Children enjoying inflatable bounce houses and obstacle courses at a sunny school fundraiser with a popcorn stand in the foreground

Fundraiser Event Rental Checklist

Fundraiser Event Rental Checklist: Make Your Fundraiser Fun and Profitable

Organizing a fundraiser can feel overwhelming—but with the right event rentals and planning, it can also be an exciting, high-energy success. Whether you’re raising money for a school, sports team, community organization, or charity, this checklist will help you choose the right rentals to maximize turnout and boost your fundraising potential.


1. Define Your Fundraiser Type

First, identify the type of event you’re hosting—this will guide your rental decisions. Common formats include:

  • 🎉 School fun fairs or family festivals
  • 🎯 Game nights or tournaments
  • 🎬 Movie nights with ticket sales
  • 🍭 Concession-based events (e.g. popcorn and cotton candy booths)

Once you’ve picked the format, set your fundraising goal and decide whether you’ll be using tickets, wristbands, pay-per-play, or donation-based access.


2. Select High-Impact Rentals

The right rentals can dramatically increase attendance and participation. Here are some popular fundraiser-friendly options:

  • ✅ Inflatable Obstacle Courses — attract older kids and teens
  • ✅ Bouncy Castles — great for younger children
  • ✅ Lawn Games — Cornhole, Giant Jenga, Ring Toss
  • ✅ Concession Machines — popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones

Pro tip: Group rentals into “zones” and sell all-day wristbands for unlimited play!


3. Plan for Layout, Setup & Power

  • ✅ Map out your event space (school yard, park, parking lot, etc.)
  • ✅ Identify where power outlets are or rent generators
  • ✅ Keep inflatable zones safe and supervised
  • ✅ Have shaded or rest areas available

Ask your rental provider if setup and teardown is included (ours is!), and make sure they carry insurance.


4. Maximize Concession Profits

Concession machines are more than just fun—they’re major fundraisers. Here’s what we recommend:

  • ✅ Popcorn Machine: High profit margin, fast output
  • ✅ Cotton Candy: Always a crowd favorite
  • ✅ Snow Cones: Great for warm weather events

Charge $2–$4 per snack or bundle them with game tickets or entry wristbands.


5. Promote the Event Early and Widely

Fundraisers only succeed if people show up. Use posters, emails, school newsletters, and Facebook event pages to get the word out. Start 3–4 weeks in advance for best results.


6. Ask for Help — Volunteers Make it Happen

Assign volunteers to each station—one for games, one for concessions, one for cleanup. Make sure each area is supervised, especially bounce houses and obstacle courses.


Partner With Rockin’ Party Rentals

We’ve helped dozens of local schools and groups run successful fundraising events across Norfolk County, Haldimand County, and beyond. We handle delivery, setup, safety, and even bring the fun. You just bring the people!

Contact us today or browse fundraiser-friendly rentals to start planning your event.

Read More