School fundraising without cash or paper pledge sheets

The problem

School fundraisers ran on cash and paper pledge sheets. Pledges got lost, counting had errors, and parents had to remember to send money. Organizers spent evenings reconciling envelopes against handwritten lists, and nobody saw progress until the end. Local business sponsors supported the events but got little visibility in return.

Why the usual answers fail

Sticking with cash and paper means the same problems repeat every season: lost sheets, counting errors, and money that depends on a parent's memory. Big generic fundraising platforms sit at the other extreme: they are built for broad online campaigns, not for a gym full of families on event night, and they leave no room for the local sponsors who actually back these events.

What we built

Cazullo built PledgeHub, a fundraising platform designed around how school events actually work. Each campaign gets its own page with a goal and live progress. Printed QR codes on flyers and at events take supporters straight to the donation page, and donations are paid by card through Stripe, so money is traceable and nobody handles cash.

• Each campaign has its own page with a goal and a live progress total
• Printed QR codes on flyers and at events lead directly to the donation page
• Donations are paid by card through Stripe, so every dollar is traceable
• Local sponsors are showcased on campaign pages
• Organizers close campaigns with reports of pledges and payments, including downloadable PDF reports

How it works in practice

During live events run by a booster club, totals update in real time on screen, which turns the fundraiser into something the crowd watches. Supporters who are not present donate from the QR code on the flyer. And the money is in the school's Stripe account, not an envelope.

What we learned

• The QR code has to lead directly to a donate action: every extra step loses a parent
• Live progress on screen changes the energy of an event and drives donations while it is happening
• Sponsor visibility gives schools something concrete to offer local businesses in return for their support