Connecting Schools With Great Fundraising Ideas.

Your school group can “keep the flame going” with a candle fundraiser. Now this might sound like a great idea, everyone love candles, right? When I started researching candle fundraisers I was shocked to see so many companies that offer candle fundraisers! So how do you sort out to good ones from the “also rans?”

Here are three tests that a candle fundraiser must pass for it to even be considered for your fundraiser!

1. Available Scents

Well first, many people who like candles are actually very discriminating. They want to have candles with the best scents. Some people have a few favorite scents that they always look for. Other people like a lot of different scents. But when you are looking for a candle fundraiser it is important to offer a wide variety of scents, not just a few. Actually if you can offer 10 or more scents that will cover most of the types of fragrance that most people like.

Light a Delight is a candle fundraiser that offers a variety of scents, including some of the most popular such as vanilla and floral.

For a variety of items Home Interriors & Gifts is the hands down winner. Not only do they offer several scents, but also sizes of candle jars. Their catalogs change seasonally and often contain other items like scented lotion and room fresheners.

Now, not all candle companies will do this, but if you can purchase some votives ahead of time to show your buyers this may help. Then they can smell the candles and then decide how many they would like to order based on the fact that they know they like the scent!

2. Brand Names

The name on the candle jar can be really important for some buyers. Especially if you don’t have samples available, then what else can they go by to know if it’s a good quality candle or not?

A few of the most popular brands are Yankee Candles, Home Interriors, Aromalight and Home & Garden Party… and luckily all of these brands have fundraiser programs!

Danielle Hamilton of HumaneFundraising.com likes Yankee Candles best:

While many catalog brochure sales companies may offer 40% for the fundraising group’s profit, Yankee Candle is one of the few that has a well-known, reputable product with years of backing. Yankee Candles are a respected product complete with their own branding. Your customers will know they are getting a quality item at a great price, while supporting your fundraising cause. Too often our friends and families are asked to purchase overpriced items from a company they’ve never heard of before. Yankee Candles are different! Your volunteers will be proud to sell these highly sought after candles and accessories, while raising money for a cause they love.

It is possible that you could raise a lot of money with other candles than just the big name brands. Just make sure that the terms are good (see below) and that the candles are of a high quality.

There are many locally owned candle makers that do fundraisers. You might even find one in your local area!

3. Terms & Conditions

Just as important as the scents and brand is the terms of the fundraiser. You want to make sure that this fundraiser will really produce the funds that your group needs!

The best programs offer free full color brochures and at least 40% profit. Actually if you can get 50% profit that would be even better. So half of all the purchase price goes to your group. The best ones also offer free shipping. (Remember that candles can be heavy and shipping can get expensive!)

Candle Fundraisers USA offers some of the best terms on its all-natural soybean wax candles. They give you all the free materials, free shipping, and up to 50% profit.

Another company with great terms is Home & Garden Party. Their candles are some of the most affordable priced ones.

Plus they offer 50% profit and free color brochures too.

1-2-3 Great School Candle Fundraisers

When you’re looking for a candle fundraiser for your school or other group, just be sure to remember these three important categories - scents, brand and terms. Check them out to see which company will make the best fundraiser for your group!

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