Comparison
PTO Homeroom vs Givebacks
Formerly MemberHub. Free for PTAs in partner states — but the fundraiser fee is the highest here.
The short answer
On the percent model a Givebacks fundraiser costs 10.4% + 30¢ all-in — and the “free” tip model is the one plan whose fees you cannot pass to donors.
All figures below are the vendors' own published rates, checked on 22 August 2026. Pricing changes — verify with each vendor before deciding.
Pricing, side by side
| PTO Homeroom | Givebacks | |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | $0 | $499 – $599 / year |
| Fee on payments | 2% | 1.05% + 65¢ |
| Fee on fundraisers | 2% | 7.5% |
| Card processing | Stripe 2.9% + 30¢ | Stripe 2.9% + 30¢ |
| Fees passable to the payer | Yes — shown at checkout and covered by the payer by default | Yes for store and percent-model fundraisers — no for the tip model |
| Processor lock-in | No — funds settle to your PTO's own Stripe account | Yes — Stripe only, through Givebacks |
Givebacks tiers: Pro $499 · Premium $599 · Partner tier not published. Free to PTA units in partner states.
What a $22,000 year actually nets
Assumes an average payment of $36.67 and that 55% of the total comes from your big fundraiser — the part vendors price differently.
PTO Homeroom
$22,000
No subscription; our 2% is covered at checkout, so you bank the sticker.
Givebacks
$19,946
$2,054 to subscription and fees
What to watch for with Givebacks
7.5% on fundraisers, 10.4% + 30¢ all-in
The store rate is 3.95% + 95¢ combined; percent-model fundraising campaigns are 7.5% platform plus card, reaching 10.4% + 30¢ (Amex 11% + 50¢).
The tip model isn't free either
It carries no platform fee, but the org absorbs 2.9% + 30¢ and the help centre states it “doesn't allow passing credit card fees to donors.” The shortfall is funded by prompting your parents to tip Givebacks.
$499–$599 a year unless you're a partner-state PTA
Several state PTAs publish that Givebacks is free to their units. If you're a PTO, or a PTA outside those states, you pay.
Stripe lock-in
Payments run through Givebacks' Stripe connection rather than an account you control.
Where Givebacks is the better choice
We'd rather you pick the right tool than the one that wrote the comparison.
Free for PTAs in partner states
If your state PTA has a Givebacks partnership, the software genuinely costs your unit nothing. That's hard to beat on price.
The state dues rail
Givebacks is wired into state PTA membership remittance. If your unit has to remit dues that way, that integration is worth real administrative time.
Published fee schedule
Unlike some competitors, Givebacks does put its rates on its pricing page. Credit where it's due.
Direct donations at 0% platform
Straight donations carry no platform fee — only 1.99% + 49¢ processing.
Choose Givebacks if…
If your state PTA has a Givebacks partnership, the software genuinely costs your unit nothing. That's hard to beat on price.
Choose PTO Homeroom if…
You want one tool instead of three, no annual subscription, a published fee you can explain to any parent, and your fundraiser, roster, communication and books in the same place.
Sources
Checked 22 August 2026. We don't republish figures a vendor doesn't publish; anything unstated is marked “not published” rather than estimated.
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