In today’s digital age, online safety is more important than ever, especially when it comes to our children. Parents, schools, and communities want to support great causes, whether it’s improving school facilities, funding extracurricular programs, or participating in charity-driven events like fun runs. Events like the WESS Colour Fun Run 2024 and Darkness to Daylight 2025 show just how impactful school-led fundraising can be when done securely. They all share a common goal: ensuring the privacy and security of kids participating in online activities, including fundraising.  

The Challenge: Balancing Engagement with Online Safety 

School fundraising is an incredible way to unite communities, raise vital funds, and empower students to contribute to meaningful causes. However, with the rise of online fundraising, concerns about children’s digital privacy and security have never been greater. Parents and schools worry about: 

• Personal information exposure – How much data is being shared online? 

• Searchability and visibility – Can a child’s name or profile be found in search engines? 

• Photo safety – Are kids required to upload images of themselves? 

• Control over data – Who decides what information is collected and displayed? 

At GoFundraise, we understand these concerns. That’s why we’ve built a school fundraising template that prioritises security, privacy, and ease of use while still delivering an engaging experience for students and their supporters. 

The Solution: Our Safe and Secure Fundraising Platform 

When creating a fundraising campaign for a school, we implement features that ensure the safety of children while allowing them to fully engage in their school’s fundraising efforts. Here’s how: 

1. Team-Based Registration for Schools & Classes 

Rather than individuals signing up publicly, our platform allows schools to register their classrooms as teams. This means: 

• Schools or class groups create a single team fundraising page. 

• Students can join their school/class fundraising team without exposing their personal details. 

• Fundraising efforts are united under a collective goal, making it easier and more enjoyable to participate. 

2. Privacy-Focused Individual Sign-Ups 

Students who want to fundraise as part of their school event can join securely with: 

• A “page display name” instead of their real name, ensuring their identity remains private. 

• A selection of diverse avatars instead of uploading a personal photo, maintaining anonymity. 

• Only minimal personal information required at registration, as decided by the school (e.g., first name only), or parents’ first name 

• No personal details are displayed publicly or are searchable online, like on Google. 

These privacy-focused features mean that parents can feel confident their child’s online presence remains secure while still being part of an exciting and rewarding fundraising experience. 

Real Examples: Secure Fundraising in Action 

1. WESS Colour Fun Run 2024 

West End State School held a vibrant, school-based fundraiser where students raised money for new school gardens, play spaces, and learning areas. With secure registration, parents and guardians protected their children’s privacy by providing only a first name, choosing an avatar, and then fundraising with classmates. 

2. Darkness to Daylight 2025

Challenge DV’s meaningful Darkness to Daylight initiative supports domestic and family violence prevention by inviting people to join a walk and run. As part of this larger community-wide event, participating schools increased their involvement by creating team fundraising pages. Students were able to securely register with display names and avatars, fundraise collaboratively with schoolmates, and make a positive impact without compromising their privacy. 

The Bottom Line: Fundraising Should Be Safe and Fun 

At GoFundraise, we believe that fundraising should be an enjoyable, secure, and inclusive experience for everyone, especially kids. By prioritising cybersecurity and implementing strong measures, we ensure that schools and parents have peace of mind while students participate in meaningful campaigns on an easy-to-use and engaging platform. They can focus on what truly matters: raising funds for great causes without worrying about privacy risks. 

Want to fund new school facilities, empower students through engaging programs, or engage schools at community-focused events? Contact us today to learn how our secure, streamlined solutions can help your school or charity make a bigger impact.

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