Complete Guide to School Fundraising Models

The school fundraising space is bustling with options, and we’re here to add one more to the mix 👀. To help you navigate your choices, I’ll break down the main business models we see.

We’ll categorize them into three main types:

• Fees on You
• Fees on Donors
• Flat Fee

While no solution fits perfectly into just one category, these broad groups help explain how they work.

Accepting online donations is crucial for school sports and extracurricular activities. Each solution adds value; understanding their business models helps you choose what’s right for you.

Fees on You

In this model, the platform takes a percentage of what you raise. For instance, if you raise $75k and the company charges 5%, they’ll take $3,750, leaving your school with $71,250.

Examples: Snap! Raise, Vertical Raise

Pros: Simple to understand for both you and your donors. Higher percentages might come with personalized support from salespeople.

Cons: The percentage taken can be high—up to 20% isn’t unusual. This can significantly cut into large fundraisers, reducing the amount you can use for your school programs.

Fees on Donors

Similar to the first model, except the cost shifts to donors. Platforms like this describe themselves as “free” or “100% free” for schools, but in reality, they rely on donor “tips” or “voluntary donations” to fund the platform.

Examples: Schoolfundr, Zeffy

Pros: Works well for small campaigns since you have no upfront cost.

Cons: Donor confusion or frustration can arise. Donors might unintentionally pay more, like $121, when they thought they donated $100, leading to dissatisfaction and making future fundraising more difficult.

Flat Fee

This model charges a set fee upfront to use the platform. Unlike percentage-based models, you know your cost from the start.

Examples: Give With Click

Pros: You know your costs upfront, which can save you and your donors money, especially for large campaigns.

Cons: Requires upfront payment, which can be a barrier for smaller schools or campaigns.

Credit Card Fees

All models involve credit card transaction fees on top of their pricing, whether clear or hidden.

Why We Created Give With Click

Business models explain how companies make money, but each platform offers different features and trade-offs. Give With Click was explicitly built for schools and large student organizations. The Flat Fee model is the most beneficial, offering transparency and predictability for schools with multiple teams and activities running campaigns throughout the year. Whether it’s football, drama, or student government, one fee covers it all.

Explore Give With Click today for more features that could benefit your fundraising efforts!