The Best Custom T-Shirts for Schools and Nonprofits |

As a group leader, PTO coordinator, or fundraising organizer, you’re already juggling a lot of organizational responsibilities; picking a T-shirt should be the least of your worries. Not to mention the fact that you’re working with budgets and deadlines you didn’t set, which means you need to make sure the quality is right and that the shirts fit everyone involved — the first time.

So let’s go over the shirts that have been consistent winners for schools and nonprofit groups, taking into consideration budget, sizes, and colors.

At a Glance

	Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton	Jerzees 29M Heavyweight Blend	Gildan 8000 Dryblend 50/50
Material	5.3 oz, 100% pre-shrunk cotton	5.6 oz, 50/50 cotton/polyester blend	5.6 oz, 50/50 cotton/polyester blend
Colors	65	43	31
Sizes	YXS – Adult 5XL	YXS – Adult 5XL	YXS – Adult 5XL
Fit	Classic, unisex	Classic, unisex	Classic, unisex
Best For	School spirit days, pep events, greek life, fundraisers, teacher & staff appreciation	Greek life events, teacher & staff appreciation	Summer camp, youth groups, active groups
Price per Shirt (50 pieces)	$7.60	$8.48	$8.19

Best for School Spirit Days and Pep Events

Top pick: Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton T-Shirt

Few shirts in our catalog get as much love as the Gildan 5000. The fabric is 5.3 oz., pre-shrunk 100% cotton (though some colors use a cotton/poly blend), so it holds up well through the wash. The double-needle stitching on the neckline, sleeves, and hem adds durability, and the shoulder-to-shoulder taping gives it a clean look that works well for screen printing your school’s logo or mascot. It’s priced at $7.60 per shirt when buying 50 shirts, and it’s a genuinely comfortable shirt that students will actually want to wear again after the event.

It’s available in both youth and adult sizes, which is exactly what you need when you’re outfitting students, teachers, and staff in matching apparel. And for spirit days and pep rallies, the 65-color range means you can almost certainly land on your exact school color.

Best for Sorority and Fraternity Events

Top Picks: Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton T-Shirt, Jerzees 29M Heavyweight Blend Tee

Greek life events tend to mean big orders, specific colors, and a need for something that photographs well. Both the Gildan 5000 and the Jerzees 29M deliver on all three.

The Jerzees 29M is a 50/50 cotton/polyester blend that comes in 43 colors and comes at a great price point: $8.48 each when ordering 50 shirts. The seamless body construction gives it a wider print area (a really nice feature when your design has a lot of detail). It also has shoulder-to-shoulder taping for a smooth, polished finish.

Sizes run from Youth XS through Adult 5XL, so it works equally well for co-ed chapters and large event orders with a wide mix of people.

Best for Nonprofit Fundraiser Shirts

Top pick: Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton T-Shirt

When the goal is to raise money and maximize what goes back to your cause, the shirt itself needs to be as cost-effective as possible while still being something people are genuinely happy to receive.

The Gildan 5000 hits that balance well. It’s a genuine crowd-pleaser that consistently nails comfort and long-lasting quality. At this price point, it’s one of the best options for nonprofit fundraising where the shirt itself is part of what you’re selling.

Best for Summer Camp and Youth Group Tees

Top pick: Gildan 8000 DryBlend 50/50 Tee

Summer camp shirts have a hard job. They need to survive outdoor activities, multiple wash cycles, and kids who are hard on their clothes. The Gildan 8000 DryBlend is built for exactly that.

It’s a 5.6 oz., 50% cotton/50% polyester blend with moisture-wicking properties, which helps keep campers comfortable during active days. The fabric is pre-shrunk, so parents won’t find themselves with a shirt two sizes smaller after the first wash. It’s priced at $8.19/shirt when ordering 50, it comes in 31 colors and sizes up through 5XL, and the DryBlend fabric holds its color well over time.

The 8000’s moisture-wicking also comes in handy for any outdoor youth event, whether that’s a mission trip, a sports camp, or a week at a retreat center where the air conditioning isn’t exactly reliable.

Best for Teacher and Staff Appreciation Shirts

Top picks: Jerzees 29M Heavyweight Blend Tee, Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton T-Shirt

A large team of staff naturally includes people of all shapes and sizes. Of course, you’d want each of them to feel appreciated while wearing a shirt that fits comfortably.

Both the Jerzees 29M and the Gildan 5000 offer that full range from Youth XS to Adult 5XL. They both have a classic fit that works well across different body types, and the large color selection means more than likely you’ll find one that matches your school color without compromising.

What to Look For in a Good Shirt for Schools and Nonprofits

Price per unit: When you’re working with a bake sale budget or a school activity fee, every dollar you save on the shirt is a dollar that goes further. Bulk discounts help a lot here, and the more you order, the lower the price per tee. You can get a quick and accurate price estimate using our Quick Price tool on each shirt’s product page.
Size range: Whether your group includes kindergartners and their teachers, or a nonprofit with volunteers ranging from petite adults to 5XL, you need a shirt that covers everyone without making anyone feel like an afterthought.
Color options: When you’re matching a school’s exact colors, going with your organization’s palette, or just trying to make something that looks good, having a wide color selection gives you real flexibility.
Reliability: If you’re coordinating an event and 200 shirts need to show up on time, “it might arrive by then” doesn’t cut it. Every BlueCotton order comes with guaranteed delivery dates, and our in-house team handles design, printing, and shipping all under one roof in Bowling Green, Kentucky. If something isn’t right, you can talk to a human support agent who’s in the same building as the production team.