Online Fundraising: It’s a Win-Win

​The rise of online fundraising into our zeitgeist is unmistakable, from Kickstarter projects that have generated millions for otherwise market-less products to the thousands of people and charities GoFundMe has helped with a variety of needs; the frontier is rampant with raising money online. The question bears asking: If everyone else is reaping online fundraiser rewards, should my local PTA also? The answer is a resounding, all caps YES. 

Convenience

Time isn’t just a limited resource for leaders, but also for potential donors. They often aren’t carrying cash, or don’t have their checkbook handy. Online fundraising gives donors the ability to pay quickly and securely via credit card. One digital swipe and they’re one their way, while your PTA is one cha-ching closer to reaching your goal. 

Accounting
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It’s true – handling loads of cash and stacks of checks costs your leaders time. Beyond time, there’s accounting to worry about. Then there’s creating manual receipts, balancing spreadsheets, and all the other organizational work related to tracking donations. That wasted time adds up quickly. Online fundraisers allow PTA officers to record, track, and manage campaigns in a fraction of the time. 

Expanded reach

There was a time when printing flyers and designing donation posters was the only means of spreading the word for fundraisers. That’s no longer the case; one of the primary benefits of launching an online fundraising campaign is its potential to go viral. (Here are some examples of fundraisers that went viral.) This takes you out of the typical sphere of donors and opens you up to supporters you wouldn’t reach with traditional methods. This can help you reach your monetary goals faster and even surpass them.

Increase PTA funds
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The benefits of online fundraising and digital payments starts with the money, which makes sense. Online fundraising increases overall money raised; that’s fact, not opinion. Some studies have shown that percentage to be anywhere from 30-100% more (Visa International).  Sure, you’re thinking, that’s a nice bump in funds, but PTAs need every dollar they raise, so how much will we lose in processing fees? Fees can vary, and if your state already has a partnership with memberplanet, those fees are easily offset by the increased donations. For an example of how one school used online fundraising to increase membership funds by 75%, take a look at our case study.

​Ready to win at online fundraising?

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PTA Simplified is a series of tips for PTA and PTO leaders to get the most out of a powerful association management system – to manage, engage, and grow their membership all year long.
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Updated since original publication on 8/17/2017.

About Briana McDaniel

Briana uses her passion and experience in working with foundations, nonprofits, and organizations in pursuit of academic excellence. From hosting webinars, to facilitating fundraisers and website creation, there is nothing she can't do. During her free time, Briana participates as an active member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, and loves to dance.