The Easiest Way Teachers Raise Money For Classrooms Without Feeling Awkward

Money shouldn't prevent you (or your students) from having a successful academic year. But school budgets typically don't cover everything, and this forces you to spend your own money. And because you take pride in your career, you do.

That's how dedicated you are, and you're certainly not alone. Data shows that teachers fork out a lot of their own money and never get reimbursed. But that isn't sustainable.

In an effort to save money without depriving students of a positive learning environment, some teachers raise money for the classroom. It might be exactly what you need to do, too. But how do you get donations?

This article provides A+ ideas to get you started. Keep reading to discover:

• Data on teachers' out-of-pocket spending
• How some teachers raise money, including GoFundMe
• An easier (and free!) way to raise money: Pool
• 10 smart reasons to raise money for your classroom using Pool

Oh! Hear the bell? The second period's about to start. Time to take our seats and learn a thing or two!

How much do teachers spend out of pocket?

According to AdoptAClassroom.org's 2025 Teacher Spending Survey, teachers spent an average of $895 out of pocket on school supplies during the 2024–2025 school year — up 49% since 2015. And 97% of teachers say their school-provided budget isn't enough to cover their needs.

City teachers are even harder hit, with many spending over $1,000 compared to teachers in suburban, town, or rural locations.

With this current arrangement, teachers are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Without adequate funding, their work as educators becomes more stressful. The solution — spending their own money without reimbursement — also adds stress to their lives. Understandably, many teachers try to lighten their load by asking for financial support from their students' parents, family, friends, etc. But this strategy has some drawbacks.

What challenges do teachers face when raising money for the classroom?

Asking for money can feel icky and embarrassing. One teacher said that when they have to "beg," it takes away their dignity.

This emotional discomfort may explain why teachers turn to online platforms to raise money for the classroom. Specific platforms, like Pool or GoFundMe, serve as neutral middlemen and help teachers collect donations without feeling awkward.

But what are the differences between these two platforms? Most importantly, which one is best for you? Keep reading to find out.

Can teachers use GoFundMe?

Bake sales, auctions, car washes, raffles. Schools have been raising money with these types of social events for years. But with a growing trend to give and send money online, it's harder to raise money the "old-fashioned" way.

That's why individual teachers and entire schools use GoFundMe to collect donations. And while it's a popular fundraising platform, you might not want to rush to set up a GoFundMe page just yet. Take a look at some of the potential drawbacks first.

1. Lengthy set-up process GoFundMe has a strong storytelling component. In addition to sharing your written story, you're encouraged to include photos and video footage to garner more donations. GoFundMe is so storyteller-heavy that your fundraiser will look bare if you skip this step. But setting up photos and videos is a lengthy and detailed process — something you may simply not have the time, resources, or energy for.

2. Only a collection page Incoming donations collect on your GoFundMe page. But you cannot access them until they are transferred to your personal bank account. While it's exciting to watch your progress meter inch closer to your fundraiser goal, your money stays on GoFundMe until you request a transfer. Only then can you purchase must-have items for your classroom.

3. Teachers don't have instant access to donations GoFundMe allows you to withdraw funds at any time. However, transfers take between 2 and 5 business days. This delays when you can use donation dollars for classroom supplies, field trip necessities, holiday décor, etc. If you accidentally forget to request a withdrawal, you may not get your funds in time and might have to dip into your personal account to cover classroom costs.

4. Teacher donations mix with personal money Because GoFundMe operates solely as a collection page, you need to transfer funds to your personal account before you can spend them. The result is mixing your donations with your own finances — which gets messy and makes it harder to stay within budget.

5. GoFundMe has fees It's free to start a GoFundMe, but as soon as donations start pouring in, it will cost you. There is a 2.9% + $0.30 USD fee for every donation from both credit and debit payments — and the beneficiary absorbs this fee, not the donor. That means you receive the donated amount after fees. It's discouraging to watch a portion of every generous donation go straight to banks and credit card companies.

10 reasons to use Pool to raise money for your classroom

You know how to grade papers, write lesson plans, and bring out the best in your students. But teacher donations still stump you. "How can I raise money for my classroom?" It's simple. Use Pool.

What is Pool?

Pool is where people can collect, manage, and spend money together. When it comes to teacher donations, Pool ticks the right boxes.

1. Quick set-up process Sign up for Pool and create a Pool for your classroom fundraiser in just a few minutes. Once your Pool is set up, you can invite members to join, assign permissions if needed, and start organizing contributions for your classroom.

2. Manage your Pool exactly as you want

Scenario 1: I want to manage the Pool with my teaching assistant or aide

Invite them to join your Pool. As Pool members, they can help manage fundraising activity, track contributions, and—if granted permission—use the Pool debit card to make approved purchases for the classroom. Pool Admins can assign spending permissions and limits to help everyone stay on budget.

Scenario 2: I want to organize contributions for my classroom

Invite contributors to join your Pool and explain how their support will benefit your students. Once they've signed up and joined, members can contribute directly from their linked bank accounts. Being transparent about how funds will be used helps build trust and encourages participation.

3. Contributions are organized in one place Pool gives contributors and organizers a single place to track fundraising activity. Once members join the Pool, they can contribute from linked bank accounts and see how funds are being used to support the classroom.

4. Pool is more than a collection page GoFundMe operates solely as a collection page. Pool does this — and then some! Pool is a dedicated place for your donations, but your donations don't just sit there. They're dynamic — you can actively manage and spend them directly from your Pool with the Pool debit card. Plus, Pool is set up for multiple users so other Pool members can manage money with you.

5. Enjoy instant access to donations With GoFundMe, teachers have to wait 2–5 business days for donations to transfer to their personal bank accounts. With Pool, you can spend directly from the Pool with the free Pool debit card that comes with each Pool. Having instant access to donations means you never have to dip into your own wallet to cover classroom costs.

It also makes spending incredibly flexible. Here are six things you can do with your Pool card:

• Use it anywhere Visa is accepted
• Request a physical debit card for in-person purchases
• See transactions on your Pool account
• Set spending permissions and allow other Pool members to spend with you
• Lock the card at any time on your account

Make your account today at poolmoney.com to begin your Pool journey!

6. Donations stay in a dedicated Pool Between your professional and personal commitments, it's easy to lose track of receipts, spending, and budget. With Pool, donations stay in your Pool and never mix with your personal banking. This makes it easier to track your spending and your contributors so you can thank them later.

7. Pool is free to sign up and free to use Yep, you read that right. There are no monthly fees, overdraft fees, or transaction fees. Remember that 2.9% + $0.30 fee for every GoFundMe donation? You won't find that with Pool.

It's free for teachers to raise money for the classroom, and it's free for members to contribute funds through their linked bank accounts or other Pools they have. This means you get to keep and spend 100% of the donations you collect. In case you're wondering how Pool makes money — we get paid every time you use the Pool card. It's called debit interchange, and it doesn't cost you a thing.

8. Your Pool is safe and secure Your money matters. That's why we use best-in-class security and compliance practices to protect your donations and keep your data private. Your donations are safe, and they'll be there when it comes time to buy classroom supplies, items for after-school programs, or prepare for a field trip.

9. Raise money for your classroom, school, or favorite teacher Pool doesn't micromanage the people who use it. If you need to raise money for your classroom or school, or you want to raise money for your favorite teacher, the world's your oyster.

10. Raise money for what you need Do you need fidgets for your math class? Start a Pool. Do you simply need cash for basics, like snacks and supplies? Looking for a covert way to collect money for a teacher's gift? Sharing a Pool with fellow educators and/or parents is a delightfully sneaky way to keep the surprise under wraps, start yours today at poolmoney.com