Implementing online PTA payment solutions can help increase your efficiency and community involvement, save time for volunteers, make payments more secure, and eliminate complicated reporting. Bonus: You can collect payments and create forms online, both under the same account, for free. Need more convincing? Here, we detail 10 ways a PTA payment system makes life easier for your board and school community.
PTA Payment Solutions Save Time
1. Track all payments automatically.
You read that right — no more data entry! The paper trail is always there, online, stored in the same safe, secure dashboard as your payments. If you choose to accept cash and checks in addition to online payments, you will have to enter that information, but we count it!
2. Deposit directly into your PTA’s bank account.
Eliminate extra trips to the bank: It’s free to transfer funds directly to your organization’s bank account. Need funds to go to different places? Add multiple bank accounts, no problem. Talk about an end-to-end PTA payment solution.
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3. Automate follow-up reminders for payments and forms.
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4. Simplify after-school enrichment registration.
Turn enrichment coordinators’ files of paper forms, check payments, class rosters and spreadsheets into one online dashboard. You can set up your registration page to include detailed class descriptions, recurring payments, and class sizes. Cheddar Up can even automate your monthly payment reminders!
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5. Create a One-Stop Shop for your PTA.
Parents will love the simplicity of one webpage for all their PTA needs. We call it a Group Page. At a minimal cost, you can have one consistent URL that lists all your active collections, like PTA membership, class donations, and spirit wear. This is an exclusive feature you won’t find on other PTA payment solutions. Plus, an extra layer of convenience: Anyone can pay on your page without creating an account. Send out your custom link or QR code and they can pay immediately, no signup pop-ups in between.
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6. Manage events efficiently.
A happy byproduct of our payments + forms power duo is easy event planning. Cheddar Up rocks any program’s 3Ms — marketing, money, and management. Easily solicit donations and sell tickets online and in-person, with every sale automatically recorded. Recruit volunteers and have all your party details, including available budget, in one spot. Free event template and tutorial
“Cheddar Up’s ease and flexibility is just what our chapter needed. We use it for all types of collecting — from member dues to major events with hundreds of participants. The platform’s design is simple and intuitive, which is important to me.”
Make more money with PTA payment solutions
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7. Accept in-person credit-card payments.
And you may see an increase in both profit and participation. Cheddar Up’s mobile apps plus Bluetooth card readers offer full point-of-sale functionality — which sets us apart from other PTA payment solutions. You can seamlessly transition between taking advance online payments and accepting day-of, in-person payments, and they’ll all be sorted and recorded in the same spot, no additional effort from you.
More on point-of-sale →
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8. Collect more fundraiser donations.
Whatever your favorite fundraiser, Cheddar Up’s PTA payment solutions can help. Cheddar Up fundraising pages are clean, easy-to-read, and visual: You can add photos for intrigue (like this beautiful plant sale) as well as a fundraising goal, which shows your page visitors how much more you need.
Create a fundraising page
Increase PTA membership and retention
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9. Boost PTA or PTO membership with online payments.
It’s the sheer convenience, friends. An online PTA payment solution encourages prompt, easy payments. You can still use the same form you’ve used for years — simply recreate it online with the Cheddar Up form builder. Plus, online you can make form questions required, no more blank lines!
See a membership example
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10. Get your new PTA board “on board” quickly.
Ready to pass the PTA torch to the new President? Handoff to new board members is an absolute cinch with Cheddar Up. In just seconds, you can duplicate and update your collections to use year after year. Your account remains as-is, but you can add an unlimited number of managers and set specific permissions for each.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a PTA use Venmo or Zelle to collect payments?
PTAs should not use personal Venmo or Zelle accounts to collect group payments. Personal accounts are designed for individuals, their terms generally prohibit organizational use, and funds land in one person’s name with no payment tracking or reporting. A dedicated PTA payment system like Cheddar Up deposits directly into the PTA’s bank account and records every payment automatically.
What is the best way for a PTA to collect payments online?
The best way for a PTA to collect payments online is a platform built for group payments, not a personal payment app. Look for four things: automatic payment tracking, direct deposit to the organization’s bank account, built-in forms, and payment reminders. Cheddar Up includes all four, and parents can pay without downloading an app or creating an account.
Do parents need an account or app to pay a PTA online?
Parents do not need an account or app to pay a PTA through Cheddar Up. They pay through the PTA’s collection link or QR code in their browser, which removes the biggest friction point in getting busy parents to pay on time.
How much does PTA payment software cost?
PTA payment software ranges from free to a monthly subscription depending on features. Cheddar Up is free to start: PTAs can collect payments and create forms at no cost, with optional paid plans for advanced features like group pages and point-of-sale.
Are online PTA payments secure?
Online PTA payments are secure when collected through a dedicated payments platform. Cheddar Up processes payments through encrypted, PCI-compliant infrastructure, and every transaction is recorded in one dashboard.
Online, Everyone Wins
Cheddar Up’s PTA payment solution makes it easy for parents to pay, and simplifies management for you.
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How to Organize a Group Gift the Easy Way: Ultimate Guide
Teacher gifts, coaches gifts, holiday gifts, thank-you gifts, end-of-year gifts, shower gifts, and so on. The group gift list is endless! If you’re wondering how to organize a group gift without getting a headache, you’ve made it to the right place.
If you’ve ever tried to plan a group gift, you know the real challenge is wrangling people. It’s the awkward Venmo requests, the “did you pay yet?” follow-ups, and the mystery of what happened to that extra $14.
The good news? A little structure up front makes a world of difference when you’re ready to start planning for that special group gift.
Below you’ll find a step-by-step guide that will help you coordinate a group gift from start to finish, including group gift giving etiquette, copy-paste scripts, a deadline strategy, and a plan for leftover funds.A group gift is a single present that is purchased by a group of friends, family, and other contributors.
For instance, a group of friends might decide to come together to purchase an expensive stroller from their bestie’s baby shower registry. Normally, one friend wouldn’t be able to afford the gift on their own. But if 3 friends chip in together, it makes the present achievable.
Unleash the Colors: How to Host a Color Run Fundraiser
A color run fundraiser combines the thrill of a fun run with bursts of bright color along the way. Participants start in white and make their way through a course filled with “color stations,” where volunteers toss powder or spray safe, water-based paint so everyone finishes covered head to toe in color.
But it’s more than just a fun event. A color run is a powerful way to raise money from multiple angles. You can collect registration fees, sell extras like t-shirts or color kits, bring in local sponsors, and tap into peer-to-peer fundraising to reach even more supporters.
Even better, it’s easy to organize everything in one place. With a simple collection page, you can manage sign-ups, track payments, and keep donations flowing without the usual hassle.
To get started, there are two great setup options: a standard fundraiser template for straightforward, all-in-one collecting, or a peer-to-peer template that lets participants create their own pages and boost your total even further.
7 Best Online Fundraising Platforms for Your Organization
The best fundraising websites are built to make your life easier. They help you set up a fundraising page, share it with your community, and collect money online without the need for endless spreadsheets or constant follow-up.
Here’s the truth: Not every platform fits every organization. Whether you’re a PTA treasurer raising money for a senior trip or you’re a growing nonprofit ready to level up your fundraising, the fundraising website you choose matters.
In this guide, we’ll walk through what online fundraising websites are, why organizers use them, and what to look for when choosing one. Let’s dive right in! An online fundraising website is a tool that helps you organize fundraising events, collect donations online, and track the success of your campaigns. Think of it as the go-to online place where people can learn about and give to your cause.
The best online fundraising platforms go beyond just payment processing. They allow you to communicate with your team and your donors, manage events, set up peer-to-peer fundraisers, and more.
From coordinating with volunteers to tracking donations, it’s no secret that having the right tool on your side can save time and reduce stress!
How to Host a Trunk or Treat Fundraiser
Planning a trunk or treat fundraiser for your PTA, church, or nonprofit? This step-by-step guide walks through the whole process, from setting admission and pricing trunk spots to collecting sign ups and running the event day. You can set it all up online, and this template gets you started in minutes. A trunk or treat fundraiser is a Halloween event where kids collect candy from decorated car trunks in a parking lot, while the host organization raises money through admission, trunk-spot fees, and concessions. Instead of going door to door, families walk from car to car in a designated parking area, collecting treats from creatively decorated trunks. Each participant, often called a trunker, decorates their vehicle with fun, spooky, or themed displays.
Schools, churches, PTAs, and nonprofits typically host trunk or treat fundraisers in mid- to late October. Because the whole event happens in one contained parking area rather than across a neighborhood, it’s a safe, weather-flexible way to bring the community together and support the organization.
