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How One PTO Raised $17K+ with a School Color Run

How One PTO Raised $17K+ with a School Color Run

Melissa Knox is part of the CECA PTO at a TK-8 charter school in California. While her role focuses on social media and communications, she ended up taking the lead on one of the school’s biggest fundraisers: a Color Run Against Cancer.

The idea started with the school principal, who had previously helped organize a district-wide runathon for the American Cancer Society. The event had a great mission, but because it was held on a Saturday, turnout was low and fundraising results were limited.

The PTO saw a chance to make the event easier for families to join. Instead of asking students and parents to show up on the weekend, they brought the event right to campus during the school day. That way, every student could participate, whether they fundraised or not.

The first year, the school hosted a fun run. The next year, they added color powder and turned it into a full color run. It was simple, exciting, and easy for kids to love.

The fundraiser also tied into a larger message around healthy living. Since a portion of the money supported the American Cancer Society, Melissa and the PTO chose prizes that encouraged kids to get outside and stay active.

Incentives included jump ropes, sports balls, smoothie shop gift cards, roller rink passes, bowling gift cards, and other activity-based rewards. Every student also received a pair of sunglasses donated by a local orthodontist, so every child walked away with something fun.

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What is a Changemaker? Impact Award for Nonprofits

What is a Changemaker? Impact Award for Nonprofits

Behind every thriving community is a changemaker organization making things happen. From a PTA modernizing school programs to a sports league expanding access for young athletes, to a nonprofit fighting for a local cause, changemakers are the engines of real progress. They see a gap, step up, and build something better. At Cheddar Up, we believe the best way to strengthen a community is to support the groups serving it. That’s why we created the Cheddar Up Changemakers program, an initiative designed to fund and spotlight organizations leading meaningful change.

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How PHS Golf Streamlined Fundraising and Registration

How PHS Golf Streamlined Fundraising and Registration

When Justin West became head coach of the Pickens High School Golf team, he didn’t just inherit a team — he inherited the booster club operations, too. That meant tracking payments, organizing events, managing sponsorships, and collecting forms, often with limited tools and community members who weren’t always comfortable paying online. He needed something that could handle all of it, but still be easy for families to use.

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How Voyager K-8 PTO Boosted Fundraising with P2P

How Voyager K-8 PTO Boosted Fundraising with P2P

Before Cheddar Up, Voyager K-8 PTO was spread thin using multiple platforms for payments, registrations, and communication. Nothing was centralized, and it was difficult to keep everyone on the same page. Ansel wanted a single solution that could manage all the PTO’s needs and save time in the process. Cheddar Up quickly became their go-to for everything: payments, sign-ups, spirit wear sales, and events. Using QR codes and a central collection page, they made it easy for parents and staff to find exactly what they needed. Everything lived in one place, which simplified communication and boosted participation across all types of collections.

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How the Ninety-Nines Simplified Dues and Boosted Fundraising

How the Ninety-Nines Simplified Dues and Boosted Fundraising

Before Cheddar Up, the Eastern New England Chapter of the Ninety-Nines relied on a mix of paper forms, checks, and manual record-keeping. Members had to print registration forms, find a stamp, mail everything in, and wait for confirmation. For Sue, who manages finances for both her chapter and section, this meant piles of paperwork and hours spent sorting through details. As part of an international network of women pilots, the Ninety-Nines are constantly on the move — hosting fly-ins, pancake breakfasts, luncheons, and outreach programs. Managing money and information efficiently became critical to keeping their chapter focused on what matters most: camaraderie, scholarships, and inspiring the next generation of pilots.

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