Making a Difference: Student Fundraisers for Global Causes

Every school year, students from across Canada reach out to Oxfam for their school community impact projects.   

It warms my heart to learn a bit about the students who are inquiring – sometimes they’re grade school, sometimes post-secondary or masters students – in every instance, they are students who care about the world and the future of humanity. They are our future leaders wanting to make the world a better place and to learn a bit about what they can do to make a difference. 

Our future leaders 

They ask questions like: “What causes poverty?”, “Is there enough food to feed the world?”, “How can we be more conscious consumers?”, “Why is someone’s gender a predictor of poverty?”, “How does Oxfam tackle these challenges?” 

We guide people to our published resources, and support their curiosity and quest for answers. 

Often times the students want to offer something in return as part of the project – a way to give back. Because our projects are overseas, we can’t offer an in-person experience. So the students decide to fundraise for Oxfam in their community – and that’s honestly one of the most meaningful things they can do. 

Students supporting Oxfam's mission, one baked good and book at a time! Photo: Jennifer Alldred/Oxfam

Both my sons chose Oxfam for their grade 7 project. With their Bristol board, cut-out pictures, and brochures, they set-up their tables at the local park and took donations after giving their well-rehearsed spiel.  They each raised about $300, but it’s not the amount that counts. They felt really good about the conversations they had, what they learned and the people they were supporting.  Of course, I felt proud of their creativity and efforts, and extra proud that they chose a cause that I’ve dedicated my career to. 

Resources for teachers 

Inquiries don’t just come from students. We hear from teachers as well, dedicated civil servants who want to guide their students towards global good. Oxfam has a range of free curriculum-linked resources for developing global learning in the classroom, across the school and beyond. Lesson plans, assemblies, videos, games and more! We've been working with teachers for more than 50 years, helping young people to learn about global issues, think critically, and take action for a better world. Here’s a selection of our most popular resources. 

If you or someone you know is doing a school humanities project – please choose Oxfam!  

Community Fundraising 

If you decide to organize a fundraising activity or event, we have resources for that too. 

Every year members of our community come up with new and creative ways to help Oxfam fight poverty and injustice. You can join in by deciding on the event that works best for you. Here are a few ideas to get you started: 

Host a Bake sale 

An all-time fundraising classic, you can’t beat a good bake sale.  

Sustainable fashion show 

Showcase your school or university’s design talent while helping the planet with a second-hand fashion show. Sell tickets, have fun and make a real night of it. 

Clothes swap 

You can sustainably update your wardrobe – and raise money – by doing a clothes swap. Ask people to bring a bag of clothes, and charge a fee to join. 

Donate your birthday 

You can opt not to receive gifts and suggest your birthday be honoured with a donation. 

Host a hunger banquet 

A Hunger Banquet is an immersive and interactive event that highlights how food and other resources are inequitably distributed in the world. We have a whole guide on how to host a hunger banquet.   

Mobilize for humanitarian emergencies 

In times of crisis, rally your community to ensure that emergency services can reach people where they're needed most. 

Pailwalker challenge 

Come together and walk to share in the experience and challenge of carrying water over a long distance – which is a reality for millions of women around the world.