What is a Party Book?
A party book is a beloved community fundraising tradition — members of your community host events they love, and other community members buy tickets to attend. Every ticket sold puts money toward your cause.
Party Book brings this tradition online, making it easy for schools, nonprofits, and community groups to run a full fundraising event catalog without the paperwork.
A Tradition Worth Keeping
For decades, school PTAs and community nonprofits have used party books as a creative alternative to bake sales and car washes. Instead of selling goods, members of the community volunteer to host social events — a dinner party, a cooking class, a backyard concert — and other members of the community buy tickets to attend.
The result is something genuinely special: fundraising that brings people together rather than just asking for donations. People make new friends, discover hidden talents in their neighbors, and feel proud to be part of a community that takes care of each other.
The only problem? Traditionally it was all done on paper — spreadsheets, cash payments, and endless email chains. We built Party Book to modernize the whole thing while keeping everything that makes it great.
How It Works — Step by Step
Four steps from setup to funds in your account
Community funded!
Types of Events You Can Host
The best party books feature a variety of events that appeal to the whole community
Who Uses Party Book?
How the Money Works
Transparent, straightforward, no surprises
Free to start
There is no cost to create an organization or start your party book. We do not charge monthly fees or setup fees.
Platform fee
Party Book charges a small fee on each ticket to keep the platform running: just $0.25 per ticket on tickets $5 and under, or $0.50 + 1.5% on tickets over $5 (never more than $8). On a $50 ticket, that is just $1.25.
Payment processing
Stripe's standard processing fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. This is the same rate any small business pays. On a $50 ticket, that is about $1.75.
Tax deductibility
When a ticket costs more than $75, the amount above $75 may be tax-deductible as a charitable contribution (the first $75 is considered the fair market value of what the attendee received). Your organization should confirm deductibility with your tax advisor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a party book?
A party book is a community fundraiser where members of your group host social events — dinners, workshops, concerts, outdoor adventures — and other community members buy tickets to attend. The ticket revenue goes to your organization. It is called a party book because traditionally all the events were printed and bound into a physical book that was sold to participants.
How much does it cost to use Party Book?
Party Book is free to set up. When tickets are sold, we charge a small platform fee — $0.25 per ticket on tickets $5 and under, or $0.50 + 1.5% on tickets over $5 (never more than $8 per ticket) — plus Stripe's standard payment processing fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. There are no monthly fees, setup fees, or hidden costs.
How do I get the money raised?
You add your bank account during setup. When attendees buy tickets, the funds (minus the platform fee and Stripe's processing fee) are deposited directly to your bank account. Party Book never holds your money.
Can anyone buy tickets to our events?
Yes. Your organization gets a public-facing event catalog page that you can share with your whole community. Anyone with the link can browse events and buy tickets. You control which events are published and when.
What types of events work best?
Events with a personal touch tend to sell well — a home-cooked dinner, a skill-sharing workshop, or an outdoor adventure hosted by someone who is passionate about it. Variety is key: aim for events at different price points, times, and types so there is something for everyone.
Is Party Book only for schools?
Not at all. Party Book works for any community-driven organization: school PTAs and PTOs, nonprofits, neighborhood associations, faith communities, sports teams, civic clubs, and more. If your group raises money through events, Party Book is designed for you.
How do tax deductions work?
When a ticket price exceeds $75, the amount above $75 may be tax-deductible as a charitable contribution, provided your organization is a registered 501(c)(3). The first $75 is considered the fair market value of the experience. Always confirm deductibility details with your tax advisor.
What if an event gets cancelled?
Hosts can cancel events through the platform. When an event is cancelled, ticket holders receive a full refund. We handle the refund process automatically through Stripe. Stripe's processing fees are not refunded, which is Stripe's standard policy.
We’re not tech people. How long does it take to set up?
Most organizers publish their first event in under 30 minutes. If you can fill out a form and upload a photo, you can set up an event on Party Book. No installations, no developers, no training sessions required.
Is it safe for our members to enter their credit card information?
Yes. All payments are processed by Stripe, one of the most trusted payment processors in the world, which is PCI-DSS Level 1 certified — the highest security standard for handling card data. Your members’ card numbers are never stored on Party Book’s servers.
Are we locked into a contract or subscription?
No. There is no contract, no subscription, and no cancellation fee. You can use Party Book for a single event and walk away, or use it for years. You’re never locked in.
If we stop using Party Book, can we take our data with us?
Absolutely. You can export your full attendee list, ticket sales, and event history at any time. Your data belongs to you, not us.
Ready to Start Your Party Book?
It takes about ten minutes to set up your organization and publish your first event. Your community is waiting.