Talk about your hard workers! Band groups are awesome when it
comes to putting forth the effort it takes for fundraising success. The
key is making sure they have the right fundraiser that will leverage
all that energy.
In this article, we’ll consider three band fundraisers that:
- Take some effort
- Are perfect for medium-sized groups
- Produce excellent results
Citrus Fruit
One band fundraiser that fits the easy fundraiser formula is selling
cases of citrus fruit shipped direct from the Florida groves.
Here, the band members use an order-taker brochure to explain
the offering to prospective supporters.
You really need to go door-to-door or sell from a merchant table
to achieve the kind of numbers where you’ll raise substantial
funds. This is perfect for a band group with enough members to
canvass entire neighborhoods by working in pairs.
Customers can choose from Navel Oranges, Tangelos, Tangerines,
Red Grapefruits, and mixed cartons. Order sizes range from
ten pounds all the way up to forty pounds.
A common size is 2/5 of a bushel or 20 pounds. Generally, you
can expect to pay roughly $8 for this size and make a profit of
$4 each. These are rough prices because citrus fruit can vary
in price based on weather patterns and availability.
Citrus fruit is a wintertime offering with availability best
between mid-November through mid-April. There are discounts for
large orders and bonuses for ordering a whole truckload.
Contact Hale Groves for more information:
Christmas Wreaths
Another band fundraiser that’s a good fit is selling Christmas
wreaths via an order-taker brochure.
It’s another late fall fundraiser that takes advantage of a holiday
“must have” decoration.
Since they’re made fresh, you can get an early jump on the
retail stores and conduct your fundraiser as an order taker
before Thanksgiving.
There are a number of offerings in addition to the traditional
door wreath.
Suppliers also offer door swags, mantelpieces, centerpieces,
candle wreath packs, and fresh cut holly. Prices range from $17
up to $50.
Profits are approximately 40% of the selling price on most items, so it
makes a great band fundraiser because the total revenue is high.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see how quickly your band
profits can add up with an aggressive marketing campaign. You
need to set some high goals for each band member, such as ten
sales each before Thanksgiving.
Delivery is easy, with each wreath sealed in a plastic bag to
preserve freshness. Get your orders in early and allow two
weeks minimum for delivery.
One company who has supplied nonprofit organizations since 1954
is Sherwood Forest Farms.
You can check out their offerings at:
Coffee Fundraiser
A third band fundraiser that produces great results is a coffee
sale. Like the other two fundraisers we’ve already discussed,
a large selection of pre-bagged coffee products are sold via an
order-taker brochure.
Your supporters can select from twenty or more flavors. Most
suppliers have small “dollar bags” or the better selling half-
pound package.
Usually, the cost for a half pound of quality coffee is $3, and
the retail price is $5 or $6. You can offer a choice of whole
bean, or ground varieties.
The idea here is to tap into the market for something that
almost every household buys regularly, then expand upon it
with multiple flavors.
Their names conjure up images of a cup of coffee wafting delicious
aromas throughout the kitchen – flavors like Hazelnut, Toasted Almond,
Hawaiian Coconut, Butterscotch, or Morning Glory.
Again, success is best achieved by presenting your offering to
large numbers of prospective supporters. Set up a table at any event
that draws a large crowd. Offer samples from tiny paper cups.
Get the word out to as many people as you can.
A good supplier of high-quality blends is
Boston’s Best Coffee.
Your band group works hard. Make sure you pick a band fundraiser
that works just as hard by being impossible to resist.