Fund Your Religious Education Program

Sunday school curriculum, VBS decorations, confirmation retreat fees; it all adds up fast. PayIt2 makes it simple for parents to pay tuition and for the broader congregation to fund scholarships, all in one place.

Start a Religious Education Campaign
Stripe-secured • No monthly fees • Funds in 2-3 days

What Religious Education Programs Cost to Run

Religious education programs range from simple Sunday school classes to comprehensive year-round curricula. A basic Sunday school program for 30 to 50 children costs $1,000 to $3,000 per year for curriculum materials, craft supplies, snacks, and teacher training. Vacation Bible School, typically a week-long summer program, runs $1,500 to $5,000 for decorations, materials, T-shirts, snacks, and entertainment.

More structured programs carry higher costs. Hebrew school or CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) programs that meet weekly throughout the school year cost $3,000 to $8,000 annually for curriculum, materials, and teacher compensation. Adult education series with guest speakers or study materials run $500 to $2,000 per session. Confirmation preparation programs add $1,000 to $3,000 for retreat costs, materials, and sacramental preparation supplies.

Most congregations fund education through a combination of nominal tuition fees, fundraising, and general budget allocation. A PayIt2 campaign dedicated to the education program gives parents a clear way to pay tuition, lets the broader congregation contribute to scholarships for families who can't afford fees, and provides transparency about how much the program costs to run.

Sunday school (annual)
$1,000 - $3,000
Curriculum, supplies, snacks, and teacher resources
Vacation Bible School
$1,500 - $5,000
Week-long program with decorations, materials, shirts, and food
Year-round education
$3,000 - $8,000
Hebrew school, CCD, or comprehensive weekly curriculum
Confirmation prep
$1,000 - $3,000
Retreat, materials, sacramental supplies, and guest speakers

Launch the campaign at the start of the school year or enrollment period. Include a clear breakdown of what the money covers so parents and donors understand the investment. Offer a scholarship fund option for families who need assistance, and let the congregation contribute to both the program and the scholarship. Set up your education campaign so parents can register and pay in one easy step.

For strategies on collecting fees from a group and maintaining momentum:

Read: Building a Launch List Before Going Live

Browse all Religious Group options

Related: Youth Ministry · Retreats & Camps

How It Works

1

Create a Campaign

Describe the education program, list what the funds cover, and set a goal. Include enrollment information and tuition amounts. Your page is live in minutes.

2

Share With Families

Send the link to parents, include it in enrollment packets, and share with the congregation. Parents pay tuition and donors contribute to scholarships from the same page.

3

Run the Program

Funds deposit in 2-3 business days. Order curriculum, purchase supplies, and compensate teachers with money already collected.

Why PayIt2 for Religious Education

Tuition and Donations in One Place

Parents pay tuition and the congregation donates to scholarships through the same campaign. One link handles both without separate systems.

No One Left Out

Build a scholarship fund alongside tuition collection so families with financial hardship can still participate. The congregation sees the need and responds.

Clear Records for Leadership

Every payment is tracked digitally. No more chasing checks or reconciling cash envelopes. Church leadership sees exactly what has been collected and from whom.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about religious education funding

Yes. State the tuition amount clearly on the campaign page. For example, "$150 per child for the full year, or $200 for families with two or more children." PayIt2 lets participants enter any amount, so families pay their specific tuition and donors can give any amount toward the scholarship fund or general program support.
Manage scholarship applications separately from the campaign. Families who need assistance apply through the church office, and leadership reviews requests privately. The campaign simply funds the scholarship pool. This keeps financial details confidential while making it easy for the congregation to contribute to the scholarship fund alongside their own tuition payments.
Yes. Create a VBS-specific campaign with the registration fee as the suggested amount. Include program dates, age ranges, and what's included. Parents register by contributing, and you've a clear list of participants from the campaign dashboard. This replaces paper registration forms and cash collection at the church office.
Handle refund requests directly with the family outside of the platform. Set a refund policy in the campaign description, such as "Full refund if withdrawn before September 15, no refund after materials have been ordered." Clear policies upfront prevent awkward conversations later and protect the program budget.

Invest in Faith-Based Education

Set up a religious education campaign in minutes. No monthly fees, no contracts, no hidden costs. Funds in your account in 2-3 business days.

Start a Religious Education Campaign