The fundraising discount cards blog » Youth Fundraising

Fundraising Discount Cards – A Great Way to Raise Money For Your Organization

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:22:25 +0000

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

Easy Church Fundraising Success

admin — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:45:06 +0000

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.

For example if your youth group was going on a mission but there was only enough funds to get half of them to the location then less will be accomplished, or what if you could get everyone there but were not able to bring bibles, food, and that much needed water pump? Fewer people might have their mind open to hearing God’s word.

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously (2 Corinthians 9:6)

What is your cause?

Determine the single cause for which all of the money will be used. This needs to be something “extra”. A van for the youth group, a new roof or pews for the church, the 2009 South American Mission. This step is absolutely essential, as the cause must create enthusiasm and determination among the group. The greater the cause the more people will want to participate and make it happen.

Having a fundraiser to pay the utilities or to keep the church alive will not work, if the congregation as a whole were behind those efforts they would have already happened and would be an indicator to the over all success you would have in church fundraising.

How much do you need to raise?

Determine the amount of money that will be required in order to accomplish your cause, this will be your goal.

Luke 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it.

At the start of the fundraising campaign you will want to let everyone know what the goal is and exactly what the fundraiser will pay for. If the fundraiser is to get a new sound/video system for the church write out exactly what is being paid for and how it will benefit the congregation, Sell it!

“This fundraising money will be used to purchase and install:

3 woofermajigers
1 sound board
1 sub processing system
1 amplification system
3 60×90 overhead projection screen
1 3-way projection system

This new sound system will allow our choir and band to be heard crisply and clearly. With our over head projection screens showing the words to songs and hymns everyone will be able to sing along, including new patrons that may not already know the words. Our chorus of joyous voices will raise the roof and lift our spirits! This will also help us to make guest feel welcome and perhaps they will come back and praise with us again… just one more way we can spread God’s word. Additionally if you have you ever missed the first 2 minutes of my sermon while you are looking up the verse you will really appreciate that you will be able to see it on a state of the art overhead screen…….or as the Pastor you could say I am tired of seeing the top of peoples heads for the first two minutes of my sermons”

You must sell it, you must drum up support.

What is your product?

I recommend fundraising discount cards because they are quick, easy and profitable. The church members sell the fundraising cards just like they would sell candy bars or pop corn. They sell for $10 and cost as little as $1.50 each. Supporter can sell 10 – 20 cards. On the front of your fundraising discount card will be your organization’s name, logo, and expiration date. The back will contain twelve (12) to twenty (20) local merchants, each giving a buy one get one free offer or other discount. The cards are valid for one (1) year of continuous use by the bearer.

Since a discount card fundraiser is also a great opportunity for the merchant, most of them will stay with the group for a fundraiser year after year. Some groups actually form waiting lists. Easy Fundraising Cards is great source.

Communicate, communicate, communicate!

Continue to remind people why their effort is so important. Communicate daily with everyone involved in the fundraising effort, let them know how it is going, let them hear success stories, praise the efforts of those producing the greatest results, so other will follow. everyone wants to be recognized for their efforts in a successful cause and want to be part of “the buzz”.

Your church fundraising efforts can produce quick revenue to continue God’s work.

Mark South
Easy Church Fundraising

Fundraising Discount Cards For Church Groups

admin — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 22:38:18 +0000

One of the most common promotional fundraisers, fundraising discount cards can raise the greatest profits for your fundraising cause.

Fundraising discount cards are a great option for a close community, especially if you have specific, local merchants in mind. Most fundraising groups know where everyone in their area goes for oil changes, flowers, and pizza.

How Fundraising Discount Cards Work:

Groups sell the fundraising discount cards to their supporters, just like they would sell candy bars or pop corn. They sell typically for $10 and cost as little as $1.50 each. Each supporter can usually sell 10 – 20 cards. The fundraising discount cards can have one to a few offers from local and major chain merchants. The discount cards are the size of a credit card with the details of the offers written on them. Some cards have scratch off dots or some sort of counter to control the amount of times the card can be used. Merchants usually prefer a counter since they can calculate the exact cost to them.

Customized Fundraising Discount Cards:

A few companies offer this popular option with their fundraising discount cards. It allows you to pick the merchants in which the cards can be used. The offer with each merchant can be negotiated as well, but most merchants are ready with a standard offer. A typical offer is ” buy one get one free ” or ” get a free drink when you buy a sandwich ” and many more. If this is not the way you want to proceed, only a few companies offer to get the deals for you for a fee.

Fundraising Discount Cards Tip:

Since a discount card fundraiser is also a great opportunity for the merchant, most of them will stay with a group fundraiser year after year. That means that most of the setup work is done. For the next one, the merchants on the card just need to be asked if they want to change their offer for the following fundraiser. Some groups actually form waiting lists of merchants to get on their fundraising discount cards.

Things to look out For:

Quality Of Printing – Make sure the company will guarantee the printing on the card
Return policy – Some companies will offer returns for unsold cards, consider these first.
Watch for quality – Choose cards that can last so your supporter can benefit from the card offer for the entire period.
Offer Counter – Most merchants prefer a counter, so this option may work better in your area.
Free Shipping – Make sure you can get free shipping included so you don’t get surprised at delivery time.
Name & logo – Some companies will print both your group name & logo on each card free of charge, some will only print your name and some not at all. Try to get both as it will show your participants and donors you are serious about your fundraiser.

Reprinted from an extremely helpful site http://www.fundraisingideas.com/fundraising_discount_cards.htm , These guys offer great information about fundraising check them out!

Cookie Dough Fundraising Idea

admin — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 22:29:41 +0000

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:

Smile, use their name in greeting, and introduce yourself
Use the power of “because” (give a reason why)
Ask for their help (ask for the order)
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