How Schools Raise Money Online: Then and Now

A Historical Breakdown of Online School Fundraising

It’s a question as old as schools themselves, back to the colonial times dating back to 1643 when Harvard University solicited donations for its new college. This first fundraising drive is one of the first known examples of school fundraising. The campaign included appeals for books, buildings, and resources. Fairly similar to today right? Back then, those who donated, did so in wheat and cash.

As time went on, schools found new and creative ways to raise money as technology and society evolved. The longer time has gone on, the more savvy and creative schools have been. Even still in today’s age when digital fundraising companies have risen to the forefront, there’s still a place for door-to-door fundraising and timeless fundraising ideas like bake sales. 

Of course, one invention changed fundraising forever. The internet. With an official birthday of January 1st, 1983, the internet changed the way schools fundraise for the better. In this blog, we’ll take you through time as online fundraising has evolved into the powerhouse for schools it is today.

1980s: The Birth of Digital Communication

The 1980s marked the beginning of the internet. In its infancy, the groundwork was being laid for fundraisers like a-thons that have existed on pen and paper for decades, but here in the 2020s have taken off online.

While schools were not fundraising online yet, the groundwork was being laid. Early computer networks, email systems, and school databases started to emerge. Fundraising during this period remained traditional, but communication became faster. Newsletters were typed digitally, mailing lists improved, and schools began experimenting with basic electronic record keeping that would later support online giving. It wouldn’t be until 1993, when the World Wide Web was introduced that widespread adoption began.

1990s: School Websites and Email Outreach

In the 1990s, schools started building their first websites. These early sites text heavy, very litle design, and primarily served as news sources. Fundraising announcements could now live online instead of solely on paper flyers.

Email began replacing phone trees and mailed letters, allowing schools to reach parents and alumni more efficiently. Online donations were rare, but the foundation for digital fundraising was firmly in place.

Of course, even as browsers like Mosaic and AOL Online emerged, it was far different from the internet we have today. Anybody remember dial up? Imagine trying to run your online fundraiser on that.

2000s: Online Payments and Early Digital Fundraisers

In elementary schools things like the Smencils, book fairs, and magazine fundraisers reigned supreme. Schools were getting better at online fundraising as social media emerged in the late 2000s. These product based fundraisers were incredibly popular, which included tactics like door to door fundraising, kids selling candy bars, then taking that cash back to your school.

In 2001, it was ArtistShare that debuted the first ever digital crowdfunding platform. Secure online payment processing became a mainstay, making it possible for schools to accept donations through their websites. 

PayPal and similar services allowed supporters to give without writing checks. Email campaigns became more polished, and schools began experimenting with online pledge forms for events like walk a thons and read a thons. 

By 2009 over 60% of online fundraisers were seeing growth in digital fundraising.

2010s: Social Media and the Growth of Crowdfunding

The 2010s transformed online school fundraising into a mainstream strategy. Social media platforms allowed schools to share stories, photos, and progress updates in real time

Crowdfunding became widely adopted, enabling individual students, classrooms, and teams to raise money through donation pages. Mobile friendly platforms increased participation, while transparency and ease of use became key expectations for donors.

Fundraising was no longer limited by geography, as extended family members could now support schools from anywhere.

2020s: Digital First Fundraising

In the 2020s, online fundraising has become the default for schools. Why? They’re easy to use, incredibly effective, and most importantly reach nationwide. Yes door-to-door fundraisers and selling candy bars still have their place, but pale in comparison to the strength that digital fundraising has brought to organizations over the last few years. 

Online fundraisers with high fees fazed out slowly and were replaced by platforms like Teamfi who doesn’t take fees from your fundraiser.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, fundraising became more prominent with economic factors like inflation and social factors like the growth of travel sports contributing to these needs.

The calendar fundraiser especially grew from a pen and paper idea to a digital phenomenon that has raised millions of dollars for schools just here at Teamfi. 

So How Do Schools Raise Money Online Today?

Looking back, the way schools raise money has always reflected the tools and realities of the time. From early donations of wheat and cash, to door to door sales and product fundraisers, to today’s digital platforms, the goal has never changed: giving schools the resources they need to support students.

What has changed is how accessible and efficient fundraising has become for schools, PTOs, and PTAs around the country. Online fundraising allows schools to reach broader communities and to reduce the costs covered by immediate family.

The main fundraisers today include: 

• Crowdfunding Campaigns
• Product Fundraisers
• Calendar Fundraisers
• A-Thon Fundraisers
• Donation Pages
• Online Auctions