Parents, families and students just go online to order their favorite magazines and 40% goes to the school. These magazines are all offered at discounted prices – up to 95% off newsstand prices – so it’s a great deal for everyone.

Parents or students simply enter email addresses of friends and family into the online system.  A personalized email is then automatically sent out inviting them to order magazines through your group’s customized website. The magazine company processes and sends all the orders.  Your students or parents do not have to handle money or fulfill these orders!

Just be sure to promote your fundraiser with publicity efforts, making sure all the families in the school know about the discount magazine subscription fundraiser.  Remind them several times throughout the year, especially before gift giving holidays, about the program to increase your success.

Find Out More About a Magazine Fundraiser

Some common examples of items used in product sales are: cookie dough, chocolate, wrapping paper, magazines, and popcorn, although virtually anything, as long as it’s sellable, can be used to make a profit for the school.

Product sales are popular for four main reasons:

1. They are simple to plan and execute. The companies have really made these things fool-proof for both the school administration and the parents.
2. Over the years, people have grown to develop an expectation that they will have to sell something to raise money for their kid’s school, so they are already pre-disposed to participate.
3. School administrators generally don’t like to spend too much time thinking about creative fundraising ideas, so product sales have become “no-brainers”.
4. Product sales are very reliable financially. You can take the number of students participating in the sale and get a fairly accurate estimate of what you can expect to bring in.

Even though the actual planning and executing of a product sale are relatively easy to navigate, there are still a number of questions that you should ask either yourself, your product sale representative, or the people in your community before making a commitment to one particular product or company. Failure to ask these questions or questions like these put you at risk of having a substandard fundraising event.

1. Is a product sale the right course of action at this time?
The first series of questions I would recommend you ask yourself or those close to you in the school administration is “Have you already relied too heavily on product sales for your fundraisers?” Also, “Are we risking alienating parents, because they have too many product sales in their lives?” Remember that you are not the only organization that is attempting to raise money in your area. Many other groups are competing for donations with you, and you can only hit up Grandma and Uncle Louie so many times.

The real downside to product sales is the “eye roll” factor. When students bring home the paperwork, are parents rolling their eyes and saying “Oh no, not another one…”

I’m not saying that you shouldn’t pursue a product sale. As I mentioned above, they can be very helpful. But, you can’t just whip one out every time you need to raise some cash. You’re going to lose a lot of potential support if you do.

2. Do you have an opt-out option?
In recent years, many schools have begun to offer an opt-out option for their fundraisers. This is a great idea. Basically, you advertise to parents that if they do not want to participate in the product sale but still wish to help the school, they can simply write a check. You can suggest a dollar figure that is close to what you hope each student will actually sell.

The greatest advantage to an opt-out option is that you are offering an avenue of giving that didn’t exist before. In the past, a family who was really turned off by product sales would just pitch the information you sent home into the trash. Zero donation. However, by really playing up this opt-out option, you are offering to remove the perceived headache from people’s lives. Some parents may actually feel so thankful that they will write a check and skip all the things associated to selling products.

For a much more in-depth discussion of the increasingly popular opt-out option, please click here.

3. Is the company reputable?
If you decide that the time and the circumstances are right for you to go ahead with a product sale, make sure you put in some research into the company you are thinking about working with. A simple search on the web will likely yield many reviews of the proposed company. It is also wise to ask the customer service folks at that company to provide you with phone numbers of past clients. When talking to these past clients, ask them about their overall experience, how the customer support was, if they were prompt in returning your calls and thorough in answering your questions. If there were problems with the order, were they helpful in resolving them? Also ask how the parents responded to the item itself? Was it high quality, was it a big seller? Or was is a flop? Would they use the same company again next year?

4. Are you getting a high percentage of the profit?
It is also very important to be extremely clear about what percentage of the profit you will receive. There are so many groups out there offering to help non-profits raise money, that it’s tough to tell who is really on your side. One way you can tell is how generous they are with their percentage split.

Granted, they are providing the item(s) for sale and they do have expenses of their own to cover, but you are asking people in your community to spend their own time, money, and connections to help your school. That counts for a lot. Therefore, you shouldn’t be taken advantage of.

I believe that the absolute minimum you should accept is 40% of the overall profit. And that would only be if it were a truly great product that was sure to make a lot of money for you and the amount of effort you had to put in on your side was very low. Otherwise, it is just not worth your group’s time and effort.

There are plenty of great fundraisers out there that will split the profit with you at 50-50 or even 60-40 in favor of the school. Find those groups instead.

5. Will your group actually buy the product?
The next question you should ask yourself and the people in your community is “Will they actually buy the product?” It’s very easy to make decisions on your own, but that is not always the best thing to do. Something that might sound wonderful to you could be a real disaster to everyone else. Then, you’d be stuck with a product no one wanted to buy or sell. Your fundraiser would be ruined.

Talk to the company, as well, to find out how well a particular item you are interested in sells.

6. Is the item good quality?
Along this same line, you need to make sure that the item you will be selling is high quality. If you go with a product that is cheaply made or of low-quality, that will reflect badly upon you and the school. While you may reach your sales goal this time, people may not trust your judgment again and not participate.

Ask the company for a sample of the product first, before you commit.

7. Is the product in keeping with a focus on good health or environmental awareness?
While not everything we do in life has to be good for us or good for the environment, it is important to show that you are concerned about our kids’ well-being and the well-being of our planet. So, if you do elect to have a product sale fundraiser that is based around sweets, like chocolate or cookie dough, you should balance that out later with an active event like a walk-a-thon or a recycling drive.

If you don’t strike this kind of balance, parents will start to wonder about who’s making the decisions.

8. Is anyone else in your town selling that particular product?
As I mentioned earlier, your school is not the only organization in town raising money through product sales. Just this past fall, I was asked to do the exact same fundraiser for my daughters’ elementary school and her cheerleading team, back to back. I couldn’t believe it. I loved my daughters’ cheerleading class, but there was no way I was going to go BACK to my friends and family with the SAME fundraising scheme.

Groups in a small town need to work together so this kind of fiasco doesn’t happen.

Conclusion
Product sales can be excellent way to make money for your school. In the perfect situation, the school gets a terrific product that will sell wildly and provide them with a big percentage of the profit. However, that kind of scenario can only happen when you, as the fundraising leader, do your homework. It is very easy to skip the research and just trust that a company will have your best interests at heart. Sadly, that isn’t always the case, and many schools have experienced the downside to product sales. Don’t let that be you.

Photo By: Caroline Middlebrook

You can use the cards as prizes for students who bring in the most fundraising results.  On the other hand, you could sell the cards to raise extra funds (based on a $20 suggested retail price).

This prize program is included free of charge to fundraising groups with at least 10 actual sellers participating in any one of the following brochure fundraisers:

• Place-n-Bake Cookie Dough
• Scoop-n-Bake Cookie Dough
• Gourmet Preportioned Cookie Dough
• Premium Collection Gourmet Cookie Dough
• Elite Retreats

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

1. Available Scents

First, many people who like candles are 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.

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?

Easily the most recognizable brand name is Yankee Candles. Yankee are sold in many retail stores and in their own signature boutiques nationwide.  So they are already popular with many people, making it easier for your group to sell them as a fundraiser.

Danielle Hamilton of HumaneFundraising.com comments:

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!)

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!

Today’s busy lifestyles require families to have convenience foods on hand. Pizza is one of those foods that are great for after school snacks or a quick meal.

So when your organization conducts a frozen pizza fundraiser you’re providing something that people are already buying and will want more of.

Tips for Planning a Frozen Pizza Fundraiser:

1. Review the companies the offer frozen pizza fundraisers and choose one that offers the best product, profit potential and service.
2. Set a goal for your group’s overall sales and then break it down by participant.
3. Offer prizes as incentives for sellers. A stepped scale works well and rewards those who sell the minimum, as well as higher targets. You can even order extra frozen pizzas as prizes.
4. Set dates for the start and end of your fundraiser. A mid campaign check-in where coordinators call participants to see how their sales are going is a good idea.
5. Arrange for storage of the frozen products when they arrive. Make sure your sellers know the date, time and location of the pickup.
6. Celebrate! Have a recognition meeting or party to acknowledge those who sold the most. Announce the total amount raised and describe what the funds will do to support the activities of your organization.

There are so many different varieties available – milk chocolate, chocolate with almonds, chocolate crispy, and so much more. Each of these chocolate bars are made with the finest ingredients.

Your group can raise funds with the famous $1 bars, the chocolate bars that have been used by many groups to raise money. There are also $2 King Size bars in many of the same flavors. Some of these bar wrappers can even be personalized for your group.  It could have your school’s name and a photo of your school, mascot or just a logo.   It’s up to you.  (For example if you are having a band fundraiser, use the band logo!)

No matter which one you choose you will sure to be creating a winning fundraiser when you choose the bar that has been made famous simply because of its great taste and its great fundraising potential.

Find out more about World’s Finest Chocolate online or give them a call (toll free) at 1-866-249-0089.

While each parent and school employee needs to be vigilant in making sure these products are removed from the general student population, we cannot forget that peanut butter cookie dough sold in fundraisers would also fall into this recall category.

I would advise any group who has in the recent past or who is currently selling cookie dough to contact the company to verify the status of their product.  (A list can be found here.) I can confirm, however, that the peanut butter cookie dough sold through our partner eFundraising , including the Chippery brand, is safe for consumption and not under a recall.

The risks of not checking this out are real. So far, almost 500 people have become ill and six have actually died across the entire United States.

For more information, please click here to visit the Food and Drug Administration’s Peanut Butter Recall page.

Photo By: Plutor

So, we are very happy to share some great news with you. Our friends over at eFundraising have significantly increased the percentage of money your school gets to keep from their chocolate fundraisers. In the past, schools selling their brands of chocolate would receive 40% of the gross receipts, while 60% went back to eFundraising. I do understand that high-quality chocolate is expensive, so I believe that justifies this kind of a percentage. However, they have now bumped the split across the board to 50-50.  In case of the $2 Chocolatiers Variety Pack , it’s now 60-40, in favor of the school! This is amazing! Chocolate fundraisers have always been a reliable and profitable income stream. This is even more true now.

In addition, eFundraising has re-vamped their chocolate product line. While the ever-popular “World’s Finest Chocolate” is still available, they have also added the popular Dollar Bar, as well as the “Chocolatiers” selection from Van Wyk.  In addition, if any of you have ever tried the tremendous Hebert chocolate bars, take note, there has been a name change. Hebert chocolate is now called Lamontagne. Have no fear, it’s still the same company and the same high-quality chocolate; it’s just different packaging.

If you are still searching for a great way to raise money for your school this coming spring, I highly recommend you check out the chocolate sales program over at eFundraising.

The service, the selection, the quality, and most of all- the percentage of the profits you get to keep- are all great reasons to choose an eFundraising chocolate sale for your school! Enjoy!

The tools I was interested most in weren’t hammers and screwdrivers and wrenches, but rather donors, volunteers, and school spirit. All of the tools I was interested in would help shape our effort to provide the necessary funds to keep the school operational and thriving.

Unfortunately, the situation I walked into had a pretty empty toolbox, so one of my first tasks was to stock it with as many useful items as I could.

Today, I want to write about the tool of school spirit, and how it relates to fundraising success.

If you find yourself at a school that is struggling to raise money, whether it be in a small fundraiser like a cookie dough sale or a large event like an auction, one of the fundamental reasons for your lack of success may be a lack of school spirit.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself or others close to you to determine if your students, their parents, the teachers, key donors, and anyone else involved at your school has enough spirit to motivate them to work for your school’s financial success.

• Is there a cohesive message from the leadership of the school to its broad audience? (Things like school-wide newsletter, email blasts, and a regularly updated website)
• Has an effort been made to beautify the school- both interiorly and exteriorly? (Who can feel good about a run-down environment?)
• Are there pictures of students and examples of their artwork or other creations visible in the hallways? (Breeds a sense of ownership and belonging)
• Does your school have an exciting nickname and logo that you use on everything from folders to sweatshirts?
• Are there any traditions that are specific to certain grades that younger students really look forward to each year?
• Do you see school items around town, like bumper stickers, caps, or t-shirts?
• Does the local paper cover your school events so the entire area can be proud of the school’s accomplishments?
• Is there any kind of school-specific award for service to the school?
• Do teachers communicate a message about being proud of the school to their students?

It doesn’t matter if your school is public or private, an elementary, middle or high school. School spirit can be contagious at any age, in any circumstance.

I firmly believe that if students and their parents have pride in their school, they will feel more motivated to raise money for it. This includes an increased willingness to approach friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family members to buy fundraising products and even tickets to golf outings, auctions, or raffles.

Look at it from the opposite end- if a student has no real feeling of loyalty or pride in their education institution, how likely is it his or her family will prioritize your fundraiser over all the other commitments in their life? I would argue that it is not very likely.

If you are a school principal or a volunteer in the Parent-Teacher group, you can have a direct impact on the level of school spirit. If you are doing it in the right way, with the right intentions, people will be supportive of anything that instills pride and increases a positive spirit. In the long run, you will be building a much more reliable fundraising tool and you’ll start to fill out that all-important toolbox.

(Image courtesy of StumpSpirit.com)