Simplify your life
work smarter, not harder
When it comes to fundraising for youth sports, chocolate candy bars (and other $1 priced items) can feel like the go-to choice. They’re super affordable, easy to sell, and honestly, who doesn’t get excited about chocolate?
But from my experience, let’s chat about some of the challenges that might come with candy bar fundraisers—they can sometimes turn into more of a hassle than we expect. Below I listed some viable points that will make sense to you.
These points come from my customers and 20 years of fundraising experience.
1. Ordering isn't as simple as you think
Let’s start by talking about ordering candy bars for your fundraiser.
Factoring the right amount to order is super significant. If you go a little overboard, you might have some items left over, which can mean dealing with returns and possibly a restocking fee. Plus, nobody enjoys the back-and-forth scheduling to return stuff that didn’t sell.
On the flip side, if you don’t order enough, you’ll be playing catch-up with more scheduling to get what you need. But here’s the good news from my experience: fundraising can be fun and rewarding without the usual headaches!
With something like our cookie dough pre-sell fundraiser, you only order what parents actually sell. That means no stress over ordering too much or worrying about unsold inventory – how great is that?
2. Are they really that profitable?
Take a sec to hear me out on this one.
Those dollar candy bars might seem like a great deal at first, but their low price can actually make it harder to hit your fundraising goals.
Think about it: if we’re selling candy bars for $1 and the league keeps 50 cents, we have to sell a ton just to make it count.
For example, if we’re trying to raise $10,000, that means we need to sell 20,000 candy bars – that’s a lot! It’s a big ask for the players and their families.
Now, consider selling one box of cookie dough that goes for $24. Just one box can bring in as much money as selling 48 chocolate candy bars! Based on my experience, it’s pretty clear which option is the smarter choice.
So let’s work smart, not harder to make your fundraising goals easier to reach.
“As a volunteer, you have to make the most profit for the least amount of your valuable time.”
3. Loss prevention becomes a thing
One of the interesting challenges of candy bar fundraisers is maintaining a positive cash flow. I’ve seen firsthand how parents sometimes forget to submit money right on time, and kids can be pretty creative at misplacing cash. With candy bars being so affordable, those open boxes can turn into snacks for the little ones, which is an understandable temptation.
This situation creates a real headache for organizers, who must chase down missing funds or absorb the losses. Micromanaging parents and money will take the air out of your sails and make playing ball less interesting.
On the other hand, cookie dough sales make it smoother since parents collect payments upfront. And with fewer individual items, it’s so much easier to keep track of sales. This not only saves time but also lightens the load, making the whole fundraising process way more enjoyable!
4. Paying for your Fundraiser
We get it—paying upfront for inventory when you’re trying to fundraise can feel a bit strange. After all, the whole point of fundraising is to gather funds, not spend them while dealing with uncertainties.
Many of our customers reach out to us when the season is just around the corner because their accounts is running on empty.
Setting up credit terms for a chocolate candy bar fundraiser can feel like a gamble, and using a board member‘s credit card for buying inventory upfront? Yeah, that’s a tough pill to swallow.
At the end of the day, fundraising should be stress-free, especially when your league account is money-free. We’re here to help make it easier
Cookie Dough: The Recipe for Fundraising Success
Opting for a cookie dough fundraiser provides a more effective way to achieve your goals with reduced stress and increased profit. It’s easy to track, and each box sold returns significant profit to the league. Plus, it’s a treat that people enjoy purchasing—they can bake fresh cookies at home, and with pre-portioned dough, it’s a product everyone can appreciate.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to raising funds for your league, selecting a product that is easy to sell, profitable, and stress-free makes a significant difference.
While candy bars may seem enticing, cookie dough ultimately offers a better balance of profit and ease.
If you’re ready to see real results, please reach out to us about our cookie dough fundraiser today!
