Like a lot of volunteer-run organizations, innovating your predecessor’s existing process may not always be at the top of your list. But when lack of innovation gets in the way of total funds raised, community satisfaction, safety and general efficiency, it’s worth exploring— especially when moving to an online PTA payment system can be done in minutes.
Why innovate
- Promoting parent and community participation and involvement
- Providing funding and volunteer support for academic, enrichment and community events and activities
This is no small feat. It requires forethought, creativity, planning, reliable volunteers and —in this day and age —to do it well, it requires technology.
Time and time again, PTAs have proven that when they accept online payments, participation numbers go through the roof and funds raised increase by double-digit percentages. If your PTA payment system still consists of collecting payments, forms, waivers, signups and registrations using clunky technology—or worse yet, paper forms and checks—you have a massive opportunity waiting at your doorstep.
It’s time to innovate if your PTA payment system if you’re experiencing:
Low participation
Community complaints
Poor payment tracking and oversight
Concerns about fraud
Wasted volunteer time
Insufficient year-over-year handoff
“We used Cheddar Up to collect for a district-wide event. We were able to set up a Cheddar Up page in literally minutes and the vast majority of people chose to pay online. It saved our volunteers so much time!
No longer did they have to run around town picking up checks or worry about misplacing something. Not only was the administration of the event easier, but having access to instant, always-there data and information at our fingertips was something volunteers weren’t used to and LOVED.”
Christina Hidek, Greenview Upper Elementary PTA, South Euclid, Ohio
Benefits of moving to an online PTA payment system
Why moving online increases participation and $ collected
This is a legit question. We’ve touched on it above, but it’s worth spelling out. And the answer is simple. You’ll collect more—and increase participation—by moving to an online PTA payment system for two main reasons:
It will make YOUR PTA better marketers!
Let’s take a fall festival scheduled for September 30, for example. You can (and probably should!) start promoting that at least a month in advance. Promote it via a stand-alone email, put it in the footer of every e-blast, include it in a weekly e-newsletter, promote it on the school website, promote it on social media (over and over and over again). You get the picture. More promotion, means more participation.
Online PTA payment systems are easy for the masses
If your “thing” requires people to fill out a paper form and write a check—bam, you’re blocking about 50% of potential participants right out of the gate. Younger parents may not even have a checkbook, and those who do, rarely carry it with them. The steps required to fill out a paper form and check and physically get it somewhere are numerous. Why put that obstacle in front of your community?
Moving to an online PTA payment system means people can pay on the soccer sidelines, in the grocery store line…from anywhere. And that’s the kind of flexibility your community needs. Worried about alienating folks who prefer writing checks? Toggle on our cash/check payment method to keep all of your tracking in one place, while still allowing people to write that check if they must.
Example PTA Collection
How to get your PTA payment system started
Looking to learn more and create an online collection page for your PTA? Believe us when we say that moving to an online PTA payment system is easy. You can be online within the next 30 minutes. Here’s what to do:
• Watch this quick “how it works” video to get acclimated.
• Check out these example PTA online collection pages.
• Create a Cheddar Up account (it’s free, so it’s zero commitment).
• Start creating a collection. Need help along the way? Tap into our How-To Video Library. Be sure to check out this article highlighting 14 ways to move your PTA online, a great way to get started.
Not up for reading? No problem!
Fun fact: Several of our Customer Success Managers have led their PTAs in the past (they get it!).
Ready to move to an online PTA payment system?
Delight your community with Cheddar Up’s online payments, forms and tracking.
