# Raised - Full Site Content for LLMs
> This file provides detailed content from the Raised fundraising platform for AI systems.
> For a summary overview, see /llms.txt
> Last generated: 2026-10-17T16:00:16.995Z

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# About Raised

Raised is a free online fundraising platform based in New Zealand, serving NZ and Australia. It replaces traditional paper-based fundraising order forms with digital storefronts.

## What Raised does
- Provides digital order forms for product-based fundraising (pies, cheese, Cookie Time, etc.)
- Connects fundraisers with wholesalers who supply products
- Accepts cash, bank transfers (no fees), and credit cards (Stripe processing)
- Used by schools, sports teams, community groups, and individuals

## How it works
1. A fundraiser signs up and creates a campaign
2. They choose products from partnered wholesalers
3. A shareable online storefront is created
4. Supporters browse and place orders online
5. Orders are tracked in real-time with analytics
6. Fundraisers collect payments and wholesalers fulfil orders
7. The profit margin (difference between wholesale and retail price) goes to the fundraiser

## Pricing
- No monthly fees, no setup fees, no subscription
- Credit card payments in New Zealand: 2.65% + NZ$0.30 (Stripe, local cards) + 5% platform fee, added at checkout and paid by the donor (fundraisers keep 100%). International cards cost a little more.
- Credit card payments in Australia: 1.7% + A$0.30 (Stripe, local cards) + 5% platform fee. Card surcharges are not allowed in Australia, so these fees are built into the prices supporters see and nothing is added at checkout. Donation fees come out of the donation unless the donor chooses to cover them.
- Cash and bank transfer payments are also supported on product fundraisers (in Australia, only when the organisation absorbs card fees). Crowdfunding campaigns are card only.

## Key features
- Product-based fundraising with wholesaler integration
- Crowdfunding campaigns with goal tracking
- Ongoing donation pages with no end date
- Recurring (monthly) donations
- Mobile app for iOS and Android
- Tap-to-pay for in-person collection
- Embeddable donation form for your own website
- Automatic donation receipts by email
- Real-time analytics and reporting
- CRM and contact management
- Custom branding and campaign pages
- Automatic packing slip generation
- Email communication tools
- Mobile-responsive design
- Multiple payment methods

## Target audience
- Schools running fundraisers
- Sports teams and clubs
- Community groups and nonprofits
- Individuals fundraising for causes
- Wholesalers wanting to reach fundraising customers

## Regions served
- New Zealand (raised.nz)
- Australia (raised.au)
- Primary domain: raisedhq.com

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# Blog Articles

## AFL Club Fundraising Ideas That Actually Work
URL: https://raised.au/blog/afl-club-fundraising-ideas
Published: 2026-04-21
Summary: Practical fundraising ideas for AFL and Aussie rules clubs. From product fundraisers and sausage sizzles to online campaigns that cut volunteer hours.

Running an AFL club is expensive. Ground hire, umpire fees, new footballs, goal post maintenance, insurance, team jumpers, away game travel. Every season the list gets longer and the budget gets tighter. About 18% of community sports clubs in Australia are now at risk of collapse because of rising costs, and the people running these clubs are burning out trying to keep them afloat.

The common complaint is that committees spend hundreds of hours to raise a thousand dollars. That ratio doesn't work, especially when your volunteers are the same parents and players who are already giving up their weekends.

Here are fundraising ideas that actually bring in decent money for AFL clubs without grinding your volunteers into the ground.

## Product Fundraisers

Selling products is the most reliable way for an AFL club to raise money. People would rather buy something they can use than just hand over a donation, and the margins are solid.

Products that work well for footy clubs:

- **Cadbury chocolate boxes** - A proven seller with roughly 50% margin. Give every player a box to sell through their network. Most families will buy at least one.
- **Cookie dough** - Billy G's cookie dough tubs return about $4 profit per tub. Families love them because they're a treat that actually gets used.
- **Pies and sausage rolls** - The perfect fit for a footy club. Sell frozen packs to members and keep stock for match-day canteen sales too.
- **Cheese and butter** - Higher price point means better margins. Works well as an end-of-season fundraiser when people are stocking up.

The trick with product fundraisers is making them easy to run. Paper order forms and cash collection are what kill volunteer motivation. When you run a product fundraiser through [Raised](/), each seller gets their own link to share, orders come in online, and products get delivered. No spreadsheets, no chasing payments, no lost order forms.

Check out the full list of products on our [wholesalers page](/our-wholesalers).

## The Bunnings Sausage Sizzle

Every footy club has done one of these. The average profit from a Bunnings sausage sizzle sits around $900 per day, though well-organised clubs can push towards $2,000-4,000.

Tips to get the most out of yours:

- **Book early.** Popular Bunnings locations fill up months ahead. Get your dates locked in at the start of the year.
- **Buy smart.** Sausages, bread, and onions in bulk from a wholesaler. Don't buy retail.
- **Add drinks.** Cans at $2-3 each are almost pure profit when bought in bulk.
- **Roster properly.** Two-hour shifts keep people fresh and willing to come back next time.

A sausage sizzle is great for a one-off cash injection, but it's labour-intensive. Four to six people standing in the sun all day for $900 is decent, though it's worth comparing that against the return from an online product fundraiser that runs for weeks with minimal effort.

## Game-Day Canteen and Bar

Your home games are a captive audience. A well-run canteen and bar can bring in consistent revenue across the whole season from March to September.

Stock the basics: pies, sausage rolls, drinks, lollies, coffee. If your club has a liquor licence, beer sales on a Saturday afternoon are a strong earner. Pre-selling food orders online before game day helps you plan stock and reduces waste.

Keep it simple and keep the prices fair. People are happy to spend at the club when they know the money stays in the club.

## Footy Tipping Competitions

This one is underrated. A footy tipping competition costs almost nothing to run, requires minimal volunteer time, and generates income across the entire AFL season.

Charge $20-50 per entry, offer a prize pool (keep 40-60% as fundraising profit), and let it run from Round 1 to the Grand Final. If you get 50-100 entries at $30 each, that's $1,500-3,000 with almost zero ongoing work. There are free and cheap tipping platforms available, so your only cost is the prize.

It also keeps people connected to the club all season, which helps when you ask them to support your next fundraiser.

## Trivia Nights and Footy Dinners

Club events work because you're selling an experience, not just asking for money. A good trivia night can raise $1,500-3,000 in a single evening.

How to make it work:

- **Charge $15-20 per head** or $150-200 per table of 8-10.
- **Run a bar** and keep the margin on drinks.
- **Get local businesses to donate prizes.** Most will say yes if you mention their name on the night.
- **Keep overheads low.** Use your own clubrooms. Get volunteers to set up and run the bar.

End-of-season dinners and best-and-fairest nights can double as fundraisers too. Add an auction of donated items or signed memorabilia to boost the take.

## Local Business Sponsorship

Sponsorship is less exciting than a big event, but it's reliable income that comes back year after year.

Put together a simple sponsorship pack with clear tiers. Offer signage at the ground, logo on the club website, social media mentions, and naming rights for specific teams or events. Even small sponsorships at $200-500 each add up fast when you've got ten or fifteen local businesses on board.

Approach businesses directly rather than waiting for them to come to you. A cafe, physio clinic, pub, or tradie within a few kilometres of your ground is your target. They want local customers, and your club can put them in front of those people.

## Club Merchandise

Custom scarves, beanies, hoodies, and stubby holders in club colours sell well because supporters genuinely want them. The key is to avoid over-ordering. Use pre-orders to gauge demand before you commit to a bulk run.

You can run a merch pre-sale through [Raised](/) alongside your other fundraisers. Supporters order and pay online, you place the bulk order once you know the numbers, and there's no risk of leftover stock gathering dust in the clubrooms.

## Online Crowdfunding for Big Projects

When your club needs something bigger, like new lights, a scoreboard upgrade, or resurfacing the oval, a crowdfunding campaign is the way to go. These projects are hard to fund with sausage sizzles alone.

Online fundraising reaches beyond your immediate club community. Friends, family, alumni, and local businesses can all chip in through a shared link. You're not limited to the people who show up on Saturday.

Clubs using online fundraising platforms raise significantly more than those relying on traditional methods alone. The ASF reports that clubs on their platform raise an average of $13,250 each. Digital fundraising also cuts the volunteer load dramatically. You set up a page, share the link, and track progress from your phone.

On Raised, card donations have a small 5% platform fee plus card processing. By default it comes out of the donation, and supporters can choose to cover it so your club gets the full amount. There are no setup or monthly fees.

## Timing Your Fundraising

AFL clubs have a natural rhythm that helps with planning:

- **Pre-season (January to March)** - Run a product fundraiser while families are fresh and keen. Lock in sponsorships for the year.
- **During the season (April to September)** - Game-day sales, tipping competitions, and a mid-season event or trivia night.
- **End of season (September to October)** - Best-and-fairest dinner fundraiser. Launch a crowdfunding campaign for any off-season facility upgrades.

Spread your fundraising across the year rather than dumping everything into one month. People are more willing to support when they're not being asked every week.

## Cut the Volunteer Hours, Not the Revenue

The real enemy of club fundraising isn't a lack of ideas. It's volunteer burnout. Cost-of-living pressures mean your members have less spare cash and less spare time. Every fundraiser you run needs to respect that.

That's where moving things online makes the biggest difference. A product fundraiser on [Raised](/) takes minutes to set up, runs itself once the links are shared, and doesn't need someone sitting behind a table all weekend. Your committee can track sales in real time without a single phone call.

If your AFL club needs to raise money this season, [start a fundraiser on Raised](/) and see how much easier it can be when you're not doing everything by hand.

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## Best Fundraising Products to Sell in Australia
URL: https://raised.au/blog/best-fundraising-products-australia-2026
Published: 2026-04-21
Summary: Top fundraising products for Australian schools and clubs in 2026, with real margins, seasonal tips, and honest takes on what parents actually buy.

Picking the right product for your school fundraiser is the single biggest decision you'll make. Choose something parents actually want and your students will sell out in a week. Choose something nobody asked for and you'll be chasing up order forms until the end of term.

Here's what's working for Australian schools in 2026, with realistic margins and no fluff.

## Cadbury Chocolate

Chocolate is still the number one fundraising product in Australia, and Cadbury runs the show. The brand recognition does the selling for you. Kids hand over a box, parents see Cadbury, and the bars move fast.

- **Typical margin:** Around 40%, which translates to roughly $6,000 for a 250-student school running a solid campaign.
- **Why it works:** Everyone knows and trusts Cadbury. The price points are low enough that people buy without thinking too hard. Bars, blocks, and seasonal boxes all perform well.
- **Watch out for:** Healthy eating policies. Schools in NSW, QLD, and VIC are increasingly discouraging confectionery fundraisers, so check your school's policy before committing.

If chocolate is allowed at your school, it's hard to beat Cadbury for sheer ease and return.

## Billy G's Cookie Dough

Billy G's has become the go-to cookie dough brand for Australian school fundraisers. It's made in Queensland with over 80% Australian ingredients, which parents appreciate.

- **Typical margin:** About $4 profit per tub.
- **Why it works:** Families actually use it. A tub of cookie dough sits in the freezer and gets pulled out whenever someone wants a quick batch of biscuits. It's practical, not just a novelty.
- **Best timing:** Cookie dough sells best in the cooler months. Terms 2 and 3 are your sweet spot.

Billy G's handles the logistics well, and the ordering process is straightforward. This is a reliable pick for any primary or secondary school.

## Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

Krispy Kreme runs a dedicated school fundraising program, and it's popular for a reason. The brand sells itself and the doughnuts don't last long enough to go stale.

- **Typical margin:** Varies by state and order size, but margins sit in the 30-40% range.
- **Why it works:** Krispy Kreme is a treat brand. People get excited about it. Order forms fill up quickly because everyone already knows what they're getting.
- **Watch out for:** Availability depends on your location. If you're regional, check delivery options before you commit. Same healthy eating policy warnings as chocolate apply here.

## Bakers Delight Seasonal Packs

Bakers Delight offers seasonal fundraising packs tied to specific times of year. Hot cross bun packs before Easter and Christmas treat packs in Term 4 are the two big ones.

- **Typical margin:** Margins vary by pack, but the seasonal angle means urgency is built in.
- **Why it works:** People are already buying hot cross buns or Christmas baked goods. Your fundraiser just becomes where they buy them from. That's a much easier sell than asking someone to buy something extra.
- **Best timing:** Easter for hot cross buns (order early in Term 1), Christmas for treat packs (Term 4).

The seasonal window is narrow, so get your orders locked in early.

## Sunscreen (Pro Block)

Sunscreen is the dark horse of school fundraising. Pro Block runs a popular program, and the sell is dead simple: every family in Australia needs sunscreen.

- **Why it works:** It's something people buy anyway. Parents don't have to think about whether they want it. Terms 3 and 4 are ideal timing because summer is on the way.
- **Best timing:** Late Term 3 through Term 4, when families are already thinking about sun protection for holidays and weekend sport.

Sunscreen fundraisers won't generate the same excitement as chocolate, but the conversion rate is high because it's a no-brainer purchase.

## Eco-Friendly Products

There's a clear trend towards environmentally friendly fundraising products, and a few options are gaining traction in Australian schools.

- **Sow 'n Sow seed cards:** Plantable greeting cards embedded with seeds. Great for Mother's Day or end-of-year gifts.
- **Bamboo products:** Reusable cutlery sets, straws, and lunch accessories. Margins vary by supplier.
- **Jolly Soles socks:** Bright, fun designs that kids and parents actually want to wear. Practical and a bit different.

These products tend to do well in schools where the parent community is environmentally conscious. They stand out from the usual chocolate boxes, which can work in your favour if families are tired of the same old thing.

## Tea Towels with Student Artwork

This one is a classic that keeps coming back. Each student draws a self-portrait or illustration, the artwork gets printed onto tea towels, and families buy them as keepsakes.

- **Why it works:** The sentimental value is enormous. Grandparents go wild for these. A tea towel with their grandchild's drawing on it? That's an instant sale, often multiple.
- **Watch out for:** Production lead times can be long, so plan well ahead. You'll also need teacher buy-in to dedicate class time to the artwork.

Tea towels won't raise as much as chocolate or cookie dough per student, but they're low-risk and families genuinely treasure them.

## Entertainment Memberships

Entertainment memberships offer discounts on dining, activities, and shopping. Schools earn a commission on each membership sold.

- **Typical margin:** Around 20% commission per membership.
- **Why it works:** The concept is solid. Families save money on things they'd do anyway.
- **The catch:** Popularity has been declining for a few years. With so many discount apps and loyalty programs available now, the value proposition isn't as strong as it used to be. Don't expect huge volumes.

Entertainment memberships can still work as a supplementary fundraiser, but they're unlikely to be your main earner.

## What About Fun Runs?

Fun runs and walkathons can raise big money. A 300-student school might pull in anywhere from $20,000 to $90,000. Sounds great on paper.

The problem is the commission. Australia's biggest fun run company says on its own website that it takes 40% plus GST of what your school raises, to cover materials, account management, freight and more. So that $40,000 total? Your school keeps around $24,000 and the company keeps the rest. That's a lot of money leaving your community.

You don't need a fun run company to run a fun run. Mark out a loop of the oval, put the sponsorship online with [a page for every student](/fun-run), and the school keeps nearly all of what's donated. Class leaderboards do the job of the prize chart. The same goes for [colour runs](/colour-run) and [read-a-thons](/read-a-thon).

Product fundraisers are smaller in total, but you keep a much bigger share. A typical product fundraiser raises $2,000 to $8,000 for a 300-400 student school, and most of that goes straight to your cause.

## Online Ordering Makes a Huge Difference

Here's a number worth paying attention to: schools that use online ordering average about $130 per student in sales. Schools still using paper order forms and cash? About $20 per student.

That's not a small difference. Online ordering removes friction. Parents can share a link, pay instantly, and you don't have to chase up envelopes of coins. If your fundraising supplier offers an online option, use it.

## Seasonal Planning

Timing matters more than most schools realise. Here's a rough guide:

- **Terms 1-2 (Autumn/Winter):** Cookie dough, chocolate, and warm comfort food products.
- **Terms 3-4 (Spring/Summer):** Sunscreen, outdoor products, and anything families need for the warmer months.
- **Term 4 specifically:** Christmas-themed products from Bakers Delight and seasonal Cadbury boxes.

Matching your product to the season gives you a natural reason to buy, which always outsells a generic ask.

## Running Your Product Fundraiser with Raised

If you're setting up a product fundraiser for your school, [Raised](https://raised.au) makes the online ordering and payment side simple. Parents get a link, choose what they want, and pay online. You skip the spreadsheets and cash handling.

Raised's 5% platform fee and card processing are built into your product prices, so nothing is added at checkout and your school receives its full price on local cards. Whether you're selling cookie dough, chocolate, or tea towels, it's a straightforward way to run the money side of things while you focus on the products.

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## Best Fundraising Products in NZ for 2026
URL: https://raised.au/blog/best-fundraising-products-nz-2026
Published: 2026-03-27
Summary: A breakdown of the top fundraising products New Zealand schools, clubs, and groups are selling in 2026. Includes margins, what sells well, and why each product works.

The product you choose for your fundraiser matters. Pick something people actually want and your sellers have an easy job. Pick something obscure and you'll be stuck with leftover stock and disappointed volunteers.

Here's what's working in New Zealand right now, with rough margins and honest takes on each option.

## Pies

Pies are the undisputed king of NZ fundraising. Everyone eats pies, everyone has a freezer, and families will happily buy a dozen at a time.

- **Typical margin:** $4-7 per pack of 12, depending on the supplier.
- **Why it works:** Pies are a staple. There's no convincing needed. Offer mince, steak and cheese, butter chicken, and a vegetarian option and you'll cover most tastes.
- **Watch out for:** Delivery logistics. Frozen pies need to stay frozen, so make sure your supplier can deliver direct to customers or that you have a solid pick-up plan.

Pies are the go-to for a reason. If you're running your first fundraiser, start here.

## Cheese

Cheese fundraisers have grown in popularity over the past few years, and for good reason. The price point is higher than pies, which means better margins per sale.

- **Typical margin:** $5-10 per item, depending on the pack size and brand.
- **Why it works:** It feels like a treat. People buy cheese as gifts, for entertaining, or just because they love good cheese. NZ-made artisan cheese has a quality feel that makes supporters happy to spend.
- **Best timing:** Winter and the lead-up to Christmas. Cheese platters are a holiday staple.

## Cookie Time Cookies

Cookie Time is a Kiwi institution. The brand recognition does most of the selling for you.

- **Typical margin:** $3-5 per pack.
- **Why it works:** Kids love selling them because everyone knows the brand. Parents love buying them because they're a familiar treat. The bright packaging stands out too.
- **Best for:** Schools and youth groups. If your sellers are under 15, Cookie Time is probably your best bet because it's the easiest sell.

## Samosas

Samosas are a strong option that a lot of groups overlook. They're perfect for communities with diverse food preferences, and they freeze well.

- **Typical margin:** $4-6 per pack.
- **Why it works:** They're different. In a world where every second fundraiser is pies or chocolate, samosas stand out. Vegetable samosas cover vegetarian buyers too, which broadens your market.
- **Best for:** Schools and workplaces where you want to offer something a bit different from the usual.

## Butter

This one surprises people, but butter fundraisers do very well. Everyone uses butter, and premium NZ butter is something people are happy to stock up on.

- **Typical margin:** $3-5 per unit.
- **Why it works:** It's a household essential. Unlike treats or snacks, butter is something people need anyway. Buying it through a fundraiser feels like a no-brainer because supporters were going to buy butter regardless.
- **Best for:** Parent networks and office fundraisers where you want high participation without a hard sell.

## Oil

Similar logic to butter. Cooking oil, particularly quality olive oil or avocado oil, sells well because it's a kitchen staple.

- **Typical margin:** $4-8 per bottle, depending on the brand and size.
- **Why it works:** Premium NZ oils make great gifts and pantry staples. People will buy two or three bottles at a time.
- **Watch out for:** Make sure the price point isn't too high for your community. A $25 bottle of olive oil works well in some areas but not others.

## Hot Cross Buns

Seasonal but extremely effective. If your fundraiser lands in the right window (February through Easter), hot cross buns are a guaranteed winner.

- **Typical margin:** $3-5 per pack.
- **Why it works:** Seasonal demand is built in. People are already craving them, and buying through a fundraiser means they get their fix while supporting a good cause.
- **Watch out for:** Timing is everything. Too early and people aren't thinking about Easter yet. Too late and they've already bought some from the supermarket.

## Chocolate

Chocolate is a classic fundraiser product worldwide, and it works in NZ too. Bars, boxes, and assortments all sell.

- **Typical margin:** $2-4 per item, though premium chocolate can go higher.
- **Why it works:** It's an impulse buy. People will grab a bar or a box without overthinking it. Great for workplaces and school gate sales.
- **Best for:** Smaller fundraising targets or as a second product alongside something with higher margins like pies or cheese.

## How to Choose the Right Product

Think about your community. A rugby club's supporters will jump at pies and sausages. A primary school's parents might prefer Cookie Time or cheese. A workplace fundraiser could do well with butter and oil because they're practical purchases.

You can browse the full range of products available through [Raised's wholesaler network](/our-wholesalers) and set up your campaign in a few minutes.

A few general tips:

- **Offer two or three products** rather than just one. This gives supporters options without overwhelming them.
- **Pick products with good margins** relative to their price. A $15 product with $5 profit is better than a $5 product with $2 profit, because each sale does more work.
- **Consider delivery.** Products that ship direct to buyers save your team the hassle of sorting and distributing orders. [Raised](/) handles this for most products on the platform.

The right product, paired with a motivated group of sellers, is all you need. Pick something your community will actually want to buy and the rest takes care of itself.

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## Boost Your Team's Game with Online Fundraising
URL: https://raised.au/blog/boost-your-teams-game-with-online-fundraising
Published: 2025-08-10
Summary: Practical strategies for sports teams to raise more online - sell products and take sales with less admin.

In the world of sport, budgets are tight and admin time is even tighter. Moving your fundraising online lets your team focus on training and game day while still hitting your goals. Raised helps teams run simple, effective fundraisers with online product sales and optional sales, all under one link.

## Why online fundraising works for teams

- Simple setup and shareable links for families and supporters
- Real-time tracking, leaderboards, and visibility of progress
- Less handling of cash and fewer manual errors
- Easier communication and a more professional experience

Explore how it fits together: [How it works](/how-it-works).

## Proven ideas for sports teams

### 1) Team merch and spirit wear

Hoodies, beanies, socks, stickers. Keep sizes and variants simple to avoid packing mistakes. Create a "Supporter Pack" bundle.

### 2) Game-day food and BBQ

Pre-sell snack/BBQ combos and allow top-ups on the day with simple payment options. Pre-orders help you plan stock and shorten queues.

### 3) Skills clinics and challenges

Offer a skills clinic hosted by senior players or coaches, or a sponsored laps/fitness challenge. Friendly competition drives sharing.

### 4) Sponsor a seat or kit item

Let supporters "sponsor a seat", ball, or piece of equipment for the season. Acknowledge sponsors on your page and at home games.

### 5) Partner deals with local businesses

Pizza nights, car washes, gym trials. Promote exclusive deals and use simple order confirmations for redemptions.

See more ways to drive revenue: [More sales](/l/more-sales).

## Make buying effortless on game day

Keep lines moving and sales strong with a few small tweaks:

- Display easy-to-scan links at the field and canteen that point to your order page (e.g., short URLs on signage)
- Offer order-ahead for pickup windows
- Keep add-ons simple (drinks, snacks, badges)

## Set up your fundraiser in Raised

1. Create your fundraiser and add products with clear photos and descriptions.
2. Set deadlines, pickup dates, and any limits per item.
3. Share your link in team chats, newsletters, and social media.
4. Track orders and progress in real time; export reports when needed.

Check out the dedicated page: [Sports team fundraising](/sports-team-fundraising).

## Launch checklist

- Define a clear goal and deadline
- Assign roles for comms, fulfilment, and pickup
- Keep product options focused (2-6 items)
- Prepare photos and pricing; test the order flow
- Share your order link at training and on game day (posters, socials, team chat)
- Send a 72-hour final reminder before closing

## FAQs

### How long should a team fundraiser run?

2-3 weeks is ideal, with a clear final push and pickup date.

### Can we sell both online and at the venue?

Yes. Collect pre-orders online, then offer add-ons at pickup.

### Can families donate instead of buying?

Absolutely. Add a sales option alongside products and track it with orders.

### How do we track results?

Your dashboard shows orders, revenue, and progress in real time. Export reports for reconciliation.

## Next steps

Ready to fund new kits, travel, or tournament fees? Put your fundraiser online and watch your results grow. Learn more on [How it works](/how-it-works), explore [Sports team fundraising](/sports-team-fundraising), or [get in touch](/contact) for help tailoring a plan.

---

## Best Food Fundraising Ideas for NZ Schools & Clubs
URL: https://raised.au/blog/food-fundraising-ideas-nz
Published: 2026-03-24
Summary: Top food fundraiser ideas for New Zealand schools, sports teams, and community groups. Pies, cheese, cookie dough, samosas & more - practical ideas that actually raise money.

Food fundraisers consistently raise the most money for NZ schools and clubs. People love supporting a good cause when they get something delicious in return. Here are the best food fundraising ideas that work in New Zealand, plus tips to maximise your results.

## Why Food Fundraisers Outperform Everything Else

- Supporters get immediate value - a product they actually want.
- High participation rates compared to donation-only campaigns.
- Repeat purchases - families come back each time you run one.
- Proven profit margins with wholesale pricing.
- Easy to run with [pre-orders](/pre-order-fundraising) and online platforms.

## Top Food Fundraiser Ideas

### 1) Pie Fundraiser

The king of NZ fundraisers. Pies are affordable, freeze well, and appeal to almost everyone. Partner with a local bakery or NZ wholesaler through [Raised](/) for wholesale pricing and easy ordering.

**Best for:** Schools, sports clubs, scouts
**Typical profit:** $2-4 per pie
**Season:** Year-round (especially popular in winter)

[Read our complete pie fundraiser guide →](/blog/pie-fundraiser-guide-nz)

### 2) Cheese Fundraiser

Artisan cheese packs are a premium option that stands out. NZ has excellent local cheesemakers, and cheese gift boxes make great gifts around Christmas and special occasions.

**Best for:** Schools, PTAs, community groups
**Typical profit:** $5-10 per pack
**Season:** Year-round (peaks at Christmas and Easter)

### 3) Cookie Time Fundraiser

A Kiwi household name. Cookie Time products sell themselves because everyone knows the brand. Low effort, high return.

**Best for:** Schools, junior sports teams
**Typical profit:** $2-3 per item
**Season:** Year-round

### 4) Hot Cross Bun Fundraiser

Seasonal gold. Time your campaign for the weeks before Easter and pre-orders will pour in. Families buy multiple packs for the holiday weekend.

**Best for:** Schools (Term 1), any group
**Typical profit:** $2-4 per pack
**Season:** February-April

### 5) Samosa Fundraiser

A crowd-pleaser that offers something different. Samosas are affordable to produce, easy to distribute, and appeal to a wide range of tastes.

**Best for:** Multicultural school communities, clubs
**Typical profit:** $2-3 per pack
**Season:** Year-round

### 6) Cookie Dough Fundraiser

Tubs of ready-to-bake cookie dough are popular with families. Kids love the hands-on baking experience, and parents love the convenience.

**Best for:** Primary schools, family-oriented groups
**Typical profit:** $3-5 per tub
**Season:** Year-round (popular before school holidays)

### 7) Sausage Sizzle

The ultimate Kiwi fundraiser. Set up a BBQ outside a local hardware store or at a weekend sports game. Almost zero cost if sausages and bread are donated.

**Best for:** Sports clubs, community events
**Typical profit:** $2-3 per sausage
**Season:** Year-round (best in summer)

### 8) Chocolate Fundraiser

Classic for a reason. Chocolate boxes sell quickly, especially around Easter and Christmas. Look for NZ-made options to add local appeal.

**Best for:** Schools, guides, scouts
**Typical profit:** $1-2 per bar, $5-10 per box
**Season:** Year-round (peaks at Easter/Christmas)

## How to Run a Food Fundraiser Online

Paper order forms are a thing of the past. Running your food fundraiser online with [Raised](/) means:

1. **Set up in minutes** - Create your campaign and add products from NZ wholesalers.
2. **Share one link** - Send it via email, social media, and school newsletter.
3. **Orders come in automatically** - No chasing paper forms or counting cash.
4. **Accept any payment** - Credit card, bank transfer, or cash - with zero platform fees on cash and bank transfer.
5. **Track everything** - See real-time sales, order totals, and who's paid.

## Tips for Maximising Your Food Fundraiser

### Pick the Right Product

Match your product to your audience. Pies and cheese work for families, cookie dough for primary schools, and sausage sizzles for sports game days.

### Time It Right

- **Term 1:** Hot cross buns, Easter chocolate
- **Term 2:** Pies (winter warmers), soup
- **Term 3:** Samosas, baking
- **Term 4:** Cheese gift packs, Christmas treats

### Set a Clear Goal

"We're raising $2,500 for new netball uniforms" beats "please buy some food." Be specific about what the money is for.

### Create Urgency

A 2-3 week window is ideal. Too long and people put it off. Too short and they miss it.

### Promote Everywhere

- School newsletter (email + print)
- Facebook page and local community groups
- WhatsApp parent groups
- Physical flyers in school bags
- Announce at assemblies and team meetings

### Say Thank You

After the fundraiser, share results with your community. "We raised $2,800 - thank you!" builds goodwill for your next campaign.

## Food Fundraiser Comparison

| Product | Effort | Profit per Sale | Best Audience | Season |
|---------|--------|----------------|---------------|--------|
| Pies | Low | $2-4 | Everyone | Year-round |
| Cheese | Low | $5-10 | Families, gifts | Year-round |
| Cookie Time | Very Low | $2-3 | Everyone | Year-round |
| Hot Cross Buns | Low | $2-4 | Families | Term 1 |
| Samosas | Medium | $2-3 | Diverse communities | Year-round |
| Cookie Dough | Low | $3-5 | Primary schools | Year-round |
| Sausage Sizzle | Medium | $2-3 | Sports events | Summer |
| Chocolate | Very Low | $1-2 | Schools | Easter/Christmas |

## Not Keen on Selling Food?

If your parents are tired of order forms and deliveries, a sponsored event raises money with no stock at all. Students get sponsored for a [fun run](/fun-run), [colour run](/colour-run) or [read-a-thon](/read-a-thon), and each one gets their own online page to share. See the [athon templates](/athons) to set one up.

## Get Started With Your Food Fundraiser

[Raised](/) is the easiest way to run a food fundraiser in New Zealand. Browse NZ wholesalers, set up your campaign, and start selling - all in one place. No platform fees on cash and bank transfer payments.

[Launch your food fundraiser free →](/auth/signup?callbackUrl=/manage)

---

## Free Fundraising Platforms Compared
URL: https://raised.au/blog/free-fundraising-platforms-compared
Published: 2026-04-21
Summary: What 'free' really means across fundraising platforms. We compare hidden fees, tip prompts, and subscription traps so you can pick the right one.

Every fundraising platform claims to be free. Some of them actually are. Others have creative ways of collecting money that aren't obvious until you (or your donors) are already committed.

If you're choosing a platform for your next fundraiser, whether that's a crowdfunding campaign, selling products, or collecting donations, here's what you need to know about how "free" actually works.

## The different fee models

There are several ways platforms make money. Understanding which model you're dealing with helps you figure out the real cost.

**Platform fee:** A percentage taken from every transaction. This is the most straightforward model. You see exactly what you're paying.

**Card processing fees:** Every platform that accepts card payments pays Stripe, PayPal, or another processor. These fees (typically 2.5-3.5%) exist no matter what. The question is whether the platform adds anything on top.

**Tip/donation prompts:** The platform asks your donors to leave a "tip" or "voluntary contribution" to keep the platform running. Sounds harmless, but the default amounts can be aggressive.

**Subscription fees:** Monthly charges that kick in once you need real features or higher limits.

**Donor-covers-fees:** The platform asks donors to cover processing costs, which most will agree to. This is generally donor-friendly as long as it's optional.

**Freemium:** Free at a basic level, but you hit walls quickly and need to upgrade to do anything useful.

## Platform-by-platform breakdown

### Raised (NZ/AU)

Raised has a 5% platform fee plus Stripe processing on card payments. In New Zealand the fee is paid by the donor at checkout. Card surcharges are not allowed in Australia, so there it is built into the prices supporters see instead. Either way, the fundraiser receives its full sale price on local cards. No subscription. No setup fees. No tip prompts pestering your donors. You get a digital storefront for selling fundraising products, support for crowdfunding campaigns, and multiple payment options including bank transfers (which have no fees at all).

The pricing is transparent. Donors see what they're paying and nobody is being asked for surprise extras at checkout. It's built for NZ and Australian fundraisers, so there's no currency conversion weirdness.

### Givealittle (NZ)

Givealittle takes a flat 5% cut from every dollar raised. That comes straight off your total unless donors opt to cover it themselves, and many won't. There's no storefront, no product sales, no order management. It's a basic donation page. If you're running a pie drive or any kind of product fundraiser, Givealittle simply can't do it. You'd need to find a second platform and manage everything separately.

### GoFundMe

GoFundMe charges 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction, prompts donors to tip GoFundMe at checkout, and slaps a 5% fee on recurring donations. For NZ and Australian fundraisers, there's also the currency conversion problem. Your donors pay in NZD or AUD, but the money routes through USD, so conversion fees silently reduce what you receive. There's no product sales, no storefront, and the whole experience is designed for the American market. Support and payout timelines reflect that too.

### Chuffed (AU)

Chuffed is Australian-based with 0% platform fee, but processing fees hit around 2% + $0.20 for Australian cards and a steeper 3% + $0.30 for NZ cards. International cards cost even more. And like most "free" platforms on this list, they ask your donors to tip Chuffed at checkout. That's another platform inserting itself between your supporters and your cause, adding confusion about where the money is actually going. No product sales either.

### Zeffy

Zeffy markets itself as "100% free" for fundraisers. Technically true, but it's your donors who pay the price. At checkout, they're shown a pre-selected tip of 15% or more going to Zeffy. The prompt is designed so most people assume it's required. It's a dark pattern, and donor complaints about it are easy to find online.

If your average donation is $50, your donor may end up paying $57.50 or more without understanding where the extra goes. That's a bad first impression for your cause. And Zeffy has no product sales, no storefronts, and limited presence in NZ and Australia.

### Raisely (AU)

Raisely recently ditched their subscription model and switched to asking donors for tips instead. Processing fees start at 1.4% + 30c per transaction, which sounds reasonable until you realise your donors are now seeing yet another tip prompt at checkout. It's the same problem as Zeffy and GoFundMe: your supporters are being asked to pay a platform they've never heard of while trying to support your cause. Not a great look. Raisely also doesn't support product-based fundraising, so if you're selling pies or merchandise, you're out of luck.

### GiveNow (AU)

GiveNow uses tiered platform fees: 1.5% on Starter, 2.7% on Basic, and 3.5% on Pro. That's before card processing costs get added on top. So even their cheapest plan ends up taking a meaningful cut, and the tiered structure makes it confusing to know what you're actually paying until the money arrives. It's unnecessarily complicated for a school PTA that just wants to run a fundraiser without reading a pricing matrix first.

### Donorbox

Donorbox's "free" plan charges 2.95% on every donation, on top of Stripe or PayPal processing fees. That's close to 6% gone from each transaction before your fundraiser sees a cent. Want the lower 1.75% rate? That requires their Pro plan at $150 per month. For a school or community group running a couple of fundraisers a year, that maths doesn't work. Donorbox is built for large US nonprofits, and the pricing makes that obvious.

## What "free" actually costs

Here's the thing most people miss: once you add up platform fees, card processing, and any extras, most fundraisers lose somewhere between 3% and 7% of what they collect online. That's true regardless of whether the platform calls itself "free".

Tip model platforms shift that cost to donors. But when the default tip is pre-selected and hard to remove, donors often end up paying 10-15% extra without realising it's optional. Your fundraiser page says "free" while your supporters are quietly paying a premium for it.

The honest question isn't "which platform is free?" It's "which platform gives me the best value for the total cost?"

## What to actually look for

When you're comparing platforms, ask these questions:

**What does my donor see at checkout?** If they're being shown a pre-selected 15% tip, that affects their experience of supporting your cause.

**What's the total cost per transaction?** Add up platform fees, processing fees, currency conversion, and any extras. Compare apples with apples.

**Do I need to pay monthly even when I'm not fundraising?** Subscriptions make sense for organisations running campaigns every week. For everyone else, pay-per-transaction is usually better value.

**Can I sell products, or just collect donations?** If you're running a pie drive, a sausage fundraiser, or selling merchandise, you need a platform that handles product sales, not just a donate button.

**Does it work for NZ and Australian dollars?** Platforms designed for the US market often have currency conversion issues that quietly reduce what you receive.

## Our take

We built Raised because we thought the existing options had too many hidden trade-offs. You shouldn't need a subscription to run a fundraiser. Your donors shouldn't be tricked into paying inflated tips. And you should be able to sell products and collect donations from the same platform without stitching together three different tools.

Raised works for individuals, community groups, schools, sports clubs, and anyone else who needs to raise money in New Zealand or Australia. The pricing is simple: a 5% platform fee plus Stripe processing on card payments, with no monthly fees and no lock-in. In New Zealand the donor pays it at checkout. In Australia it is built into your prices, because card surcharges are not allowed there.

If you want to see how it works, set up a free storefront at [raised.nz](https://raised.nz) or [raised.au](https://raised.au) and have a look around. There's no commitment and nothing to pay until you're actually raising money.

---

## Food Fundraising Ideas for Schools, Clubs & Sports Teams
URL: https://raised.au/blog/fresh-fundraising-ideas-with-a-delicious-twist
Published: 2025-08-10
Summary: Practical food-based fundraising ideas that sell well. Gourmet pies, cheese rolls, cookie dough, and more. Easy to run for schools, sports teams, and community groups.

Fundraising through product sales offers a tangible way for supporters to contribute to your cause. At RaisedHQ.com, we believe fundraising should be effective and enjoyable for everyone involved. Drawing inspiration from successful ideas, we've put together a list of fresh, product-based fundraising initiatives that are perfect for schools, sports teams, and community groups.

## 1) Gourmet Pie Drive

Take the classic pie sale up a notch by offering a range of gourmet pies with both traditional and unique flavours. Partner with local bakeries or use your community's culinary talents to create pies that promise a taste of home with every bite.

## 2) Artisanal Baking Bonanza

Move beyond the standard bake sale with an artisanal twist. Offer a selection of high-quality, homemade baked goods, including bread, pastries, and cakes. Consider themed baking events, like a "Christmas in July" sale, to keep your offerings seasonal and exciting.

## 3) Savoury Snack Extravaganza

Tap into the trend for savoury snacks by offering a range of tasty, easy-to-eat items like gourmet sausage rolls, flavoured popcorn, and artisanal crackers. These are perfect for busy families looking for quick snack solutions.

## 4) Sweet Treats Week

Dedicate a week to sweet indulgences, with a different sweet treat featured each day. From luxury cookie dough to handcrafted chocolates and bespoke candies, provide a daily surprise that keeps supporters coming back for more.

## 5) Healthy Eats & Treats

Cater to the health-conscious segment of your community with a fundraiser focused on healthy, nutritious products. Think along the lines of organic granola, energy bars, and fresh-pressed juice. It raises funds and promotes a healthy lifestyle at the same time.

Product-based fundraisers offer the perfect blend of community engagement and effective fundraising. By choosing high-quality, desirable products, you can ensure your fundraiser stands out and becomes a much-anticipated event in your community calendar. RaisedHQ.com is here to support your fundraising, making it easier to manage and more successful than ever.

Are you ready to start your next fundraiser with a delicious twist? Visit [RaisedHQ.com](https://raisedhq.com) to discover how we can help you create a memorable and effective fundraising campaign that delights your community and supports your cause.

---

## 21 Fundraising Ideas for NZ Schools, Clubs & Community Groups
URL: https://raised.au/blog/fundraising-ideas-nz
Published: 2026-03-24
Summary: Proven fundraising ideas that work in New Zealand. From pie drives and cheese fundraisers to online campaigns - practical ideas for schools, sports teams, and community groups.

Looking for fundraising ideas that actually work in New Zealand? Whether you're raising money for a school trip, new sports gear, or a community project, these tried-and-tested ideas will help you hit your target.

## Product-Based Fundraising Ideas

Product fundraisers are the most popular in NZ because supporters get something tangible in return. They're easy to run and consistently raise the most money.

### 1) Pie Fundraiser

The classic Kiwi fundraiser. Partner with a local bakery or use a platform like [Raised](/) to sell gourmet pies from NZ wholesalers. Families love them, and profit margins are excellent. Offer a mix of mince, steak & cheese, butter chicken, and vegetarian options.

### 2) Cheese Fundraiser

Artisan cheese is a hit with supporters who want something a bit special. NZ has fantastic local cheesemakers, and a cheese fundraiser stands out from the usual options. Offer gift packs or mixed boxes for easy selling.

### 3) Cookie Time Fundraiser

A Kiwi icon. Cookie Time products practically sell themselves - everyone knows and loves them. Set up your campaign on [Raised](/) and share the link with your community.

### 4) Hot Cross Bun Fundraiser

Perfect for Term 1. Hot cross buns are seasonal, in-demand, and easy to distribute. Pre-order models work well so you know exactly how much to order.

### 5) Samosa Fundraiser

Something different that gets attention. Samosas are affordable, tasty, and work for a wide range of dietary preferences. Great for multicultural school communities.

### 6) Sausage Sizzle

A true Kiwi staple. Set up outside a local business or at a weekend sports game. Low cost, high return, and everyone loves a sausage in bread.

## Online Fundraising Ideas

Running your fundraiser online means less admin, wider reach, and real-time tracking.

### 7) Online Product Store

Set up a digital storefront on [Raised](/) where supporters browse products and order online. No paper order forms, no chasing cash. Share one link via email, social media, and your school newsletter.

### 8) Donation Campaign

For causes that don't suit product sales - like medical expenses, disaster relief, or memorial funds. Set a target, tell your story, and share widely.

### 9) Peer-to-Peer Fundraising

Give each team member or class their own fundraising page. They share with their own networks, creating friendly competition and broader reach.

## Event-Based Fundraising Ideas

### 10) Fun Run, Colour Run or Athon

Students get sponsored by family and friends for taking part in an event: a [fun run](/fun-run) or cross country, a [colour run](/colour-run), a [walk-a-thon](/walk-a-thon), a [read-a-thon](/read-a-thon) or a [maths-a-thon](/maths-a-thon). There's no stock to buy, so almost everything raised is profit, and it doubles as a fitness or learning event.

Run it yourself rather than through a fundraising company and the school keeps what's donated. On Raised every student gets their own sponsorship page and QR code, classes compete on a leaderboard, and there are no setup or monthly fees. Pick a designed page from the [athon templates](/athons) and it's ready to share in a few minutes.

### 11) Quiz Night

One of the most popular fundraising events in NZ. Charge per team, add a bar tab, and include spot prizes. Schools and clubs can fill a hall easily with this one.

### 12) Golf Ball Drop

Number hundreds of golf balls and drop them from a height onto a target. Closest to the pin wins. Sell numbered balls as "tickets" - it's exciting and easy to run.

### 13) Movie Night

Screen a family-friendly movie at school or a local venue. Charge for entry and sell popcorn and drinks. Low cost, high fun factor.

### 14) Car Boot Sale

Families donate items they no longer need, and you sell them at a weekend market. Zero cost to run, and it's a community event in itself.

## Creative Fundraising Ideas

### 15) Plant or Seed Sale

Partner with a local garden centre or grow seedlings as a class project. Spring is the perfect time, and plant sales appeal to a wide audience.

### 16) Art Auction

Students or community members create artwork, which is auctioned at an event or online. Unique, memorable, and can raise surprisingly good money.

### 17) Cookbook Fundraiser

Collect recipes from your community, print a cookbook, and sell it. This one takes more effort upfront but creates a keepsake that people treasure.

### 18) Mufti Day

Charge students a gold coin donation to wear their own clothes for a day. Simple, no setup required, and it adds up quickly across a whole school.

### 19) Shave for a Cure

Partner with the Leukaemia & Blood Cancer NZ Shave for a Cure campaign. Participants collect sponsorship to shave their heads. Emotional, high-profile, and genuinely impactful.

## Low-Effort, High-Return Ideas

### 20) Entertainment Book or Coupon Books

Sell discount coupon books. Supporters save money on dining and activities, and your group earns a solid commission on every book sold.

### 21) Grocery Receipt Collection

Some supermarkets donate a percentage back to schools based on receipt totals. No selling required - just collect and submit.

## Tips for a Successful Fundraiser in NZ

- **Set a clear goal** - Tell supporters exactly what the money is for and how much you need.
- **Go online** - Paper order forms are a pain. Use an [online platform](/) to save time and reach more people.
- **Use social media** - Share your fundraiser link on Facebook groups, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Most NZ fundraiser traffic comes from mobile.
- **Keep it short** - 2-3 week campaigns create urgency and avoid donor fatigue.
- **Say thank you** - Update supporters on your progress and show gratitude. They'll support you again next time.

## Ready to Launch Your Fundraiser?

[Raised](/) makes it easy to set up and run a fundraiser for your NZ school, club, or community group. Choose from trusted local wholesalers, accept cash or online payments, and track everything in real time - with no platform fees on cash and bank transfer.

Running a fun run, colour run or read-a-thon? [Start an athon](/athons) and every student gets their own sponsorship page.

[Get started free today →](/auth/signup?callbackUrl=/manage)

---

## How to Get Parents Involved in Your School Fundraiser
URL: https://raised.au/blog/how-to-get-parents-involved-school-fundraiser
Published: 2026-04-21
Summary: Parent participation in school fundraisers has dropped by a third since the 1990s. Here's how to close the gap by removing friction, not asking more of people.

If you're on a PTA in New Zealand or a P&C in Australia, you've probably noticed that getting parents involved in fundraisers is harder than it used to be. Participation rates have been dropping for years, and the same small group of volunteers ends up doing most of the work.

But most parents say they're happy to help with fundraisers when asked. The gap between willingness and action isn't about apathy. It's about friction.

## Why parents aren't taking part

When schools survey parents about why they didn't participate, the same reasons come up over and over.

**Time.** Lack of time is consistently the number one barrier schools report. Parents are working, running between activities, and managing packed schedules. Asking them to spend an evening at a sausage sizzle or a Saturday at a cake stall is a big ask.

**Work conflicts.** Most fundraising events happen during school hours or immediately after. That locks out any parent who works standard hours or commutes.

**Fundraiser fatigue.** When there's a different fundraiser every few weeks, people tune out. They stop reading the notices.

**Embarrassment.** Some parents feel awkward asking friends and family for money. That's real and worth respecting.

**Lost paper forms.** The form goes home in the school bag. It stays in the school bag. Or it makes it to the kitchen bench, gets buried under other papers, and never comes back.

**Cost concerns.** Not every family can afford to buy products or make donations. If participation feels like it requires spending money, some families will quietly opt out.

## The fix: make it easier, not louder

The answer isn't more emails, more pressure, or more guilt. It's removing the things that get in the way.

### Go digital

Schools that switch from paper forms to digital ordering regularly report raising more money in less time. That makes sense. A digital fundraiser means no forms to lose, no cash to collect, no awkward door-knocking. A parent can open a link on their phone, place an order in 60 seconds, and they're done.

It also removes the embarrassment factor. Sharing a link to a WhatsApp group or posting it on Facebook feels completely different from approaching someone face-to-face. Parents already have these groups set up for their class, their sports team, their neighbourhood. One tap and it's shared.

### Use the networks that already exist

You don't need to build a community from scratch. It already exists. Class WhatsApp groups, Facebook groups, the family chat with grandparents in it. When you give parents a link they can share, they'll put it where their people already are.

This matters because grandparents and extended family are often keen to help but can't show up at school on a Tuesday. A shareable link lets them buy from anywhere, and they often do.

### Run class competitions

This one is simple and it works. Set up a friendly competition between classes: which class gets the most orders? The winning class gets a pizza party or an extra play session.

Kids will remind their parents. That's worth more than any email you'll ever send.

### Get your communication cadence right

Too many messages and people tune out. Too few and they forget. Here's a rhythm that works:

1. **Launch day** - announce the fundraiser, explain what it's for, share the link
2. **One week before close** - reminder with a progress update ("Room 4 is in the lead!")
3. **Two to three days before close** - "almost over" nudge
4. **Closing day** - last chance message
5. **After it's done** - thank everyone and share the result

Send messages in late afternoon or early evening. That's when parents are picking up kids, thinking about dinner, and actually checking their phones.

### Don't forget multi-child families

Families with children in multiple classes tend to be more involved in school life. They know more parents, they're in more group chats, and they have more reason to care about what the school is doing. These are your best champions. Ask them first, give them a role, and they'll bring others along.

## What good looks like

The best-performing school fundraisers get the majority of families involved. They get there by making it easy and meeting parents where they already are, not by asking more of them.

In New Zealand, most schools have a PTA or Home and School Association that coordinates fundraising alongside the board of trustees. In Australia, P&Cs serve a similar role. The structure is already there. What you need is a way to actually reach people and let them take part on their own terms, in their own time.

## How Raised helps

[Raised](https://raised.nz) is built for exactly this. Parents get a link, place their order on their phone in under a minute, and share it with family and friends. No paper forms, no cash envelopes, no weekend sorting sessions.

Your school gets a store with products families actually want to buy, automated reminders so you're not chasing people, and real-time tracking so you can see which classes are leading.

If you're planning a fundraiser and want more parents involved with less volunteer time, [take a look at how Raised works](https://raised.nz).

---

## How to Run a P&C Fundraiser: A Guide for Australian Schools
URL: https://raised.au/blog/how-to-run-pc-fundraiser-australia
Published: 2026-04-21
Summary: A practical guide for P&C committees running school fundraisers in Australia. Covers planning, compliance, ideas that work, and how to get more families involved.

If you've just joined your school's P&C committee and someone has handed you "fundraising coordinator" as a title, you're probably wondering where to start. Or maybe you've been doing this for years and you're looking for ways to make it less painful.

Either way, this guide is for you. It covers how to plan a year of fundraising, what actually works, what to watch out for legally, and how to get more than the same five parents involved.

## First, a quick note on names

In NSW, Queensland, WA, and the ACT, the parent body at a public school is called a P&C (Parents & Citizens association). In Victoria, you'll have a School Council and possibly a Parents' Club. South Australia and Tasmania use different terms again. Independent and Catholic schools typically have a P&F (Parents & Friends).

The fundraising principles are the same regardless of what your group is called. We'll use "P&C" throughout, but everything here applies to your equivalent body.

## How much are schools actually raising?

Australian public schools collectively raise around $380 million a year through fundraising. That works out to roughly $57,000 per school. Some raise much more, some much less. It depends on the community, the number of families, and how organised the fundraising effort is.

The reality is that 75 to 90 percent of the work behind these numbers is done by mothers. And the single biggest complaint from P&C committees everywhere is the "same five parents" problem. Volunteer participation has dropped more than 10 percent over the last decade. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone.

## Plan your year, not your next event

The most common mistake P&C committees make is planning one fundraiser at a time. You end up scrambling, running too many events close together, or accidentally clashing with school photos, swimming carnivals, or report writing weeks.

Instead, sit down at the start of the year (or even in Term 4 of the previous year) and map out a rough calendar. A good mix for most schools looks something like this:

- **One major event** (like a school fete or trivia night)
- **One product fundraiser** (cookie dough, chocolates, or similar)
- **One kid-focused activity** (like a [colour run](/colour-run), [read-a-thon](/read-a-thon) or disco)
- **One community event** (like a family movie night or sausage sizzle)
- **Passive fundraisers running in the background** (like an online store or entertainment book)

Spread these across all four terms. Check the school calendar before you lock anything in. Talk to the front office. Nothing kills momentum like scheduling your big event the same week as parent-teacher interviews.

## Tell families what the money is for

This is one of the simplest things you can do, and it makes a real difference. Families participate more when they know exactly where the money is going.

"We're fundraising" is vague. "We're raising $8,000 for new shade sails over the junior playground" is specific. People can picture it. They can point to it when it gets built. Their kids play under it every day.

Every fundraiser you run should have a clear, stated purpose. Put it on the flyer, the order form, the social media post, and the newsletter blurb.

## Ideas that actually work

### Product fundraisers

Product fundraisers are reliable earners because families get something in return for their money. Cookie dough is one of the most popular options. A typical tub sells for $15 to $18, and the school makes $3.50 to $4.00 profit per tub. Multiply that across a few hundred families and it adds up fast.

The key is choosing products people genuinely want to buy. Cookie dough, chocolates, and frozen food work well because they're consumable. Tea towels with kids' drawings are a classic for a reason too.

### School fetes

A well-run school fete can bring in around $18,000 in profit. That's significant. But fetes are labour-intensive. They need months of planning, dozens of volunteers, stall coordination, permits, and a backup plan for rain.

If your committee has the people and energy, a fete is worth it. If you're already stretched thin, don't feel pressured into running one. A product fundraiser with zero setup can raise solid money with a fraction of the effort.

### Sausage sizzles and food stalls

These are a staple for good reason. They're simple, people love them, and kids get excited about buying a sausage at lunchtime. Just be aware of food safety requirements. Your state or territory will have specific rules around food handling, and your school may need you to follow certain procedures. Check with your principal and your local council.

### Community and family events

Trivia nights, movie nights, and discos bring families together and raise money at the same time. They don't always raise as much as a product fundraiser, but they build the sense of community that keeps people engaged for the next one.

## Compliance matters

P&Cs are incorporated associations. That means you have legal obligations around financial reporting, record keeping, and how you handle money. Many P&Cs are also registered charities with the ACNC, which adds another layer of reporting requirements.

This isn't something to be nervous about, but it is something to take seriously. Make sure your treasurer is keeping proper records. Know your state's rules for incorporated associations. If you're unsure, your state's P&C federation usually has resources and templates to help.

## Get more families involved

The "same five parents" problem won't fix itself. Here are some things that actually help.

**Lower the barrier.** Not everyone can volunteer at a stall or spend a Saturday setting up a fete. But most families can share a link, place an online order, or forward something to a grandparent. Make participation easy enough that it doesn't require showing up anywhere.

**Use the channels families already check.** Class WhatsApp groups are where the action is. A message there gets seen immediately. The school newsletter is fine for announcements, but WhatsApp and Facebook are where things actually get shared. Post the fundraiser link there and let it spread.

**Open it up beyond the school gate.** When fundraising is paper-based, you're limited to what gets handed out in school bags. When it's online, grandparents, aunties, uncles, and parents' workmates can all participate. That's a much bigger pool of supporters.

**Don't overdo it.** Running a fundraiser every few weeks leads to fatigue. Families tune out. Stick to your plan, space things out, and make each one count.

## Ditch the paper forms

If your P&C is still sending home paper order forms, you're leaving money on the table. Paper forms get lost in school bags. They require families to have cash. They need someone to collect, count, and reconcile all of it manually.

Online ordering fixes all of that. A parent gets a link, opens it on their phone, places an order, and pays right there. No chasing up crumpled forms. No envelope full of coins. No spreadsheet reconciliation at 10pm.

It also means the fundraiser can reach beyond the school. A grandparent in another city can order cookie dough and have it delivered. A parent can share the link at their workplace over lunch.

## Run your next fundraiser with Raised

[Raised](https://raised.au) is built for exactly this. You set up your fundraiser, share a link, and families can order and pay online. The 5% platform fee and card processing are built into the prices families see, so nothing is added at checkout and your P&C receives its full price on local cards. No hidden costs, no money skimmed off the top.

If you're ready to make your next P&C fundraiser easier to run and easier for families to support, [give Raised a try](https://raised.au).

---

## How to Start a Fundraiser: A Step-by-Step Guide
URL: https://raised.au/blog/how-to-start-a-fundraiser
Published: 2026-04-21
Summary: 10 steps to plan and run a successful fundraiser for your school, sports team, or community group. From setting a goal to collecting payments and thanking supporters.

Starting a fundraiser can feel overwhelming if you haven't done it before. There are decisions to make, people to coordinate, and a nagging fear that nobody will buy anything. The good news is that most successful fundraisers follow the same basic steps, and once you know what they are, the whole thing becomes a lot less stressful.

Here's how to go from "we need to raise some money" to actually doing it.

## 1. Define your purpose and set a goal

Before you do anything else, get specific about why you're fundraising and how much you need. "We need new sports gear" is a start. "We need $2,400 for new junior rugby jerseys by the end of Term 2" is something people can rally behind.

A clear goal with a deadline gives your campaign urgency and makes it easy for supporters to understand what they're contributing to.

Here's a simple formula for setting a realistic target:

**Number of families x participation rate x average order = goal**

So if your school has 200 families, you expect 40% to participate, and the average order is $30, that gives you $2,400. Adjust the numbers based on what you know about your community. If you've run fundraisers before, use your past participation rates. If it's your first time, 30-40% is a reasonable starting assumption.

## 2. Get the right approvals

If you're fundraising through a school, you'll likely need sign-off from the PTA or board of trustees. For sports clubs, check with your committee. This isn't just bureaucracy. It protects everyone involved and makes sure you're not clashing with another fundraiser already in the calendar.

If you're planning to sell homemade food items, look into food safety rules for your region. In NZ, occasional fundraising sales are generally low-risk, but it's worth checking your local council's guidelines. In Australia, each state has its own food safety requirements for community fundraising.

If you're an individual fundraising for a personal cause or project, you can skip this step entirely. Just make sure your campaign page clearly explains what the funds are for.

## 3. Form a small team

You don't need a committee of twenty. Three to six committed people is the sweet spot. Assign clear roles: someone to manage orders, someone to handle promotion, someone to coordinate delivery or pick-up. When everyone knows their job, things get done without the "I thought you were doing that" problem.

## 4. Choose what you're selling (or set up a crowdfunding page)

For product fundraisers, pick something in the $10 to $25 price range. That's the zone where people buy without overthinking it. Pies, cookie dough, cheese, candles. Whatever you choose, make sure it's something your community actually wants.

If you're not selling products, a crowdfunding campaign works just as well. Set up a page, tell your story clearly, and let people contribute what they can. This works well for sports trips, medical expenses, community projects, or personal goals.

## 5. Pick your timing carefully

This matters more than most people think. The sweet spot for school-connected fundraisers in NZ is weeks 2 through 5 of any term. Avoid the first week back (everyone's still settling in) and the last two weeks (people are winding down and wallets are already stretched from end-of-term activities).

In Australia, terms vary by state, but the same principle applies. Mid-term is your friend. Avoid school holidays, public holiday weekends, and December entirely.

For non-school fundraisers, avoid running your campaign over long weekends or during major holiday periods when people are away.

## 6. Keep it short

Two to four weeks is the ideal campaign length for product fundraisers. That's long enough for people to hear about it multiple times and place an order, but short enough to maintain momentum.

Beyond four weeks, engagement drops off. People start thinking "I'll do it later" and then forget. A tight deadline creates a reason to act now.

## 7. Promote more than once

The single biggest mistake fundraisers make is announcing their campaign once and then waiting. One post, one email, one newsletter mention. That's not enough.

Plan for multiple touchpoints. A launch announcement, a mid-campaign update showing progress toward the goal, a reminder in the final few days, and a last-chance message on the closing day. Each message should be slightly different and give people a reason to pay attention.

Most people prefer giving directly through a fundraiser's own page rather than navigating a third-party platform. Make sure your link is easy to find and easy to share.

## 8. Make payments easy

Digital payments are non-negotiable in 2026. If you're asking people to find cash or write cheques, you're leaving money on the table. Your fundraising page should accept card payments at minimum. Bank transfers are fine as an option for those who prefer them, but don't make them the only way to pay.

The easier it is to pay, the more people will follow through. If someone has to leave their couch to find their wallet, you've already lost half of them.

## 9. Fulfil orders and close the loop

Once your campaign closes, move quickly on fulfilment. If you're selling products, get orders to supporters within a week or two of the campaign ending. Nothing kills enthusiasm for next time like a three-week wait for a box of pies.

## 10. Thank your supporters

Send a thank-you message that tells people what was achieved. "Thanks to everyone who ordered, we raised $2,400 and the new jerseys are on their way." People want to know their money went somewhere real. This also sets you up well for next time, because supporters who feel appreciated are more likely to buy again.

## Common mistakes to avoid

A few things that trip people up:

- **Vague messaging.** "Support our fundraiser!" doesn't tell anyone what they're supporting or why. Be specific about the goal and what the money will do.
- **Running too long.** A six-week campaign sounds like more time to raise money, but it actually means less urgency and more fatigue. Stick to two to four weeks.
- **Single announcement syndrome.** One mention is not a campaign. Plan for at least four communications across the fundraiser's duration.
- **Bad timing.** Launching in the last week of term or the week before Christmas is setting yourself up to fail. Check the calendar before you commit to dates.
- **Unrealistic goals.** If your school has 100 families and you're targeting $10,000 from a single pie fundraiser, you'll be disappointed. Use the formula above and be honest about participation rates.

## Getting started with Raised

If you're in New Zealand or Australia and looking for a simple way to run your fundraiser online, [Raised](https://raised.nz) handles the whole process. Set up your campaign, share your page, collect payments, and track progress in one place. Whether you're selling products or running a crowdfunding campaign, it takes about five minutes to get started.

---

## Moving from Shout for Good to Raised: A Step-by-Step Guide
URL: https://raised.au/blog/moving-from-shout-for-good-to-raised
Published: 2026-07-13
Summary: A practical walkthrough for charities, schools, and clubs switching from Shout for Good to Raised: sign up, set up your first campaign, connect payments, and bring your supporters across.

Shout for Good is winding down, so if you have been using it to collect donations you need a new home for your fundraising. This guide walks you through moving to [Raised](/) step by step, from creating your account to sharing your new page with supporters.

You can be set up in a few minutes, and it costs nothing to start. For a side-by-side comparison first, see [Shout for Good vs Raised](/alternatives/shoutforgood-vs-raised).

## Before you leave Shout for Good

A couple of things to do while the platform is still online:

1. **Export your data.** Download any donor lists, transaction records, or reports from your Shout for Good dashboard. Once the platform goes offline, that information may be gone for good.
2. **Note where your old links live.** Check which posters, flyers, website pages, email signatures, and social profiles point to your Shout for Good page. You will update these later.

## Step 1: Create your Raised account

Head to the [sign-up page](/auth/signup?callbackUrl=/manage) and choose your account type:

- **Organisation** if you are a charity, school, sports club, or community group.
- **Individual** if you are running a personal fundraiser.

There is no separate "charity" account type on Raised. Charities sign up as an Organisation. You will add your organisation name, email, a password, and your contact details. For a fuller walkthrough, see [Creating Your Raised Account](/help/organisers/getting-started/create-account).

## Step 2: Set up your public appearance

Under **Settings → Public Information**, add your display name and upload your logo. This is what supporters see on your campaigns, so it is worth getting right before you launch. See [Completing Your Account Setup](/help/organisers/getting-started/account-setup).

## Step 3: Create your first campaign

From your dashboard, go to **Create** and pick the type of campaign that fits you:

- **Product Fundraiser** to sell items like pies, chocolates, or plants. You can either use a featured wholesaler from the [wholesaler marketplace](/wholesalers) or build your own catalogue and add your own products.
- **Crowdfund Campaign** to collect donations towards a goal, the closest match to what you did on Shout for Good, now with a live progress bar. You can also run a [colour run](/colour-run) as a crowdfunding campaign.

Add your campaign details, dates, a fundraising target, and a thank-you message for supporters. See [Launching Your First Campaign](/help/organisers/getting-started/first-campaign).

## Step 4: Connect your payments

Raised gives you more payment options than Shout for Good did.

- **Card payments:** connect your Stripe account under **Settings → Payments**. Stripe handles the setup and verification, and once it is done you can accept cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. See [How Stripe Payments Work](/help/organisers/payments-and-donations/how-stripe-payments-work).
- **Cash and bank transfer:** enable these on your fundraiser's payment settings. For bank transfer you add your account name and number so supporters can pay you directly. Both cash and bank transfer have no processing fees at all. In Australia they are available when your organisation absorbs card fees, because fundraisers with fees built into their prices are card only.
- **Tap to Pay:** take contactless card payments in person using the Raised mobile app on your iPhone, with no card reader needed. This replaces Shout for Good's tap-to-donate terminals. See [Taking In-Person Payments with Tap to Pay](/help/organisers/payments-and-donations/tap-to-pay).

On the pricing side, there are no setup fees, monthly fees, or subscriptions. Card payments carry a 5% platform fee plus Stripe processing. In New Zealand it is added at checkout and paid by the supporter. Card surcharges are not allowed in Australia, so there the fees are built into your prices, and donation fees come out of the donation unless the donor chooses to cover them. See [full pricing](/pricing).

## Step 5: Get approved and go live

Your campaign is reviewed by our team before it goes live, usually within a few business hours. To be ready for approval, verify your email address, and if you are running a crowdfunding campaign, complete the quick identity check and connect Stripe. Your dashboard shows a setup checklist that walks you through whatever applies to you. See [Getting Approved to Go Live](/help/organisers/getting-started/getting-approved-to-go-live).

## Step 6: Bring your supporters across

Once your campaign is live, share it:

- Use the **Share** button to copy your link or post to Facebook, WhatsApp, or email.
- Download a **QR code** from the marketing tools for posters, flyers, and event tables. You can also generate a printable poster.
- Update every place your old Shout for Good link appeared with your new Raised link.
- Send your supporters a short message: "We have moved. Here is where to support us now."

## Do not wait too long

Supporters who click an old Shout for Good link after it goes offline will hit a dead page, and most will not go searching for your new one. The sooner you set up on Raised and update your links, the less you lose in the switch.

[Get started for free](/auth/signup?callbackUrl=/manage), or read more about [switching from Shout for Good](/from-shoutforgood).

---

## How to Run a Pie Fundraiser in NZ: The Complete Guide
URL: https://raised.au/blog/pie-fundraiser-guide-nz
Published: 2026-03-24
Summary: Everything you need to run a successful pie fundraiser in New Zealand. From choosing suppliers to collecting orders and maximising profit - a step-by-step guide for schools and clubs.

Pie fundraisers are one of the most popular and profitable fundraising options in New Zealand. Kiwis love pies - it's that simple. Whether you're a school PTA, sports club, or community group, a pie fundraiser is a reliable way to raise money with minimal hassle.

## Why Pie Fundraisers Work So Well

- **Everyone buys pies** - They're a staple Kiwi food that appeals across all demographics.
- **High profit margins** - Wholesale pie prices leave a healthy margin for fundraisers.
- **Easy to run** - [Pre-orders](/pre-order-fundraising) mean you only buy what's already sold.
- **Freezer-friendly** - Families stock up because frozen pies are convenient.
- **Repeat customers** - Supporters buy pies every time you run a fundraiser.

## Step 1: Choose Your Pie Supplier

The right supplier makes or breaks your fundraiser. Look for:

- **Quality** - Pies that taste great will sell well and bring customers back.
- **Variety** - Offer mince, steak & cheese, butter chicken, vegetarian, and specialty options.
- **Wholesale pricing** - You need a margin of at least $2-4 per pie to make it worthwhile.
- **Delivery** - Can they deliver to your school or club, or do you need to collect?

On [Raised](/), you can browse NZ wholesalers who specialise in fundraising pies and connect with them directly through the platform.

## Step 2: Set Up Your Campaign

### Go Online

Ditch the paper order forms. An online fundraiser is faster, easier, and reaches more people. With [Raised](/):

1. Create your fundraiser in minutes
2. Add products from your chosen wholesaler
3. Share your unique fundraiser link
4. Orders and payments are tracked automatically

### Set Your Timeline

A 2-3 week ordering window works best. Long enough for word to spread, short enough to create urgency.

### Set a Goal

"Help us raise $2,000 for new sports equipment" is more compelling than "buy some pies." Give supporters a reason to buy.

## Step 3: Promote Your Pie Fundraiser

### School Newsletter

The number one channel for school fundraisers. Include your link, a photo of the pies, and a clear deadline.

### Social Media

Share on your school or club Facebook page, local community groups, and WhatsApp chats. Mobile is where most orders come from.

### Word of Mouth

Get students, players, and parents talking about it. Personal recommendations drive the most sales.

### Flyers

A simple flyer in school bags or on the clubroom noticeboard catches people who miss the digital channels.

## Step 4: Manage Orders and Payment

With [Raised](/), orders come in automatically with payment. You can accept:

- **Online payment** (credit/debit card)
- **Bank transfer** (no platform fees)
- **Cash** (no platform fees)

This flexibility means every family can pay the way that works for them.

## Step 5: Distribution Day

### Plan Ahead

- Confirm your final order count with the supplier at least a week before delivery.
- Arrange a cool storage area (or freezers) for distribution day.
- Recruit volunteers to help sort and hand out orders.

### Keep It Organised

Sort orders by class, team, or surname. Label bags clearly. Have a printed list to check off each pickup.

### Communicate

Send a reminder the day before with pickup time, location, and what to bring (e.g., a chilly bin for frozen pies).

## How Much Can You Raise?

Here's a realistic example for a school of 300 students:

| Metric | Amount |
|--------|--------|
| Families who order | 150 (50%) |
| Average order | 2 packs ($24) |
| Total sales | $3,600 |
| Wholesale cost | $2,160 (60%) |
| **Profit** | **$1,440** |

Run two pie fundraisers a year and you're looking at nearly $3,000 with minimal effort.

## Common Mistakes to Avoid

- **Too many flavour options** - Stick to 4-6 varieties. Too much choice slows down ordering.
- **No deadline** - Always set a clear order cutoff date.
- **Paper-only orders** - You'll lose sales from families who forget to return the form.
- **Poor communication** - Send at least 3 reminders: launch, halfway, and final day.
- **Not saying thank you** - Let supporters know how much you raised and what it's going towards.

## Popular Pie Types for NZ Fundraisers

1. **Mince & Cheese** - The undisputed champion.
2. **Steak & Cheese** - Premium option that commands a higher price.
3. **Butter Chicken** - Increasingly popular and a great point of difference.
4. **Vegetarian / Vegan** - Essential for inclusive fundraising.
5. **Pepper Steak** - A solid alternative to the classics.
6. **Party Pies** - Mini pies for kids' lunches. High volume seller.

## Ready to Start Your Pie Fundraiser?

[Raised](/) connects you with trusted NZ pie wholesalers and gives you everything you need to run your fundraiser online. Set up in minutes, share one link, and watch the orders come in.

[Start your pie fundraiser free →](/auth/signup?callbackUrl=/manage)

---

## Product Fundraising vs Donation Fundraising: Which Raises More?
URL: https://raised.au/blog/product-fundraising-vs-donation-fundraising
Published: 2026-04-21
Summary: Product fundraisers regularly out-raise donation campaigns by 2-4x. Here's why, when donations still make sense, and how to pick the right approach for your next fundraiser.

If you've ever set up a Givealittle page for your school or club, you probably noticed the same thing everyone else does: a handful of generous people donate, and the rest of your community quietly ignores it. Then someone suggests a pie drive and suddenly 78% of families are placing orders.

This isn't a fluke. Product fundraisers consistently out-raise donation campaigns, and the gap is bigger than most people expect.

## The numbers

In school and club settings, product fundraisers consistently raise more per campaign than donation asks. The difference comes down to participation. When you're selling something people actually want, you'll often get the majority of families placing an order. With a donation page for a routine cause like new sports gear or a playground upgrade, you're lucky to get a quarter of families to contribute.

Givealittle's own data makes the case. In FY2024, over 460 schools raised a combined $372,700 through the platform. That averages out to roughly $810 per school for the entire year. A single product fundraiser at a mid-size school can bring in $1,500 to $3,000 in two weeks. That's one campaign beating what Givealittle delivers in twelve months.

The pattern holds across the sector too. NZ Charities Services data shows that trading and sales income is the largest revenue source for registered charities in New Zealand. Not donations. Not grants. Sales.

## Why people buy when they won't donate

There's actual psychology behind this, and it makes intuitive sense once you think about it.

**People like getting something back.** Robert Cialdini's work on reciprocity shows that when people receive something in return, they're far more willing to participate. A 2007 study by economist Armin Falk found that including a gift with a donation request increased response rates by up to 75%. With product fundraising, the "gift" is the product itself.

**It removes the awkwardness.** Asking someone to donate money can feel uncomfortable for both sides. Asking someone to buy a box of pies they were going to eat anyway? That's just a normal transaction with a good cause attached. The social friction disappears.

**The price is the price.** With donations, people agonise over how much to give. Is $10 too little? Is $50 too much? Product fundraisers solve this by setting a fixed price. You're buying a $15 box of pies, not deciding what someone's cause is worth to you. Psychologists call this the threshold effect, and it makes people much more likely to say yes.

**Warm glow plus utility.** Economist James Andreoni's research on charitable giving describes the "warm glow" people feel when they help a cause. With product fundraising, people get that warm glow and a freezer full of pies. Both motivations stack on top of each other.

## When donations work better

Product fundraising wins for routine causes, but donations have their place.

**Emergencies.** When something urgent happens, people give because they want to help right now. A house fire, a medical emergency, a natural disaster. Nobody wants to wait for a product to arrive. Donation pages work well here because the emotional urgency drives participation on its own.

**Causes with strong stories.** If you have a deeply personal story that connects with a wide audience, donation campaigns can go viral in ways product fundraisers can't. A well-told story shared across social media can reach thousands of people who have no connection to your school or club.

**Large-scale reach.** Donation campaigns can scale nationally or internationally with very little effort. Product fundraisers are usually limited to your local community because someone has to actually deliver the goods.

## The honest downsides of each

Product fundraising isn't perfect. You'll deal with logistics: ordering, delivery, keeping things cold or fresh, handling the odd missing order. There's upfront effort to organise it all, and your margin depends on the supplier deal. Someone has to coordinate pick-up days or deliveries, and that takes volunteer time.

Donation fundraising has its own problems. Donor fatigue is real. If your school runs a Givealittle page every term, people tune out fast. Participation rates for routine causes are low, and it's hard to sustain donations over time without a fresh and compelling reason to give.

## So which should you choose?

For most schools, clubs, and community groups running regular fundraisers, product fundraising will raise more money with higher participation. The data is clear on that.

Use donation campaigns when you have a genuine emergency, a story that will resonate beyond your immediate community, or when you need to reach people who can't receive a physical product.

And there's nothing stopping you from doing both. Run your product fundraiser as the main event, and keep a donation option available for people who want to contribute without buying anything.

## Running a product fundraiser with Raised

[Raised](https://raised.nz) makes it simple to set up a product fundraiser with an online store, track orders, and collect payments. No spreadsheets, no chasing up cash envelopes. Your supporters buy online, you see exactly who's ordered what, and you can focus on getting the word out instead of managing paperwork.

If you're in New Zealand, head to [raised.nz](https://raised.nz). If you're in Australia, visit [raised.au](https://raised.au). Setting up your first fundraiser takes a few minutes.

---

## How to Fundraise for Your Rugby Club in New Zealand
URL: https://raised.au/blog/rugby-club-fundraising-ideas
Published: 2026-03-27
Summary: A practical guide to fundraising for rugby and sports clubs in NZ. Covers product fundraisers, sausage sizzles, club nights, membership drives, and how to use Raised to make it easier.

Running a rugby club costs money. Gear, travel, ground fees, new jerseys, tournament entries. It all adds up, and the committee never quite has enough. The good news is that rugby clubs are in a great position to fundraise because you already have a loyal, connected community around you.

Here are the fundraising methods that actually work for NZ rugby and sports clubs.

## Product Fundraisers

Product fundraisers are the most reliable way for a sports club to raise money. People prefer buying something they can use rather than just donating, and the margins are good.

The products that sell well for sports clubs include:

- **Pies** - The classic match-day food. Sell frozen pies in bulk and you can clear $4-6 profit per pack. Mince, steak and cheese, and butter chicken all move fast.
- **Sausages and patties** - Perfect for clubs because they tie in naturally with your sausage sizzle culture. Sell frozen packs to families and keep some aside for game-day BBQs.
- **Cookie Time cookies** - A Kiwi favourite that basically sells itself. Great for younger age groups to sell through their networks.
- **Cheese and butter** - Higher price point means higher margins. Ideal for end-of-year fundraisers when people are buying for Christmas.

You can set up a product fundraiser through [Raised](/) in minutes. Each seller gets their own link to share, orders go directly to the platform, and the products get delivered. No chasing paper order forms or collecting cash.

Check out the full list of products available on our [wholesalers page](/our-wholesalers).

## The Sausage Sizzle

Every rugby club knows the sausage sizzle. It works because it's simple and it brings people together. But there are ways to get more out of it:

- **Run it at every home game**, not just special occasions. Consistency builds the habit of people buying.
- **Negotiate with your local Bunnings** or supermarket to run a sausage sizzle at their location on a Saturday. This puts you in front of hundreds of people who aren't connected to your club.
- **Keep costs low.** Buy sausages, bread, and sauce in bulk. At $2-3 a sausage, you should be clearing $1.50-2.00 profit each.
- **Add drinks.** Cans of fizzy drink at $2 each are pure profit if you buy in bulk from a wholesaler.

A well-run sausage sizzle at a Bunnings can bring in $500-1000 in a single day.

## Club Night Events

Your clubrooms are an asset. Use them. A well-organised club night can raise good money while giving members a reason to get together.

Ideas that work:

- **Quiz nights** - Charge $10-15 per person, run a bar tab, and get local businesses to donate spot prizes. A quiz night with 60-80 people can raise $1500-2500.
- **Race nights** - Show pre-recorded horse or greyhound races on a big screen. People bet with fake money they buy at the door. Simple to run and surprisingly good fun.
- **Comedy or live music nights** - Charge a door fee and run the bar. Local comedians are often happy to perform for a small fee or even free if it's for a community cause.
- **Prize-giving dinners** - Your end-of-season event can double as a fundraiser. Add a raffle, an auction of donated items, or a gold coin entry.

The key with club nights is to keep overheads low. Use your own venue, get volunteers to run the bar, and lean on sponsors for prizes and food.

## Membership Drives and Sponsorship

These aren't one-off fundraisers, but they form the backbone of a financially healthy club.

- **Tiered memberships** - Offer social memberships alongside playing memberships. Parents, grandparents, and locals who want to support the club will pay $30-50 a year for a social membership if it comes with a few perks like discounted bar prices or a club cap.
- **Local business sponsorship** - Approach businesses directly with a clear sponsorship pack. Offer signage at the ground, logo on the website, and mentions on social media. Even small sponsors at $200-500 each add up when you have ten of them.
- **Corporate match-day packages** - If your club has decent facilities, offer a match-day hospitality package for local businesses. Food, drinks, and good seats for $50-80 a head.

## Going Digital

If your club is still relying on paper forms and cash collection for fundraisers, you're leaving money on the table. People don't carry cash, and paper forms get lost.

[Raised](/) lets you run your entire fundraiser online. Set up your campaign, invite your members to share their personal links, and track progress in real time. Orders and payments are handled through the platform, so your committee isn't spending weekends counting coins and chasing up forms.

It works well for rugby clubs because you can get every player, parent, and supporter sharing the same campaign. A club with 100 families sharing a fundraiser link can raise serious money in a couple of weeks.

## Tips for Getting the Best Result

- **Set a clear goal.** "We're raising $5,000 for new jerseys" works better than "we need money." People give more when they know exactly what it's for.
- **Keep it short.** Two-week fundraisers outperform month-long ones. Urgency gets people to act.
- **Recognise your top sellers.** A prize for the family or team that sells the most adds a competitive element that rugby people love.
- **Combine methods.** Run a product fundraiser through [Raised](/) for your main push, then top it up with a quiz night and a couple of sausage sizzles.

Your club already has the community. You just need to give them an easy way to support it.

---

## School Fundraising Ideas for Australian Schools
URL: https://raised.au/blog/school-fundraising-ideas-australia
Published: 2026-04-21
Summary: Practical fundraising ideas for Australian P&Cs and Parents' Clubs. What actually raises money, what to skip, and how to make the most of your parent volunteers.

Running a school P&C (or Parents' Club, if you're in Victoria) is a lot of unpaid work. Most of it lands on a small group of parents who somehow ended up with the fundraising portfolio on top of everything else in their lives. The last thing you need is a fundraiser that chews through volunteer hours and barely breaks even.

Here's what actually works for Australian schools, what's losing steam, and how to get the best return without burning out your volunteers.

## How Much Should You Be Raising?

The average Australian primary school P&C raises somewhere between $10,000 and $50,000 a year. Where you land in that range depends on your school size, your parent community, and how well you run your fundraisers.

The biggest factor isn't which fundraiser you pick. It's how many people you reach. A chocolate drive that only goes home in school bags will raise a fraction of what the same drive raises when families share it online with their wider networks.

## Product Fundraisers

Product fundraisers are the backbone of school fundraising in Australia for a good reason. People are buying something they actually want, not just donating out of obligation.

### Chocolate Drives

Still the number one method in most schools. Cadbury and Darrell Lea boxes are the classic approach, but the margins can be thin once you account for unsold stock and the inevitable boxes that go missing.

The shift to online ordering changes the equation. Instead of sending a child home with a box and hoping for the best, families share a link and orders come in from grandparents, aunties, and workmates. Schools that move their chocolate drives online typically see around $130 per student, compared to roughly $20 per student with the old cash-and-carry method.

### Cookie Dough

Cookie dough fundraisers (Billy G's is the big name here) work well because the product genuinely sells itself. Families order tubs, store them in the freezer, and bake as needed. It's a higher price point than a chocolate box, which means better margins per sale.

### Eco and Sustainable Products

This is where things are heading. Seed cards, bamboo products, eco socks, beeswax wraps. Parents are more willing to buy when it's something useful and environmentally friendly. These products also dodge the healthy eating policies that are pushing schools in NSW, QLD, and Victoria away from confectionery-based fundraisers.

If your school has a sustainability focus, eco products make the fundraiser feel aligned with your values rather than contradicting them.

## Food-Based Fundraisers

### Sausage Sizzles

The humble sausage sizzle is an Australian institution for a reason. Low cost per serve, simple to run, and everyone knows the drill. A Bunnings sausage sizzle slot can raise $700-$1,500 in a single day, depending on location.

The downsides: you need volunteers on their feet for hours, you need a Bunnings booking (which can have a long waitlist), and it's weather-dependent. It works best as a supplement to your main fundraiser, not as the whole strategy.

### Meal Deal Days

Running a lunch order day at school (hot dogs, pizza, sushi) raises money and gives parents a break from making lunches. Keep it to once a term and it stays special. Run it every week and families start to resent the cost.

## Events

### Fun Runs and Colour Runs

A fun run or colour run is one of the best earners a primary school can run. Kids get sponsored by family and friends for taking part, there's no stock to buy, and almost everyone joins in. The catch is who runs it. Packaged fun run and colour run programmes supply the prizes and the online system, and they're paid out of what your families raise. The biggest provider in Australia states that it takes 40% plus GST. Your families think they're raising $20,000, but the school sees around $12,000.

Before you sign up with a fun run company, ask exactly what percentage reaches the school. Then compare it with running your own. A loop of the oval, some parent marshals, and a bag of colour powder per station is all the event needs. Put the sponsorship online with [a free page for every student](/fun-run) and the school keeps nearly all of what's donated. Turn on class leaderboards and the competition between classes does the job the prize chart used to.

There's a step-by-step guide to [running your own school colour run](/colour-run), including what to do about prizes.

### Read-a-thons, Maths-a-thons and Other Athons

An athon works the same way as a fun run, without needing the oval or good weather. Students get sponsored for reading, solving maths problems, skipping or dancing, and the money comes in online before the day. A [read-a-thon](/read-a-thon) or [maths-a-thon](/maths-a-thon) suits a wet term or a school without much outdoor space, and a [skip-a-thon](/skip-a-thon) fits into PE lessons. See [every athon template](/athons) for designed sponsorship pages you can set up in a few minutes.

### Trivia Nights

A well-run trivia night can raise $3,000-$5,000 and double as a community event. Charge per table, sell drinks, and run a few auction items on the night. The catch is that trivia nights require a lot of organising. You need a venue, a host, prizes, food, and a team of volunteers to pull it off. One or two a year is sustainable. More than that and you'll exhaust your helpers.

### Discos and Movie Nights

School discos are a reliable earner for primary schools. Charge entry, sell glow sticks and snacks, and the kids have a great time. Movie nights on the oval work the same way. Low cost, high turnout, and parents get a social evening too.

## Entertainment Books and Discount Cards

Entertainment Books (now digital memberships) give families discount vouchers for restaurants and activities. The school earns a commission on each sale. They work, but they work best in metro areas where families can actually use the offers. In regional areas, the available deals may not be worth the asking price.

## Timing Matters

When you run your fundraiser affects how much you raise. The sweet spot is the first three to four weeks of each term. Parents are fresh, kids are settled, and everyone has energy.

Avoid the last two weeks of term. Families are tired, school events pile up, and your fundraiser will compete with end-of-term chaos for attention.

Plan your calendar at the start of the year. Two or three well-timed, well-run fundraisers will outperform five scattered ones.

## Getting Parents Involved

About 37% of Australian parents say they're willing to volunteer for school fundraising. That sounds decent, but it means nearly two-thirds won't put their hand up no matter how nicely you ask.

The trick is to make participation easy. If your fundraiser requires parents to collect cash, sort paper forms, and deliver products, you're asking for a lot. If it requires sharing a link, you'll get far more people involved.

Online fundraising tools remove most of the friction. Each family gets a link, shares it however they like, and orders are handled automatically. No envelopes of coins. No spreadsheets. No awkward conversations about lost order forms.

## What to Skip

A few ideas that sound good in meetings but rarely deliver:

- **Fundraisers that rely on takings on the day.** If it rains or clashes with a long weekend, you lose everything. Sponsored events avoid this when sponsorship is collected online in the weeks before.
- **Anything with high upfront costs.** Ordering stock you might not sell is a risk your P&C doesn't need.
- **Overly complex schemes.** If it takes more than two sentences to explain to a parent, participation will drop.

Keep it simple. Pick products families want, make ordering easy, and reach beyond the school gate.

## Running It Online

The gap between online and offline fundraising results is hard to ignore. Roughly $130 per student online versus $20 per student offline. That's not a small difference. It's the difference between raising $5,000 and raising $30,000 for a school of 250 kids.

The reason is reach. A paper order form goes home in a school bag and maybe gets shown to mum and dad. A shareable link goes to grandparents in another state, to a parent's colleagues, to the family group chat. The network effect does the heavy lifting.

## Get Started with Raised

[Raised](https://www.raised.au) is built for exactly this. Set up a product fundraiser, give each family their own link, and let orders and payments flow through the platform. The 5% platform fee and card processing are built into your prices, so nothing is added at checkout and the school receives its full price on local cards. No paper forms, no cash handling, no weekend sorting sessions.

Running a fun run, colour run or read-a-thon instead? Raised gives every student their own sponsorship page and puts classes on a leaderboard, with no setup or monthly fees. [Start an athon](/athons) and the page is ready to share in a few minutes.

If your P&C or Parents' Club is planning its next fundraiser, take a look at [raised.au](https://www.raised.au) and see what products are available. It takes about ten minutes to set up, and your volunteers will thank you.

---

## School Fundraising Ideas That Actually Work
URL: https://raised.au/blog/school-fundraising-ideas-that-work
Published: 2026-03-27
Summary: An honest guide for PTAs and school committees on what fundraising ideas work in NZ schools, what doesn't, and how to run a fundraiser without burning out your parent volunteers.

If you've just joined your school's PTA or fundraising committee, you're probably drowning in suggestions. Everyone has an idea. The trouble is, most of them sound great in a meeting but fall apart in practice.

Here's an honest breakdown of what actually raises money for NZ schools, what wastes your volunteers' time, and how to run it all without burning everyone out.

## What Works

### Product Fundraisers

Product fundraisers are the single best way for schools to raise money. Full stop. They work because parents and families are buying something they want, not just handing over cash.

The top products for schools are:

- **Pies** - Families buy in bulk for the freezer. Margins of $4-7 per pack.
- **Cookie Time cookies** - Kids love selling these because the brand does the work. $3-5 margin per pack.
- **Cheese** - Higher price point, higher margins. Great for end-of-year fundraisers.
- **Hot cross buns** - Seasonal but very effective in Term 1.

Browse the full product range on the [Raised wholesalers page](/our-wholesalers).

The old way of doing this involved paper order forms, cash in envelopes, and a parent volunteer spending their weekend sorting hundreds of orders at the kitchen table. That's not necessary any more.

With [Raised](https://www.raised.nz/school-fundraising), each family gets their own fundraising link. They share it with grandparents, workmates, neighbours, and friends. Orders and payments come through the platform, and products ship directly to buyers. No paper. No cash. No sorting.

Schools using [Raised](/school-fundraising) typically raise 2-3x more than they did with paper-based methods, mostly because the digital links reach far beyond the school gate.

### Mufti Days

Simple, effective, and almost zero effort to organise. Charge $2-3 per student, let them wear their own clothes for the day, and bank the money.

A school of 400 students raises $800-1200 per mufti day. Run three or four a year and that's a solid baseline of income with barely any volunteer time.

The only thing to get right is communication. Make sure families know about it a few days in advance so kids don't turn up in uniform and feel left out.

### Fun Runs, Walkathons and Other Athons

Fun runs work because they combine fitness, fun, and fundraising. Family and friends sponsor each child for taking part, and there's no stock to buy, so nearly everything raised is profit. Read-a-thons and maths-a-thons work the same way indoors.

Tips for making them work:

- **Use an online sponsorship tool** so families can share the link widely. Grandparents in other cities can sponsor easily this way. Raised gives every student their own page from a [designed athon template](/athons).
- **Keep it fun.** [Colour runs](/colour-run), obstacle courses, or themed laps keep kids engaged. A plain run around the field gets boring fast.
- **Run it yourself.** Fun run companies pay for prizes and their system out of what families raise. A [school-run fun run](/fun-run) keeps the money at school.
- **Set class targets** rather than individual ones. This takes the pressure off families who can't contribute much and builds a team spirit instead.

A well-run fun run can raise $3,000-10,000 depending on your school's size and community.

### Bake Sales and Food Stalls

The classic school bake sale still works, especially at events where parents are already on site like sports days, school fairs, or parent evenings. Keep it simple: home baking, a table, and a cash tin.

Don't try to turn a bake sale into a major production. It works best as a low-key add-on to another event.

## What Doesn't Work (As Well As You'd Think)

### Overcomplicated Events

A school fair sounds like a great idea in February. By August, your committee of eight volunteers has shrunk to three exhausted parents trying to coordinate 40 stalls, a bouncy castle, and a sound system.

Big events can work, but they eat volunteer hours. A school fair that raises $8,000 but takes 500 hours of volunteer time across the year has a terrible return on effort. Compare that to a product fundraiser that raises $6,000 in two weeks with 10 hours of setup.

If you do run a big event, make sure the fundraising return justifies the work. And be realistic about how many volunteers you actually have, not how many said they'd help in March.

### Selling Things Nobody Asked For

Scented candles, tea towels with the school logo, and novelty pens. These products sit in a box in the staffroom for months. Stick to products people genuinely want to buy. If your test is "would I buy this if my kid wasn't at this school?" and the answer is no, pick something else.

### Donation-Only Campaigns (Without a Hook)

Asking families to just donate money with no product or event attached works poorly unless there's a very specific, visible goal. "We need $2,000 for new library books" will get some traction. "Please donate to the school fund" will not.

If you're going donation-based, be specific about what the money is for and show progress toward the goal.

## Digital vs Paper-Based Fundraising

This is worth addressing directly because many schools are still running paper-based fundraisers out of habit.

**Paper-based approach:**
- Order forms go home in school bags (and often stay there).
- Parents collect orders and cash from friends and family in person.
- A volunteer collates all the forms and reconciles the money.
- Reach is limited to whoever the family sees face-to-face.

**Digital approach:**
- Each family gets a unique link to share via text, email, and social media.
- Orders and payments are handled online.
- Reach extends to anyone with the link, anywhere in the country.
- Real-time tracking shows how the fundraiser is going.

The digital approach consistently raises more money because it removes friction. It's easier to share a link than to hand someone a paper form. And it's far easier for the people running it.

[Raised](/school-fundraising) is built specifically for this. If your school hasn't tried a digital product fundraiser yet, it's worth a go.

## Tips for Your Next School Fundraiser

- **Run fewer, better fundraisers.** Two or three well-executed campaigns a year will raise more than six half-hearted ones. Parents get fatigued if you're asking every month.
- **Communicate early and clearly.** Tell families what you're raising money for, how much you need, and how they can help. One clear email beats five vague newsletter mentions.
- **Thank people.** Publicly. Often. Volunteers and supporters who feel appreciated come back next time.
- **Track what works.** Keep a simple record of what you ran, what it cost, how many hours it took, and what it raised. This saves the next committee from reinventing the wheel.

School fundraising doesn't have to be painful. Pick the right method, keep it simple, and make it easy for families to participate. That's really all there is to it.

Get started with [Raised for schools](/school-fundraising) and see how much easier it can be.

---

## Shout for Good Is Winding Down: What to Do Next
URL: https://raised.au/blog/shout-for-good-shutting-down-alternatives
Published: 2026-05-20
Summary: Shout for Good is shutting down. If you're a charity, school, or club that needs a new fundraising platform in Australia or NZ, here's how to switch to Raised for free.

Shout for Good, the ANZ Bank-owned donation platform, is winding down. If your charity or community group has been using it to collect donations, you need a new platform.

The good news: you can switch to [Raised](/) for free and be up and running in a few minutes. You'll keep everything you had with Shout for Good, and get a lot more.

## What you get with Raised that Shout for Good never had

Shout for Good was a donation-only platform. It collected money, and that was about it. Raised does donations, but it also does the things that most schools, clubs, and charities actually need.

### Product-based fundraising

Most groups raise money by selling things. Pie drives, chocolate boxes, plant sales, candles, cookie dough. With Raised, you set up an online store for your fundraiser, supporters buy products, and you manage the orders and delivery all in one place. Shout for Good couldn't do any of this.

### Crowdfunding with goal tracking

Run a crowdfunding campaign with a target amount and progress bar. Supporters see how close you are to your goal, which drives more donations. You can run a crowdfunding campaign alongside a product fundraiser, or on its own.

### A wholesaler marketplace

Not sure what to sell? Browse the [Raised wholesaler marketplace](/wholesalers) to find suppliers who provide fundraising products. Pick your products, set your prices, and start selling. The wholesaler handles stock and fulfilment.

### Order management

Every order is tracked from purchase to delivery. Manage delivery schedules, set up collection points, and know exactly who ordered what. No spreadsheets required.

### Customer database

Raised builds a customer database as people buy from your fundraisers. You can tag supporters, add notes, and see their full order history across your campaigns. When you launch your next fundraiser, you can send an email to previous customers filtered by tags or past purchases to let them know.

### Cash and bank transfer payments with zero fees

Accept cash at school pickup or the sausage sizzle. Accept bank transfers for supporters who prefer not to use a card. Both are completely free, with no processing fees at all. That's money straight into your fundraiser. In Australia, cash and bank transfer are available when your organisation absorbs card fees, since fundraisers with fees built into their prices are card only.

## Everything Shout for Good did, but better

You're not losing anything by switching. Here's how the features you already use carry over.

- **Mobile app donations** become mobile-friendly campaign pages that work on any device
- **Shout Blade tap-to-donate terminals** become Tap to Pay on your phone, with no hardware to buy or charge
- **QR codes for posters and events** become shareable campaign links and QR codes
- **Apple Pay** becomes Apple Pay and Google Pay through Stripe
- **Analytics dashboard** becomes an analytics dashboard plus a customer database with tagging and order history
- **0% commission (subsidised by ANZ)** becomes a 5% platform fee on card payments. In Australia it is built into your prices or comes out of each donation, and donors can choose to cover it.

## No restrictions on who can use it

Shout for Good was primarily for registered charities. If you were a school, sports club, or community group, you needed to operate under a charity partner's umbrella.

Raised is open to everyone. Schools, clubs, sports teams, community groups, and individuals can all sign up and start fundraising directly. No charity registration needed.

## What it costs

- No setup fees
- No monthly fees
- No subscriptions
- 5% platform fee on card payments
- In New Zealand, card fees are paid by the supporter at checkout
- In Australia, where card surcharges are not allowed, card fees are built into your prices, and donation fees come out of the donation unless the donor chooses to cover them
- Cash and bank transfer have zero processing fees where you offer them

[See full pricing details](/pricing).

## How to switch

### Before Shout for Good shuts down

1. **Export your data.** Download any donor lists, transaction records, or reports from the Shout for Good dashboard. Once the platform goes offline, that data may be gone.

2. **Note your links.** Check which materials (posters, flyers, website pages, email signatures) point to your Shout for Good donation page. You'll need to update these.

### Get set up on Raised

1. **[Sign up for free](/auth/signup?callbackUrl=/manage).** You can have a fundraising page live in minutes.

2. **Set up your campaign.** Choose a product fundraiser, a crowdfunding campaign, or both. Add your products or set your donation goal, and customise your page with your branding.

3. **Connect your payments.** Link your Stripe account for card payments. Add bank transfer details for fee-free payments. Enable cash collection for in-person fundraising.

4. **Update your links.** Replace your old Shout for Good URLs everywhere with your new Raised campaign link.

5. **Tell your supporters.** A quick message to your donor list is all it takes: "We've moved. Here's where to support us now."

## Don't wait

Donors who click your old Shout for Good links and hit a dead page are unlikely to go searching for your new one. The faster you get set up on Raised and update your links, the less money you lose in the transition.

[Get started for free](/auth/signup?callbackUrl=/manage). It takes a few minutes, costs nothing, and gives you more fundraising tools than Shout for Good ever offered.

You can also [see a full comparison of Shout for Good vs Raised](/alternatives/shoutforgood-vs-raised), or read our guide to [switching from Shout for Good to Raised](/from-shoutforgood).

---

## What's New on Raised: July 2026
URL: https://raised.au/blog/whats-new-raised-july-2026
Published: 2026-07-12
Summary: See what's new on Raised this July, from matched giving and donor messages to faster payments and easier catalogue management.

July is only partway through, and there is already plenty to share. Donation campaigns can now run matched giving periods, and supporters can leave a message with their gift. We have also improved in-person payments and product catalogues.

Here's what's available now, and what's coming in mid-July.

## Anonymous donations

Donors can now choose to give without showing their name on public supporter lists.

This helps people who want to support a fundraiser without announcing their donation publicly. It may suit a sensitive appeal or anyone who prefers to keep their giving private. Organisers still receive the details needed for receipts and records, but the donor's name does not appear on the public supporter list.

If you've had donors ask "can I give without being listed?", you can say yes.

## Matched giving

Donation campaigns can now include matched giving. A sponsor or major donor sets aside an amount of money, then matches eligible donations made during a chosen period. A dollar-for-dollar match means a $50 donation adds $100 to the fundraiser.

Organisers choose the amount available for matching and when the match will run. You can set a limit for each donation or require a minimum donation amount. A match can cover the whole fundraiser, or you can apply it to one team or participant.

Supporters can see when matched giving is active and how much their donation will become before they pay. The fundraiser page also shows how much of the sponsor's matching fund has been used. You can include the sponsor's name and logo so supporters know who made the match possible.

This gives schools and clubs a clear way to work with local businesses or major supporters. A sponsor can offer to match donations for a launch weekend, for example, giving people a good reason to donate early.

## Messages from donors

Supporters can now add a short message when they donate. They might explain why they are supporting the cause or leave an encouraging note for the organiser.

Messages can appear beside recent donations on the fundraiser page, and organisers can see them with the donation details. Each message is limited to 70 characters, and inappropriate language is blocked before it is submitted.

## Faster in-person payments

When using Tap to Pay to accept a contactless payment in person, you can now skip the receipt step when it is not needed. This helps keep the queue moving at a sausage sizzle or sideline sale.

You can still send a receipt when someone wants one. For a quick $5 purchase at half-time, however, you can take the payment and move straight to the next person.

## Easier catalogue editing

If you manage your own product catalogue, several common jobs now take less time.

You can search across the whole catalogue and change the prices of several items at once. You can also adjust the suggested profit margin for a group of products instead of editing each one separately. Catalogue sections can have their own description and banner, so supporters know what they will find in sections such as "Winter pies" or "Club merchandise".

For example, your supplier might change several wholesale prices a week before launch. You can update that group of products together, then check the selling prices and expected profit before publishing the catalogue.

Sorting is easier too, so you can move popular products to the top without rebuilding the catalogue.

## Age checks for restricted products

Catalogue sections containing age-restricted products can now be marked as 18+. Visitors will not see the products in that section until they confirm that they are at least 18.

The age check applies only to the restricted section, so the rest of the catalogue remains available as normal. Once a visitor confirms their age, they will not be asked again for 24 hours.

Organisers can turn this setting on while editing a catalogue section. It provides a clearer shopping experience when a fundraiser sells a mix of general and age-restricted products.

## Better crowdfunding landing pages

Crowdfunding pages now have a clearer button for starting a campaign and improved banners for introducing the cause.

When someone opens a link from a social post or school newsletter, they should quickly understand what the fundraiser is for and how to donate. The updated pages make that path clearer.

## Better pages and links for single-product fundraisers

If your fundraiser sells only one product, the page now puts that item at the centre instead of showing a layout designed for a large catalogue. This works well for a pie pack or club hoodie.

Fundraiser web addresses are also cleaner. This makes links easier to include on posters, in newsletters, and in messages from team captains.

## Easier fundraiser management

We reorganised the fundraiser management menu so common tasks are easier to find. Orders and team settings now take fewer taps to reach, especially on mobile.

This should make it easier to check orders or change a setting while you're away from a computer.

## Coming mid-July: ongoing campaigns

*Update: ongoing campaigns are now live, and supporters can also set up an automatic monthly donation. See [donation pages](/donation-pages) for details.*

Later this month, we're launching ongoing campaigns.

These are donation pages without a hard end date. A club could use one as a permanent "support us" page, while a school could keep donations open between its main term fundraisers. They will also suit community groups that raise money steadily through the year.

Ongoing campaigns will have their own setup process and public donation pages. They stay open so supporters can give whenever they're ready, not only during a two-week fundraiser. We're aiming to launch them in mid-July.

The first release will accept one-off donations. It will not include automatic monthly donations. If your organisation wants one donation page to share throughout the year, this is the feature to watch for.

## That's early July

Matched giving gives sponsors a new way to support a campaign, while donor messages make each contribution more personal. Catalogue editing takes less time, and ongoing campaigns are still on the way.

If you're running a fundraiser now, these updates are already available. If you want an ongoing donation page, keep an eye out in mid-July, or [start a campaign on Raised](/start) in the meantime.

---

## What's New on Raised: June 2026
URL: https://raised.au/blog/whats-new-raised-june-2026
Published: 2026-06-30
Summary: See how Raised made team fundraising easier this June, with better privacy controls and simpler ways to manage donations and product catalogues.

This June, we made team fundraising much easier to organise. If you run a school house challenge or sports club fundraiser, most of these updates are for you. They also suit other campaigns where people raise money as a group.

Here's the detail.

## A better way to run a team fundraiser

Team fundraising pages now give each group and participant a clearer place in the campaign.

Team and member profile pictures can now appear on public fundraiser pages. Each team can have its own target, and supporters can see its progress. Public leaderboards let parents and friends check how each team is doing without logging in.

Organisers can add a whole class or club roster by uploading a spreadsheet, rather than entering every person by hand. Team members can also create a poster for their own fundraising page to print or share online.

Automatic emails can now guide team members from joining their team through to sharing their page. Team settings are also easier to find, so organisers can manage join approvals and goals. They can also choose what appears publicly.

We have also replaced the old "competition" wording with "teams" and "contributions". It better describes school and club fundraisers where people work towards a shared goal, even when there is a friendly leaderboard.

For example, a club can upload its junior squad from a spreadsheet. Each player gets a page with a photo and target, while the public leaderboard keeps everyone up to date. Players can then share their own posters with family and friends.

## More control over privacy

Not every fundraiser should show participant names and leaderboards publicly. Privacy mode gives organisers more control over what visitors can see.

You can limit the details shown on leaderboards and supporter lists. This is useful when fundraising with children or for a cause where participants would rather not be named. Organisers still receive the order and donation details needed to run the fundraiser.

If a parent asks whether their child's name needs to appear publicly, this setting gives you another option.

## Suggested donation amounts

Crowdfunding and donation campaigns can now show a few suggested amounts while still letting donors enter their own amount. Donors can also leave a short message with their gift.

Options such as $20, $50, or $100 give people a useful starting point. They still have the freedom to give $35 or any other amount that suits them.

Organisers choose these suggested amounts in the fundraiser settings. They can help when donors are unsure how much people usually give to a school trip or community appeal.

## Catalogue improvements

Product fundraisers got better catalogue tools.

You can group items into categories, search within a catalogue, and set a custom sort order so bestsellers or seasonal lines sit at the top. The catalogue builder also supports PDF import, which helps when a wholesaler or supplier already has a product list you don't want to retype.

You can import or build your catalogue, group similar products together, and put popular items first. Supporters can then use search instead of scrolling through a long list.

## Share your fundraiser from one place

Fundraiser links and promotional tools now sit together in one place. You can quickly copy your link when you launch or send a reminder later in the fundraiser.

You no longer need to search through different settings pages to find the public link.

## Easier-to-share crowdfunding pages

Crowdfunding pages now have clearer banners and show campaign progress better on mobile. After donating, a supporter can use the "Share my contribution" button to tell others about the fundraiser.

Supporters often bring in the next donation by sharing the campaign with friends. Putting that option straight after checkout makes it easier for them to help without the organiser having to ask.

The updated mobile layout also makes the goal and campaign story easier to read before someone reaches the donate button.

## That's June

Teams now have clearer public pages and better privacy controls. Donation campaigns are easier to set up, while product catalogues take less work to manage.

If you're kicking off a house challenge or club season fundraiser, [start on Raised](/start) and use the new teams tools from day one.

---

## What's New on Raised: May 2026
URL: https://raised.au/blog/whats-new-raised-may-2026
Published: 2026-05-28
Summary: See how Raised made checkout and campaign pages easier to use this May, with donation forms that can now sit on your own website.

This May, we focused on making fundraisers easier to use for organisers and supporters. Checkout is clearer, and donation forms can now sit on your own website. Supporters can also get a better look at the products you're selling.

Here's what landed.

## Easier checkout

Paying by card is now simpler. Supporters see a clearer payment step, with less jumping between screens and fewer "did that go through?" moments.

People also have more time to finish paying. If someone gets interrupted, their order stays open longer so they can return and complete it without starting again.

This should mean fewer supporters dropping out between adding an item to their cart and completing their payment.

## Embeddable donation form

You can now embed a Raised donation form on your own website. Schools with a PTA page, clubs with a WordPress site, and community groups with a simple campaign page can keep supporters on their own domain while still collecting donations through Raised.

Donations, receipts, and reporting still work through Raised. You can copy the donation form code from your fundraiser and add it to a page where your community already goes for news and updates.

This is useful when your community is used to finding things on your site, not hunting for a new fundraising link every term.

## Product image zoom

Supporters can tap or click product photos to open them larger. It sounds small, but it matters when you're selling pies, hampers, cheese packs, or club merchandise and people want a proper look before they buy.

This is particularly useful on mobile, where product photos can be small. A supporter can check the pack size or jersey colour before placing an order.

## Clearer collection and delivery choices

Checkout now explains more clearly what happens after someone pays. Collection and delivery choices are easier to understand, and pickup details are easier to find.

Supporters should finish their order knowing whether it will be delivered or where they need to collect it. That means fewer questions for organisers before a school pick-up day or club collection night.

## Updated crowdfunding and colour run pages

We updated the page layouts used for crowdfunding and colour run fundraisers. The story and fundraising progress are easier to see, so visitors can quickly understand what you're raising money for.

Colour run pages now put the event and participants front and centre. Crowdfunding pages give more space to the cause and its story, whether you're raising money for a school trip, medical costs, or a community project.

## Clearer supplier information

If a supplier referred your organisation to Raised, your fundraiser now shows that connection more clearly.

This makes it easier to confirm that your school or club is connected to the right supplier before building a product catalogue.

## That's May

These updates make it easier to take payments, collect donations through your own website, and show supporters what they're buying or giving towards.

If you're planning a fundraiser for next term, [start one on Raised](/start) and you'll already be on these updates.

---


---

# Frequently Asked Questions

## What is Raised?
Raised is a free online fundraising platform that replaces paper order forms. It lets schools, clubs, and community groups sell products through a digital storefront with no platform fees on cash and bank transfer payments.

## How much does it cost?
There are no setup fees, monthly fees, or subscriptions. Credit card payments incur Stripe processing fees plus a 5% platform fee. In New Zealand, Stripe's fee is 2.65% + NZ$0.30 for local cards, and these fees are added at checkout and paid by the donor, so fundraisers keep 100% of what they raise. In Australia, Stripe's fee is 1.7% + A$0.30 for local cards. Card surcharges are not allowed in Australia, so the fees are built into the prices supporters see, and donation fees come out of the donation unless the donor chooses to cover them. International cards cost a little more. Cash and bank transfer payments are also accepted on product fundraisers.

## What products can I sell?
You can sell products from our partnered wholesalers including pies, cheese, Cookie Time, and other food items. Wholesalers set wholesale prices and you set retail prices - the difference is your profit.

## How do I get started?
Sign up at https://raised.au, create a campaign, choose products from available wholesalers, customise your storefront, and share the link with your community.

## Can I use Raised for crowdfunding?
Yes. Raised supports both product-based fundraising and crowdfunding campaigns where people contribute towards a monetary goal.

## Is Raised only for organisations?
No. Raised is for anyone - individuals, families, schools, clubs, sports teams, and community groups can all use the platform.

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# Platform Comparisons

Raised competes with platforms like Raisely, GoFundMe, Givealittle, and other fundraising tools. Key differentiators:
- Product-based fundraising with wholesaler partnerships (unique to Raised)
- Digital replacement for paper order forms with online storefronts
- Built specifically for NZ and Australian markets
- No subscription fees or monthly charges
- Multiple payment options including credit card, cash, and bank transfer

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# Contact
- Website: https://raised.au
- Email: support@raisedhq.com
- Help centre: https://raised.au/help
- FAQs: https://raised.au/faqs

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# Technical details
- Built with Next.js
- Payments via Stripe
- Sitemap: https://raised.au/sitemap.xml
- LLM summary: https://raised.au/llms.txt
- This file: https://raised.au/llms-full.txt