Product Fundraising Trends
Fundraising fatigue is a hot topic in school news this season, with parents over-spent and worn out from feeling like they are too frequently 'hit up for money' by their kids' schools. One significant way to challenge fundraiser burnout is to change up the products with which your school chooses to fundraise. Choosing the right product fundraiser can change how parents view 'donating' to the school and engage more families in giving. It's as easy as:
1) Targeting the right people: Parents are the ones doing the buying! Find new creative fundraising solutions in trendy items parents love - fair trade coffees, gourmet chocolates, luxury bed sheets, homemade pies, reusable bags, delicious pastries and keepsakes with their kids' artwork on them are a few of the hottest items for 2014.
2) Making transactions easier: Finding the right product fundraiser should involve researching the ease of ordering and digital application that is incorporated into the sales process. Moving away from pen-and-pencil order forms to online ordering is totally trending as are scrip gift cards, and on-the-spot transactions with tech gadgets like Square.
3) Socializing sales: Product fundraisers are definitely a family affair and what better way to boost profits then to get more people involved by spreading the word on facebook, twitter, pinterest and instagram. Knowing how parents can quickly share this season's fundraiser with grandparents, co-workers and social friends is key to choosing the right fundraiser for your school - do they have social shares integrated into the ordering process? Do they make uploading and sharing photos easy?
4) Adding rewards & incentives: Everybody love prizes so find out what incentive programs product fundraisers can offer students AND parents. Great examples include Square 1 Art that gives bonus artwork stickers to participating students and BRAX fundraising that is holding a sweeps for Amazon gift cards, iPads and more to schools who participate in fundraisers. Adding incentives like a pizza party for the class or grade and/or a silly thing the principal will pledge to do will also garner added participation.
Our thanks to the Association of Fund-Raising Distributors & Suppliers (AFRDS) conference in Orlando, FL who shared how their professional product fundraisers help schools and clubs raise more than $2 BILLION per year for this post. Local professional fundraising representatives can help guide your group in choosing the best option for your community.
Find out more about product fundraising with AFRDS’ Product Fundraising Handbook and check out their Tool for Evaluating Fundraising Companies. VolunteerSpot is proudly sponsored by fundraising companies, check out our website for fabulous Fundraising Ideas and scroll through our past blog articles on Fundraising for more fresh ideas and tips for raising money for your school or group!
Image products from left to right:
Otis Spunkmeyer Cookies, Elizabeth Jean's Pies, Van Wyk Confections Pretzels, Love Reusable Bags
