When the economy wobbles, giving gets cautious. Across schools, nonprofits, and community groups, organizers are feeling the pressure mount. Donations are down, expenses are up, and the same volunteers are doing more with less. Sound familiar?
At Cheddar Up, we hear you. And we’re here to say: You’re not alone, you’re not crazy, and you’re definitely not imagining that fundraising feels harder than ever.
The State of Giving (Spoiler: It’s Complicated)
Recent reports show that while giving hasn’t disappeared, donor behavior is less predictable. People are still giving, but not as consistently, and not always in the ways organizers expect. Donations now hinge on emotional connection, clear impact, and a smooth giving experience.
This shift is affecting a wide range of groups, from high school sports teams and PTOs to booster clubs and community organizations. Our recent survey found that 95% of high school sports programs rely on fundraising to operate. Coaches often spend countless hours collecting payments, mining for sponsorships, and encouraging parent participation — all while handling their core responsibilities with limited support.
That same pressure shows up in schools. Just ask Summer Havron, a PTO leader at Whiteland Elementary. Her team was losing up to 50% of profits before switching to Cheddar Up.
If we hadn’t had that [Cheddar Up] option, I don’t know that we would have raised that much on our own through [other] digital platforms,” she said.
Now, they’re keeping every dollar and managing efforts from one place.
Groups like these need tools that streamline the work, build trust with donors, and make every dollar count. When the donor experience includes confusing checkouts, unexpected fees, or prompts to tip the platform, it can lead to hesitation and reduce future support.
How to Raise More, Even in Tough Times
Switching to a better platform is a great start, but real success comes from how you use it. Here’s how to get more from every ask, every time:
Get Laser-Focused on Your “Why”
People give to people and purposes, not just programs. Be crystal clear and emotionally compelling about what you’re raising money for. Then reinforce your message across your customizable collection page with banners, videos, and storytelling magic.
Make Giving Ridiculously Easy
No app downloads. No login walls. Just click and pay. Use Cheddar Up’s frictionless payment options and QR codes so supporters can give quickly and easily, whether they’re at an event, on their phone, or relaxing at home.
Expand Your Reach with Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
Difficult times call for a wide reach. Enable peer-to-peer fundraising so supporters can share your mission with their networks. Give them templates, talking points, and some digital pom-poms.
Stay in Touch with Your Supporters
Good communication goes a long way. Send updates, say thank you, and let people know how their gift is making a difference. With automated receipts and easy follow-up tools, Cheddar Up helps you keep donors in the loop and feel appreciated without adding more to your responsibilities.
Show the Numbers
Activate fundraising goal tracking so donors can see the needle move. People are more likely to give when they feel their contribution will actually help you reach your goal.
Keep Checkout Clear and Trustworthy
“Tipping” shouldn’t be part of the donation experience, especially when it’s not for the cause. Yet many platforms ask donors to leave a “tip” for the platform itself, creating confusion and frustration that can derail giving. Cheddar Up takes a stand against this. No tipping prompts. No murky add-ons. Just a clean, transparent checkout.
Offer Fee Clarity and Options
When every dollar counts, transparency matters. Let donors know they have the option to cover processing fees, and consider enabling lower-cost eCheck payments available with Pro and Team Plans to keep more funds in your community.
Let’s Weather This Together
If your community is feeling the fundraising fatigue, we get it. More importantly, we can help. Join the thousands of groups using Cheddar Up to create better, simpler fundraising experiences.
Because your mission matters. And the tools you use to support it should work just as hard as you do.
Before you go
We know fundraising isn’t always easy, especially right now. That’s why Cheddar Up gives you the tools to build donor trust and raise more money with less friction, even when times are tough.
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How to Run a PTA Membership Drive (2026 Guide + Letter Template)
A strong PTA membership drive sets up everything else your PTA does. Membership dues support programs, events, and initiatives throughout the school year, while a growing membership base helps build engagement across your school community.
This guide walks you through how to run a PTA membership drive from start to finish, including when to launch, how to increase sign ups, and a PTA membership drive letter template you can customize and send to families.
A PTA membership drive is the annual campaign a school’s parent-teacher association runs to recruit members and collect dues for the upcoming school year. The goal is simple: make it easy for families to join the PTA and support the programs, events, and initiatives that benefit your school community.
PTA Fundraising Letter Templates: Kickoff, Reminder, and Thank-You
Your fundraiser is set. The goal is in place. Now you need families to show up for the campaign. A well-written PTA fundraising letter is what makes that happen.
The templates below are ready to customize. Swap in your school name, your goal, and your dates. Then send.
If you’re still deciding on your fundraiser format, the PTA fundraising ideas guide covers your options from top to bottom. But if you’re already in motion, start here.
The best letters are short, specific, and personal. Families don’t need a history of your PTA. They need to know what you’re raising money for, how much you’re asking for, and where to go to give.
7 Different Types of Fundraisers (With 50+ Proven Examples)
If you’re tired of defaulting to the same bake sale year after year, then it might be time to explore the many types of fundraisers that will help you reach your fundraising goals.
One fundraiser format can’t do everything. Some raise fast cash, others build long-term donor relationships, and a few quietly generate revenue with almost no volunteer hours.
When you understand the different types of fundraisers available to your organization, it opens up dozens of possibilities you’ve probably never considered!
This guide breaks down seven main fundraiser types and pairs each one with proven examples you can adapt to your group’s size, budget, and goals. Ready to get started?Truth bomb: relying on one single type of fundraiser can limit your reach and exhaust your donor base over time.
Whether you’re a group leader in charge of raising funds for your community or a nonprofit organizer building a fundraising plan, it’s no secret that a mix of fundraising strategies can help you build a more resilient and sustainable financial foundation for your organization’s long-term goals.
How Dairyland Donkey Ball Grows Small-Town Fundraisers
For more than 21 years, Dairyland Donkey Ball has delivered high-energy fundraising events to rural communities across 26 states. From donkey basketball during the school year to summer donkey baseball and celebrity races, their events bring entire towns together.
Most of the communities they serve have fewer than 1,500 residents. Some have fewer than 200. When 10 donkeys arrive, it is not just another event. It is THE event.
Each fundraiser operates as a partnership. A local school group, FFA chapter, or civic organization pays a booking fee and promotes the show. Ticket revenue is split, so strong turnout benefits everyone involved.
With dozens of events happening across multiple states, consistency matters. Every town runs a little differently. Every volunteer team has different experience levels with online tools. And when your business operates on the road, you need a system that works the same way everywhere.
When CJ first discovered Cheddar Up, he saw how smoothly the platform handled dues and registrations. That experience made the decision easier when it came time to modernize ticket sales for Dairyland Donkey Ball.
