Step By Step Fundraising Newsletter

March 2006

 

In this issue -

-  Sample Party Fundraisers

-  “Readers Say”

-  Other News & Notes

 

In today’s newsletter I’m going to reveal one of my favorite fundraisers, Sample Parties, which is included in Chapter 19 of The Beginner’s Guide to Fundraising.

You may have actually been to a sample party – many direct sales companies such as Tupperware, Pampered Chef and other have these kinds of parties.  You get to “sample” the merchandise by seeing and testing it out before you buy.   Did you know you can use some of the same techniques direct sales companies use in order to raise funds for your cause?

When I was raising money for the Leukemia Society in 2001, I sold candles as a fundraiser.  I hosted two candle parties in where people could smell all of the scents available, and see the actual merchandise that was in the catalog.  I personally sold over $600 worth of candles this way!

One of the best types of products to do this with is gourmet foods.  You’ve probably been to a grocery store when they’re handing out food samples.  One Saturday not too long ago I ended up with about a half dozen extra items because I was convinced by tasting the samples.  When your supporters can try the foods offered in the fundraising catalog they’ll also be convinced to buy from your group. 

There are two ways that you can host your sample party, either in someone’s home or set up a booth where people are already meeting.

 

Home Party

A Sample Party could be held at someone’s home just like a traditional direct sales party.  This would be good if you have a variety of foods to sample and perhaps have other entertainment. 

One of the fun things about hosing it at home is that your guests can prepare some of the foods themselves.  Nothing tastes better than freshly baked cookies right from the oven!

 

Table or Booth

Another way to give away samples is to go where people already are – such as club meetings, workplace, or church.  This can be much easier than getting party RSVP’s and you may be able to reach more people. 

Prepare the foods ahead of time and on the day of the event cut the foods into bite size samples.  When you ask someone, “would you like a free cookie?” most people will not say no!  Then just ask them if which foods they’d like to order to take home to their family. 

 

Go Cookie Crazy

The product that I recommend for the Sample Party fundraiser is pre-portioned cookie dough.

Now I will admit I was not a big fan of cookie dough fundraisers – until I tasted these cookies.  The flavors are all delicious and I’m particularly fond of Snickerdoodle. ;)  They bake perfectly every time which is more than I can say for my home made efforts.

What I like most about this cookie dough, besides the taste, is that it comes pre-portioned in easy to store boxes.  You can bake just a few at a time and put the rest back in the freezer.  It’s easy and hassle free – unlike cookie dough that comes in tubs.

Being able to “try before they buy” makes it so much easier for people to buy from your group – and you’ll be able to raise a lot more funds this way.

You can get up to 6 boxes of cookie dough to use for a Sample Party.  Just make sure that you also sign up for your fundraiser at the same time and get the catalogs you need to take orders.  It’s really pretty simple.

As an added bonus, after completing your fundraising campaign you’ll get a $50 bonus added to your fundraiser!

Other foods are also available to sample including cheesecakes, pies and pizza. 

Order Samples

View all Cookie Varieties

 

P.S. I am looking for a few groups to work with one-on-one to help plan a Sample Party fundraiser.  If accepted in this special coaching program, you’ll get free fundraising materials, help planning and other bonuses.  This offer is only available for those living in the United States and a limited number of spaces are available.  So if you think this would be a great fundraiser for your group and would like special coaching please contact me.

 

 

“Readers Say”

A few weeks ago I sent you an email asking for opinions about the Fundraising Forum and other features you’d like to see on this site.  Thank you for all of the great responses with very helpful feedback and ideas.

One of the features I decided to implement starting this month is a “Readers Say” column that features letters from newsletter readers. 

One of the things I love about publishing this website is hearing from people all over the world who are involved with such interesting fundraising projects.  One international reader recently wrote to let me know a little bit about her organization.

Dear Sandra,

Thank You ,Thank YOU, Thank You.

I looked at the newsletter before I even downloaded the book, and I was so excited that I was almost half an hour late going out, there were so many ideas I just could not stop reading, it was an answer to my prayers.

I now live on the tiny island of St. Kitts (my country of birth)  after having spent 40 years in the UK, I belong to a non profit organization called the Returning Nationals and we do a lot of fund raising for lots of different things in the community such as the hospital, children home, etc.

We are planning a reunion in 2008,when folks will come from the U.S.A, Canada, U.K and other countries around the globe, and I was elected chairperson to lead the fund raising committee, and was searching for ideas, then lo and behold news letter came and I was on my way.

Thank you once again and I will keep you posted as to how I am getting on.

Kindest Regards

Adina  Payne

 

 

Other News & Notes

Finally, in the past few weeks, there’s been several other articles and news items posted online that I thought you might like to hear about. 

 

Entertainment Fundraisers – Try it at Half Off

The Three “R”s of Fundraising Letters

Celebrity Endorsements as Publicity

Relay for Life – Any Fundraising Ideas?

 

To Your Continued Fundraising Success,




Sandra Sims
Editor & Publisher
Step By Step Fundraising

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