Do you want to make a difference in your child’s education? Joining a parent-teacher organization (PTO) is an excellent way to do that.
PTOs give parents a chance to network with families and teachers, share ideas and concerns, and make a positive impact.
But PTOs need money to turn their best ideas into a reality.
That’s why one of the most frequently asked questions PTO members ask is, “What’s the best way to collect and manage money?”
If you’re asking that question, the answer is Braid Money Pools.
Braid is a brand new tool for PTO money collection, PTO fundraising, and more.
It gives PTO members a dedicated place to manage money together. It also gives people a seamless donation experience.
Keep reading to see how easy it is to use Braid and how it saves everyone time, money, and stress.
Contents:
- What is a Braid Money Pool?
- How Braid makes it easy to manage PTO funds
- How Braid streamlines PTO money collection
- How can a PTA or PTO raise money for a school with Braid?
- How to use Braid for your nonprofit PTO
- Can a PTO have a Venmo?
- What does the PTO raise money for?
What is a Braid Money Pool?
A Braid Pool is a fresh new way to collect and manage all-things PTO funds together with other parents and teachers.
Braid is fast: It only takes a few minutes to set up a Braid Pool. From there, you can invite parents and teachers to become pool members and participate in the PTO finances with you.
Braid is convenient: Anyone can add money to your pool. They just need your Pool Link. We’ll talk more about that below.
Braid is flexible: Use your pool to collect donations and dues before transferring them to a bank account. Or, spend pool funds directly from the pool. Your pool can pay for one-off expenses, like classroom computers, or ongoing expenses, like teacher payments, etc.
Braid is free: PTOs already operate on a tight budget. Fortunately, Braid doesn’t cost you a thing and we never take a percentage of the money you collect. It’s free to use.
Keep reading to learn why Braid is ideal for PTO members and donors alike.
How Braid makes it easy to manage PTO funds
Braid simplifies money for everyone in your PTO: the board of directors, the treasurer, and members.
For example, board members don't need checks and controls to ensure PTO finances are in good standing. They can view the pool balance at any time.
They can also make important decisions on how to spend funds quickly since the PTO balance and transaction history are always available in the app.
Braid also makes the treasurer’s job easier. By turning on instant notifications, treasurers can see contributions in real-time. Every Braid Pool also generates a financial statement, detailing every transaction, which comes in handy when it comes time for bookkeeping.
Because Braid is designed for group use, it automatically cultivates a sense of trust and teamwork. Everyone gets to view pool activities and participate in the PTO finances together.
How to manage PTO money collection and raise money for school with Braid
Whether you use your Money Pool to collect dues or donations, Braid is a walk in the park. That’s essential for running a successful PTO and reaching your fundraising goals.
Too often, online platforms feel confusing and complicated and that deters people from contributing. But since more and more people use online banking, it probably doesn’t make sense to collect cash and checks for each fundraiser.
What you need is a foolproof app that anyone can use - something that’s as easy as putting cash in an envelope. Braid fits the bill.
Braid removes roadblocks and clears the way to a seamless contribution experience. Check it out:
- Share your Pool Link to gather contributions. For example, you can create a pool like this one to raise money for teacher gifts. Your Pool Link can go anywhere: text, email, websites, QR codes, social media, and more.
- Anyone with your Pool Link can donate. They don’t need to download Braid or sign-up for anything. They just need to click your Pool Link and make an online payment. It’s fast and secure. And no one has to worry about misplacing cash or checks.
- People can contribute by debit card for free or credit card for a 3% fee. PTOs like this feature because they don’t have to absorb credit card fees. The contributor does if they choose to donate by credit card.
- You can set up recurring payments so parents remember to pay their dues on time.
How to use Braid for your nonprofit PTO
Because a PTO is considered a 501 (c)(3) organization, you might need to set up a separate bank account for tax and legal purposes.
But your PTO runs on donations so you want to make sure people always have a seamless donation experience. Braid can help.
First, use your Money Pool as an easy place to collect contributions. Then, transfer pool funds to another bank account whenever you need to by connecting your account and routing number.
It’s worth mentioning that you don’t have to transfer pool funds to a bank account to spend them. Each pool comes with free debit cards so you can spend directly from the pool if need be.
The best part? There are no transaction fees, monthly fees, or overdraft fees. You can spend 100% of your pool funds with the Braid card.
Is Braid different from Venmo, PayPal, or Zelle?
Braid is different from other peer-to-peer money transfer apps because it’s designed for group use. Pool members can manage and spend pool funds with you; they’re not just onlookers.
Can a PTO have a Venmo?
Although Venmo is a popular peer-to-peer money app, it doesn’t officially support 501 (c)(3) organizations, like PTOs. It only supports peer-to-peer transactions.
And according to Venmo’s terms and conditions, users who use a personal Venmo account to receive funds for a PTO risk getting banned from the app or having their funds frozen.
The only way to use Venmo for your PTO finances is to integrate it as a checkout option on your website. But you need an additional platform, like PayPal, to set this up.
This isn't convenient, but some PTOs go through this lengthy setup process so it’s easy for people to donate.
But why go through this hassle if you don't have to?
Braid gives your donors a seamless donation experience; you don't have to integrate Braid within an additional platform. People just need your Pool Link to donate.
There’s no limit to how much money you can collect into your pool and whether you spend funds directly from the pool or move them to another account is entirely up to you.
5 fun fundraising ideas for your PTO
Now that you know how to use Braid to collect donations, here are five fun fundraising ideas to bring everyone together for a good cause.
1. Spirit Wear Sale
Start a Money Pool for t-shirts, spirit socks, and more. Customize your Pool Link so people know what they’re contributing towards. For example, your Pool Link could be “Orchard Park Bobcats Hoodie” or “Walnut Creek Elementary T-shirts”.
2. Auctions
Include travel packages, sports items, health and beauty products, dining packages, student art, and more. Give people the option to “buy” tickets by paying into your Braid Pool. The best part? They can participate in the auction whether they attend in person or from afar.
3. Yearbooks
Encourage people to preorder a yearbook to help keep production costs down and only print as many as you need. Everyone can make their payment in your Braid Pool.
4. Drive-through baked sales
Whether you sell baked goods from families or local businesses, offering a drive-through sale is a fun way to raise money in a socially-distanced way.
5. House-to-school walkathon or bikeathon
Depending on your town and the weather, people can participate in a walk- or bikeathon from their home to the school. Once they arrive, greet them with drinks and refreshments and an opportunity to socialize with everyone who took part.
Ready to collect donations for your PTO? See how easy it is with Braid.
What does the PTO raise money for?
If you’re already involved in a PTO, there’s a good chance you know what you need to fundraise for, but these ideas are worth exploring. Check them out!
Teacher gifts
Not sure how to celebrate teachers? These gifts are always appreciated.
- Teachers lunch
- Teacher Survival Kits & Themed baskets
- Gift cards
- Donations for classroom supplies
- Baked goods
- Improvements or renovations for the teacher’s lounge
School gifts
Does your PTO want to pitch in for much-needed renovations and improvements?
- School-wide WI-FI
- Sound systems for the gym, auditorium, etc.
- Classroom computers
- Classroom smart boards
- Renovations for the teacher’s lounge, lobby, auditorium, etc.
Hospitality gifts
Every year, teachers and school staff go above and beyond for their students. Consider thanking them with these gifts.
- Welcome breakfast for new staff
- Back-to-school dinner/reception for families
- Mid-Year lunch for school staff
- Breakfast for school staff during final exams
- Graduation reception for students and families
District-wide needs and projects
As a parent, you don’t just want your child to do well. You also want other students in the district to have a good experience. That’s why your PTO might invest in:
- Improved school lunches
- Improved after-school programs
- Awareness programs around bullying, mental health, etc.
Braid is a smart way to collect and manage PTO money collection and fundraising.
