When it comes to the easiest of fundraisers, a fall gift catalog may just be your best option.
You need to know that I represent a nationwide fundraising company so I am certainly biased. There's no question about it. I believe that an exceptional fundraising gift & wrap catalog is the easiest heavy-hitter on the market!
Yes, I am aware of a few fundraisers that can possibly raise more than a gift catalog but perhaps not consistently and certainly none with no volunteer hours. Raising more than is possible with a gift catalog is rare.
I recently discovered a private school that raises $800,000 using a combination of donations, auctions, gambling nights and more all in a single weekend. This is spectacular! Unfortunately, what this private catholic school accomplished is not easy to orchestrate. There were countless hours of planning and complicated volunteer staffing issues. This sort of fundraising does not happen without a full-time team which is not what we are talking about here.
Within the scope of this article, an easy fundraising idea would be one that a public elementary school can run without significant volunteer involvement. In the case of a fall catalog, the only help needed is perhaps on distribution day but it's not like a huge team has to be recruited.
What's more is that the sales process is made easy because fundraising companies that offer a fall catalog, also package that with collated materials, complimentary catalogs, prize programs and a number of incentives.
For example, Believe Kids offers a charm necklace promotion.
This promotion encourages children to report their sales for a prize. They receive a free designer necklace when they sell 5, 10 and 20 items. We have seen a significant jump in participation when schools take part in this complimentary program. Check with your fundraising company to see what they offer. Perhaps they have a way to increase sales as well. This promotion is just one example of how a gift & wrap school fundraising company offers more than just a simple catalog.
Here are some things you can expect from a catalog sale:
• Fundraising packets for students are generally customized and include everything they need to inform parents about the sale and how to participate.
• Student prize programs also double as money collection envelopes.
• Packets are collated and shipped to you in most cases free.
• Order forms are easy to complete and return.
• Online sales duplicate efforts and allow for sales from out-of-town friends and family.
• Little or no volunteer help is needed.
• All product is guaranteed!
• Schools offer quality products at a great price.
• Student prize programs, daily incentives and drawing prizes, etc. are all included at no cost.
• Each student order is separately packed and clearly labeled!
I run a fall gift catalog company so call me crazy. It's easy! No, really. It's an easy fundraising idea in that the entire school can participate with no money upfront and no risk. Schools can offer true value and get a complete package from sales materials, promotions, online sales and a great delivery all in one simple and quick fundraiser!
___________________
This isn't really supposed to be a self-serving post but rather a testament to quality gift & wrap catalogs. They really do raise a lot of money for schools so if we can talk to you about it, regardless of who you choose to fundraise with, we would appreciate the opportunity.
.jpg)
