Class Fundraiser overview

Class Fundraisers turn your students' stories into a fundraising tool. The premise is simple: you create a Fundraiser, parents buy their child's Storybird online, and $5 is deposited into your fund with every order. When the Fundraiser is over, students and families receive their stories as beautiful books, and you get to spend the fund on whatever your class needs: supplies, technology, etc.

How it works

1. You create a Fundraiser and print out the Fundraiser flyer. Your students take a copy home.
2. Parents login to their child's student account and purchase any of their books in softcover, hardcover, and premium hardcover formats (PDFs are not included).
3. Purchases are tracked on your Fundraiser dashboard. Each order (not book) deposits $5 into your fund.
4. When the Fundraiser timeline closes, all books are printed and shipped to your school for distribution, and your fund is automatically redeemed to you via PayPal (we only redeem via PayPal).

Creating a Fundraiser

Creating a Fundraiser takes a few seconds.

1. Click "Start a Fundraiser" (or "Add Fundraiser" if you've made one before).
2. Fill in the basic details: the name (make it snappy), description (keep it concise), and your contact details (we'll need them for shipping and to pay you). Also, choose an image (use different ones for different fundraisers) and a deadline (we suggest a date 2 weeks from now to keep things focused).
3. Click "Create Fundraiser" when you're done. You'll be taken to your Fundraiser dashboard.

Note: be sure to verify which email address you use. This will be the one used by PayPal to transfer you your funds when the Fundraiser closes.

Editing a Fundraiser

You can edit a Fundraiser as much as you'd like. Each time you make a change, the printable flyer and email copy will be updated for you. Be careful, then, not to make significant changes after you've sent out information to students and parents (particularly the deadline).

Your Fundraiser dashboard

Each Fundraiser has a private dashboard that contains your flyer, sales data, and shipping status. It also includes a visual list of the books being purchased. If you're running several Fundraisers, each one is accessed from the main "Fundraising" link in your class navigation.

The Fundraiser flyer

Your flyer is a PDF printable/handout that is automatically generated based on your Fundraiser details. You'll print this out and give copies to your students to take home. You can edit the flyer as often as you'd like. If you make changes, be sure to re-distribute it if you've already handed one out.

Your flyer has an "Email version," too. This is auto-generated copy based on your Fundraiser details that you can cut and paste into an email and send to your parent list. (Note that it has some words you'll need to customize.)

Fundraiser timeline/calendar

Choose a date on the calendar when you want your Fundraiser to END, not begin. By default, we set the end date two weeks from today's date and recommend you don't give more than two weeks. As a teacher, you know the value of a deadline that's "just right:" not too short to cause panic, but not too far way that people forget.

Note that you can't set Fundraisers beyond two months from today's date.

Your Fundraiser sales data

Your Fundraiser dashboard includes sales information and the status of your PayPal redemption. The sales data includes your current fund total (the amount you'll be paid at the end of the fundraiser) and the amount of orders placed. (Note that the $5 your fund is credited is for each ORDER made, not each BOOK sold.)

Redeeming your sales

Your fund is automatically redeemed to you via PayPal after your Fundraiser closes.

The email you use in the Fundraiser details is the email that PayPal will use to notify you when the funds are ready. You'll be asked to create a PayPal account if you don't already have one. Note that we ONLY use PayPal for fund redemption, so if there's a reason you can't create a PayPal account, you won't be able to collect your funds.

Order/shipping status

Books are printed 3-5 business days after the Fundraiser closes and then shipped to your school via USPS Media Mail, which takes 3-8 business days. (Basically, allow for 2-3 weeks to get your books.)

The status of your order is updated and displayed on your dashboard, including a link to the shipment's tracking number once it leaves our printing facility. You'll also receive a "shipping notification" email.

Receiving your order

Thirty books fit into two medium boxes. They're easy to manage and shouldn't cause much fuss when they arrive. Each box will weigh between 14-18 lbs.

Note that your Fundraising dashboard includes a list of the books purchased during the Fundraiser that includes the book title, author, and purchaser's name. You can match this to the packing slip to verify that you received everything and which student gets which book.

Where is this available?

Class Fundraising is available in the US to start. We're looking at Australia and New Zealand next, followed by Canada, the UK, and Europe. Stay tuned.

Can I delete a Fundraiser?

No. However, if you created a test one that you don't want, simply edit it/recycle it into a new one. Problem solved.

Can parents cancel their orders?

Parents can cancel their orders up to the time of the Fundraiser's closing. If they ask you about cancelling, send them here for details on how.

PayPal hasn't sent me my money yet.

Funds are redeemed after the Fundraiser closes. If you haven't been notified by PayPal, double-check all of your email accounts and verify which one you used in the Fundraiser details/contact panel. Still no money? Contact us at support.

FAQ: Buying from Storybird

Everything you need to know about shopping on Storybird.

FAQ: How to use Storybird

Most of the answers to most of your questions about using Storybird.

Help

Not sure what to do? Help is on the way. (Well, if you click on “Help.”)