Blog & Resources

School Fundraising Platforms: Fees, Pledges & Best Fit

Nine school fundraising platforms, who each one suits, what a $50 gift leaves the school, and a scorecard for choosing. Fees checked August 21, 2026.

ScanRaise vs Snap! Raise

Snap! Raise runs rep-guided campaigns and quotes its pricing. ScanRaise is self-serve at 2.5%, and donations go to your own Stripe account.

ScanRaise vs Boosterthon

Boosterthon offers support up to a full-service event and quotes its fee. ScanRaise is software you run yourself at 2.5%.

ScanRaise vs 99Pledges

99Pledges lists no platform fee and 3.49% + $0.49 per transaction. Compare fees, a-thon tracking, and school sign-in.

ScanRaise vs Givebacks

Givebacks pairs annual plans with a tip or 7.5% fundraiser model. Compare fees, a-thon tools, and how money reaches you.

ScanRaise vs Cheddar Up

Cheddar Up is a group payments tool with card fees from 3.59% + $0.59. Compare costs and how money reaches you.

ScanRaise vs Givebutter

Givebutter funds itself with optional donor tips. Compare fees, school sign-in, a-thon tools, and Spanish pages.

25 PTA Fundraising Ideas for 2026

25 PTA and PTO fundraisers, from a direct ask to events, a-thons, and spirit wear, and how to choose.

30 School Fundraising Ideas for 2026

30 school fundraisers compared by cost, volunteer effort, lead time, and age fit.

Art Fundraiser Ideas for Schools and Arts Groups

22 art fundraisers for schools and arts groups, with the copyright and fulfillment checks to do first.

School-Wide Fundraising vs Classroom Crowdfunding

How a school-wide campaign differs from a classroom crowdfunding request: who asks, how money or materials move, and what each costs.

Youth Sports Team Fundraising Ideas (2026)

Sponsors, spirit wear, skills-a-thons, and concessions for travel, club, and rec teams.

Church Fundraising Ideas for Every Season (2026)

Recurring giving, mission trips, capital campaigns, dinners, service auctions, and youth a-thons.

How Churches Set Up Scan-to-Give and Text-to-Give

Where to place giving QR codes, how a text-to-give keyword works, recurring gifts, fees, receipts, and a test checklist before Sunday.

How to Run a Walk-a-Thon: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Learn how to run a walk-a-thon for your school, PTA, or team. A step-by-step 2026 guide covering goals, routes, pledges, promotion, event day, and thank-yous.

How to Run a Read-a-Thon: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Set a goal, pick per-page, per-minute, or flat pledges, keep honest logs, and celebrate.

How to Lower Your Fundraising Platform Fees (2026)

How platform and processing fees stack up, and the settings that lower what you pay.

Booster Club Fundraising Ideas for Small Volunteer Teams

35 ideas for sports, band, and arts boosters, with an editable sponsor menu, a gift-card comparison, and a one-season calendar of asks.

25 Band Fundraising Ideas for Trips and Instruments

25 marching and concert band ideas, a sample 60-student trip budget you can edit, a gift-card comparison, and a concert-program sponsor worksheet.

20 Choir Fundraising Ideas for School, Church, and Community Choirs

Singing valentines, sing-a-thons, caroling bookings, sponsor-a-song, and concert giving, compared by cost, volunteers, lead time, and fit.

Scout Fundraising Ideas for Camp, Gear and Troop Trips

Sales, service projects, and ticketed meals compared by age, adult roles, and inventory risk, with each organization's rules and a sample camp-cost worksheet.

Robotics Club and Team Fundraising Ideas for Every Season

Sponsor packets, in-kind support, build-a-thons, robot demos, STEM camps, and per-member QR giving for robotics teams.

First Responder Fundraising Ideas: Boot Drives, Breakfasts, and More

A digital boot drive plan with a QR code for each volunteer, plus 18 ideas for fire departments, EMS, and first responder groups.

Cheer and Dance Team Fundraising Ideas

30 ideas for competitive cheer, school squads, pom, and dance teams to cover travel, uniforms, and camp.

How to Run a Fun Run Fundraiser: A Step-by-Step Guide for Schools and PTAs

Eight steps from goal and course to event day and thank-yous, with pledge and safety notes.

How to Start a PTA Fundraiser: A Step-by-Step Guide for 2026

A first-timer's guide: board approval, a budget, clear roles, and safe ways to collect money.

How to Create a QR Code for Donations (Step by Step)

Create a QR code for donations, then test, print, and place it for a school, team, church, or nonprofit. Learn what donors see and avoid common setup mistakes.

How to Run a Mobile Silent Auction with Mobile Bidding

What to look for in mobile bidding software, how to build lots, set opening bids and reserves, run the bidding window, and collect payment.

Ideas para recaudar fondos en la escuela: costos y pasos

Compara 36 opciones según el esfuerzo y el costo, con una hoja para familias que puedes editar y una lista para el lanzamiento.

25 ideas para recaudar fondos para PTA en 2026

25 ideas para recaudar fondos PTA en 2026: eventos, maratones, ropa escolar y alianzas. Consejos para elegir bien y hacer que donar sea fácil.

Launching ScanRaise

We built ScanRaise because fundraising should be simple. No apps to download, no accounts to create, no cash to handle. Give every fundraiser a QR code. Donors scan and give from their phone. That’s it.

ScanRaise charges a flat 2.5% platform fee per donation. No setup fees, no monthly fees, no hidden costs. We built this for PTAs, sports teams, churches, scouts, and every organization that raises money in person.