Most organizations need to raise money at one time or another, and fundraising discount cards are an effective way to do it. Schools, churches, youth groups and other organizations often want to raise money for trips, new playground equipment, and other things that may be beyond their budget. Fundraising discount cards are a fun, simple way for your group or organization to raise the necessary funds for any purchase or event.

Some of the common methods used to raise money are candy and jerky sales, catalog sales and candles. While these do work, they do not provide continued value. Fundraising discount cards allow the user to save many times the price of the card. When you offer discounts and savings for as many as fifteen merchants in your area, those who buy will use the card over and over. Because of the value, selling fundraising discount cards is even easier than selling goods that are consumed. People want to perceive value in any purchase they make, especially in light of the economy.

When you decide it is time for your group to raise money, you need to provide a specific cause to potential buyers. People are much more apt to buy fundraising discount cards if they feel they are contributing to a good cause. You will want to inform prospective buyers that the money is going to be used for new band instruments, summer youth camp, or whatever your purpose is. Another reason that these cards sell so well is that buyers get instant gratification – you have the cards with you, so no waiting for a product to come in.

Why would merchants want to participate by offering discounts, free goods, or cheaper services? When hundreds or thousands of fundraising discount cards are in circulation, this drives new business to that merchant. This means new customers and increased profits. Most are happy to oblige, and you don’t even have to contact them yourself! By choosing a company that only deals in fundraising discount cards, you can rest assured they know how to communicate and negotiate with merchants, so that you have great deals to offer on the cards your organization sells.

Additionally, when you choose this route to raise the money you need, you support your local community. Those who purchase fundraising discount cards from your group will patronize local vendors, which is good for businesses in your area. As you can see, not only does your organization benefit from the cards, but those who buy them as well as the businesses who offer their services all win. Your group can easily raise the needed funds, those who buy get great deals, and merchants draw in new business.

When you decide that using fundraising discount cards sounds like a great solution for your group, make sure you choose a company that is dedicated to exceptional customer service. They will secure the merchants for you, print the cards and even educate you about organizing your fundraiser. Add to that the fact that there is no up front cost to you, and this is an excellent way to raise the funds your group needs. The best fundraising discount cards are very impressive! Your organizations name and logo, along with the expiration date, are printed right on the front of the card. These cards are the size and consistency of a credit card; not thin paper cards that are easily destroyed or lost.

For your next project, do something different. Instead of offering candy, popcorn, candles or catalog items, offer fundraising discount cards! The entire community will benefit, and you will have the funds you need. This is an easy and fun way to raise the funds you need and support your own community!

Mark South
Easy Fundraising Cards
http://www.easyfundraisingcards.com

Many church fundraising ideas are a disappointment when the event is actually run. Usually the reasons for a fundraising event failing seem obvious – not enough people turn up, donors do not give as much as expected or too many people show up leading to an organizational nightmare – but the way to solve these problems at the next event can be hard to deduce. This article contains 7 ways in which you can improve the success of your fundraising events by building on previous events, and make the church fundraisers of 2009 the best yet!

Delegating to free up your time

It is important to understand that time spent looking over somebody’s shoulder is the equivalent of two people doing the same job. In order to be effective and efficient give your volunteers the knowledge and training they require to do the specific task that they are appointed to. Have faith that they will do the task correctly. This will free up your time, allowing you to make sure the event runs smoothly.

Promote the cause not the event

We are all familiar with the Oxfam adverts showing a single child with a swollen stomach due to starvation he or she is suffering. This is a form of marketing and you should be using it at your church fundraising events. Appeal to emotions of the possible donors, rather than the organization itself. Instead of looking to raise money for the church, tell the donors exactly what will be done with the money that they are generously giving to your cause. Include the problems that are faced without these benefits, and how the money raised from the event will help specific individuals. It is a lot easier to give money if the donor can see exactly how people will benefit from the donation.

Motivate the volunteers by instilling the cause

It is important to make the volunteers fully aware of the benefits that will come about from the fundraising event. Do not put pressure on the volunteers; stress will create a negative atmosphere at the event and put them off volunteering in future fundraisers. Just explain exactly what will be done with the money that will be collected, and how it will benefit the church.

As above, show the volunteers exactly how the money raised will help specific individuals. Once the volunteers have adopted the cause as their own, your job will be much easier. They will actively work in order to raise the money for the cause, and will have fun doing it! Consequently they will be back time after time, helping out with future church fundraising events.

Use local media to promote the event

If your church fundraising idea has benefits for the community, you will find that it can be presented as a story that the local media would consider to be newsworthy. Send out press releases, and let the media help you inform the local community about how they can help your cause. Do not stop at the newspapers either; inform local radio and ask the owners or managers of shops and takeaways if you can leave fliers or put up a poster in their store. Send out adverts to local papers for consideration as public service announcements.

Make the event fun!

By providing an entertaining day for everyone who turns up, not only will you loosen their wallets, but you will also make the event a fun and exciting memory that will provide an incentive people to come to the next one! Hire a professional storyteller or magician. Provide food and drink for sale. Set a time to announce the results of a raffle to keep people there longer.

Keep in touch with donors

At the event collect email or home addresses of the people who attend. Make sure to let them know how much they helped raise, and remind them of how the money will benefit their local church. Sincerely thank them for their part in helping to raise this money. Keep them updated when the money has been spent and the benefits have been actualized for the cause.

Having people’s email addresses also means they can be contacted when you run future fundraising events at the church. Consequently it will be much easier to get the word out about your next church fundraiser.

Show your gratitude to your sponsors and volunteers

Volunteers are the backbone of any fundraising event. Show your appreciation to them by sending thank you cards or possibly an inexpensive present. A small show of gratitude will go a long way, and now that you have run a successful event, the next one will be much easier if the same people are willing to donate their time again.

Send any sponsors thank you cards along with certificates showing that the organization supported the church fundraising event. Put the certificates in frames and make them look good enough for display, so that the proud sponsors can hang them on the walls of their stores or offices. This will make them more likely to sponsor you again in the future, and will also provide you with free promotion.

Mark South

Easy Fundraising Cards

Fundraising has always been a necessity for churches, youth groups, and non-profit organizations. Most people realize that funding is a tool to do God’s work and the amount of funding earned helps to determine the effectiveness of our giving.

What is a cookie dough fundraiser?

The basic concept is the same as all order taker fundraisers. You equip your sellers with a brochure, an order form, and a basic sales script.

Your group does catalog sales of a three-pound tub of cookie dough. Average retail price is $10 per three-pound tub.  The dough comes in a wide variety of flavors, including some that are sugar free.

Some suppliers are now offering the dough in pre-sliced packages to further simplify the baking process. Others are offering it in a dry mix that doesn’t need refrigeration. All you do is add water, mix by hand, and you have your cookie dough ready for baking.

Click here for a free fundraising kit and free samples from our preferred cookie dough fundraiser supplier.

Profitability

Most fundraising companies offer the three-pound tubs of cookie dough at a 40%-50% discount. Some suppliers also offer a larger four-pound tub for slightly more money.

Cookie dough needs to be refrigerated, so this fundraiser requires a little more delivery preparation. Schedule a delivery pickup day where pre-bagged orders can be handed to drivers on their way home.

Kids like selling this because it’s something that they enjoy themselves. The average seller sells ten units or approximately $100 in revenue. That translates to roughly $50 in profit per seller, which is quite good.

Factors affecting your cookie dough fundraiser profitability include freight charges, quantity discounts, quality of the brochure, number of available cookie dough choices, and the need to keep the dough refrigerated.

This product works well for both elementary school and high school fundraising. Larger groups can easily earn a quantity discount above 50%. As always, do an RFQ fax quote to companies and get your best possible discount up front.

Sample Fundraiser Sales Script

Here’s what they need to do to sell:

1. Smile, use their name in greeting, and introduce yourself
2. Use the power of “because” (give a reason why)
3. Ask for their help (ask for the order)
4. Make eye contact and suggest a favorite

Example sales script: (Keep it short & sweet)

Hi, Mrs. Johnson! (Smile and make eye contact)

I’m Jimmy Roberts from down the street. (Hand over sales flyer with large bold print)

Our school is doing a cookie dough fundraiser because we need new computers.

Can you help us out with a $10 contribution? That gets you a three-pound tub of cookie dough. My favorite is the chocolate chip, but peanut butter is real popular too!

(Pause and wait for their response)

The important points are to smile, use a sales flyer, use the word because, ask for their help, and suggest an order size, then wait for a response.

Each prospect has a potential dollar value to your organization. Don’t waste prospects by not being prepared. Make sure all your sellers know what to say and how to say it.

Cookie Dough Fundraising Summary

The product is an easy sale because kids like it and their parents appreciate the convenience factor of a ready-to-bake mix. Profit margins are high and sales are generally multi-unit.

Most suppliers have an excellent selection of flavors and fairly competitive prices. It pays to shop around though and make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.

In addition to the brochure, use an easy to read flyer explaining your fundraiser. prep your sellers on exactly how to ask for help and explain what the funds raised will be used for.

Good luck with your cookie dough fundraising efforts!

Reprinted from an extremely helpful site http://www.fundraiserhelp.com/school-fundraising-ideas.htm , These guys offer great information about fundraising