There’s some hesitance from PTO boards and parents when it comes to product and sales-based fundraising. They take a lot of coordination, they last longer than a one-off event and students need to be willing to go door-to-door and reach out to several contacts to see results. We get it—if that were it, we’d be worried, too. However, we have a few points to argue that may persuade you this is the best type of fundraiser around. On the flip side, if you’re already convinced and just need a supporting argument for why to pursue a product fundraiser, we have your back.

We get it—if that were all there was to it, we’d be worried, too. However, we have a few points to argue that may persuade you this is the best type of fundraiser around. On the other hand, if you’re already convinced and just need a supporting argument for why to pursue a product fundraiser, we have your back.

At Evergreen, time and again our customers say they raised more than enough money for their school by selling our wreaths.

However, we all know it’s not all about the money, especially for the students.

THE BENEFITS TO YOUR STUDENTS

THROUGH SALES-BASED FUNDRAISING, STUDENTS LEARN THE IMPORTANCE OF…

1. Communication: When the students first start reaching out to potential customers, they’ll experience how tough this type of communication can be. They’ll have to learn how to write a successful fundraising letter and conduct an in-person sales pitch. If something goes wrong, they’ll have to work with the organization to explain the issue and communicate that to their customer.

2. Teamwork: Students will see how this type of fundraiser couldn’t be done on their own. They’ll need advice and assistance from you and their teachers. They’ll need to coordinate with the fundraising organization and then the people to whom they sell their product. When the going gets rough, they’ll also likely depend on peers for ideas and encouragement. And it’s a different type of experience than with sports; it’s not just their team that depends on them but rather their peers, parents and community.

3. Organization: From initial planning and budgeting, the outreach, the careful execution/delivery and finally the follow-up, the students witness so many moving pieces unique to product-based fundraisers. This may be the first time they need to stay organized to this level for several months in order to get people their product. And it won’t be the last.

4. Perseverance: Fundraising is not easy, but with most of them, if you work hard, it pays off. Students will have to keep going when the going gets rough and will see how that work can turn into a tangible profit.

THE BENEFITS TO YOUR SCHOOL

Product fundraisers don’t just positively impact your budget. If done well, they also can reflect well on your school or the specific organization you work with. Rather than staying in the school environment or at home behind a computer, your students will be engaging with community members and the product provider. When they do so in a professional way, they demonstrate they are good students and could further future support from the community.

We hope this helped you understand why we are big believers in product-based fundraisers for schools. We see how positively it impacts students and schools across the nation and hope that a product fundraiser, like our Wreath Fundraisers, can positively impact your own!