families know exactly when sales close.

5. Celebrate and recognize top sellers

Public recognition of top-selling students, whether through an announcement, a certificate, or a small prize, motivates participation and creates positive energy around the fundraiser. It does not have to be elaborate to be effective. Even a brief shoutout in the school newsletter can make a student feel proud of their contribution.

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Fundraising with All Things Science

Popcorn fundraisers are one of the simplest ways for PTAs, PTOs, and school foundations to raise meaningful funds. The product is easy to sell, the logistics are manageable, and even smaller school communities can reach their goals with the right promotion.

Partnering with organizations like All Things Science is a great way for schools and parent groups to increase student participation in enrichment programs by allowing fundraising prizes to include free admission to after school STEM programs, in school labs, and summer camps.

A strong fundraiser can support your school community and expand access to enrichment at the same time.

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Popcorn fundraiser FAQ

How does a school popcorn fundraiser work?

Schools partner with a popcorn fundraising company that provides the products, order system, and promotional materials. Students sell to friends and family using paper forms or an online store. The school keeps a percentage of each sale, usually around 40 to 50 percent, while the company handles production and delivery.

How much profit does a popcorn fundraiser make?

Most popcorn fundraisers return about 40 to 50 percent of sales to the school. Depending on school size and participation, campaigns often raise anywhere from about $1,000 to several thousand dollars.

What is the best popcorn fundraiser for schools?

The best option depends on your school’s goals and how much logistics your team can handle. Look for strong profit margins, simple online selling tools, and reliable customer support when comparing companies.

How long should a popcorn fundraiser last?

Most popcorn fundraisers run for one to two weeks. This is usually long enough to reach supporters while keeping momentum high.

Can you run a popcorn fundraiser online?

Yes. Many companies offer online stores where each student shares a personal fundraising link. This makes it easy for supporters to order from anywhere and reduces cash handling and paperwork for volunteers.

When is the best time of year to run a popcorn fundraiser?

Fall and early winter tend to perform well because popcorn tins are popular holiday gifts. Back to school season in late summer is also a strong time, since parent engagement is typically high.

Is a popcorn fundraiser good for elementary schools?

Yes. Popcorn fundraisers work especially well for elementary schools because the product is familiar, easy to sell, and simple for volunteer teams to manage. Online selling also lets younger students participate by sharing a link with family instead of handling cash or order forms.

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