Givebacks PTA Alternative: The Right Choice for Your Group

Managing payments, fundraising, and signups for your group shouldn’t require multiple tools or extra hassle. Platforms like Givebacks and Cheddar Up both aim to simplify the process, but the experience, flexibility, and cost can look very different depending on your needs.

Cheddar Up

A flexible, easy-to-use platform built for all types of groups. Manage payments, signups, fundraising, and sales in one place, without any extra tools or complicated setup required.

Givebacks (formerly Memberhub)

A platform focused on PTAs and schools, offering fundraising and cashback-style giving programs. Some management features may involve additional steps, tools, or fees.

Want to see how Cheddar Up can work for you? Check out our template library for customizable options that fit your needs!

Compare Features: Cheddar Up vs. Givebacks

When choosing a platform for your group’s payments, signups, and management, it’s important to know which features matter most. Cheddar Up delivers unmatched versatility with tools that cater to all types of groups and activities. Here’s how they stack up:

Cheddar Up
Givebacks
Customizable PTA Fundraising Pages
Create branded pages for school fundraisers with images, banners, and custom messaging.
Online Store for Spirit Wear
Sell school merchandise, track inventory, and offer shipping options directly from your PTA page.
In-Person Payment Collection
Accept payments during PTA events using mobile apps and card readers.
Volunteer Sign-Ups
Easily organize volunteer schedules for school events, fundraisers, or classroom activities without needing to collect payments.
Group Fundraising Hub
Consolidate all active fundraisers (like bake sales, auctions, or spirit wear)in one place for parents.
Recurring Payments for PTA Dues
Automate monthly or annual PTA membership dues for hassle-free collection.
Waivers with Signatures
Easily collect digital waivers for events, trips, or activities, ensuring compliance and convenience.
MoneyMinder Integration
Transactions are seamlessly sent from your collection to MoneyMinder for easy accounting
Cheddar Up
Givebacks
Customizable PTA Fundraising Pages
Online Store for Spirit Wear
In-Person Payment Collection
Volunteer Sign-Ups
Group Fundraising Hub
Recurring Payments for PTA Dues
Waivers with Signatures
MoneyMinder Integration

Cheddar Up vs. Givebacks: Clear & Transparent Fees

Cheddar Up keeps fees simple and organizer-friendly, letting you decide who covers transaction costs.

Cheddar Up
By default payer pays fees
Organizer can choose to absorb fees or give payer the option to cover fees.
Credit Card
Pricing is consistent across all campaigns.

Basic Plan: 3.95% + $0.95
Pro Plan: 3.59% + $0.59
Team Plan: 3.59% + $0.59

eCheck
Pro Plan: 1.59% (min $1)
Team Plan: Flat $0.95
Cash/Check
Free (and tracked!)
Givebacks
By default payer pays fees
Organizer can choose to absorb fees or give payer the option to cover fees
Credit Card
Pricing varies across campaigns and credit card types.

Store Items: 3.95% + $0.95
Direct Donations: Amex: 2.99% + $0.49
Other Cards: 1.99% + $0.49

Campaigns - Tip Model Pricing:
Pricing: Amex: 3.5% + $0.50
Other Cards: 2.9% + $0.30

Campaigns - Percent Pricing:
Platform Fee: 7.5%
Amex: 3.5% + $0.50
Other Cards: 2.9% + $0.30

eCheck
Not Supported
Cash/Check
Manual tracking supported

*Fees shown as of 4/2026. Please confirm with other vendors’ fees in case of changes or increases.

Skip the Tip

Cheddar Up’s pricing is simple and transparent, designed to give you and your donor confidence every step of the way. Instead of relying on donor “tips” to fund operations, which creates confusion about where the money is going, Cheddar Up keeps everything clear.

Donors know their contributions go directly to your cause, and organizers have the flexibility to decide how to handle fees: pass them along or cover them. With Cheddar Up, there are no surprises, just straightforward, flexible options that put you in control.

You’re in good company

Each month, Cheddar Up serves thousands of groups and communities across the US, helping them collect millions of dollars in payments (plus information) for just about anything. But don’t take our word for it, check out Cheddar Up reviews from our users.

”All in all Cheddar Up is the best thing that has allowed us to collect both money and memories in a way that serves both our children and school to have a most successful outcome for all parties involved. It ‘s so great that we now share the application to all of our surrounding districts to inspire everyone to use this most user friendly application and make volunteering easier and rewarding for all.”
CSA

6TH Grade Parents’ Committee 22

Why Organizers Choose Cheddar Up vs Givebacks

online gifts for teachers
AUTOMATIC TRACKING
Cheddar Up has mastered easy-to-use, tracking and reporting that happens dynamically so there’s no need for spreadsheets and never a question of where money came from.
FRICTION-FREE PAYMENTS
With Cheddar Up, you can always pay as a guest. That means no need for payers to download an app or even create an account.
PAYMENTS + INFO
When collecting from a group, there’s often information associated with a payment (e.g., size, contact info, signature, etc.). Moving both payments, forms and waivers online is a gamechanger.
CUSTOM PAYMENT PAGES
Create unlimited branded collection pages with custom URLs for everything your group needs: dues, events, donations, gear… you name it.
INTEGRATED POINT OF SALE
It’s common for groups to need to collect online and in-person payments. Cheddar Up handles both seamlessly across web and mobile apps, keeping all payments and tracking in one spot.
EASY HANDOFF
Handing someone else the reigns and transitioning an account is simple with Cheddar Up. Your history remains intact, which results in zero reinvention and less headache all the way around.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Givebacks offer sign-ups and forms?

Yes, Givebacks includes forms and sign-up functionality for activities like events, memberships, and fundraising. These tools are typically tied to specific campaigns rather than designed to be used flexibly across different types of collections with or without payment.

Is Givebacks easy to use for PTAs and schools?

Givebacks offers a range of tools, but some organizers report that the platform can feel less intuitive to navigate. Managing different activities may involve multiple steps or workflows, which can make the overall experience feel more complex for busy PTA volunteers.

Can PTAs manage everything in one place with Givebacks?

Givebacks includes tools for fundraising, memberships, and events, but these are often managed through separate workflows. As a result, some groups find it harder to run all their activities from a single, centralized experience.

How does Givebacks pricing work?

Givebacks uses a combination of platform fees and payment processing fees that vary depending on the type of transaction, such as store purchases, donations, or fundraising campaigns. Organizations can choose between different pricing models depending on how they collect funds.

Are there downsides to Givebacks’ pricing model?

Givebacks uses different pricing structures for stores, donations, and campaigns, which can be a bit confusing for organizers and payers. This can make the overall fee structure feel less straightforward compared to platforms with a consistent approach.

How does Givebacks compare to Cheddar Up?

Givebacks and Cheddar Up both help groups collect money and run fundraisers, but they’re built for different needs. Givebacks focuses on school-based fundraising programs, while Cheddar Up offers a more flexible, all-in-one way to manage payments, signups, and fundraising in one place.

What are Givebacks reviews like?

Recent user feedback highlights challenges with usability, including navigation and completing tasks across different parts of the platform. Some users also mention confusion around fees and checkout experiences.

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