I was in a fundraiser a few years back involving selling candy. I had been on a cheerleading squad for quite some time and the goal of our candy fundraiser was to get new uniforms. We desperately needed them! Half of the girls had to pin their uniforms smaller or wear them oversized and it was awful for the team and especially the girls themselves. When we were able to do this we were all quite eager to try to meet the goal.
We luckily got a good variety of chocolate in our boxes so it wasn’t too hard to accomplish. We didn’t have any specific “training” from the coach but we were told effective selling points. What I remember most was this… we were having a game against a team we really had a lot of issues with. They were doing the same fundraiser and one of the girls had bet the other team that we would win. If we did they had to buy some of the chocolate and vice versa. Although some people may frown upon that, we won the game and raised more money for our team.
The football games we had in general helped a lot. A lot of the time people would run down from the stands to buy candy from us during the games. We would do cheers sometimes to show spirit for buyers and to get more purchases which was a good technique.
Although they told us door to door sales a lot of the time aren’t effective, I know a lot of people in my neighborhood. It wasn’t the most popular way of getting money for the team because so many girls were selling candy but we definitely gained some through that. Also, since I was in middle school at the time it was a GREAT age group to sell candy to. Kids absolutely love candy!
The school allowed us to bring our chocolate to class and sell them in the beginning and end if kids wanted it, or if the teacher permitted so during the class depending on what was going on.
Another good way of making the money was when I had my family buy some or when I had close family, especially my mom, bring boxes to their work. I know that whether your a kid in school or an adult sitting in your office, you crave chocolate, especially when its right there available for you. This was a great way of making money. And since it was right there I also had bought quite a bit myself. It was convenient because I was helping my team out and I didn’t even have to go to the store, it was right there in my home!
Lastly, if you educate the squad and parents about how much is raised and how much more you need and by when… a lot of the parents out there will throw in the extra $20 or so each just to help you out if they can. Seeing how close you are and meeting the deadline can push parents to help out as much as possible to help their kids.
In the end we succeeded far past what we needed, which was awesome and we finally were able to wear uniforms that actually fit us! I think candy fundraisers are definitely a great idea to help out a cause.