Do you have any merchants that allow for nation wide use?
National chains are run through franchises where each individual franchise is able to place discounts on card for only their location so nearly all offers will be good at specific location(s).
Do you only operate out of Ohio?
We can create a card anywhere in the USA including Hawaii and Alaska.
Who secures the businesses for the card?
We have two options available. Easy Fundraising Cards will be responsible for securing the merchants and offers for your full service card(this is standard). We do offer a DIY option if you would prefer to get the merchants yourself.
Can we request merchants for our card?
Yes, you are welcome to provide us with a wishlist. Though we cannot guarantee the participation of any particular merchant, we will call on the wishlist merchants first. By calling them first it will increase the chances of them being on the card.
How do you get the merchants that will be on our card?
When contacting merchants, we do so specifically for inclusion on your card only. To do so we take the central Street address that you will provide to us on the agreement and create a list of up to 200 merchants. We then place an asterisk next to wishlist merchants (merchants you would like to see on the card) and they are moved to the top of the list. The remaining merchants are then placed in order of importance and difficulty to gain and then each category is sorted by distance, so the closer merchants get called first. We starts calling from the top of the list down, noting decision makers and when to call them back. It is important to note that we do NOT call the wishlist merchants and then stop calling until they get back with us as your card would never get finished if we did. We continue to call on merchant until we have a good mix of merchants for your cards.
What type of merchants are typically on each card?
We will be targeting mostly restaurants. We will be looking for a few fast food locations, sub shops, pizza shops and sit down restaurants (usually a mix of local and national chains), additionally we like to see at least one ice cream/yogurt store, a bakery and coffee shop. We will also include other types of merchants for entertainment like bowling, golf, or go carts and an automotive location like a car wash or oil change place.
What is the radius about the central street location that you use?
There is no specific radius where we contact merchants. About 10 to 15 % of the merchants we contact will give us an offer for your card, so we create a list of about 120 to 200 merchants in order to get up to 18 offers for your fundraising card. If you live in a town that has only 30 merchants and every other town is 15 miles away then the radius for your card would be over 15 miles, if you live in the suburb of a large city your merchants may be mostly within a couple miles. When we are calling on merchants for your cards we will be calling on the closest merchants first.
Which merchants would be on the cards? We live in zip code 31410
Thank you for your question. Even though we have likely previously gained merchants in your area, there is no guarantee that any particular merchant will want to be on any specific card. Each merchant we contact has only the obligation to honor that particular card for 1 year. So though it is likely that some of the merchants we have gotten previously will want to be on your card, not all of them will be. For this reason we do not release any lists of merchants as the list may induce you to want to contract with us, and then merchants from that list may not be on your card. Here is what we will do to get your merchants: We take the central address that you provide to us and create a list of up to 200 merchants, to that list we place an asterisk next to wishlist merchants (merchants you would like to see on the card) and they are moved to the top of the list. The remaining merchants are then placed in order of importance and difficulty to gain and then each category is sorted by distance, so the closest merchants get called first. The caller gets the list and starts calling from the top of the list down noting decision makers and when to call them back. It is important to note that we do NOT call the wishlist merchants and then stop calling until they get back with us (your card would never get finished if we did). 10% to 15% of merchants we contact will be on the card. So the bottom line is we can not guarantee the participation of any particular merchant, but will work to create a great card for you that is consistent with our previous work, advertising and samples.
How will I know if we will like the merchants on the cards?
Perhaps the best way to see the type of merchants on a card that you can expect, would be by browsing our sample cards, located at:
Samples, 9 Samples, and more samples If you like what you see there you should be pleased with your cards.
Can you send a list of participating businesses that you have listed for our area?
Though we may have previously gained merchants in your area, there is no guarantee that any particular merchant will want to be on your card. Each merchant has only the obligation to honor that particular card for 1 year. So though it is likely that some of those merchants will want to be on your card, not all of them will. For this reason we do not release any lists of merchants as that list may induce you to contract with us, then merchants from that list may not be on your card.
We will be gaining merchants specifically for your cards. Here is what we do: We take the central Street address that you provide to us on the agreement and create a list of up to 200 merchants, to that list we place an asterisk next to wishlist merchants (merchants you would like to see on the card) and they are moved to the top of the list. The remaining merchants are then placed in order of importance and difficulty to gain and then each category is sorted by distance, so the closer merchants get called first. We starts calling from the top of the list down, noting decision makers and when to call them back. It is important to note that we do NOT call the wishlist merchants and then stop calling until they get back with us (your card would never get finished if we did). 10 to 20% of merchants we contact will be on the card.
Our organization is looking into purchasing the fundraising cards. We have two cities (where our two college campuses are) that we are looking to include merchants from for the cards. How would this work?
Fundraising cards are of the greatest value to the end consumer when the merchants are as close as possible to a single location, when there is more than one location for gaining merchants the cards have less value for every cards purchaser. The right way to do this would be to create two separate cards with two separate agreements. Most that ask about doing this are wanting to take advantage of our generous quantity price breaks, and we understand. However; As we do already have a low price guarantee and our costs to gain merchants and produce the cards do not change, so these orders would not qualify for discounted pricing based on the total quantity of both orders. (We are still doing twice the work of a single card)
Do your cards offer discounts in our area?
Yes, we are able to produce a card anywhere in the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii).
Will we get to see the card before going to print?
Yes, you will be given the opportunity to PROOF read your card, this gives you the chance to check spelling, grammar, and to make sure addresses and restaurant names are correct. Additionally at this time you can ask that a particular merchant or two are removed (not replaced) if they are not in line with your organizations values. Changes can be made to the front of the card at time of proof.
Can we get sample cards to sell from with an order sheet then order the quantity we need.
We are not able to provide a sample card or sales flier prior to you placing your order. We will be contacting the merchants specifically for your card once your contract is in place. if this is the first time you are using fundraising cards as a fundraiser you can avoid ordering too many cards by placing an order for what you feel is a safe number of card and then if you sell out you can quickly order additional cards at at the same price as your initial order.
I have already secured a few local businesses for our card. Will you accept the ones we have secured and work to get the others?
Yes, if you have a signed agreement with them we will accept that. If you do not, then we will contact them to confirm the offer they have given, and then we send them a copy of your card by email along with the other merchants so they will have a couple of days to get back to us with any corrections.
We are a non profit organization that serves the entire state of Ohio. How can we get one card with multiple merchants on it that people will be able to use wherever they live?
Fundraising Discount Cards will not be the best fundraiser for this application. Sometimes referred to as Local Discount Cards, they work best in close local areas. The closer the merchants are to a central location the greater the value of the card in that area. Spreading the merchants out over a larger area reduces the value of each card for each consumer.
Is the number of merchants limited to 18, like on the samples? Can merchants be listed in line format instead of block format (IE. McDonald's 10% off order) so that more merchants are listed?
We have chosen to use the 18 merchant format as we believe include the merchant logo increases sales. Most donations are made when a young person asks an adult to make a donation, at this point the adult will turn the card over and if they see a couple merchants where they feel they can save more than the donation amount, will then make the donation. Seeing the logo will help them make the decision to make a donation.
Will you get the merchants then let us decide if we want to place an order?
Unfortunately NO. A large part of what we get paid to do is getting the merchants for your cards. It is very labor intensive and costly. As we get the merchants specifically for each card we create, there is no way to know which actual merchants and location will be on the cards until after we have a signed contract. We do understand the value of the merchants on the cards and like you, want them to be as good as possible. The better the card is for you, the better it is for us as we have our name on the card also. We strive to make sure every organization is pleased with the merchants on their cards.
Will the cards be good around the whole city, county or country?
The cards are generally good at only single locations… for example, if we call McDonald’s and get a “yes”, we then ask “is this good only at [street address]? or can you authorize the offer for other locations as well?” If they own other locations they may decide to include those locations as well. We do not call every McDonald’s in the area to get a yes from all of them.
Do you have select businesses already on board?
We have decided not to go after national contracts. Companies that state they already have merchant contracted through national agreements are required to add “at participating locations”. Since most franchises are independently owned, many times the card is not accepted at your local store. Not only will this greatly upset your customers it will also greatly diminish the value of the card and can hurt sales.
Instead we contact each merchant specifically for your organization, that way your customers cards will be accepted!
How do you determine the merchants that will be on our cards?
On the agreement you will see a request for a central street address. This will be used to create a list of merchants including their distance in relation to your desired location, we use that information to gain the merchants for your cards.
Would it be possible to get cards with Restaurants and fast food places only?
We provide a mix of merchants that is mostly made up of food offers but also may include an automotive offer like a car wash or oil change, an amusement offer like bowling or miniature golf and occasionally a sporting good store. Areas with smaller populations and fewer merchants may also have additional non-food locations like hair cuts, florists, and dry cleaners.
Do we have to pay upfront for the cards?
In most cases payment is due two weeks after the cards are received. The most important thing we are looking for in an organization is longevity. The only way to find out for sure is by completing an agreement on our website (if you do not qualify for financing then you are not required to continue, though most do)
Can we select a different price amount to be printed on the front of the card instead of $10
Yes, the cards can be priced at nearly any price you would like. We have had a football booster club use the discount cards also as a season pass for home games and had the sale price listed accordingly.
How much of the selling price do we get to keep for our organization
Easy Fundraising Cards are created specifically for your organization. As such the cards are not on consignment and are not set up for profit sharing. The pricing on our site is the price per card that must be paid to Easy Fundraising Cards regardless of card sales. Once Easy Fundraising Cards has been paid in full you then keep 100% from the sales of cards after that point. Our pricing does show potential profit percentages that assume that all cards purchased are sold which show a potential profit of over 100%. Detailed information can be located on our fundraising discount card pricing page.
Is shipping included?
Our pricing is all inclusive and does include UPS ground shipping
What is your lead time on 500 cards
Most of the year cards take about 4 weeks from the time we have a contract in place until the cards are in your hands.
Can we get the initial order of cards and then take orders on an order sheet per student?
Yes, When you place your card order, you will want to check the box to receive a free sales flier. We will send it to you by email once the proof process is complete, even before your initial order of cards arrives. This way you will be able to start selling your cards even before they arrive.
I was wondering is there a contract or agreement we need to do in oder to start the process?
To start your fundraising card order click on "order cards now" button in top right hand corner of website
How do we get started?
To get started complete the order fundraising discount cards form.
Are the cards shipped to us and we return what is not used along with the $5 each for sold?
Unlike other fundraising products, Fundraising Discount Cards are not sold on a consignment basis - your organization will be entering into an agreement to purchase a set amount of cards, since they are made specifically for you there is no value to anyone else and cannot be returned, this is part of the trade off for such high profits.
Can we order less than 250 cards?
Our minimum order size for our full service custom fundraising cards is 250. IF you need less than 250 you may want to consider our DIY Fundraising card option, which has a 100 card minimum order size.
Can I reorder cards if I run out?
Yes, you can re-order cards in blocks of 100 cards at the same rate per card as your initial order. Once you reach the next price break you re-orders will be at the accumulated rate. So if you place an order for 500 cards at $3.75 each for a total of $1875.00 and then order 200 more cards, your accumulated number of cards ordered would put you at the 700 cards price break and your cost would drop to $3.00 per card. so your re-order of 200 cards would be billed at $3.00 per card for a total of $600.00.
Once your initial order has been paid in full you can resubmit your initial contract, cross out any changes you are making to the contract and have them initialed by the person who initially signed the original contract. Your additional cards will arrive in about 7 to 10 business days.
We are a non-profit organization - how does that work with no money up front?
Most organizations that have been a registered non-profit organization for over 2 years will qualify for financing, though that is not the only required qualification. If your organization qualifies for financing then payment will be due two weeks after you receive your cards.
What do you require to allow an organization to have 14 days to pay? Just being a 501c3 or are there other requirements?
Each type of organization has different requirements and even within each group type there are different requirements. Essentially we are looking for long term stability in the organization, some groups do not even need to have 501c3 status if we are able to independently discover information that shows us that the organization is credit worthy. If you are unsure if your group will qualify, the best route is to go ahead and complete the agreement located at http://www.easyfundraisingcards.com/order-fundraising-discount-cards and we will let you know.
Are the discounts on the card 1 time use? or can they be used many times as long as the card is current?
Our cards are continuous use card.
What is the minimum number of cards that can be ordered?
The minimum ordered is 250 cards.
Can you use the fundraising discount cards on line?
No, we do not offer an online/phone app as we have found that it does not increase sales at a rate higher than the cost to add that option. Additionally, fundraising cards are designed to be sold locally so it doesn't increase sales from outside the area.
Is there any additional costs/restrictions if we are in Hawaii?
There are no restrictions or differences in our cards created for Hawaiian organization. Our pricing is all inclusive and includes UPS "ground" shipping, so there is no additional cost.
what size are the cards?
Our cards are of the highest possible quality, they are the same size (3 3/8? x 2 1/8?), shape (rounded corners), and consistency (30 Mil and glossy) as a standard credit card. We print your cards in full image quality color front and back and can use your images and logo or design one for you, all while Offering a low price guarantee
What is the format you use for the design on front and can I supply you with design?
Having us create a unique design for your card front is very simple and does not require any design knowledge. To have an image or photo incorporated into the design of your card front, simply send it to us by email in nearly any format, that is it! If however you would like to be more involved in the design of your card front, please send images in print shop (.psd) format with layers separated. We will have to work with required information and large edge bleeds so we will likely need to make adjustments to your files. The most important things to keep in mind if you are designing your own front image is that less is more.... the fewer words and information on the card front the better and a picture is worth a thousand words.
Do we have to be a registered non-profit organization with IRS clearance? What if we are a parent group trying to raise money for our children's class field trip...we have an Employer Identification Number number, but we are not a 501c3 organization.
Your organization does not necessarily need to be registered as a 501c3 organization. We can create a fundraising card for nearly any organization. Having an Employer Identification Number number can help the organization to qualify for financing.
How many times can I use each coupon on the card?
The offers on the card are limited to one use, per day, per card
Can a profit organization use these cards?
Yes a for-profit business can order fundraising cards, though in most cases financing will not be available and you will want to taken into consideration if the merchants will be open to providing offers to your business? For this reason a for-profit business may want to consider our DIY Fundraising Card option.
In your experience how many cards are sold per participant? I know it is a range but but what is your best guess experience?
Obviously there are many variable that play into the number of cards sold be person. Probably the biggest of which is how motivated the kids are, the greater the motivation the greater the results. As a rule of thumb, sporting groups sell more per participant than any other groups, with some football teams selling as many as 10 cards each (both positive and negative motivation) a very safe and reasonable number for sports groups is 3 to 4 cards per family. Schools typically sell a little less between 1 and 4 cards per student, with a fairly safe number is around 1.5 to 2 cards per student.
Keep the pricing structure in mind. Additionally if you need more cards, reorders can be received in 7 to 10 business days and are priced at the rate of your initial order.
Do the cards expire?
Our fundraising cards are good for a little over one year, expiring the first of the 13th month after you receive the cards. For example if you receive your cards for sale on 08/15/13 then they would expire on 09/01/14.
Can the unsold cards be returned?
No, unsold cards may not be returned, each card is made specifically for your organization and have no value to anyone else. Companies that do allow you to return cards charge nearly twice as much for their cards and then allow you to only a small portion of unsold cards of the cards... in the long run you will end up having to sell nearly twice as many cards to raise the same funds.
How long will it take to get our cards?
It depends on the time of year, much of the year it takes about 3 weeks from the contract date until you receive the cards. Times can be longer at the beginning of the school year. We may be able to get a sale flier to you a little sooner if needed.
Do we have to pay any money upfront?
Most non-profit organization do not have to pay for cards in advance. For those that qualify for financing, payment is due within 14 days of receiving the cards, this way you may be able to pay from profits.
I have purchased a card from cheer and dance but I need to know how to use it?
To use your new fundraising discount card, you will present your card at the merchants located on the back of the card when placing your order. They will then give you the discount that is located on the card. The cards do have conditions to them which are located at the bottom of the back of the card, so you will want to make sure you are meeting those conditions. When you do use the card thank the merchant for supporting your community and the organization listed on the front of the card.
How do I register the card I purchased?
Our cards do not require registration, most likely if you have arrived here looking to register your card, you have typed in the incorrect URL, Please try again.
