I assume you hate buying overpriced items in order to raise funds at school or church. We all hate it, but we all continue to do it. I read someone's advice online that said we should just send in a check and say "no thanks" to the items. The organization usually takes 40-60% on the traditional fundraisers, so instead of buying $50 in stuff you don't really want, you'd be better off sending in $25 and spending the other $25 on similar items you DO want. Here's a book on it. 

BUT, since everyone else does it, and it somehow seems wrong to simply bypass the items, you continue to buy overpriced gifts for the in-laws, and nobody is satisfied.

What if there was a better system? Well, there is. Innovative School Funding and Parish Funding provide you with links to stores you actually use, like Amazon. You buy items and your cause gets money. Sure, it's not as much, but it's coming from people who are happy with their purchases and are allowed to shop around.

Think about it this way: most families spend $10,000 a year or more online each year. Let's just say that's mostly at Amazon, which gives 4-7% commissions to ISF and Parish Funding. Each family, if convinced to use the link, can generate $400-$700 in funds for the organization without getting ripped off. Without having to pick ho-hum frozen foods up on a Saturday. Without feeling contempt for the whole process. 100 families? 1000?

The catch is pretty simple: people are lazy, and deadlines with names involved get them to accomplish the task, whereas a link and a plea from a few others won't always get them going, even if all they have to do is bookmark a page and click a link. However, if your organization can create a culture shift and say that you're not going to bother with bothersome fundraisers if enough can be garnered in this truly capitalist manner, then everyone would benefit.