Protect Your Group
Why TCPA Compliance Matters for Every School Fundraiser
Understanding the TCPA
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) is a federal law enacted to safeguard consumers from unsolicited communications via phone calls, text messages, and faxes. Every fundraising platform that sends texts on behalf of students or parents must comply — no exceptions.
The Risk of Non-Compliance
Consider a typical fundraising campaign:
- 100 participants
- Each sending approximately 3,000 text invitations
Without proper compliance, each unauthorized message could incur a penalty of up to $1,500, leading to a potential liability of $4,500,000 for a single campaign.
Protecting Our Community
Respecting TCPA rules isn't just about avoiding fines — it's how we keep our community safe, harassment-free, and trusted. The FCC makes it simple — even anonymous — to report violators, which is why compliance is critical for every school and organization.
Real cases prove the danger to school organizations: Blackboard paid $7.5M in a TCPA settlement, and the FCC warns schools directly about automated calls and texts.
Competitor Practices to Watch Out For
As an industry insider, we've seen platforms cut corners that may expose schools and sponsors to serious TCPA liability. Recent examples:
Vertical Raise
Sends campaign texts from a web-based system and unknown company numbers without prior consent. This creates major TCPA risk.
TeamFunded
Has an app that could send texts directly from students' devices, but instead routes every message through an autodialer. A dangerous gamble for schools.
MoneyDolly
Starts compliant (first text from student's phone) but follows up with unauthorized automated texts — a clear violation.
⚠️ These are not the only violators. The entire industry is plagued with willful violations, leaving schools exposed to multi-million-dollar lawsuits.
Protect your school — before choosing any platform, ask:
- Do all messages originate from the student's phone?
- Does the company post clear TCPA compliance info on its website?
- Can they provide proof if asked?
If you can't find answers, you've found the risk.
Why Choose Donate2Support?
- We explicitly state our TCPA compliance on our platform.
- Our systems ensure all communications adhere to legal standards, protecting your organization from potential fines.
Selecting the Right Platform
When evaluating fundraising partners, look for:
- Clear TCPA compliance statements
- Transparent communication practices
- Use of reputable, consent-based messaging
Partner with Confidence
By choosing Donate2Support, you align with a platform that prioritizes legal compliance and the long-term success of your fundraising program.
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Disclaimer: Based on publicly available information as of August 2025; accuracy not guaranteed. Provided for educational/reference purposes only — verify via official sources. Not liable for actions taken on this information. For corrections or suggestions, please use our Contact Us Form.
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