Hidden Gems: Meet Joanna Serra of Fundraiser Blankets®

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joanna Serra.

Hi Joanna, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Our journey began as immigrants from Poland, just our single mother and us kids, navigating a new life in America. We were raised in Hamtramck and later in South Warren, where we learned early on that education would be our key to building a better future. I pursued my passion for learning at Wayne State University and went on to become an award-winning teacher for over a decade. My sister, Barbara, took a different path and graduated from West Point, serving honorably in the U.S. Army for 15 years.
As fate would have it, both of our careers reached a turning point around the same time. Barbara, transitioning from military life, began sewing as a creative outlet and a way to process the shift. What started as small projects like car seat ponchos and decorative tapestries quickly gained interest from local friends and evolved into an online business. From the beginning, we were committed to designing products with purpose.
During the pandemic, when families across the country faced unprecedented challenges, we launched Learning Blankets®, soft throws designed with educational themes to make at-home learning more engaging for children. This was my way as a former teacher to help families. That experience planted a seed for something even bigger.
While actively involved in our children’s schools, we noticed both were always struggling with low profit difficult fundraisers. Given that we were already manufacturing blankets, we saw an opportunity to create spirit-themed mascot blankets for the schools. With the support of a forward-thinking principal, we produced the first batch and they sold out within days. Word of mouth spread rapidly, and it became clear that we had created something truly special. That was the moment Fundraiser Blankets® was born.
Today, we are proud to be a family-operated, certified service-disabled combat veteran, military spouse, women-owned, and teacher-owned business founded by two determined Polish sisters. We just made the INC5000 (#444) and VET100 (#35) lists for our rapid growth! Our mission is to reimagine how schools, teams, and organizations raise funds by replacing unhealthy snacks and disposable trinkets with high-quality, custom-designed memorable blankets that people love to use and gift.
In 2024 alone, we partnered with over 4,500 schools across the United States. Our blankets have helped not only schools, but also sports teams, nonprofits, churches, small businesses, and shelters create pride, connection, and successful fundraising campaigns. In the last year, we added a printing facility in Michigan for quicker turn around times and with a focus on quality and community impact.
As a former educator, I continue to bring a deep passion for learning, creativity, and service into everything we do. Now fully devoted to our business, I focus on brand development, strategic growth, and building strong partnerships across the country. Outside of work, I stay connected to my community through volunteer work, gardening, bird watching, and constant learning from other inspiring entrepreneurs.
We built Fundraiser Blankets® to create more than just a product. We’re building a movement, one custom cozy blanket at a time.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Our business was founded and is operated by a sister duo with backgrounds in both military service and education. With no formal business training, we turned to Google as our classroom and learned everything from the ground up. We pride ourselves on being highly resourceful, seeking expert guidance when necessary, and actively participating in entrepreneurial programs that allow us to build meaningful relationships with others on similar journeys. We are fully bootstrapped, proudly owning 100 percent of our company, and today we lead a growing team of 40 dedicated individuals.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What truly sets our business apart is our personal connection to the customers we serve. Most of our clients are PTO and PTA groups, led by volunteer parents, mostly moms, just like us. As two active school moms and one former educator, we understand the challenges and needs of school fundraising on a personal level. This relatability creates a sense of trust and partnership that larger, more impersonal companies simply cannot offer.

We provide a unique fundraising solution that is risk-free and designed to be flexible. Schools are not required to pay anything upfront and they have full control over their pricing and profits. Our custom, trademarked Fundraiser Blankets® feature creative, school-spirited designs that double as keepsakes families are proud to own.

Our products stand out because they combine high impact with low cost versus the traditional fundraisers we are used to feeling obligated to participate in for decades. They are affordable for families, yet generate strong profits for schools. We also offer fast turnaround times, complimentary promotional tools, and unmatched customer support.

With over 215 five-star Google reviews and a growing base of loyal, repeat customers, much of our growth has been driven by organic referrals. The feedback we receive from schools and parent groups is a testament to the trust we’ve built and the quality we deliver.

As a fully bootstrapped, women-owned, veteran-led business, we take great pride in every blanket we create. We are passionate about making a real difference for schools and communities through fundraising that is simple, effective, and meaningful. With our custom blankets starting at just $10.50 shipped, it’s a win win!

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
We are working toward becoming a go-to fundraising solution that offers a curated catalog of high-quality, affordable items that families are proud to purchase and truly find valuable.

Pricing:

• $10.50 custom blankets

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fundraiserblankets.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopbirdyboutique/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShopBirdyBoutique/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-jozwik-serra-b43055160/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwTQ1CJTox6ujNZZYYf–Rw