Let’s rewind to 2014.

You remember it, right?

“Let’s get those chocolate bars out there, folks!”

Order forms in backpacks.

Cash envelopes (hopefully labeled).

Students knocking on neighbor’s doors, maybe awkwardly asking a coworker’s cousin to buy a coupon book.

It was fundraising… and it worked. Sort of.

But fast forward to today, and the landscape looks totally different. Fundraising hasn’t just evolved—it’s been transformed. And not just in how we raise money, but in why we raise it, and who gets to be part of the experience.

Here’s a look back at where we were and a celebration of how far schools have come.

THEN: Fundraising Meant Selling Stuff

🎁 Candles. Candy. Coupon Books. Car Wash Tickets.

Ten years ago, school fundraising was all about merchandise.

  • Students carried catalogs like sales reps-in-training.
  • Families felt pressure to “buy or sell.”
  • PTA members became distribution centers (and also debt collectors).
  • Only a small slice of the money actually made it back to the school.

It got the job done. But it often came with stress, cluttered garages, and the lingering question: Is this really what school fundraising should feel like?

NOW: Fundraising is About Experiences and Impact

🎉 Fun Runs. Kindness Campaigns. Campus-Wide Celebrations.

Today, more schools are trading product sales for event-based fundraisers where students don’t just raise money, they gain confidence, leadership skills, and lifelong memories.

We see this every day at Apex.

Instead of asking students to sell, schools are building excitement around movement, teamwork, and community. Students run laps, perform acts of kindness, and lead their peers. Parents contribute online, families cheer from the sidelines, and every child gets to participate regardless of how much money they raise.

The result? More money goes back to the school. And more students feel included, energized, and proud of their efforts.

THEN: Paper, Paper, and More Paper

🧾 Order Forms. Envelopes. Printed Flyers.

Ten years ago, school fundraising was very… analog. Communication was limited to what fit in a manila folder or a crumpled flyer at the bottom of a backpack.

If a parent missed Back-to-School Night? Good luck figuring out what was going on.

NOW: Digital, Dynamic, and Just a Tap Away

🌐 Online Giving. Text Updates. Family Dashboards.

Today’s fundraising platforms meet families where they already are – on their phones. Tools like Apex’s online giving pages make it easy for parents, grandparents, and even out-of-state supporters to contribute with one click.

More than that, modern platforms offer:

  • Real-time fundraising updates
  • Auto-translated messages in multiple languages
  • Personalized donation pages per student or classroom
  • Built-in thank-you tools

No more tracking checks. No more mystery envelopes. Just clarity, transparency, and access for every family.

THEN: The PTA Did Everything

🧠 Planning, Copying, Delivering, Collecting

Ten years ago, fundraising usually landed squarely on the shoulders of the PTA or a small group of go-getters (aka superheroes).

It was exhausting and often thankless.

NOW: Fundraising is a Partnership

💙 With Support, Structure, and Systems

Today, many schools choose to partner with fundraising programs that do more than just raise money. They provide structure, staff, and strategy.

At Apex, we bring:

  • Local team leaders who handle logistics and bring energy to campus
  • Leadership lessons tied into curriculum standards
  • Event setup, cleanup, and everything in between

It’s not just easier. It’s more meaningful. PTA members go from “overwhelmed organizer” to “visionary collaborator.”

And yes, there’s still a lot of heart behind the scenes. But now it comes with built-in support.

The Biggest Shift? It’s All About Students

The most powerful change over the past decade isn’t the move from paper to digital or from products to events. It’s this:

Fundraising used to be something done around students. Now, it’s something done for and with them.

Today’s fundraisers teach teamwork. They build resilience. They remind every child: You have value here, no matter how much your family can give.

It’s a shift from transactions to transformation.

So, What’s Next?

If this is where we are now, just imagine where school fundraising will be 10 years from today.

Smarter tools. More inclusive events. Deeper connections.

And hopefully, even more popsicles at the finish line. 🍦

At Apex, we’re proud to be part of this evolution. Because we believe fundraising should feel good for students, for families, and for the amazing people like you who make it all happen.