FUNDRAISING RESOURCES

How to fundraise for PTAs and PTOs?

PTAs and PTOs can explore a complete guide to innovative fundraising strategies, corporate sponsorships, grants, and practical advice. This resource showcases proven methods to help you thrive.

Top 5 grants for PTAs and PTOs nonprofits in 2025

Unlock funding for your nonprofit with grants designed for PTAs and PTOs. Explore government, foundation, and corporate grants to expand your impact.

Walmart Local Community Grants

Walmart Foundation

$250 to $5,000

Foundation

Supports local organizations, including PTAs/PTOs, in areas such as education, community and economic development, diversity and inclusion, and public safety.

Apply

Dollar General Literacy Foundation Youth Literacy Grants

Dollar General Literacy Foundation

Up to $4,000

Foundation

Provides funding to schools, public libraries, and nonprofit organizations to help students who are below grade level or experiencing difficulty reading.

Apply

National PTA STEM + Families Grants

National PTA

$1,000

Private

Supports PTAs in hosting STEM events and programs to engage families in STEM education and careers.

Apply

Lowe's Toolbox for Education Grants

Lowe's Companies, Inc.

$2,000 to $5,000

Foundation

Funds improvement projects at public schools, including technology upgrades, safety improvements, and community gardens.

Apply

Best Buy Community Grants

Best Buy Foundation

Up to $5,000

Foundation

Supports programs that provide tech education and career opportunities to underserved youth, which PTAs/PTOs can apply for to enhance school programs.

Apply

Top 5 companies donating to PTAs and PTOs nonprofits in 2025

Partner with businesses that share your mission! Corporate sponsorships can provide funding, in-kind donations, and visibility to help your nonprofit expand and sustain PTAs and PTOs efforts.

Education
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Education
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Technology
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Technology
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Community Development
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Top 5 best fundraising platforms for PTAs and PTOs

PayPal Logo
DonorBox Logo
Transaction fees
0%
  • Stripe: 2.2% + $0.30 per transaction
  • PayPal: 1.99% + $0.49 per transaction
  • ACH/Bank transfer: 0.8% ($5 maximum)

2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
2.9% + $0.30 per transaction for credit card payments; 0.75% for ACH payments
Stripe: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
Platform fees
$0
1.75% platform fees. 2.95% platform fees for event ticketing, membership payments and P2P campaigns. Reduced fees for pro and premium plans.
If optional tips are disabled a 1% to 5% fee apply to each transactions with the Flex Plan. And $1,550 yearly subscription + 1% fee per transaction with the Partner Plan.
No platform fees
Monthly fees
$0 / month
Donorbox offers 3 subscription plan: Standard $0/month | Pro $139/month | Premium custom pricing
No monthly fees
Starting at $45 per month
Standard Plan starting at $350-$700/month Additional costs: - Implementation: $1,000-$5,000 for small businesses - Extra admin user login: $99/month - Additional contact records (5,000): $99/month - Data migration: $1,500 per file provided for migration
Value for money
Capterra ratings
4.9 / 5
4.7/5
4.7/5
4.9/5
4.1/5
Ease-of-use
Capterra ratings
4.8 / 5
4.7/5
4.6/5
4.6/5
3.8/5
Quality of support
4.9 / 5
4.8/5
4.6/5
4.7/5
4/5

The only 100% free
fundraising platform
for nonprofits

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10 Best fundraising ideas for PTAs and PTOs in 2025

Innovative fundraising fuels your mission. From peer-to-peer campaigns to community events, explore creative ways to raise funds and ensure long-term success for your PTAs and PTOs.

1

Digital Donation Matching Challenge

Launch a time-limited online donation campaign where a corporate sponsor matches all contributions. Use social media and email marketing to create urgency and showcase real-time progress towards the goal.

2

Virtual Family Game Night

Host an online family game night featuring trivia, virtual scavenger hunts, and interactive challenges. Charge a participation fee and offer sponsored prize packages for winners.

3

Customized School Spirit Merchandise

Create a line of high-quality, customizable school spirit wear and accessories. Allow students and families to personalize items with names, graduation years, or achievements. Partner with a print-on-demand service to minimize upfront costs.

4

Community Business Sponsorship Program

Develop a tiered sponsorship program for local businesses, offering various levels of recognition and benefits. Include opportunities for sponsored events, logo placement on school materials, and mentions in communications.

5

Student-Led Service Learning Projects

Empower students to design and lead community service projects. Create a crowdfunding platform for each project, allowing the community to support student initiatives financially and through volunteering.

6

Augmented Reality School Yearbook

Create an innovative AR-enhanced yearbook that brings static images to life with videos and interactive content. Sell the digital enhancement as an add-on to the traditional yearbook purchase.

7

Parent Skills Auction

Organize an auction where parents and community members bid on services or lessons offered by other parents based on their professional skills or hobbies (e.g., cooking classes, home improvement, tutoring).

8

Eco-Friendly School Supplies Bundle

Curate and sell bundles of sustainable, eco-friendly school supplies branded with the school logo. Partner with environmentally conscious suppliers to offer unique, high-quality products.

9

Corporate Volunteer Day Sponsorships

Organize school improvement projects and invite local corporations to sponsor volunteer days. Offer team-building activities for employees while they contribute to school enhancements.

10

Intergenerational Mentorship Program

Launch a program pairing students with senior community members for mutual learning experiences. Charge a modest fee for participation and seek grants to support program operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

<div ms-code-snippet-q="1">What are the most effective fundraising ideas for PTAs and PTOs in 2025?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="1">For PTAs and PTOs in 2025, the most effective fundraising ideas combine traditional methods with digital innovations. Top strategies include: 1) Online auctions using platforms like Zeffy, which offer seamless integration and lower fees. 2) Virtual fun runs or walk-a-thons, allowing broader participation. 3) Digital donation matching challenges, leveraging corporate partnerships. 4) Customized school spirit wear sales through print-on-demand services. 5) Virtual family game nights or trivia contests. 6) Eco-friendly initiatives like e-waste recycling drives. 7) Subscription box fundraisers featuring local products. 8) Social media-driven peer-to-peer campaigns. 9) Virtual cooking or craft classes led by community members. 10) AI-powered personalized fundraising outreach. These ideas capitalize on technology, community engagement, and current trends, making them highly effective for modern PTA and PTO fundraising efforts.</div><div ms-code-snippet-q="2">How can PTAs and PTOs maximize online donations in 2025?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="2">To maximize online donations in 2025, PTAs and PTOs should focus on creating a seamless digital experience. Start by choosing a user-friendly platform like Zeffy, which offers low fees and integrates easily with social media. Optimize your donation page for mobile devices, as over 65% of donors prefer giving via smartphones. Implement recurring donation options, which can increase overall giving by up to 42% according to Nonprofit Source. Utilize data-driven personalization in your outreach, tailoring messages based on donor history and preferences. Leverage social proof by showcasing real-time donation feeds and progress bars. Incorporate peer-to-peer fundraising features to expand your reach. Finally, ensure transparency by clearly communicating the impact of donations and providing regular updates to donors. Remember, the average online donation for K-12 schools is $186, so setting suggested donation amounts around this figure can be effective.</div><div ms-code-snippet-q="3">What are the best practices for PTA and PTO fundraising campaigns on social media?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="3">Effective social media fundraising for PTAs and PTOs in 2025 requires a strategic approach. First, choose the right platforms - Facebook and Instagram are typically most effective, with 56% of social media users supporting nonprofits through these channels. Create compelling, shareable content that tells your story visually. Use hashtags strategically to increase visibility, and consider creating a unique campaign hashtag. Leverage Facebook's fundraising tools, which have raised over $2 billion for nonprofits. Engage influencers or local celebrities to amplify your message. Utilize live streaming for real-time engagement during events. Implement social listening tools to monitor conversations and respond promptly. Don't forget to optimize your posts for mobile, as 25% of donors complete their donations on mobile devices. Finally, use analytics to track performance and adjust your strategy accordingly. Remember, consistency and authenticity are key to building trust and encouraging donations on social media.</div><div ms-code-snippet-q="4">How do PTAs and PTOs create successful year-round fundraising strategies?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="4">Successful year-round fundraising for PTAs and PTOs in 2025 requires a multi-faceted approach. Start by creating a comprehensive annual plan that balances major campaigns with ongoing initiatives. Implement a robust donor management system to track engagement and personalize outreach. Diversify your fundraising methods, combining traditional events with digital campaigns. Consider monthly giving programs, which can increase donor retention by up to 80% according to Network for Good. Leverage seasonal opportunities, such as back-to-school drives or holiday giving campaigns. Implement a strong stewardship program to keep donors engaged throughout the year. Utilize data analytics to identify trends and optimize your strategies. Don't forget to engage corporate sponsors for matching gifts and partnerships. Finally, maintain consistent communication with your community through newsletters, social media, and targeted emails. Remember, the key to year-round success is maintaining donor relationships and providing multiple engagement opportunities throughout the year.</div><div ms-code-snippet-q="5">What are the most cost-effective tools for PTA and PTO fundraising in 2025?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="5">In 2025, cost-effective tools for PTA and PTO fundraising focus on maximizing returns while minimizing expenses. Zeffy stands out as the top choice, offering a free platform with no transaction fees, allowing organizations to keep 100% of donations. Other effective tools include: 1) Canva for creating professional marketing materials at low cost. 2) Mailchimp for email marketing, with free plans for small lists. 3) Facebook Fundraisers, which charge no fees for nonprofits. 4) Google for Nonprofits, providing free access to Google Workspace and Ad Grants. 5) Eventbrite for ticketing, with nonprofit discounts available. 6) Zoom for virtual events, offering discounted nonprofit plans. 7) Givebutter for peer-to-peer campaigns with low fees. 8) Slack for team communication, with free plans for small groups. 9) Trello for project management, also offering free basic plans. 10) Hootsuite for social media management, with nonprofit discounts. These tools provide robust features while keeping costs low, allowing PTAs and PTOs to maximize their fundraising potential.</div>