4 Fundraising Product Options That Successful Groups Use
Fundraising: the lifeblood of many school sports teams, community groups, and youth organizations. It’s the difference between just getting by and thriving, between basic necessities and those extra perks that can elevate the entire experience. Today, we’re diving deep into the world of fundraising, shedding light on five product options that successful groups swear by. These aren’t just your run-of-the-mill ideas; they’re the breadwinners, the game-changers, the ones that make treasurers do a happy dance.
Discount Cards
How They Work
Discount cards are the old faithful of fundraising products. They’re simple, straightforward, and have a track record of effectiveness. The concept is easy: your group sells cards that offer discounts at local businesses. It’s a win-win-win situation. Businesses get more customers, supporters save money, and your group raises funds. What's not to love?
Why They Work
The beauty of discount cards lies in their familiarity and simplicity. People understand them, trust them, and use them. Their tangible value is immediately apparent, making the selling process smoother. Plus, they often feature local businesses, which adds a layer of community support and engagement to your fundraising efforts.
Who They Work For
Discount cards are particularly effective for high school football teams. They tap into the local community's spirit, and let's face it, who doesn’t want to support the home team while snagging some sweet deals?
Coupon Sheets
How They Work
Think of coupon sheets as discount cards’ more glamorous cousin. They're a collection of exclusive offers and deals, packaged in an easy-to-use sheet. This premium alternative to discount cards provides a higher perceived value, making them an attractive option for supporters.
Why They Work
Coupon sheets shine because they offer something more—a sense of exclusivity and a better deal for the consumer. They cater to a market looking for premium savings, and in doing so, set your fundraising apart from the crowd.
Who They Work For
These are perfect for scenarios where the football team already has a stronghold on discount cards. Need something different that won’t step on the team's toes? Coupon sheets are your go-to, offering a complementary yet distinct fundraising avenue.
Custom Apparel & Merch
How They Work
Custom apparel and merchandise have taken the fundraising world by storm, thanks to the rise of online stores. These platforms allow groups to sell branded items with minimal administrative hassle. Just set up, market, and watch the orders (and funds) roll in.
Why They Work
This method cuts down on the logistical nightmares often associated with physical fundraising products. There’s no need for upfront investment or storage space. Plus, the emotional connection to the group or cause can significantly boost sales.
Who They Work For
Ideal for schools, entire athletic departments, or any group with a substantial supporter base. Custom apparel and merch tap into the community's pride and spirit, making it a lucrative fundraising avenue.
Armbands
How They Work
Armbands, especially those embedded with NFC technology, represent the cutting edge of fundraising products. They offer a physical item that can directly connect supporters to a donation page or story about your group, just with a tap of their smartphone.
Why They Work
The integration of technology with a tangible product creates a novel and engaging way to raise funds. It’s about selling a story, an experience, not just a product. Plus, the focus on volume sales over high individual costs makes it accessible to a wider audience.
Who They Work For
Armbands are a fantastic option for any group that can leverage strong leadership to drive sales. They’re especially appealing as a healthier, more interactive alternative to traditional food-based fundraising methods.
Products to Avoid
While we’ve discussed some fantastic fundraising product options, it’s equally important to know which ones to steer clear of. Not all fundraising methods are created equal, and some can cause more headaches than they’re worth. Let’s talk about a few products that might seem appealing at first but could end up being fundraising flops.
Food Products
Selling food items like candy bars has been a classic fundraising method. However, this approach comes with significant drawbacks. The biggest issue? You often need to buy these products in bulk before selling them, which can lead to a substantial financial risk. If you can’t sell all the items, you’re left with spoiled or damaged goods and a hole in your budget.
Exceptions like cookie dough or seasonal cheesecake fundraisers might sound lucrative, but they come with their own set of challenges. These products usually require large cool storage facilities and high administrative efforts to manage bulk deliveries. While tempting, the logistical nightmares and potential for financial loss make food products a less desirable option for hassle-free fundraising.
Cheap Fundraising Catalogues
Fundraising catalogues, both online and print, are tempting for their apparent ease of use. Hand them out, and they seem to manage themselves, right? However, this ease comes at a cost. The items in these catalogues often lack quality and uniqueness, which can diminish the value of your fundraising efforts.
Your supporters might be willing to buy anything to support the cause, but doesn’t your group deserve better? Opting for higher-quality, more meaningful products shows that you value your supporters’ contributions and are committed to offering them something worthwhile in return.
Large Coupon Books
Large coupon books may appear as a beneficial fundraising product due to their wide range of offers and deals. Yet, many who have managed these fundraisers recount numerous difficulties. These books can be bulky, taking up significant storage space and becoming a nuisance for your team to handle. Furthermore, they often come with stringent contracts that mandate the sale of the entire batch, which can be a risky gamble.
Worse still, some groups have encountered coupon books with already expired offers, turning what should have been a profitable venture into a financial loss. While coupon books might seem like a good idea initially, their potential drawbacks, including the risk of not selling all copies and dealing with outdated offers, make them a less favorable choice compared to more streamlined and risk-free options like discount cards or coupon sheets.
Conclusion
In wrapping up, the goal of fundraising is to support your group’s activities while engaging and valuing your community. By choosing the right products, you not only raise the necessary funds but also build stronger connections with your supporters. Avoid the pitfalls of less effective fundraising methods and focus on those that offer the best returns, both financially and relationally. Remember, successful fundraising is as much about building community and showing appreciation to your supporters as it is about the funds you raise. Choose wisely and watch your group thrive.
What Many Product Fundraising Companies Won't Tell You
The notion that a fundraising product can “just sell itself” is a dangerous myth that many companies perpetuate. While the five products we’ve recommended are excellent tools for raising funds, it’s crucial to remember that their success largely depends on the effort behind them. No product, no matter how popular or well-designed, sells itself. The reality of fundraising mirrors the principles of life and leadership: success requires dedication, strategy, and hard work.
Many group leaders are seduced by the promise of an “easy” fundraiser, but the truth is, achieving your financial goals is never a walk in the park. Like in sports, education, or any field of endeavor, the most rewarding outcomes are the result of persistent effort and smart planning. It’s about more than just picking a product; it’s about rallying your team, executing a well-thought-out strategy, and engaging with your community in meaningful ways.
At Verge Fundraising, we constantly strive to remind leaders to embody the very lessons they impart to others. Success isn’t handed to you; it’s earned through perseverance and hard work. As you embark on your fundraising journey, remember that your initiative’s triumph will be a reflection of your preparation, wise choices, and the effort you invest. Your fundraising campaign can and will be successful, not because of the product alone, but because you are committed to making it so. Embrace the challenge, and let your actions inspire and lead your group to victory. You’ve got this!
