Finding A High School Fundraiser Idea:  How To Choose The Product And The Company

Finding a good high school fundraiser idea is a problem faced by many of you each year.  You may be a teacher who sponsors a club, a coach who needs money for your team, or a parent who steps up and takes charge of a fundraising effort for any number of causes.  Whatever the case, one thing is certain.  You need a fundraiser that is profitable for your organization and is as easy to conduct as possible.

As a recently retired high school teacher and mother of two, I have found myself in charge of more fundraisers than I care to remember over the years.  Those experiences gave me much insight as to what makes a good fundraiser and what to look for when choosing a fundraising company.  Here are some of the most important points to consider.

1.  Sell a good product. Don’t sell junk!  Choose a good product and chances are people will ask for it again.  So when it comes time for your next fundraiser, your old customers will be ready to buy again.  Many groups find a product to be quite successful and decide to use the same fundraiser on an annual basis with excellent results.

2. You should receive Free Shipping. There are plenty of fundraising companies that offer free shipping.  Some require a small minimum number of items sold, but that minimum is usually low enough that almost any group can meet it.  There is absolutely no need for you to incur shipping costs on your fundraiser items.

3. Fundraiser items arrive pre-sorted by participant.  For teachers, coaches, and anyone who is in charge of a fundraiser, this is a huge plus to look for when choosing a fundraising company.  More and more companies are starting to offer this service so save yourself much time and effort by finding one that does.  The fundraiser items will arrive in boxes or packages clearly marked with the seller’s name on them so that there is no sorting required when the order arrives.

4. Your organization should make at least 50% profit.  There are plenty of fundraising companies that offer a 50% or more profit for your group, so don’t settle for anything less.

5. All materials should be provided free with no up front costs.  Some companies will charge for materials needed to conduct the fundraiser, items such as brochures, samples, etc.  Again, there are plenty of companies that don’t charges for these items. You should be provided all materials needed free of charge so that your group incurs no start-up costs.

In the past, some of the most profitable fundraisers for school groups have been food items.  Products such as candy, cookie dough, and pizza have raised thousands of dollars for many organizations.  However, with the national focus on childhood obesity and healthier eating habits it seems that school groups in particular are being encouraged to seek out alternative items to sell for their fundraising.

If you need a popular non-food item for your fundraiser, you might want to consider soy candles.  Many groups have found them to be very profitable, and there are companies that meet all the criteria that I mentioned above.  One company with which I have personal experience is Candle Wishes Fundraising, Inc.  Their candles are wonderful, they provide all materials you need at no charge, shipping is free, your group makes 50% profit, and the candles are delivered to you pre-sorted by participant.  You can see their candles and get all the details you need at The Fundraising Place.

Whatever fundraiser your group chooses, remember to take just a little time and seek out a company that best meets your needs.  If your fundraiser is easy, quick, and profitable, that means you will have more time to concentrate on teaching your classes, coaching your teams, or being a soccer mom!    

Some additional fundraising resources: