Best Fundraising Platforms for Schools

If you’re ever roaming the halls of your local elementary, middle, or high school, you’ll recognize that whether a private school or public school, there’s so much that goes into the programs and services available to students.

It’s why even with robust funding at times from the government or through tuition, schools are fundraising year round.

Field trips, athletic uniforms, new technology, equipment, all these things in a perfect world should be funded and the reality is that many of these costs are not fully covered. It’s why schools are raising over $1 billion annually through digital school fundraising. Online fundraising for schools has exploded in the last decade.

When billions of dollars are being raised through these platforms each year, choosing the right one becomes important. While there are thousands of platforms out there, not all of them are built specifically for schools. The right platform determines ease, reach, and net funds raised.

This guide breaks down the best school fundraising platforms, the best fundraising sites for schools, how they compare, and how to choose the right one.

Why Schools Are Moving to Online Fundraising Platforms

In an increasingly digital world, it’s no surprise that schools are moving toward online fundraising platforms over traditional fundraisers.

• Decline of traditional door-to-door sales. People are already distrusting of door-to-door salesmen, but the increase in e-commerce and other ways to reach consumers, and the security concerns of having kids knock on strangers' doors to help their fundraiser, has sunk the door-to-door fundraising model.
  
• Donor fatigue from product-based fundraisers. Especially as inflation has hit Americans harder each year, product-based fundraisers have become less appealing. Families and supporters are more hesitant to overpay for items like popcorn, wrapping paper, or coupon books. Many would rather give directly to support the school instead of purchasing marked-up products.
  
• Parents want easy digital sharing. Today’s families communicate through text messages, email, and social media. Online fundraising platforms allow parents and students to share a campaign link in seconds instead of going door to door or managing paper order forms. Convenience increases participation and ultimately increases funds raised.
  
• Out-of-town support matters. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and family friends often live hours or even states away. Traditional fundraisers limit their ability to participate. Digital fundraising removes geographic barriers, allowing supporters from anywhere in the country to contribute instantly and securely.

What Makes a Fundraising Platform Good for Schools?

In order for a platform to be successful for schools, it needs to have features that make it not only possible for schools to succeed in fundraising, but probable. 

1. Easy Setup for Administrators

• You shouldn’t need to be a technology wizard to get your fundraiser going. In fact, most online fundraising platforms can be used with no tech experience needed.
  
• A simple dashboard that allows for a look into your ongoing fundraiser is one of the features that is most underlooked when looking for an online fundraising platform.
  
• Minimal training. Most online fundraisers should only take 10-15 minutes to learn a platform. If you have to read through 5 pages of information, or go through multiple demos, it’s only going to be frustrating.
  

2. Individual Student Fundraising Pages

• Drives accountability. You can see which kids are fundraising, what kids are putting in an effort, and ultimately what kids are raising money. This helps drive any sort of incentives offered to kids who fundraise. It also teaches kids the concept of having goals and being accountable. The first step in many platforms is to add quality contacts. A simple concept, that can be easily attained with just a little bit of work.
  
• Increases reach. Individual student pages dramatically expand your fundraiser’s audience. Instead of one generic campaign link being shared, each student can send their personal page to extended family, neighbors, coworkers of parents, and out-of-town supporters. That multiplies exposure and increases total donations.
  
• Prevents one-family burden. When every student has their own page, the responsibility of fundraising does not fall on just a handful of highly involved families. Participation becomes distributed across the group, creating a more balanced effort and helping the entire school or team reach its overall goal together.

3. Transparent Fees

• Platform fees vs processing fees. It’s important to understand exactly what types of fees a fundraising platform charges. Most platforms have either a platform fee, payment processing fees, or both. True “no fee” platforms are rare, and it’s critical to know what is being deducted and why.
• Hidden charges. Some platforms advertise low or no fees but include additional costs for payouts, withdrawals, required services, or campaign upgrades. Make sure pricing is clearly listed and easy to understand before launching your fundraiser.
• Optional tipping models. Many platforms rely on donor tipping to cover operational costs. While this can reduce direct fees to schools, it’s important to understand how tipping is presented to donors and whether it impacts overall giving behavior. Transparency with families about how the platform makes money builds trust and avoids confusion later.

4. Payout Speed

• Payout timing. Not all fundraising platforms distribute funds the same way. Some release money weekly, while others wait until the campaign ends or operate on monthly payout cycles. Understanding when and how you’ll receive your funds is critical, especially if you’re fundraising for time-sensitive expenses.
• Cash flow matters for schools. Schools and programs often have immediate financial needs, whether it’s paying for transportation, ordering uniforms, or covering event deposits. Faster, predictable payouts help administrators plan responsibly and avoid delays that can impact students and programs.
  

5. Compliance + Safety

• COPPA awareness. All fundraising platforms should be knowledgeable about and compliant with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (COPPA). Because many school fundraisers involve students under the age of 13, platforms must prioritize parental involvement, protect student data, and clearly outline privacy policies to ensure compliance.
• Secure payment processing. Donors need confidence that their financial information is protected. Look for platforms that use encrypted payment gateways, PCI-compliant systems, and trusted processors to safeguard transactions from start to finish.‍
• Stripe or similar integration. Many reputable fundraising platforms integrate with established processors like Stripe or comparable providers. Using a well-known payment processor adds an additional layer of security, reliability, and transparency to your school’s fundraising efforts.

Best Fundraising Platforms for Schools (Breakdown & Comparison)

We’ve gone through the ins and outs of what makes a good school fundraiser, now let’s talk about who are the best fundraisers in the game today.

1. Teamfi (Best All-Around Platform for Schools)

Teamfi has long been established as a platform built for schools to use successfully. Teamfi has been used by schools across a wide range of fundraising campaigns and is designed to be simple for administrators, coaches, and organizers to manage. Many examples of schools successfully using the platform can be found on the Teamfi testimonials page.

Teamfi has three core fundraiser types built specifically for schools, all of which serve schools in a unique way. The crowdfunding campaigns give school leaders the feel of a traditional fundraiser with more features. The calendar fundraiser allows for a visually appealing and effective fundraiser. An a-thon fundraiser helps utilize event fundraising alongside digital fundraisers.

• Student-level pages. Unlike generic fundraising sites, you’ll have specific pages for your students, athletes, and fundraiser participants. This will add that personalized element to your fundraise which motivates donors.
• Easy tracking. The Teamfi fundraiser dashboard gives you over 10 unique ways to track how your fundraiser is going in real time. Use features like grouping tools and partiticpant progress tracking to monitor performance throughout the fundraiser.
• No Platform Fees. Standard payment processing fees (2.9% + $0.30 per donation) charged by Stripe are the only fees associated with running your fundraiser with Teamfi, you keep over 96% of what you raise. These fees are displayed transparently on a fundraiser pricing page to help you make an informed decision.‍
• Fast payouts. Whether it's a check or direct deposit, as soon as your fundraiser is done, Teamfi will get your funds sent out to you promptly.

2. GoFundMe (The Name Brand)

GoFundMe is the most recognizable name in online fundraising, and for good reason. The platform is simple to set up, widely trusted by donors, and does not charge a required platform fee to organizers.

However, GoFundMe is not built specifically for schools or organized programs.

• All outreach must be done by the organizer. There is no built-in contact upload system or automated text/email outreach tools on your behalf. Success depends heavily on how effectively you personally share the campaign.
• GoFundMe is primarily known for individual campaigns rather than structured team or school-wide fundraising programs. While multiple families could create separate campaigns, there is no native team structure that ties individual efforts into one centralized goal.

Tipping-based model. GoFundMe does not take a required platform fee, but it does deduct standard credit card processing fees from donations. The company also encourages optional donor tips to support the platform.

3. DonorsChoose (The Teacher’s Alternative)

DonorsChoose is a U.S.-based nonprofit founded in 2000 that allows public school teachers to request classroom materials and have donors fund those specific projects. It has funded millions of classroom projects and maintains one of the strongest reputations in the education fundraising space.

However, DonorsChoose operates differently than traditional school fundraising platforms. For one, it’s not built for athletics or clubs.

Project-based structure. Teachers submit individual classroom requests that must be approved before going live. Campaigns are centered around specific item lists rather than broader fundraising goals.

Approved vendor system. Items must be purchased through a pre-approved vendor network. While this ensures accountability and proper use of funds, it can limit flexibility when requesting unique or specialized resources.

Processing fees and donor add-ons. DonorsChoose adds an optional support fee at checkout to help fund operations. While donors can adjust this amount, it may affect overall contribution totals.

Delayed fulfillment timing. In certain cases, materials are shipped according to the organization’s fulfillment schedule, which may not always align with immediate classroom needs.

School ownership of materials. Items purchased through DonorsChoose become property of the school, not the individual teacher, which is important for educators to understand before launching a project.

4. 99Pledges

99Pledges is an online fundraising platform founded in 2011 that focuses primarily on pledge-based campaigns for schools and youth organizations. It is commonly used for jog-a-thons, read-a-thons, and other performance-based events.

However, 99Pledges is built specifically around event-driven pledge fundraising rather than broader school fundraising initiatives.

• Pledge-centered structure. Campaigns are designed around a single measurable event, such as laps completed or minutes read. This works well for schools running an annual or seasonal a-thon.
• Participant-level pages. Students receive individual fundraising pages that allow them to collect pledges and share their campaign with family and friends.
• Transaction-based pricing model. 99Pledges does not charge a required platform fee, but deducts transaction fees of 3.49% + $0.49 per donation.
• Event-focused flexibility. While strong for pledge events, schools looking to run multiple fundraiser types throughout the year may need additional tools beyond a single campaign structure.

5. Snap! Raise

Snap Raise is a team-focused fundraising platform founded in 2014 that works primarily with middle school, high school, and club athletic programs. It is widely used for structured team-based fundraising campaigns and has become a recognizable name in the school sports fundraising space.

Snap Raise operates using a guided campaign model, where schools typically work with a Snap Raise representative throughout the fundraising process. This approach can provide hands-on support for teams that prefer assistance organizing and managing their campaign from start to finish.

• ‍Structured campaign model. Fundraisers are typically run within a defined campaign window and often involve coordination with a Snap Raise representative. This structure can help keep teams organized throughout the campaign and provide additional support during the fundraising process.‍
• Platform fees. Snap Raise campaigns generally include a platform fee in addition to standard payment processing fees. In many cases, the platform fee is around 20% of funds raised, though exact terms may vary depending on the campaign and school agreement. Schools evaluating fundraising platforms should review the full fee structure before launching a fundraiser.‍
• Team-focused design. Snap Raise is built specifically for organized teams rather than classroom teachers or PTO-style initiatives. It works best in athletic environments where a defined roster and seasonal fundraising window are already in place.

Best School Fundraising Platforms Comparison

Breaking down common school fundraising platforms by features, functionality, and fees.

How to Choose the Right Fundraising Platform for Your School

If You’re a PTO/PTA Representative

Look for ease + quick setup. Why is that? You need to send this fundraiser out to dozens, even potentially hundreds of families. You need a platform simple to onboard families to.
When coordinating across an entire school community, simplicity drives participation. The easier it is for families to understand and join, the higher your engagement and overall fundraising totals will be.

Avoid complicated approval processes.
PTOs and PTAs often work within strict event calendars and budget timelines. Platforms that require lengthy approvals or multiple setup steps can delay your launch and reduce momentum.

If You’re an Athletic Director

Individual athlete pages matter. This is how you win in sports fundraising. People like supporting their student-athlete and the team at the same time, individual pages allow for that.
Athletic fundraising works best when supporters can donate to a specific athlete while contributing to the overall team goal. Individual pages create accountability among players and increase overall outreach.

Nationwide reach is huge.
Athletes often have extended family, alumni, and supporters outside the local area. A platform that allows simple digital sharing helps your program reach donors across the country, not just within your immediate community.

If You’re a Classroom Teacher

Project-based may work better.
If you are raising money for specific classroom materials such as books, technology, or seating, a project-based platform may align better with your needs. These platforms work well when your goal is tied to clearly defined items rather than general program funding.

Common Mistakes Schools Make When Choosing a Fundraising Platform

• Choosing based only on “no fees”. Yes, this is a great idea in theory. It’s just important to verify this claim, and if it is accurate does it have the tools needed to turn your fundraiser from a $5000 campaign to a $10000 campaign? If it doesn’t, eating less than 4% on credit card fees actually pays off in the long run.
  
• Ignoring payout timing and details. For most fundraising platforms, you’ll need a tax ID number, and then an already established method of payment. For most schools, the old school check is still the go to. If you want direct deposit and you’re fundraising online, make sure you have that cleared with your accounts receivable department.
  
• Overlooking student participation tools. A platform allowing your students (and families) to participate is an incredible benefit. Keep in mind, kids under the age of 13 shouldn’t access these platforms alone and parent participation is essential.
  
• Not understanding credit card processing fees. Unfortunately credit card fees are a part of fundraising online. Whether your online fundraising platform takes that out of your funds or not is something that should be clear to you.

Are Free Fundraising Platforms Really Free?

Transparency matters when it comes to fundraising. You need all the information for you to make the right choice in a fundraiser, and that’s why pricing should be very clear and easy to find on an online fundraising platform.

Payment processing fees exist everywhere. These fees are required by credit card companies to facilitate safe transactions online. It’s why you might see a business say cash only, because every credit card transaction they lose a certain percentage of. It’s the exact same thing with fundraisers.

There are very few fundraisers out there truly free that make money off tipping while eating payment processing fees.

So whatever way you choose, make sure your fundraising company you choose is transparent with you. Did they deliver like they said they would? Would you use them again?

Final Thoughts: The Best Fundraising Platform Is the One Built for Schools

It doesn’t matter if you’re a coach looking to raise money for thier team, a band director looking to help offset costs, an elementary school PTO looking to fund a field trip to the natural history museum, or a parent helping to run a school club, the fundraising platform you choose should be built for schools.

Structure, fundraising features, and offerings should matter more than name brands. It’s also important to know, what do other customers say? Do they get great reviews?

Ready to run a smarter school fundraiser? See how Teamfi is built for schools, ready to help you raise more with less hassle.