Discount cards or candy bars, which is the easiest fundraiser?

If you have ever been involved with a fundraising PRODUCT like candy bars or candles, you may already know some of the difficulties associated with storage and transportation. The person in charge generally ends up using their living room as a storage unit, then making countless trips to load and unload the product out of their vehicle.

Candy bars and candles can not be transported in a trunk or left in a car

Where I live in Florida, we have the additional issue of heat. Storage in the garage is out as it may be 80 to 90 degrees in there, additionally Candy bars and candles can not be transported in a trunk or left in a car that is not already cooled off, or you will end up with one big candy bar with 20 wrappers in the middle or one huge candle with many wicks.

With Fundraising Discount Cards, storage and transportation are a breeze, one or two boxes depending on the size of your organization.

What about distribution?

But what about distribution? If your organization is small, like a boy scout or girl scout troop (10-12 kids), then this is a non-issue. But if you have 300 people in your group, there needs to be a distribution chain of command (more loading and unloading of boxes). IF you have to distribute your fundraising through coaches, would you rather have to give them each 15 – 10 pound boxes of chocolate? or hand them an envelope?

With cards, each coach simply gets an envelope and then gives each child/parent a few cards right there at practice on the field. Candy bars, you would need to have a parking lot meeting before or after practice (that doesn’t work here in Florida, they would be melted) and what do you do with the extra box for that child that missed practice that day?

Logistics aside, let’s take a look from an economic point of view.

With candy bars, the club or organization makes money (about 50% of money collected). Collect the money upfront, and then the family eats the candy bars.. Sure, the chocolate is higher quality than found in the store, but they are not a great deal, so the result is they family eats 10 lbs of over-priced chocolate. If a sale is made to an outsider, they are not getting a good deal; they are donating with the appearance of a product exchanging hands. Where is the value? It disappears 5 minutes later. People even make donations when they don’t want the candy bar.

With cards, the organization makes 50% to 90%, and local businesses gain new clients or gain loyalty from their existing customers. This is not only good for the community but also tends to increase awareness and sponsorship. The cardholder will generally recoup the costs of the card with just one or two uses without altering their purchasing habits.. However, they will have use of the card for an entire year, saving multiple times the cost of the card. People ask to see the offers on the back of the card and then ask to buy them when they see what a great deal it is for them.

Unlike most fundraisers, Discount Card Fundraisers are a win-win-win:
-Businesses like them because they bring in more customers. (Free advertising)
-Supporters like them because they save money with great discounts.
-Fundraising groups like them because they are highly profitable, customizable, and easy to sell.

Brass tax …. more on economics… 100 children

Chocolate bar sales
Sales per child      20
Profit per sale      $1
Profit per child      $20
funds raised for entire organization  $2000

Fundraising discount card sales
Sales per child      10 (half as many sales)
Profit per sale: $7.50
Profit per child      $75
Funds raised for the entire organization: $7500

There are many fundraising card companies to choose from. Make sure to do some comparing and look for companies that will do everything like

– Procure the sponsors for your group’s Fundraising Discount Cards
– Create a custom design for your cards.
– Use high-quality plastic with the look and feel of a credit card
– Give you a choice of colors and print the cards
– Ship the cards at no cost to you
– Will teach you how to organize your fundraiser
– Offer Quality customer service with extended hours (we can’t always volunteer between 9 and 5)
– Ask about any extra hidden charges

Fundraising Discount Cards are a proven money maker for schools, groups, and organizations. I hope you will consider them for your next fundraiser.

Mark South
https://easyfundraisingcards.com