Frequently Asked Questions

Fundraise Genie is a specialized digital marketplace designed specifically for PTA and PTO volunteers who want to raise more money without the stress. We provide comprehensive "playbooks" that act as a step-by-step roadmap for securing donations from both local shops and national corporations.

Once you choose a playbook that fits your school’s needs, you’ll receive an instant digital download containing everything you need to get started. You simply follow the guided steps, use our proven templates, and start reaching out to potential donors with confidence.

While you can find generic advice online, our playbooks are curated specifically for the unique environment of school parent groups and are updated for current giving trends. We save you dozens of hours of "trial and error" by providing exact scripts, contact lists, and timelines that have been proven to work.

Not at all—we provide the tools for you to be your own expert at a fraction of the cost of a professional consultant. Think of us as the knowledgeable friend who has already done the hard work and is handing you the "cheat sheet" to succeed.

Each playbook contains a strategic master plan, customizable email templates, phone scripts, and tracking sheets to keep your outreach organized. We also include specific donor lists and advice on the best timing for your school’s "ask" to maximize your success.

Your playbook is delivered as a digital download immediately after purchase, so there is no waiting for shipping. You will receive an email with a secure link to download your files, which you can save to your computer or cloud drive for easy access.

Yes, we want your outreach to feel personal, so all our templates are provided in formats that are easy to customize. You can quickly swap in your school’s name, specific goals, and local details to make every letter and email feel authentic.

Absolutely, as our strategies are designed to be scalable regardless of whether you are a small rural school or a large urban district. The core principles of building relationships with donors remain the same, and we show you how to adjust the scope to fit your volunteer capacity.

Simply browse our shop, add the desired playbooks to your cart, and proceed to our secure checkout page. After your payment is processed, the digital files will be available for instant download on the confirmation page and via email.

We accept all major credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. We also offer secure checkout through digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay for your convenience.

All of our playbooks are one-time purchases, meaning you pay once and own the digital files forever. There are no hidden monthly fees or recurring charges, making it easy to fit into a one-time PTA budget line item.

We love helping entire communities, so we do offer bulk pricing if you are purchasing playbooks for three or more schools. Please reach out to our support team before purchasing so we can set up a custom discount code for your organization.

Due to the digital nature of our playbooks, we generally do not offer refunds once the files have been downloaded. However, your satisfaction is our top priority, so if the content isn't what you expected, please contact us so we can make it right.

Don't worry—technology can be tricky sometimes! If your link doesn't work or you lose the email, just send us a quick note with your order number and we will manually send you a fresh link right away.

We stand behind the quality of our playbooks and believe they provide immense value to any school volunteer. If you follow the steps in the playbook and feel it didn't help your fundraising efforts, we want to hear your feedback so we can continue to improve.

Approaching a neighbor can feel intimidating, so we provide "warm-intro" scripts that make the conversation feel natural and community-focused. We teach you how to highlight the benefits the business receives, such as local exposure and tax-deductible contributions.

We recommend starting with businesses that naturally align with families, such as local pizza parlors, tutoring centers, and family dentists. Our playbooks include a "Target Map" to help you brainstorm and identify the most likely "yes" answers in your own neighborhood.

Rejection is a normal part of fundraising, and our playbooks include a "Graceful Exit" script to keep the relationship positive for the future. We teach you how to thank them for their time and keep the door open for a smaller partnership down the road.

A successful "ask" is usually a short, professional letter or email that clearly states who you are, what the money is for, and how the donor will be recognized. We provide templates for three different levels of "asks" so you can choose the one that feels most appropriate for the situation.

Our playbooks include a curated list of "Education-Friendly" corporations that have established grant and donation programs. We save you hours of research by highlighting which companies prioritize K-12 education and where to find their specific application portals.

Unlike local businesses, national corporations often require an online application through a specific "Corporate Social Responsibility" portal. We walk you through the common questions these portals ask and provide the "magic words" that help your application stand out from the crowd.

Corporate giving often moves slower than local giving, with many companies requiring 3–6 months for an application to be reviewed. Our playbooks help you build a "Corporate Calendar" so you know exactly when to apply for your spring or fall events.

Yes, we show you how to encourage your school parents to check if their own employers offer matching gifts. This is often "hidden" money, and we provide the email templates you can send to parents to help them double their impact with minimal effort.

While results vary, most PTAs find that using a structured system leads to a significantly higher "yes" rate than "winging it." Many schools report securing their first few corporate grants or local sponsorships within the first 60 days of following the playbook.

While we can't guarantee a specific dollar amount, our users have used these playbooks to raise anywhere from $500 for a small library project to $50,000 for a new playground. Your results will depend on the time you invest and the size of your school’s donor community.

The three biggest factors are your school’s specific needs, the timing of your requests, and the consistency of your follow-up. Our playbooks are designed to optimize all three, ensuring you are asking the right people for the right amount at the right time.

First, take a deep breath! Our playbooks are designed specifically for beginners and start with the absolute basics, like setting a goal and gathering your school’s info. You don't need a background in sales or marketing to be a successful Fundraise Genie user.

Before you dive in, it’s helpful to have your school’s 501(c)(3) tax ID number and a clear idea of what the funds will be used for. Having a specific "story" to tell about how the money will help students is the most important tool you can have.

We recommend showing the board that the cost of a playbook is an investment that usually pays for itself with the very first donation you receive. You can frame it as a "time-saving tool" that prevents volunteer burnout and ensures the PTA is following professional best practices.

In most cases, simple donation solicitation doesn't require a permit, but some states have specific "charitable solicitation" registrations. We provide a checklist of common legal questions so you can verify the requirements for your specific state and school district.

Since most PTA/PTOs are 501(c)(3) nonprofits, donations made to your group are generally tax-deductible for the donor. Our playbooks include the standard language you need for donation receipts to ensure your donors get the tax credit they deserve.

Yes, we provide template language for disclaimers and "Gift Acknowledgement" letters that meet standard accounting and IRS guidelines. This ensures your school stays in compliance while making the professional impression that donors expect.

After checkout, you will be redirected to a download page, and an email will be sent to you containing a secure link. We recommend downloading the files to a desktop computer and then saving them to a shared folder like Google Drive if you plan to collaborate with other board members.

For security reasons, download links may expire after a certain period of time or number of clicks. If you find yourself locked out, just reach out to us with your order details and we will reset the link for you immediately.

The playbooks are delivered as standard PDFs and document files that can be viewed on almost any device, including iPads and smartphones. For editing the templates, we recommend using a laptop or desktop computer for the best experience.

If you need help, you can reach our friendly support team by clicking the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of our website or by emailing support@fundraisegenie.com. We typically respond to all inquiries within 24 hours during the school week.

Yes, we periodically update our playbooks to reflect changes in corporate giving portals or new trends in local business marketing. When we make a major update to a playbook you’ve purchased, we often send out a notification to let you know.

If you opted into our mailing list during checkout, you’ll receive an email notification whenever a playbook you own gets a refresh. We want to make sure you always have the most current "genie magic" at your fingertips.

We are constantly working on new guides! Future topics may include running successful silent auctions, organizing "fun runs," and managing large-scale community carnivals. If you have a specific request, we’d love to hear it.

We host a private "Genie Community" group where users can share their success stories, ask for advice, and swap tips with other volunteers. You’ll receive an invitation link to join this community inside your playbook download.

While our playbooks are designed to be self-sufficient, we do offer "Genie Strategy Sessions" as an add-on for boards that want a personalized review of their plan. These are subject to availability, so please check our "Services" page for current openings.

We regularly post fundraising ideas, volunteer management tips, and "Donor Spotlights" on our official blog and Instagram page. Subscribing to our newsletter is the best way to get a weekly dose of inspiration delivered straight to your inbox.

If we didn’t cover what you’re looking for, we’re only an email away! Please reach out to our friendly support team at support@fundraisegenie.com, and we’ll be happy to help you get your school’s fundraising off the ground. We’re rooting for you!