I don’t know who took the fun out of fundraising, but as far as I’m concerned, it’s not there and probably never has been.
I can’t name many school or sports team fundraisers I’ve been a part of as a parent that I a) wanted to be a part of, or b) enjoyed being a part of even after the fact. And by many, I mean any.
I am usually roped into participating under duress and just ridiculously happy when it’s over, deriving no enjoyment whatsoever from having to buy the box of whatever I was never able to sell.
Sure, being able to support the programs and schools my kids are a part of is great, but I’d much rather do so in straight up cash so I can avoid the awkwardness of slanging scented candles from the trunk of my SUV because real talk, we all know that’s not what happens.
What really happens is that I force my parents and BFF to buy one and then buy all the rest myself. I wind up giving everyone I know and loosely care about candles for the holiday season and play it off like I was being thoughtful instead of just trying to unload my fundraiser related candle inventory.
It sucks.
And, let’s face, if I am buying all of the fundraising items anyway, wouldn’t it be easier to just not and instead pay for my kid’s school trip/football equipment/referee fees/whatever random items we were fundraising for in the first place?
Yes.
The answer is yes.
That said, I get the need for program and school fundraisers.
I help manage a pretty large youth sports program in Maryland, and we struggle with finding ways to economically meet our goals like everyone else, but we find that the more annoying our fundraisers are, the less support we get from our families who are exactly the people we are trying to help with these efforts.
I feel like we could do better.
We shouldn’t have to sell oddly scented candles and ugly wrapping paper to help buy the paint needed to line the football field they practice on.
There have to be some genius people out there who have come up with some relatively nonannoying ways to raise money to help offset the costs associated with providing activities and enrichment to our kids.
To find them, I went directly to the people I trust most in the parenting game: the DudeMom Facebook Community.
I asked them to share the best fundraisers for school and sports they’d organized, participated in, or purchased and, like always, they came up with tons of great ideas.
Here are ten I’ve looked into myself.
Arguably the Best: 10 of The Best School and Sports Team Fundraisers Parents Actually Don’t Hate
Dish Soap and Laundry Detergent Fundraisers
What It Is
Designed to help organizations raise money by selling premium laundry detergent, fabric softener, dish soap and other products, the programs tend to be well received by parents and potential purchasers because they provide a product we all need anyway. They are a unique fundraising option and you probably won’t have a ton of local competition like you often do with other fundraisers like cookies and candles.
How to Make it Rock
- Look for one that has no upfront costs.
- Try to find one that will guarantee that your organization will earn a set amount per sale instead of a percentage if possible. You could earn more that way.
- Think about providing incentives—cash and other prizes, for example—to help motivate sellers
What People Say About It
“My neighbors daughter sold 5 gallon buckets of laundry detergent for $45 and 200 ct dishwasher tabs for $45 as well. It’s something we use all the time, plus it’s a heck of a deal.” –Amie E., DudeMom Facebook Fan
How to Get Started
You can find information and support from one of these organizations: Buckets for Benefit, Sudz, Brisa
Spring Plant and Flower Fundraiser
What It Is
Spring plant and flower fundraisers are an earth friendly fundraising opportunity for school groups and other youth organizations. This fundraiser will allow your program to earn money by selling flower bulbs, seeds, plants, and other greenery to your local community.
How to Make It Rock
- Look for a program with no upfront costs.
- If you have a pickup and storage location, to save money and reduce your fees, have your order shipped directly there as opposed to directly to each customer.
- Online companies are great, but consider looking for a local nursery or farm to partner with—it could save you money, make deliver/pickup easier, and create a powerful local partnership with an organization.
- Pick a company that allows you to sell online as well. Your participants will be able to easily engage family and friends who live across the nation and solicit their support without worry about shipping and delivery.
What People Say About It
“We had one at my daughter’s school a few years ago, in the spring. It was flowers and plants. Perfect timing for gardens.” –Temple H., DudeMom Facebook Fan
How to Get Started
Check out these programs for more info and to get started: Flower Power Fundraising, Three Rivers Wreath & Plant Fundraising, Dutch Mill Bulbs
World’s Finest Chocolate Fundraisers
What It Is
World’s Finest Chocolate has been providing $1 candy bars for fundraising purposes since 1949. Most of us are familiar with the individually wrapped chocolate bars because we remember selling them as kids. The familiarity of the product and the nostalgia they seem to inspire, makes them an easy item to sell for many organizations.
How to Make It Rock
- Explore the new options they offer, but don’t discount the $1 bars—it’s relatively easy to get $1 from people.
- Certain organizations qualify for their candy credit program meaning, to participate, you wouldn’t have any upfront costs.
- You can work with a fundraising specialist to help make your fundraiser more profitable and successful for your entire organization.
What People Say About It
“World’s finest chocolate. Sells like hotcakes around here.” –Nicholette B., DudeMom Facebook Fan
“…loved selling them, inexpensive, so lots of people would buy them and you got a decent size candy for it. Those $8-12 boxes of chocolate that turn out to have 6 bites in them are disappointing.” –Francine S., DudeMom Facebook Fan
How to Get Started
There are tons of candy fundraisers available to choose from, but there is really only one World’s Finest Chocolate company. Go directly to their site to learn how your organization can get started earning with this fundraiser.
Ford Test Drive Fundraisers
What It Is
For every valid test drive taken in a Ford vehicle at a registered one-day event, Ford will donate $20 to the participating school or community organization up to $6,000 per event. The goal is to raise the maximum donation of $6,000 at every Drive 4 UR School or Drive 4 UR Community event. *Schools or community organizations can raise money for virtually anything, ranging from athletic equipment for school teams to canned foods to fill a food pantry.
How to Make It Rock
- Host the Test Drive on a day when you are having other activities that might bring people out. A big game or tournament, talent show, family day, or other public drawing activity might help.
- Offer incentives with your program. For example, enter those who test drive in a raffle to win a prize.
- Get 300 test drivers to come out. Ford will pay $20/driver up to $6,000. You want to advertise, use social media, and think of other creative ways to entice drivers to come out so you can earn the maximum amount in one day.
What People Say About It
“Ford brings the cars to your school. For every adult (over 18) that test drives, ford donates a certain $ amount. Our high school quit almost all other fundraisers because it’s so successful and easy.” –Scott and Renee, DudeMom Facebook Fan
How to Get Started
Check out Ford Drive 4UR School and Ford Drive 4UR Community website to learn more about this awesome fundraising opportunity.
Amazon Associates as a Fundraiser
What It Is
Many programs are familiar with the Amazon Smile program for fundraising, but signing your group up for an Amazon Associates account can be even more lucrative, particularly if you have a large network, an email newsletter, and a social media presence. Amazon Associates is basically an affiliate program you can use to earn money for you’re your organization just by recommending products on amazon to your group. You can do this by sending your special link to them via emails and other communication tactics you utilize. When people shop using your links, a small percentage of each sale is put into your account.
How to Make It Rock
- Share your affiliate links often.
- Be creative with what you share. Don’t just send them out recommendations for cleats for football or shin guards for soccer, send them weekly notices about items on sale, and remind them to use your generic link every time they shop on the site to help you earn money.
What People Say About It
“Too many PTOs and PTAs are missing out on Amazon Associates fundraising that is easy as AmazonSmile and much more profitable.” –School Volunteer Share Blog
How to Get Started
Set your organization an account up on the Amazon Associates site and start sharing your link to earn.
Shoparoo Fundraiser
What It Is
Snap pictures of your receipts from any store, big or small, that primarily sell food, health or beauty items to earn Roo Points (cash donations) for your school. Whether you’re shopping at a supercenter, dollar store, or local convenience store – it doesn’t matter where you shop or what items you buy – Shoparoo will make a cash donation for every receipt! You can also take pictures of your non-grocery receipts (from clothing stores, electronics stores, restaurants, home improvement stores, etc.) for entries into Shoparoo’s cash donation sweepstakes that can reward a school up to $15,000! This fundraiser is only available for school groups.
How to Make It Rock
- Remind your families about using Shoparoo. It’s easy to do, but it’s also easy to forget to do!
- Use all of the resources provided by Shoparoo on their resource page. They help educate your family about the fundraiser and the app, and they give you plenty of materials to help keep your families engaged so you maximize your profits.
What People Say About It
“We raised hundreds last year. No money out on your end except doing your regular shopping.” –Megan M., DudeMom Facebook Fan
How to Get Started
Head to the Shoparoo site and find out if you can sign up. They are running a wait list though so it may be a while.
Holiday Wreath Fundraisers
What It Is
Holiday wreath sales are a great way to host a profitable fundraiser during the holiday season. Families can sell the wreaths to customers during a time of year when they are already eager to purchase such a product. The companies that provide the product often create unique, handmade, beautiful items that are easy to sell during the holiday season.
How to Make it Rock
- Collect pre-orders from fundraising participants as opposed to just buying in bulk and trying to sell the items. They will be delivered to the customer fresh and you won’t have to worry about eating th cost of unsold merchandise.
- Pay close attention to time frames. This is a seasonal fundraiser and companies often have strict ordering and delivery dates in place. Missing them could mean a loss of profit for your organization.
- Pick a company that direct ships so that families can sell to their friends and families who aren’t local.
- Note that in many cases, in order to realize the most profit, organizations will need to distribute product personally, or have a designated pickup location, when they arrive.
What People Say About It
“We used the Sherwood Forest Farms fundraiser last year and had such great success with it we are doing it again this year. Everyone was so impressed with their products that we received so many comments on it and they were so pleased with the cost, while we were pleased with how much money we made. Customer service and they were so friendly and helpful in every way! I recommend you to everyone. You make fundraising a pleasure!!! Thanks again!!” -Sherwood Forest Farms Customer
How to Get Started
Check out one of these organizations to learn more: Sherwood Forest Farms, Lynch Creek Farm, and Evergreen Industries
Red Envelope and Other Alt-Fundraisers
What It Is
Probably the easiest fundraiser ever imagined, parents don’t have to sell, make, or do anything other than put money in the provided red envelope and send it back. There are several variations of this type of fundraiser where organizations simply ask families to send in cash without all of the extra work.
How to Make it Rock
- Give people plenty of time, but not too much time, to return their envelopes.
- Make it clear that any donation is good enough. Then, people who can’t donate much will still donate without feeling ashamed or embarrassed.
- Let participants know that they are more than welcome to solicit donations from others—the money doesn’t have to come directly from their own wallets.
What People Say About It
“My kids’ MS school has a “write a check” fundraiser. They’ve cut out the middle BS (you know you’d be buying all that dang chocolate, and there’s no volunteering needed).” –Jennifer B., DudeMom Facebook Fan
“I also liked the Red Envelope campaign in elementary school – just donate $ directly to the school, we won’t ask you to buy anything and all $ goes directly to the cause.” –Christie F., DudeMom Facebook Fan
“I would rather just give a donation to our schools PTA than participate in the fundraisers.” –Meghann D., DudeMom Facebook Fan
How to Get Started
Check out the image below to help you compose your own “just give us money” alt-fundraising drive.
Scratch Off Card Fundraisers
What It Is
Organizations utilize lottery style scratch off cards to raise money for their organization. Each individual takes their card to family, friends, and others and asks them to scratch off two or more circles of their 50 circle card. The individual agrees to donate the uncovered amount and the participant gives the donor a sheet of coupons. The circles tend to range between $.50 cents and $3.00, and each card allows the participant to earn a certain amount.
How to Make It Rock
- Think about signing up your own vendors to entice local community members to participate more. If there are great coupons available to places the people you’re selling to really love, they may be more eager to scratch and donate.
- Use incentives to get your members to solicit donations from more people.
What People Say About It
“Not sure if it was mentioned but football did this scratch off where the buyer scratched off a dot and whatever amount was under it was the donation. Amounts varied from $1 to $2.50. People tend to scratch and just round up resulting in bigger profits. Super easy and best fundraiser ever.” –Melinda B., DudeMom Facebook Fan
How to Get Started
Google “Scratch Off Fundraiser” and tons of options will come up. Here is one I think makes is simple: Scratch and Give
Host an “A-Thon”
What It Is
These are the type of fundraiser where the child commits to complete a certain task in exchange for donations. For example, you may consider hosting a read-a-thon where they commit to read a certain number of pages each night, or books each month, or even for just a set amount of time each day. We’ve also been involved in shoot-a-thons (for basketball where kids asked people to donate a certain a amount for each free throw made), a jump-a-thon (where they jump roped for a set amount of time without stopping), and a run-a-thon (where they committed to run a set number of laps around the track and earned money for each lap).
How to Make It Rock
- Give kids plenty of time to solicit donations.
- Make it easy to donate up front so kids don’t have to go back to the customer after the event to collect money.
- Make participation tracking easy too. If kids are committing to running a certain number of laps around the track, you have to make sure they do it and count it fairly. This can be pretty nutty when everyone is crossing the finish line or shooting at the same time.
What People Say About It
“Yes, my kids’ school does a “fun run” and get flat donations or a “I’ll give you $1 for every lap you run”. The school raises thousands of dollars and it’s one of only TWO fundraisers we do each year. No selling crap except commitments, and it usually turns into a dare from grandparents “I’ll give you $25 if you can run 20 laps” and you’re done.” -Jennifer G., DudeMom Facebook Fan
How to Get Started
Since these tend to be related to the sport or activity you’re involved with, they’re pretty easy to start with just a little creativity from your fundraising team.
You can see the entire list of most loved fundraisers according to parents on the DudeMom Facebook page.