Category: School Fundraising

School fundraising

Cookie Dough Fundraiser

What is a cookie dough fundraiser?
The basic concept is the same as all order taker fundraisers. You equip your sellers with a brochure, an order form, and a basic sales script.
Your group does catalog sales of a three-pound tub of cookie dough. Average retail price is $10 per three-pound tub.  The dough comes in a wide variety of flavors, including some that are sugar free.

Some suppliers are now offering the dough in pre-sliced packages to further simplify the baking process.

Others are offering it in a dry mix that doesn’t need to be refrigerated. All you do is add water, mix by hand, and you have your cookie dough ready for baking.
 

Profitability

Most fundraising companies offer the three-pound tubs of cookie dough at a 40%-50% discount. Some suppliers also offer a larger four-pond tub for slightly more.

Cookie dough needs to be refrigerated, so this fundraiser requires a little more delivery preparation.  Kids like selling this because it’s something that they enjoy themselves.

The average seller makes ten sales or approximately $100 in revenue. That translates to roughly $50 in profit per seller, which is quite good.

Factors affecting your cookie dough fundraiser profitability include freight charges, quantity discounts, quality of the brochure, number of available cookie dough choices, and the need to keep the dough refrigerated.

This product works well for both elementary school and high school fundraising.

Larger groups can easily earn a quantity discount above 50%. As always, do an RFQ fax quote to the supplier list and get your best possible discount up front.
 

Sales Tips

Here’s what they need to do to sell:

  1. Smile, use their name in greeting, and introduce yourself
  2. Use the power of “because” (give a reason why)
  3. Ask for their help (ask for the order)
  4. Make eye contact and suggest a favorite
     

Example sales script:  (Keep it short & sweet)

Hi, Mrs. Johnson!   (Smile and make eye contact)

I’m Jimmy Roberts from down the street.   (Hand over sales flyer with large bold print)

Our school is doing a cookie dough fundraiser because we need new computers.

Can you help us out with a $10 contribution? That gets you a three-pound tub of cookie dough. My favorite is the chocolate chip, but peanut butter is real popular too!

(Pause and wait for a response)
The important points are to smile, use a sales flyer, use the word because, ask for their help, and suggest an order size, then wait for a response.

Each prospect has a potential dollar value to your organization. Don’t waste prospects by not being prepared. Make sure all your sellers know what to say and how to say it.
 

Candle Fundraisers

Candle fundraisers are your basic order taker fundraiser. You need to do more than just show pictures of candles. Showing fragrant samples will dramatically boost your candle fundraiser’s results.

The basic concept is the same as all order taker fundraisers. You equip your sellers with a brochure, an order form, and a basic sales script.

The brochure describes the various candle selections and provides details on color, aroma, size, shape, weight, and container type. Price points are usually on the order form itself.

Unlike candy or cookie dough, it’s easy for your sellers to carry samples. Their non-perishable nature makes them a great fit for weeklong sales efforts.

One of the great things about candle fundraisers is how the aroma of your samples makes the selling process so much easier. Most buyers will sniff several samples and imagine how the candles will fill their homes with their pleasant smells.

Perennial favorites are french vanilla, bayberry, apple, pumpkin spice, apple cinnamon, holiday pine, melon burst, and citrus breeze.

Candle sizes range from small two-ounce votive candles all the way up to giant three-pound ball or bell-shaped versions with multiple wicks.

Several fundraising companies have candles in decorative shapes like various fruits, animals, wizards, trees, and figurines. In addition, large rectangles, cylinders, half-rounds, and tapers are always readily available.

Some companies also offer container-based candles which burn more slowly and safely. They also avoid messy cleanup problems. Popular styles are Mason jars, jars with handles, jars with screw tops, and square glass containers.
 

Profitability

Most fundraising companies offer their candles at a 50% discount. Some suppliers also offer a larger discount for higher volume sales.

The average seller makes five to seven sales. Many of these sales are multi-unit buys, so they average about $80 in revenue. That translates to roughly $40 in profit per seller, which is quite good.

Factors affecting your candle fundraisers profitability include freight charges, quantity discounts, quality of the brochure, number of available candle choices, the motivation level of your sellers, and the duration of your fundraising activities. And of course, the most important factor is having fragrant samples in the hands of your sellers.

This product works well for both elementary school and high school fundraising.

Larger groups can easily earn a quantity discount above 50%. As always, do an RFQ fax quote to the candle supplier list and lock-in your best possible discount up front.

Fundraising Tips

Nearly all youth sports teams require fundraising of some kind to cover the cost of uniforms, equipment, camps, trips and so on. As your funding needs multiply, the amount of work to raise those funds can multiply as well.

Expanding costs often require having to do multiple fundraisers throughout the course of the season. Don’t burn out your volunteers and players. Instead of multiple fundraisers, increase your bottom line with one fundraiser.

Here are five simple fundraising tips:

Tip #1 – Power Up
Tip #2 – Take It Easy
Tip #3 – Make It Quick
Tip #4 – Always Tell Why
Tip #5 – Ask For Donations
#1 – Power Up (With An Overlay)

Trust me, not everyone will want your primary offering. You can add as much as 50% to your fundraising results with a secondary product or “overlay”. Everybody loves having a choice, just don’t make it confusing or a product that competes with your primary fundraising item.

If you’re selling candy or cookie dough, you can also offer a discount card for pizza or a two-for-one deal at a popular fast food chain.

Most discount cards are heavy on the profit and appeal to wider range of supporters. Discount cards are most often valid for one year, allowing you to offer the same or a similar card for next year’s fundraiser overlay.

Discount cards from national fast food or pizza chains will have the most appeal. People can use them on vacation, or buy extras for family and friends.

Make sure the alternate choice is straightforward and easy to explain to supporters. One or two sentences should explain it all.

Always lead with your primary item, but be sure to offer the overlay item whether they make an initial purchase or not.

Example: “If the candy doesn’t appeal to you, we’ve got a great discount card. You get a free pizza with every one you buy at Pizza Palace!”

By broadening your appeal beyond candy lovers to include everyone who enjoys fast food, you’ll easily maximize your bottom line.

#2 – Take It Easy

Go where the people are – shopping centers. It’s what fighter pilots  refer to as a “target rich environment.” Your players can reach dozens of qualified prospects each hour.

Why are they qualified? Because they’re already out shopping and thus, receptive to a good sales pitch. Don’t just send your troops door-to-door. Work a simple sales table outside a popular department or grocery store. Be sure to ask the  manager’s permission at least a week ahead of time.

Work the table in 90-minute shifts. Use two players, preferably in uniform. Have an adult present behind the table to handle details and track results. (Never allow children to sell alone!)

A folding camp chair greatly helps the “take it easy” approach for the sales supervisor.

A few sales tips – Always greet everyone with a smile. Leave a clear path to the sample merchandise. Make a sign big enough for approaching shoppers to see.

Encourage the kids to use their personality and youth to best advantage. Make sure they talk up the product from their point of view.

#3 – Make It Quick

Let’s face it, people are in a hurry. You want your message to “register” with your prospect in ten seconds or less. If you’re selling from a card table at a shopping center, use simple signs in bold colors. Deliver the gist of your offering clearly and concisely.

Signs made by the team have more appeal than a more “professional” looking sign. A few helium balloons can also attract more people to your sales table.

Example: Football Fundraiser – Free Candy w/Donation

If your team is selling door-to-door, always use a flyer that explains everything. Make sure that your sellers hand the flyer to each prospect as they smile and introduce themselves.

Use bullet points to quickly get the message across.

#4 – Always Tell Why

Your message should always include why your team is raising funds. People enjoy helping out a good cause. Failing to explain what your effort is all about makes it easier for folks to just say no.

Example: “We’re raising money for new uniforms.”

Example: “We’re going to the Regional Championships!”

Each player has a vested interest in raising enough money for the team. This enthusiasm will come through. Show them how to persuade a potential supporter just by telling them why.

#5 – Ask For Donations

Let’s face it, not everyone will want what you’re selling, no matter how great it is. Make sure that your sellers make it clear that a simple donation is always welcomed.

List suggested donation amounts at the bottom of your sales flyer or order form.

If you’re fundraising at a shopping center, keep a big plastic jug clearly labeled “Donations” in a prominent place on your sales table.

By making it easy for someone to make a donation, you’ve eliminated the merchandise requirement.

Any donation goes 100% to the bottom line!

Summary
Using any of these five profit boosters will help maximize your results.

Even better, why not use all of these fundraising tips to boost your bottom line.

Fundraisers

Fundraising Tips

Cheerleading Fundraisers

Cheerleading fundraisers are the ultimate in small group fundraising.
Cheerleaders possess boundless energy, determination, and loads
of contacts (for potential supporters).

Harnessing all this energy and enthusiasm can be a challenge,
but having the right cheerleading fundraiser is a great start. You
want to leverage their skills by giving them an exciting fundraising
product to sell.

So, what cheerleading fundraising ideas will generate excitement?

In this article, we’ll consider three types of cheer fundraisers. Each involves doing something a little different, each of them are easy to do, and each fundraiser packs a profit punch.
 

Cheer Fundraiser #1

One unique approach for a cheerleading fundraiser is offering custom
posters of school sports teams or of the cheerleaders themselves.

For instance, feature the team photo of the football team, or use a
series of action photos. Each can be turned into a wall-sized poster
or a fundraising calendar.

Add some allure to these cheerleading fundraisers by including your
game schedule or team slogan printed on it in a contrasting color.

You could also design one to celebrate your championship teams,
commemorate your previous titles, intensify a cross-town rivalry,
recognize all of your school’s sports teams on a spirit poster,
or feature the cheerleading squad in action.

Any of these items is sure to be popular with a wide range of
students. Local businesses will often buy one to put in their
front window. Players will want a souvenir copy suitable for
end-of-season autographs. Proud parents and grandparents will
want their own keepsake copy.

The posters can be sold easily at pep rallies, sporting events,
through the school store, and by the cheerleaders themselves via
a merchant table at a high-traffic location on a weekend.

Think of creative ways to design and market your own unique set
of cheerleading posters. Consider adding merchant sponsor logos
to reduce the cost. You could also cross-promote with another school
on a rivalry poster and double the overall market.

For more information, contact

Fieldhouse Fundraising
 

Cheer Fundraiser #2

Another idea for cheerleading fundraising is selling customized
Holiday Greetings CD’s. This is a brochure or order-taker sale
of a personalized selection of holiday music favorites.

One of the nice things about this product is that a purchaser
selects their ten favorite holiday songs by checking off boxes
on a list of thirty classics.

Included in the choices are favorites such as Let It Snow, White
Christmas, Jingle Bells, and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.

These are licensed copies of the original recordings by the
original artists, assembled on a personalized CD that costs
your group a mere $4 each.

A retail price of $10 coupled with the ability for the customer to
order a personalized message on each copy, make these a great
cheerleading fundraiser.

The CD’s are available in six basic designs – Singing Snow Men,
Rudolph, Christmas Tree, Peace On Earth, Kwanzaa, and Happy
Hanukkah.

There is room for a holiday greeting of up to thirty characters on
each design. For example, the Christmas Tree version has the
phrase “Merry Christmas” in green and red, with space below it
for a “From the XYZ Family” greeting.

Shipments are sorted by salesperson and customer, making your
delivery a very simple task indeed.

Find out more information from the source of this great holiday
cheer fundraiser:

Holiday Greeting CD
 

Cheer Fundraiser #3

A third type of cheerleading fundraiser that creates an air of
excitement is selling flowering “airplants.”

Airplants, or more properly, Tillandsias, are unique, soil-free plants
that absorb nutrients and water through their leaves. All they need
is air, water, and light.

Tillandsias are attractive and fascinating members of the
pineapple family (Bromeliaceae). Their native habitat is the
southern United States, Mexico, and Central and South America.

Bromeliads – Tillandsias – can be placed in anything: rocks,
shells, pottery, driftwood, around water fountains, fish tanks,
etc. They like bright, indirect lighting, and a heavy spraying
or soaking two or three times a week.

They have a growth cycle starting with one plant growing to
maturity, then blooming. One to two months after the blooming
has finished, new plants form around the base of the “mother”
plant. Each will continue growing and reproducing if given the
proper care.

A cheerleading fundraiser Airplant package consists of a beautiful
example of the Bromeliad family, comfortably ensconced in a natural
seashell holder.

Your group pays $3 per Airplant, including the seashell holder,
shipping and handling. Each Tillandsia retails for $6, so your
cheerleading fundraiser is ensured a good profit margin.

You can organize your sale as a special event or as an add-on
to a regular gathering. Set up a table with your sales display
and place a colorful Tillandsia poster on the wall behind to let
your prospective customers see how beautiful these Airplants
are in full bloom.

You can also conduct your cheerleading fundraiser as an order-
taker from a sales brochure. Each brochure contains colorful
pictures of these exotic, but easy to care for, plants.

Simple text explanations are included describing the simple steps
involved in nourishing these fabulous specimens.

For more information on doing an Airplant cheerleading fundraiser,
contact the largest Tillandsia source:

Airplants

All three of these fundraising products will add some excitement
to your next cheerleading fundraiser.

When all the participants are enthusiastic about offering something
new and unique, it packs a powerful profit punch.

Here’s to making your next fundraiser a resounding success.

Cheers!
 

School Fundraising Ideas

Cheerleading Fundraisers

Dance Fundraiser

The Dance-a-Thon is not an original idea, but using it as one of your primary fundraisers might be. Kids love it, especially at the middle school and high school level. Whether your group holds many fundraisers throughout the year, or relies on one large fundraiser, this might be a good solution.

A Dance-a-Thon is probably most suited to school fundraising, but it could also be adapted to other groups as well. If you are investigating a Dance-a-Thon for a school fundraiser, a word to the wise, do it early in the school year.

That is, within the first three months of the school year. If you go too late in the year, apathy can set in not only with students, but with the volunteers you’ll need to pull it off.

The main expense for a Dance-a-Thon is the DJ. It’s best not to use live music with a band since you will want to have a variety of music and it’s hard to do that with a live band. Don’t skimp on the DJ!

 Choose one with good references, a large music collection, and good equipment. This will be the primary focus of your event, so don’t cheap it out.

The profits will come from ticket sales and concessions. To make sure your event is well attended, publicity is the key. Publicize the event well in advance, and keep the push on until the day of the Dance-a-Thon.

To make concession sales a big part of your profits, have the good stuff. Give ‘em what they want! Pizza, popcorn, candy, bag chips and not the cheap kind, even fast food brought in from a nearby eatery work best.

Additional profits can also come from having a raffle at the event. Tickets can be pre-sold and sold at the event for prizes that people really want.

Depending on the size and age of your group, small electronics work well. Raffle off a CD player, DVD player, MP3 player, and so on. Local businesses may be willing to donate prizes or sell them to you at cost.

Another way to make sure you get the most profit from your Dance-a-Thon is to sell Shout-Outs for about a dollar. A shout out is a message that is read by the DJ to the crowd between songs.

For example, “Here’s a Shout Out from Kimberly to all her soccer team buddies. Wildcats Rule!”

You’ll need to have slips of paper pre-printed so the Shout Outs can be submitted that include:

To:
From:
Message:

Give a few to every teacher about a week before the Dance-a-Thon and ask them to distribute them to deserving students. Once the first few Shout Outs are done, everyone will want a piece of the action. Be sure to have lots of volunteers working the Shout Outs table after that!

One last note about Dance-a-Thons; they can be pretty labor intensive so be sure to line up your volunteers early. One middle school in North Carolina had a Dance-a-Thon and the promise to the volunteers was this:

We hope to make enough money with the Dance-a-Thon that we won’t have to have another major fundraiser for the rest of the school year! That’s right, no wrapping paper, no magazine sales, no selling fruit baskets.

Watch the volunteers clamor to help and watch your groups profits soar.
 

Fundraising Ideas

Dance Fundraiser