31 Day Calendar Fundraiser
A 31-day calendar fundraiser is a one-month campaign where supporters claim calendar dates by donating the matching dollar amount — $1 for the 1st, $31 for the 31st. A fully claimed calendar raises $496 per participant. The math: 1 + 2 + 3 + … + 31 = $496.
$496
per fully claimed 31-day calendar
$12,400
25-participant team potential
2–4 weeks
typical campaign length
How much money does a 31-day calendar fundraiser raise?
The headline number is $496 per fully claimed calendar. Multiply by participants and you have your campaign potential. Most real-world campaigns fill 60–85% of dates per participant.
| Participants | 100% claimed (max) | Realistic (75%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $496 | $372 |
| 10 | $4,960 | $3,720 |
| 25 | $12,400 | $9,300 |
| 50 | $24,800 | $18,600 |
| 100 | $49,600 | $37,200 |
The 31-day version is the original format of the modern calendar fundraiser. The math is what makes it work: every fully claimed calendar raises the same predictable $496, so organizers can set realistic goals before launch.
The math: why $496?
It's the sum of integers from 1 to 31. Mathematically: n × (n+1) / 2, where n = 31. So 31 × 32 / 2 = 496. That's why every fully claimed 31-day calendar raises exactly $496 — no more, no less, regardless of which order dates are claimed.
How to run a 31 day calendar fundraiser
- 1
Set the dates
Pick a 2–4 week window. Most schools run during a month when families have disposable cash — fall, early winter, or spring.
- 2
Brand the campaign
Upload your logo, choose colors, write a short story about what the funds support.
- 3
Add participants
Import a CSV or invite manually. Each participant gets their own link and QR code.
- 4
Launch with email and social
Send launch emails. Post to social. Encourage participants to text grandparents, aunts, uncles, and family friends first — they typically claim the biggest dates.
- 5
Push at the halfway point
Send a mid-campaign reminder showing which dates are still open.
- 6
Close it out
Send a final 48-hour push. Thank donors. Funds deposit to your PayPal account instantly.
Frequently asked questions
How much money does a 31-day calendar fundraiser raise?
A fully claimed 31-day calendar raises $496 per participant. The math: 1 + 2 + 3 + ... + 31 = $496. Multiply by participants — a 25-person team raises up to $12,400, a 100-family school raises up to $49,600.
How does a 31 day calendar fundraiser work?
Each participant has a 31-day calendar. Supporters claim a date by donating the dollar amount that matches the date (Day 1 = $1, Day 31 = $31). Each date can only be claimed once per participant. When all 31 are filled, the participant raises $496.
How long should I run a 31-day calendar fundraiser?
Two to four weeks. That's enough time for participants to share their link with family, friends, and coworkers without losing momentum. You set the start and end dates.
Do donors have to donate $1 to $31, or can they give more?
Each calendar date corresponds to a fixed amount ($1–$31). A donor can claim multiple dates on a single calendar, so a grandparent who wants to give $100 might pick the 31st, the 30th, the 29th, and the 10th, for example.
What does it cost to run a 31-day calendar fundraiser?
CalendarFundraiser charges a flat monthly subscription with zero platform fees on donations. You keep 100% minus PayPal's processing (~3.5% + $0.49 per transaction). Funds deposit directly to your PayPal account.
Launch your 31-day calendar fundraiser
Zero platform fees. Direct PayPal payouts. Three-minute setup.