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Online Fundraisers

Online Fundraisers
Online Fundraisers
Online Fundraisers

10 Best Virtual Fundraising Ideas for Schools

Use the power of the internet to raise money by selling products online. No person-to-person contact and no school deliveries.

Keep fundraising simple. Sell popcorn, cookie dough, candles, wrapping paper, customizable gifts, and more online!

Sell cookies, candy & snacks, gift items, jewelry, kitchenware, and more.
Over 500 items, including kitchenware, home accessories, novelty gifts, popcorn & snacks.
Select stainless kitchenware items, home accessories, novelty gifts, & wrapping paper.
Several flavors include chunky chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, & oatmeal raisin.
Sell our best-selling popcorn flavors online without in-person selling or group deliveries.
Yankee Candle offers the highest quality scents and fragrance oils in fundraising.
All twelve colorful pairs will make a unique statement. Stand out from the crowd.
Sell our licensed MLB, NHL, and NCAA collegiate tumblers through your online store.
A variety of delicious on-the-go cheese and meat snacks Prices start at $13.
A green & eco-friendly alternative. Earn up to 50% profit with orders shipped to the customer.

What Our Customers Say

5

We sold candles.

Lorie Baldwin
Teacher
Lawrence High School
Raised:
$1,073.00
5

The catalog we picked for our fundraiser was filled with lots of interesting products that appealed to a variety of people.

Danielle Sawyer
Senior Class Advisor
Scotia Glenville High School
Raised:
$2,752.00
5

Easy, simple, profitable!

Jessica Allen
Bookkeeper
Riversprings Middle School
Raised:
$3,793.50
5

It worked really well. Our group sold quite a few items and made a nice profit.

Sarah Norton
Teacher/French Club Sponsor/Travel Club Sponsor
El Monte High School
Raised:
$1,745.00
5

Overall, I had a good experience. Clay was very responsive and helped me along the way to ensure I offered streamlined, user-friendly access to participants.

Tina Harrison
Fundraiser Host
Charles H. Flowers High School
Raised:
$187.00
5

They were with us every step of the way. Any question I had was answered promptly through email. We will use this company again.

Janet Cervenka
Class Advisor
La Grange High School
Raised:
$1,647.00
5

We didn't make much money, but that isn't your fault! We just needed more sales.

Josie White
Supervisor of Curriculum and Content
SC Whitmore School
Raised:
$350.00
5

The product worked well because of the wide variety of options/products. The shipping costs seemed high and I feel this caused some people not to purchase product.

Angie Turner
Sponsor
East Pennsboro High School Swim Team
Raised:
$699.00
5

Easy and prompt service follow up was great. Returned emails quickly. We sold only online and this was perfect for us because of the corona virus.

Andrew Peters
Financial Secretary
Knights of Peter Claver Council 127
Raised:
$1,765.00
5

Clay was very helpful from start to finish.

Dena DeSantis
Advisor
Fair Lawn High School Interact Club
Raised:
$329.00
5

The product quality was very good. We did not get any parent complaints.

LaToya Mitchell
Bookkeeper
LaPlace Elementary School
Raised:
$765.00
5

I had no issues working with this amazing team. Again, the reps were responsive and flexible in working with me and my students. I would work with them again.

Richard Sells
Teacher
Freeport High School
Raised:
$754.00
5

Our overall experience was great! Our cookie dough fundraiser was super easy to run, we made a substantial amount of money for the Sophomore class, and the customer service was A+!

Dominique Coviello
School Counselor
Ridge High School
Raised:
$1,266.00
5

The choices available for purchase were great. We had many people who loved the availability to just make a donation. We received our profits in a very quick and timely fashion.

Gary Trbovich
Assistant Principal
Early College Middle and High School
Raised:
$1,256.00
5

We sold flowers to raise funds for the classrooms.

Valerie Carlson
PTO Coordinator
Jones Elementary School PTO
Raised:
$3,274.00

Family using laptopHow Does An Online Fundraiser Work?

Instead of asking for donations, online fundraising works by selling products online. U.S. Consumers spent over $1 trillion online for the first time in 2022. Everyone is looking for innovative online fundraising ideas to make raising money easier.

Touchless or online fundraisers will expand your market. You don't have to take catalog orders in person. Instead, you can ask your group to direct friends and family to your online store in peer-to-peer fundraising. After they place their order, we ship them their product, and you receive a profit.

Sellers can use our email generator, social media tool, and text feature to reach more people. The benefits of online fundraising include the following:

  • No Face-to-Face Selling. Generate sales by inviting people to your online store.
  • Larger Market. Virtual fundraising enables you to expand your reach nationwide.
  • Real-time Sales Updates. You know which group members are selling and how much anytime.
  • No Paperwork. Virtual fundraising does not require dealing with order forms or collecting money.
  • Faster Shipping. Merchandise ships directly to customers as orders are processed, so there is no waiting for someone to deliver their order.
  • No Group Deliveries. Since you don't receive any shipments, there is nothing to deliver.
  • 100% Product Guarantee. We work directly with your buyers to take care of any product issues.
  • Great Customer Service. Our goal is a fast and easy sale.
  • No Startup Cost. We won't charge you to set up your store. And there are no order minimums either. Sign up for your online fundraiser today for free. We have some of the most unique online fundraising ideas.

Questions About Online Fundraisers

Questions
How do online fundraisers work?
Answer

Group members promote your online store to people using email, social media, and text. You make up to 50% profit off every purchase.

Questions
What are your most profitable online fundraising ideas?
Answer

Our biggest sellers are popcorn and cookie dough. Flowers are a unique fundraising idea. Or you can offer a large selection of products. Variety sells because people have more options.

Questions
How do we set up an online fundraiser?
Answer

Select a product and submit the ‘Start a fundraiser’ form to get started. After returning your signed agreement, we’ll send you your online store ‘prep’ instructions and access information about a week before your start date.

Questions
What are some good online fundraising ideas for schools?
Answer

When selling products, be sure to get participants to register. This way, they can share their unique store link with friends and family. Reminding them to keep sharing the link throughout the sale is also important.

Questions
Does it cost any money to set up an online fundraiser?
Answer

There is no cost for us to set up your store.

Questions
How do we track our online sales?
Answer

You can access your online sales dashboard to check your progress anytime.

Questions
Can people donate money?
Answer

Yes. People have the option to donate money as well.

Questions
How long do virtual fundraisers last?
Answer

We recommend keeping your online store open for two weeks.

Questions
How do we get our money for an online fundraiser?
Answer

Your profit payment is typically processed within 15 business days after your store's closure. This ensures a prompt transfer of funds to support your cause.

Questions
Are there any online shipping fees?
Answer

Only the buyer pays a fee to ship them their product. Some of our programs offer customers free shipping once a specific dollar amount is ordered.

Questions
What are some good virtual fundraisers?
Answer

Consider virtual auctions, online donation campaigns, virtual fun runs, and live-streamed talent shows.

Questions
How can I fundraise online for free?
Answer

Utilize social media platforms, create a compelling crowdfunding campaign, engage with supporters through emails, and explore partnerships with businesses.

Questions
How do I host a fundraiser online?
Answer

Choose a reliable fundraising platform, set a clear goal, create engaging content, promote through social media, and provide convenient online donation options.

Questions
How do you sell fundraising items online?
Answer

Create an online store, showcase items with appealing visuals and descriptions, offer secure payment methods, and promote through social media and email marketing.

Questions
How do I set up an online fundraising auction?
Answer

Select an auction platform, gather enticing items or experiences, set starting bids and bidding increments, promote the auction widely, and provide clear instructions for participation.

Questions
How successful is online fundraising?
Answer

Online fundraising can be highly successful when executed well, reaching a wider audience, allowing for easy donations, and enabling creative engagement strategies. Success varies based on the cause and efforts put in.

College student using cell phoneOnline Fundraising Suggestions & Tips

  • Schedule a virtual kickoff meeting with your group members. There are plenty of free collaborative software tools available. Learn more
  • Set a seller goal and help your sellers understand what it will take to help the group succeed.
  • Ongoing communication with your sellers throughout your online fundraiser is vital to your success.
  • Smaller groups can meet online to discuss sales progress.
  • Create a sense of urgency by reminding your group regularly how long the online fundraising will be. Stores typically stay open for two weeks.
  • Give people more reasons to buy by having your virtual events around a special occasion or holiday.
  • Encourage sellers to buy for themselves, their friends, and their family.
  • Boost sales of your virtual events by incentivizing your group to sell. Check out our free cash or prize program.
More Ideas for Online Fundraisers

Hopefully, 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 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 gives your sellers a guide and lets them know what you expect. Every project has a start and an endpoint. Knowing how far they have to go will give them feedback and encouragement.

In virtual fundraising events, 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 enough, but this may not be as effective because it’s less personal and engaging. 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. 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 the money and then distributes the profit money afterward. A donation option is also available.