QuickBooksIntuit
Mandatoryating system software installed, along with a Microsoft Office software suite containing Word and Excel; (iii) the ability to run the accounting/bookkeeping software we designate, QuickBooks; (iv) an
From the filings
HQ-led decisions
Fundraising University
EducationSoftware purchasing at Fundraising University is controlled at the franchisor level, with mandated systems including a proprietary ERP and QuickBooks. The franchise operates 67 total units (59 franchised, 8 company-owned) with an average unit volume of $762,583. For software vendors, this represents a compact but growing addressable market of 67 locations, with 18% year-over-year unit growth signaling potential expansion of the tech footprint.
For software vendors selling into US franchise brands.
Live signals
Total units
81
78 franchised
Unit growth YoY
—
vs prior filing
AUV
$536K
Item 19, 2024
Royalty
8%
of gross sales
Ad fund
—
national + local
Initial fee
$60K
per unit
Investment range
$80K–$84K
all-in, Item 7
Procurement
Approved supplier
from the filing
Non-compete
2 years
from the filing
Item 19
Claims
from the filing
Ongoing fee load
What the operator pays every month
The recurring percentage of gross sales named in this filing. It is a floor, not a total — the filing discloses one of the two headline fees.
8%+of gross sales (FY2026)
15% reference
Mandated & recommended tech
The systems vendors compete with
1 of these are mandated in the franchise agreement. Each is named in Item 11 of the filing, the incumbents a challenger must displace or integrate with.
Franchisor behaviours
What the franchisor requires
27 requirements the franchisor states in this filing, each in its own words; 3 explicit no's; 4 questions the text does not settle, which is not a no.
Accounting
Must the franchisee use an accounting or bookkeeping system designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesItem 8
Franchisees will enter into a direct agreement with the designated accounting firm and are responsible for the costs of these services, which currently range from $150 to $270 per month but are subject to change.
Does the franchisor have direct or independent electronic access to the franchisee's financial, sales or customer records?
YesItem 11
You must give us independent access to the information that will be generated or stored in these systems.
Must the franchisee submit periodic financial statements (monthly, quarterly or annual) to the franchisor?
YesItem 11
You must also submit your full financial statements to us monthly.
How the franchisor buys
Is the franchisor or an affiliate itself a supplier of required products, services or systems?
YesItem 8
As of the date of this Disclosure Document, we, or our affiliates, are the Approved Suppliers for certain services, supplies, equipment, and inventory required for the establishment and operation of your Fundraising University franchise, as determined by us and outlined in the Operations Manual.
Does the franchisor reserve the right to change designated suppliers or systems at any time?
YesFranchise agreement
Fundraising U Franchising may change any such requirement or change the status of any vendor.
How much revenue did the franchisor and its affiliates earn from franchisee purchases in the last fiscal year?
0Item 8
During our previous fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, we did not receive any revenue from any required purchases or leases.
Does the franchisor or an affiliate receive rebates, commissions or other revenue from designated or approved suppliers?
YesFranchise agreement
Fundraising U Franchising may receive rebates, payments, or other consideration from vendors in connection with purchases by franchisees.
Item 8 gives this proportion in one of two shapes: separate percentages for establishing the business and for operating it, or one figure covering "establishing and operating" together. Where they are separate, answer with the operating percentage; where the passage gives only the combined figure, answer with that. What percentage of the franchisee's purchases must come from designated or approved suppliers?
80Item 8
We estimate that the required purchases and leases of goods and services to operate your business are 80% to 100% of your total purchases and leases of goods and services to operate your business.
Does the franchisor charge a fee to evaluate a proposed supplier?
YesItem 8
There is no fee for us to review or approve up to three alternate suppliers, but you must pay us $150 per alternate supplier, past the first three, that you request us to review.
Can a franchisee propose a new supplier for the franchisor's approval?
YesItem 8
If you want to use a supplier that is not on our list of approved suppliers, you must request our approval in writing.
Communications
Does the franchisor own or control the business telephone numbers, or take them over when the agreement ends?
YesFranchise agreement
notify the telephone, internet, email, electronic network, directory, and listing entities of the termination or expiration of Franchisee’s right to use any numbers, addresses, domain names, locators, directories and listings associated with any of the Marks, and authorize their transfer to Fundraising U Franchising…
Data and IT
Must the franchisee comply with PCI, data-security or cybersecurity standards set by the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee must at all times comply with payment card industry data security standards (PCI-DSS).
Franchise management
Must the franchisee participate in a customer-satisfaction or net-promoter survey program?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee shall participate at its own expense in programs required from time to time by Fundraising U Franchising for obtaining customer evaluations and/or reviewing Franchisee’s compliance with the System, which may include (but are not limited to) a customer feedback system, customer survey programs, and mystery…
Does the franchisor conduct periodic inspections, audits or evaluations of the franchised business?
YesFranchise agreement
Fundraising U Franchising may accompany Franchisee or its personnel on any services performed for a customer to conduct an evaluation.
Can the franchisor change the operations manual and brand standards unilaterally?
YesFranchise agreement
Fundraising U Franchising may supplement, revise, or modify the Manual, and Fundraising U Franchising may change, add or delete System Standards at any time in its discretion.
Marketing
Is the franchisee required to spend a minimum amount on local advertising or marketing, as a percentage of sales or a fixed amount?
YesFranchise agreement
You must spend a minimum amount each month on local marketing.
Must the franchisee participate in a customer loyalty or rewards program?
YesFranchise agreement
At its own expense, Franchisee shall sell or otherwise issue gift cards, certificates, or other pre-paid systems, and participate in any customer loyalty programs, membership/subscription programs, or customer incentive programs, designated by Fundraising U Franchising, in the manner specified by Fundraising U…
Must the franchisee participate in a regional advertising cooperative when one exists?
YesItem 11
We have the right to require you to participate in a local or regional advertising cooperative.
Operations
Must the franchisee buy products from a designated distributor?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee shall acquire all Inputs required by Fundraising U Franchising from time to time in accordance with System Standards.
Must equipment be purchased from designated or approved suppliers?
YesItem 8
To ensure uniformity and consistency across the System, you are required to purchase specific goods, services, supplies, and equipment, including technology, and software (e.g., ERP software and productivity tools), from us or from our Approved Suppliers, as specified in the Operations Manual or otherwise in writing.
Payments
Must the franchisee use a payment processor or merchant-services provider designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesItem 8
You must process your credit card payments through our proprietary software.
Must the franchisee participate in a gift card program?
YesFranchise agreement
At its own expense, Franchisee shall sell or otherwise issue gift cards, certificates, or other pre-paid systems, and participate in any customer loyalty programs, membership/subscription programs, or customer incentive programs, designated by Fundraising U Franchising, in the manner specified by Fundraising U…
People
Must employees wear uniforms specified by the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee shall cause its personnel to comply with any dress attire, uniform, personal appearance and hygiene standards set forth in the Manual.
Point of sale
Must the franchisee use a specific point-of-sale system designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee shall give Fundraising U Franchising unlimited access to Franchisee’s point of sale system and other software systems used in the Business, by any means designated by Fundraising U Franchising.
Does the franchisor have independent access to the data in the franchisee's POS or computer system?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee shall give Fundraising U Franchising unlimited access to Franchisee’s point of sale system and other software systems used in the Business, by any means designated by Fundraising U Franchising.
Training
Can the franchisor charge the franchisee for additional, refresher or remedial training?
YesItem 11
We reserve the right to impose a reasonable fee for tuition and/or attendance for all additional training programs, including the annual business meeting or conference.
Is attendance at an annual convention or conference mandatory for the franchisee?
YesItem 11
You must attend both the January conference and the July conference.
The filing answers no to 3 questions
- Is there a franchisee advisory council, association or committee?Item 20
- Must the franchisor approve the franchisee's site or location before opening?Item 11
- Does the franchisor require minimum staffing levels or specific roles?Item 11
The vendor opportunity at Fundraising University
Fundraising University operates 67 total units—59 franchised and 8 company-owned—with an average unit volume of $762,583. The franchise grew unit count by 18% year-over-year, indicating an expanding footprint that may require additional software support. All 20 mapped operators are single-unit franchisees, with no multi-unit operators reported. Locations are spread across five states: DC (1), PA (1), NY (1), MD (1), and WV (1), with the remaining units not geographically detailed in the FDD. For software vendors, the immediate addressable market is 67 locations, but the growth trajectory and renewal structure suggest future opportunities as the system scales.
Who controls software purchasing
Based on the 2024 FDD, software purchasing authority appears centralized at the franchisor level. Michael Charles Bahun is listed as the Agent for Service of Process, and no other HQ executives are disclosed, suggesting a lean management structure where top leadership directly controls technology decisions. The mandate of specific systems—an ERP, proprietary software, and QuickBooks—reinforces that the franchisor, not individual franchisees, dictates the tech stack. Vendors should target HQ for any software pitch, as franchisees are unlikely to have independent purchasing authority for core operational tools.
Mandated and current tech stack
The FDD mandates three systems: an ERP system (vendor not specified), a proprietary Fundraising University software program, and QuickBooks by Intuit Inc. The proprietary software likely handles fundraising-specific operations, while QuickBooks covers accounting. The unnamed ERP suggests a possible integration point or replacement opportunity for vendors offering ERP solutions tailored to education or fundraising. No POS, CRM, or other operational tech is disclosed as mandated, leaving potential gaps for vendors to explore if the franchisor is open to supplementary tools.
Procurement, renewals, and timing
Item 8 of the FDD provides no extract on procurement, meaning the franchisor does not publicly disclose a designated supplier list or approved vendor process. This lack of transparency may indicate either an open procurement model or simply that details are not shared in the FDD. Renewal terms offer a potential window for software evaluation: franchisees can renew for unlimited additional 5-year terms by paying a $5,000 renewal fee and providing six months' notice. With initial 10-year terms and a growing unit count, vendors may find opportunities as franchisees approach renewal and must comply with then-current standards, which could include updated technology requirements.
How to read the Fundraising University FDD
The 2024 Fundraising University FDD is embedded below for full review. It contains the complete legal and operational disclosures, including Item 1 (executives), Item 11 (mandated systems), Item 17 (renewal conditions), and Item 20 (outlet summary). Vendors should focus on these sections to understand the decision-making structure, current tech mandates, and contractual timelines that influence software purchasing. For a ranked target list of franchise systems aligned with your software, FranCloud can help identify the best-fit opportunities.
Questions vendors ask
Fundraising University, answered from the filing
The FDD lists Michael Charles Bahun as Agent for Service of Process, suggesting centralized control. No other HQ executives are disclosed, indicating a lean leadership structure where purchasing decisions likely rest with top management.
The 2024 FDD mandates an ERP system, a proprietary Fundraising University software program, and QuickBooks by Intuit Inc. No other systems are disclosed as required.
There are 67 total units: 59 franchised and 8 company-owned. All 20 mapped operators are single-unit, with locations spread across DC, PA, NY, MD, and WV.
The FDD does not disclose a specific procurement model in Item 8. No designated supplier or approved supplier list is provided, leaving the procurement structure unclear for vendors.
Initial franchise terms are 10 years, with unlimited 5-year renewals requiring a $5,000 fee and six months' notice. Renewal cycles and 18% unit growth may create periodic openings for new software evaluation.
The 2024 FDD is filed with state franchise regulators. You can view it directly in the embedded PDF viewer below for full details on tech mandates, contracts, and operations.
Source
Read the filing itself
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FDD alert
Tell me when this brand refiles.
We’ll email you the moment Fundraising University files a new annual FDD, usually the freshest signal of a vendor change.
Operator footprint
Who runs the locations
35 operators run 35 mapped locations. 0 of them are multi-unit. Aggregate counts from the filing; no names.
Operators by units owned
Single-unit35
Top states by locations
| NY | 1 |
|---|---|
| DC | 1 |
| PA | 1 |
Related Education brands
Primary franchise filings · updated June 2026. Every figure is source-traceable and QA-checked.