Education
At 300 Blankets, we partner with educational institutions across Victoria to help students and communities learn more, build awareness, and feel empowered to make a difference in the world around them through education, volunteering and fundraising initiatives.
Get Involved
There are so many ways your school or club can get involved with us and have fun while doing it. From charity fundraising ideas for schools to volunteering and awareness activities, there are opportunities for all age groups.
With 23,000 people experiencing homelessness in Victoria and 10% under the age of 19, it makes so much sense to educate our youth about the realities of homelessness.
At 300 Blankets we believe that solving homelessness begins through education and having informed leaders so we are always developing and evolving our education offering. We work with educational institutions from Primary Schools, Secondary Colleges through to Universities.
Presentations
Our passionate volunteer leaders visit schools, universities, workplaces, and community groups to present and inspire, offering engaging conversations and incursions to link in with your learning outcomes – whether that be social awareness, community engagement or other specific objectives.
Through engaging talks and meaningful conversations, we raise awareness about homelessness, challenge common stereotypes and stigma, and share real stories from our programs. These presentations encourage people of all ages to be part of building a more compassionate, connected, and informed community.
Volunteering
Custom experiences can also be run for education partners – pairing group volunteering opportunities to offer a hands-on way to deepen understanding and give back to the community.
At 300 Blankets, volunteers aged 16–18 are welcome to join us when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, creating meaningful experiences for families, school groups, and youth organisations alike.
Student Placements
300 Blankets offers meaningful student placement opportunities that contribute to real-world impact.
By working on purpose-driven projects, students help strengthen our programs while gaining valuable experience in community engagement, social impact, and strategic development.
Fundraising Opportunities
Fundraising within a school or education environment is a powerful way to bring students, educators and the wider community together around a shared purpose. At 300 Blankets, we partner with schools to co-create engaging initiatives, offering a range of charity fundraising ideas and fundraising ideas for schools that raise vital funds while building awareness, empathy and social responsibility. These opportunities can be tailored to suit your school’s culture, capacity and goals.
From themed events and casual dress days to student-led campaigns and community challenges, there are many ways to get involved. We work with educators and student leaders to deliver charity fundraising ideas and fundraising ideas for schools that are fun, inclusive and impactful—helping build leadership skills while making a real difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness.
School Fundraising Ideas
To get you started, check out a few recommended ideas that we’ve seen work really well in schools or other communities – but don’t let this limit you! The sky is the limit when it comes to knowing what works for your community.
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Casual Clothes Day / Gold Coin Days
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Running a Casual Clothes Day (or Gold Coin Day) is one of the simplest and most effective ways for schools to support 300 Blankets while building a sense of community and purpose. By inviting students to swap their uniform for casual clothes in exchange for a small donation, your school can raise meaningful funds to support people experiencing homelessness—helping provide essentials like blankets, warm clothing and outreach support. With a little planning and clear communication, this type of fundraiser can be both fun and impactful for everyone involved.
How to run a Casual Clothes Day for 300 Blankets
- Choose your day and theme: Pick a date that works within the school calendar, and consider adding a simple theme (e.g. “Winter Warmth”, pyjama day, favourite colours – or how about a Silly Sock Day?!) to boost engagement.
- Promote across your school community: Spread the word through newsletters, assemblies and social media. Clearly explain the cause, the impact of donations, and how students can get involved.
- Collect donations on the day: Ask students to bring a gold coin donation to participate. You can collect funds at the gate, in homerooms, or via an online fundraising page shared with families.
- Celebrate and share your impact: After the event, share how much was raised and what it will support. This helps reinforce the impact and encourages future involvement.
This simple initiative not only raises funds, but also helps students better understand homelessness and the role they can play in creating a more compassionate community.
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Material Aid Drive
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A Material Aid Drive is a practical and impactful way for your school to support 300 Blankets and the people experiencing homelessness in Melbourne. By collecting essential items such as blankets, clothing, and toiletries, students can see the direct effect of their contributions, helping provide warmth, hygiene, and dignity to those in need. This type of fundraiser encourages generosity, awareness, and community spirit within your school.
How to run a Material Aid Drive for 300 Blankets
- Decide what to collect: Focus on high-need items accepted by 300 Blankets, including those listed on our How-to-Donate page.
- Set a collection period and points: Choose a start and end date for the drive, and place clearly marked collection boxes in accessible areas like classrooms, the library, or school reception.
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Promote the drive: Share the purpose and list of needed items through assemblies, newsletters, and social media. Highlight the impact students’ donations will have on people experiencing homelessness.
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Sort and pack donations: Once collected, sort items by type and check they meet the donation guidelines. Involve student committees or volunteers to help organize the donations for drop-off.
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Deliver to 300 Blankets: Arrange drop-off at one of 300 Blankets’ designated sites in Reservoir or Braybrook. Contact the team via their website or social channels for available days and times. Celebrate your school’s effort by sharing the total donations and the difference they will make.
This type of fundraiser not only provides essential support but also teaches students about empathy, social responsibility, and the power of collective action.
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Sausage Sizzle
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A Sausage Sizzle is a fun and engaging way for your school to raise funds for 300 Blankets while bringing the community together. Simple to organise and easy to promote, it gives students, staff, and families the chance to contribute through a shared, social experience. Beyond fundraising, a Sausage Sizzle encourages school spirit, teamwork, and a tangible connection to a meaningful cause.
How to run a Sausage Sizzle for 300 Blankets
- Plan your event: Choose a date, time, and location that will attract the most participants—such as during lunch, a sports day, or school fair. Ensure you have the necessary permissions and safety arrangements for cooking.
- Organise supplies and volunteers: Secure sausages, bread, condiments, drinks, and utensils. Recruit student committees, teachers, or parent volunteers to help cook, serve, and manage the stall.
- Promote the sizzle: Spread the word via newsletters, social media, posters, and assemblies. Highlight that proceeds will support 300 Blankets, providing warmth, clothing, and essential supplies to people experiencing homelessness.
- Collect donations: Charge a set price per sausage or offer a gold coin donation option to participate. You can also include combo deals or extras to encourage larger contributions.
- Celebrate and share results: After the event, tally the funds raised and share the total with your school community. Emphasise the impact of their contributions to 300 Blankets’ outreach programs, inspiring future fundraising participation.
A Sausage Sizzle is more than just a meal—it’s a hands-on way for students and the wider school community to make a difference while having fun and building school spirit.
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Fun Runs
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A Fun Run is an exciting and healthy way for your school to raise funds for 300 Blankets while getting students moving and involved in a shared challenge. Whether it’s a lap around the oval, a route through the local neighbourhood, or a themed obstacle course, a Fun Run encourages participation, teamwork, and friendly competition—all while supporting people experiencing homelessness in Melbourne.
How to run a Fun Run for 300 Blankets
- Choose a date and route: Select a safe location and a suitable course for all ages and abilities. Decide on the distance and whether participants will run, walk, or jog.
- Register and promote: Invite students, staff, and families to participate. Share details through newsletters, social media, and school assemblies, explaining that sponsorships or entry fees will support 300 Blankets.
- Encourage sponsorships: Provide students with simple sponsorship forms or online fundraising links so they can collect pledges from family and friends, maximising the impact of their efforts.
- Organise event logistics: Set up water stations, signage, and a safe start/finish area. Recruit volunteers to manage check-ins, hand out bibs, and cheer participants along the route.
- Celebrate and share your impact: After the Fun Run, celebrate all participants with certificates or medals and tally the funds raised. Share the results with your school community, highlighting how their effort will help provide warmth, essentials, and support for people experiencing homelessness.
A Fun Run is more than just exercise—it’s a fun, active, and inclusive way to inspire school spirit while making a real difference in the community.
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Trivia Days/Nights
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A Trivia Night is a fun and interactive way for your school to raise funds for 300 Blankets while bringing students, families, and staff together for a friendly competition. It’s a fantastic opportunity to combine learning, teamwork, and social connection with the purpose of supporting people experiencing homelessness in Melbourne. With a bit of planning, a Trivia Night can engage your community and make fundraising both entertaining and meaningful.
How to run a Trivia Night for 300 Blankets
- Set the date and format: Choose a convenient date and time, and decide on the format—teams of students, families, or mixed groups. You can include multiple rounds, themed questions, or even interactive mini-games to keep energy high.
- Plan questions and materials: Prepare a mix of general knowledge and themed questions. Ensure you have answer sheets, pens, a scoreboard, and any AV equipment if needed.
- Promote the event: Share details through newsletters, social media, and posters. Highlight that entry fees or team donations will support 300 Blankets’ programs providing warmth, essentials, and care for people experiencing homelessness.
- Collect funds: Charge an entry fee per team or per participant. You can also run raffles or small auctions during the night to boost fundraising.
- Host and celebrate: Run the trivia event with energy, encourage friendly competition, and celebrate the winners with certificates or small prizes. After the night, share the total funds raised with your school community to show the impact of their efforts.
A Trivia Night is more than just a game—it’s a way to bring your school community together, have fun, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.
“We are so grateful for the support and education we’ve received from 300 Blankets. Through their talks at our Sleepout for a Cause event, as well as Trudy’s recent session with our Year 12 cohort, our students have gained a deeper understanding of homelessness and social isolation. Activities like our sock drive, where we donated 55 pairs to support the Outreach Program, and our baking for Soul Kitchen, have been powerful ways to contribute directly. Our students are excited to continue supporting 300 Blankets in the years ahead, living our school motto, 'Not for our own but others’ good.” - Jacqui Goldenberg, Head of Community Service, Kilvington Grammar School
Contact our Education team
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