An online fundraiser is a virtual commerce platform that allows non-profit organizations to raise capital by selling consumer goods through a digital storefront. This touchless fundraising model leverages peer-to-peer social sharing to eliminate the need for physical inventory management, cash collection, and door-to-door solicitation.
Strategizing a digital campaign allows your organization to tap into a massive market; notably, U.S. e-commerce spending surpassed $1 trillion in 2022 (Source: Department of Commerce). When you move from traditional brochures to an online store, you enable direct-to-home delivery, which is easier on your sellers and more convenient for your supporters. Your participants focus on sharing, and your buyers get items shipped to their doorstep.
Online stores work for more than just schools. We regularly support these organization types:
These groups like web fundraising because it removes the biggest friction points from traditional sales, including paperwork, money handling, and bulk deliveries.
Virtual fundraising ideas provide significant logistical advantages over legacy brochure methods.
If your group has struggled with missing forms or late money, this is where online sales shine. Everything is captured at checkout and recorded automatically.
"Accountability is the engine. Use the coordinator portal to spot zero sellers early and send a personal nudge. Most of the time, they just need a reminder to register and share."
This table illustrates why modern organizations are migrating to virtual platforms.
| Feature | Traditional Catalog Sales | Online Virtual Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping Method | Bulk delivery to a school or organization | Direct to Home Delivery |
| Payment Collection | Cash and check manual | Secure online card payment |
| Order Processing | Manual tallying and paperwork | Automated digital tracking |
| Risk Level | Higher inventory and cash handling | Zero Risk and No Upfront Cost |
| Geographic Limit | Local neighborhoods | Wider reach beyond your local area |
Use this table to calculate the potential earnings of your web fundraising based on a standard $20 product price point. Actual profit varies by program, and many online product lines run around 40-50 percent.
| Sales Volume Items | Average Profit Margin | Total Group Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 250 Items | 40% | $2,000 |
| 500 Items | 40% | $4,000 |
| 1,000 Items | 45% | $9,000 |
If you want faster planning, use the Calculate Your Profit tool on the product pages to model your goal by group size and seller target.
To keep your campaign moving, implement these best practices that work across schools and nonprofits.
"Facilitate a virtual kickoff on Zoom or Google Meet and keep it short. Open with your goal, show sellers how to register, and end with a link-sharing challenge. When you start strong and keep reminders consistent, participation climbs fast."
If you want a simple fundraiser that families can support from anywhere, we can set up your store with No Upfront Cost, keep it Zero Risk, and ship orders with direct home delivery so you never manage deliveries. Share your goal, pick a product category, and we will help you implement a clean kickoff so your sellers can start sharing right away.
Online fundraisers operate through a custom digital store where participants receive unique share links. Supporters place orders through a secure checkout, products ship directly to their homes, and all sales are automatically tracked in a real-time dashboard for the organization.
Setting up an online fundraiser involves selecting a product program, choosing campaign dates, and launching your custom store. Participants receive seller links and promotional tools. A kickoff announcement and structured messaging plan help drive early momentum and consistent engagement.
No upfront investment is required. There are no setup fees, inventory purchases, or minimum order requirements. The platform earns a portion of product sales, making the fundraiser zero-risk for your organization.
You can host a free online fundraiser by partnering with an established platform like Big Fundraising Ideas. The store setup, seller tools, email templates, and social sharing features are included at no cost to your group.
PTA/PTO groups, booster clubs, youth sports leagues, faith-based organizations, and 501(c)(3) charities frequently use online fundraising. These programs are scalable and work for small clubs, individual classrooms, and large school districts alike.
Popular products such as cookie dough, popcorn, and candles tend to perform best. Supporters respond strongly to well-known, tangible products because they perceive greater value than in donation-only campaigns.
Top-performing ideas include branded food programs, direct donation options, spirit wear campaigns, and seasonal promotions. Schools often succeed by combining product sales with strong digital sharing strategies across email, social media, and text messaging.
Yes. Most platforms offer a direct donation option alongside product sales. Supporters can contribute without receiving merchandise. For registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits, these direct donations are typically tax-deductible.
Product purchases are generally not fully tax-deductible because supporters receive goods in return. However, direct monetary donations made without receiving products are typically tax-deductible for qualified nonprofit organizations.
Organizations receive access to a real-time dashboard showing total revenue, seller performance, and progress toward internet fundraising goals. This visibility helps leaders monitor engagement and send reminders to maximize campaign results.
Most virtual fundraisers run for two to three weeks. This timeframe creates urgency while giving participants enough opportunity to share their link multiple times and reach supporters beyond their immediate network.
After the campaign ends and the store closes, total revenue is calculated minus wholesale product costs. A consolidated profit check is then issued to the organization, typically within 10–14 business days.
Shipping fees vary by product program and are usually paid by the supporter at checkout. Some stores offer free shipping for larger orders once a certain dollar amount is reached. Because items ship directly to homes, organizations avoid sorting, storing, or distributing bulk orders.
Legal requirements vary by state and may include charitable registration. Using an established fundraising platform ensures proper documentation of the commercial co-venturer relationship, along with transparent sales tax handling and financial reporting.
Online or web fundraisers use digital stores, automated tracking, and direct-to-home shipping instead of paper order forms, cash collection, and bulk product distribution, reducing administrative work while expanding reach beyond local communities.
Successful campaigns rely on seller share links, a structured message plan, email templates, social media posts, text messaging, and a performance dashboard. Clear communication and consistent reminders significantly increase participation and overall profit.
Online fundraising is highly effective when supported by a strong kickoff and ongoing communication. Groups that encourage multiple shares per participant and track performance in real time often outperform traditional in-person fundraising models.
Online Fundraising Suggestions & TipsHopefully, you’ve determined how much money your group needs. Now, you must communicate the online fundraising goals and what it will take to achieve them. Before your sale, run your numbers. For example, if you sell $15 items and reach 40% profit, you’ll make $6 per item. Divide that number by the total amount needed. So, a $3,000 need will require selling 500 items.
Finally, divide the number of items by your group size. If you have 50 sellers, each member must sell ten items.
Another way to determine your profit from online fundraising for nonprofits or schools is to use our ‘Calculate Your Profit’ tool. Enter your group size and seller goal. The calculator will then determine how much you’ll make. You'll find this feature on each online product page.
So why is setting an online fundraising goal important? Because it provides your sellers with a guide and clarifies your expectations. Every project has a start and an endpoint. Knowing how far they have to go will give them feedback and encouragement.
In fundraisers online, accountability is essential. Group members are much more likely to sell if they know you monitor their progress. We allow you to log into your portal to see which participants are making sales and how much. This instantaneous feedback allows you to check in with your sellers.
You can take corrective measures before it’s too late, which is one advantage of online selling over in-person brochure sales. You don’t know how well everyone does with a catalog sale until they turn in their order forms.
Tracking sales allows you to encourage and praise their efforts.
Emailing participants their sales information may be sufficient, but it may not be as effective because it lacks personal and engaging elements. Many schools use online portals to communicate with their parents, which can help you announce and promote your school fundraiser.
Try to have a kickoff meeting. Coming together as a group can help get your fundraiser off to a stronger start. You should also meet with your group periodically, even if it’s a Zoom call.
What is the most important thing you can tell your group? Register so they can share their online store link with friends and family. The greater your group registration percentage, the more money you’ll raise at fundraisers online. It’s that simple.
How do you do a virtual kickoff?
If you’re a smaller group, consider meeting on a platform like Zoom to kick off your sale. You can better communicate your purpose, and your group will feel more unity.
Learn how to host a video meeting.
A communication app like Facebook Live may also be a helpful tool. Here are the best education communication apps for schools.
When people think about online fundraising ideas for schools, one thing that comes to mind is ‘donations.’ Many fundraising platforms allow individuals and groups to set up and promote a page. Then, the company collects a percentage of the profits.
But when buying a product online, people receive a tangible item in exchange. There is no cost to set up and run your store. When fundraising online, the company initially collects all of the money and then distributes the profit afterward. A donation option is also available.
