Online fundraiser for college clubs: sell food with online orders
An online fundraiser does not have to mean asking for donations. A food fundraiser with online ordering gives supporters something they want, while the club keeps the process simple.
Cornell Craves is a free website, built by Cornell students in Ithaca, New York, where Cornell student clubs post food fundraisers and students find and order from them. Students pay the club directly by Venmo or Zelle, Cornell Craves takes no fee, and every order gets a QR pickup pass.
Money never touches Cornell Craves. Students pay the club directly over Venmo or Zelle, and there is no commission or fee.
What makes an online food fundraiser work
A clear listing
One page shows the product, the price, the goal, the pickup spots and the time windows. Students should not have to piece the details together from stories and flyers.
Ordering in a few taps
Students choose quantities, see a running total and get a confirmation. Split orders let friends share a large box.
Direct payment
Students pay the club over Venmo or Zelle, so money goes straight to your treasurer with no platform fee.
Pickup with a pass
A QR pass at pickup replaces a printed list and speeds up the line.
Online fundraiser types compared
Pure donation drives depend on generosity and pull very little from people who are not close to your club. Selling a product gives people a reason to participate. Food adds an immediate reward, and a local pickup builds community.
Getting started on Cornell Craves
Create an account, register your club, and post a drop from a template. The drop shows up in the live feed for every Cornell student.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best online fundraiser for a college club?
For campus communities, a pre-order food fundraiser with online ordering and local pickup usually outperforms plain donation requests because supporters get something in return.
Are there fees for running an online fundraiser on Cornell Craves?
No. Cornell Craves takes no fee and never handles the money.
Does Cornell Craves take a cut of the money?
No. Students pay the club directly through Venmo or Zelle. Cornell Craves never handles or holds the money and takes no fee.
Who can use Cornell Craves?
Clubs must be legitimate Cornell student organizations, and new clubs are reviewed before their first drop goes live. Ordering is for current Cornell students with an @cornell.edu Google account. Cornell Craves is an independent student project and is not run or endorsed by Cornell University. It does not replace any Cornell approval, and each club stays responsible for following university and county rules.
Contact
Questions or want to list a fundraiser? Email [email protected] or message @cornellcraves on Instagram.
Last reviewed: September 2026.