4 Ways to Collect Money on Sign Ups

Quick Summary

• Collect payments, registrations and donations in one place
• Simplify planning for classes, events and fundraisers
• Secure payments in advance to reduce day-of stress
• Communicate clearly with participants using automated messages
• Spend less time chasing payments and more time running great events

Planning classes, camps, seminars and fundraisers often means juggling schedules, registrations and payments all at once. Add in the task of tracking people down for fees, and even the most organized planners can feel stretched thin.

Online sign ups with built-in payments help streamline the entire process. With SignUpGenius payments, powered by Stripe, you can securely collect money at the time of sign up — reducing manual work, minimizing errors and keeping everything organized in one place. Below are several ways groups and organizations use payment sign ups to simplify planning and stay focused on their goals.

Fitness Classes and Programs

Online sign ups make it easy to manage class-based programs like Pilates, yoga or fitness training sessions. List available dates and times, then share your sign up link on your website, social media or through email so participants can register for sessions that fit their schedules.

Collecting payment during sign up helps secure spots in advance and eliminates the need to handle cash on arrival. If someone needs to cancel, they can contact the sign up organizer and refunds can be issued as needed.

To encourage repeat participation, consider offering discounts for booking multiple sessions at once. This helps build consistency for participants while creating predictable revenue for your program.

Food Fundraisers

Selling meals or baked goods is a popular and effective way to raise money. Online sign ups allow supporters to place orders in advance, helping organizers plan quantities accurately and reduce waste.

Advance ordering also creates a list of supporters you can communicate with before and after the event. Use email tools and automated reminders to share pickup details, updates or future fundraising opportunities. Donation-style sign ups can also display progress toward a fundraising goal directly on the sign up page.

School and Community Events

Schools and community groups frequently host events that require ticket sales or registration fees. Online payment sign ups allow families to view event details, register participants and purchase tickets all in one place.

You can offer flat-rate entry fees or sell tickets in set quantities to keep things simple. Payment sign ups also support selling additional items, such as event merchandise, with images included directly on the sign up page.

5K and Athletic Fundraisers

Races and athletic events are effective fundraisers for nonprofits and community organizations. Online sign ups help manage registration, collect participation fees and keep runners informed.

Registration fees can include items like race bibs, T-shirts or other event materials. Organizers can decide whether processing fees are covered by the organization or passed on to participants. Funds collected through payment sign ups can be accessed through direct deposit or mailed checks.

Simplify Payment Collection

Collecting money through online sign ups eliminates the back-and-forth of manual payment tracking. With secure processing, automated confirmations and clear reporting, organizers can confidently plan events knowing payments are handled.

By simplifying registration and payment collection, online sign ups help you stay organized, reduce stress and focus on delivering successful events.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of events can collect money through a sign up?
Online payment sign ups work well for classes, camps, fundraisers, races, ticketed events and donation campaigns.

Are payments secure?
Yes. Payments are processed securely through Stripe, a trusted payment platform.

Can I issue refunds if someone cancels?
Yes. Organizers can manage refunds directly through their payment sign up.

Can I sell items as well as collect registrations?
Absolutely. Payment sign ups support selling tickets, merchandise, meals or other items with optional images.

How do payment sign ups reduce administrative work?
By automating payment collection, confirmations, reminders and reporting, organizers spend less time on logistics and more time focusing on their event or mission.