Food has been a favourite way for sports teams to raise money for a long time. It works, gives people something they want and are willing to pay for, and there are many different kinds. No matter what kind of food fundraiser your team does, there are three things you must do to make the most of your efforts.
Go for a broad appeal for food fundraisers
First, choose a product that is popular and will appeal to the most possible customers. Your choice should be right for the people you want to reach, have a fair price, give you a good profit margin, and work for the season. For instance, don't sell sweets when the Girl Scouts are having their annual cookie sale to raise money.
Once you've decided on a product or group of products, you can use publicity to let people know about them. Use school newspapers, flyers, and all the other usual suspects.
Step it up by sending out a press release to local radio stations and newspapers. Most local publications do this for free for groups that don't make money from it. This will help you reach more people than just the team, their families, friends, and neighbours.
Prepare and Execute!
Second, make a plan for carrying out your plan. Everyone, including your team, should know what the group goal is, what the stretch goal is, and what their own goal is. Make a script for the sales team. Practice it at practise by taking on different roles.
Would you rather buy something from an athlete who doesn't know what to say and mumbles at his shoes, or from one who knows what to say, looks their potential customer in the eye, and says the right thing?
This message should briefly explain what they are selling, who they are raising money for, and what the money will be used for. (They got new uniforms and gear, went to the playoffs, etc.)
Offer incentives to buy
Give incentives to people who sell the most. Not just any old thing should be given as a reward. Many companies that help with fundraising offer prizes to customers who sell the most. If the incentives cost extra or aren't right for your team, ask local businesses to donate prizes.
Have a party to honour the best sellers and tell everyone who did well. Everyone likes to be praised in front of their peers for a job well done. If you add up your sales every day, the player with the most sales has to run five fewer laps than the rest of the team.
Follow the money.
As part of your plan, you might want to think about selling your products from a table in a shopping centre to reach more people. You might not be able to reach these customers any other way, and they can more than double your sales.
First, you should ask permission from the management of a shopping centre. Then get your volunteers to work in teams to take turns at the sales tables.
Each sales table should have clear advertising. On posters, write in big letters who is selling what and how the money will be used. Use not only more than one place, but also more than one table in each place.
Give people more choices
Third, and finally, tell people how they can help your cause in more than one way. Having a wide range of products helps make sure that everyone will find something they like.
Or, you could sell an add-on item to raise money. Not every customer will want the foods you've chosen to sell.
Add a discount card to the main thing you're selling to raise money. Whether it's a two-for-one pizza card or a discount card for fast food, these can help you make a lot more money.
By selling both your main product and an additional one, you could double the chances that someone will buy.
Don't forget the easiest thing to add: a donation.
If a customer doesn't want to buy something, always ask if they would rather help your cause by making a donation.
