The reality behind “free” fundraising platforms

At first glance, a zero-fee option sounds ideal for PTAs exploring new fundraising ideas.

More money raised, no cost to your PTA.

In practice, those fees are usually shifted elsewhere rather than removed.

This often appears as:

• Optional tips at checkout
• Suggested donations during payment
• Extra charges that are not clearly explained

For PTAs, this can create confusion. For parents, it can make supporting your PTA’s events feel unclear or frustrating with trust in your charity eroded and parents less likely to give again..

Why transparency matters for PTA fundraising

Successful PTA fundraising events rely on trust and simplicity.

Parents want to know exactly what they’re paying for. PTAs want to avoid questions, complaints or hesitation at checkout.

When pricing is unclear, it creates friction at the exact moment someone is trying to support your event.

That is why many PTAs are now prioritising clear, transparent fundraising platforms that give them full control.

A better approach for PTA events: flexibility and control

Every PTA is different. Some prefer to absorb fees. Others include them in ticket prices. Some want to give parents a choice.

There is no single right answer when planning PTA fundraising ideas.

That is where PTA Events stands out.

With PTA Events, you can choose exactly how fees are handled for each of your PTA events:

• Include fees in ticket pricing
• Cover them within your PTA
• Make them optional for parents
• Make them compulsory so your parents must pay and there’s no cost to your PTA
• Adjust your approach depending on the event

Instead of being locked into one model, your PTA stays in control.

Designed for how PTAs actually run events

Most fundraising platforms are built for one-off events. But PTAs run multiple events throughout the year.

From summer fairs and discos to raffles and sponsorships, managing everything separately can quickly become time-consuming.

PTA Events is designed specifically for PTA fundraising, giving you one dedicated site space where everything works together:

• All your PTA events in one place
• Built-in volunteer management
• Donations and fundraising tools fully integrated

This not only saves time but also creates a more consistent experience for parents.

Why PTA Events improves the parent experience

When everything is clear and centralised:

• Parents understand what they are paying
• Your PTA avoids confusion or complaints
• Your events run more smoothly

Because PTA Events is built specifically for PTA fundraising, it removes the common friction points that often come with generic or “free” platforms.

What to look for in a PTA fundraising platform

When choosing a platform for your PTA fundraising, focus on:

• Transparent pricing with no hidden costs
• Flexibility for various different PTA events
• Tools designed specifically for PTAs
• A simple, consistent parent experience

If a platform is described as “free”, it is always worth understanding how it works behind the scenes.

Plan your next PTA event with confidence

With PTA Events, you stay in control of your pricing, your setup and your parent experience.

You can create your account, connect Stripe and launch your next PTA fundraising event in minutes, with full flexibility from the start.