When it comes to fundraising, we know parents and sellers often have lots of questions. Parents wonder how they can best support their kids, sellers want to know what’s expected of them, and everyone is curious about how the process works. That’s completely normal! Fundraising is a team effort, and the more you know upfront, the smoother (and more successful) your experience will be.
At Butter Braid® Pastries, we believe fundraising should be simple, stress-free, and even fun. That’s why we’ve gathered some of the most common questions parents and sellers ask and provide the answers you need to feel confident every step of the way. From understanding your group’s goals to learning how online tools work, we’ve got you covered.
9 Fundraising Questions to Answer for Your Group
1. What type of fundraiser is it?
Before a fundraiser begins, one of the first questions parents and sellers often ask is: “What type of fundraiser are we doing?” In most cases, your group is running a product fundraiser which means you’ll be offering items for supporters to purchase. If that’s the case for your group, be sure to provide sellers and parents with details about the products that they can use to answer questions from potential supporters.
For example, Butter Braid® Pastries are a customer favorite because they’re not only a treat but also something people look forward to enjoying year after year. Available in over 10 delicious flavors, each pastry is hand-braided and filled with layers of sweet, flaky goodness, making them a special indulgence that’s hard to resist.
When sellers understand what they’re offering, it’s much easier to answer questions and share excitement about the product. Whether you highlight the product’s uniqueness, convenience, or quality, you’ll be equipped with the information you need to confidently explain to your group why this fundraiser is worth supporting.
2. How much is each student/the group being asked to raise?
Setting clear goals is one of the most important parts of a successful fundraiser. Parents and sellers want to know what the fundraising targets are. We recommend breaking your goals down into two parts: individual goals and group goals.
- Your group goal is the big-picture number. This is the total amount of money the fundraiser needs to bring in to achieve your organization’s purpose, whether that’s funding new uniforms, supporting a school trip, or covering activity costs.
- The individual goal is the portion each student or seller is asked to contribute toward the group goal. Having a personal goal makes things feel more achievable and gives sellers a clear target to work toward. For more information about setting individual goals for your sellers, check out these tips and tricks!
3. What are we raising money for?
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again…sellers, parents, volunteers, and supporters are far more likely to contribute to your fundraiser when they understand the purpose behind it and how their participation will make a difference. Every fundraiser has a purpose; maybe it’s covering the cost of new team equipment, helping members go on a group trip, supporting arts and music programs, or funding important school activities. Be specific about what the funds will be used for and the impact they will have.
Sharing the “why” not only gets sellers and parents invested in your event, it also allows them to share that information with the friends, family, and community members they are asking for support from. This helps your supporters feel even more connected to the cause, meaning they too are far more likely to pitch in and feel good about doing it.
4. How do we use the online fundraising store?
Your fundraising program’s online store is designed to make selling easier, faster, and more convenient for both sellers and supporters. The fundraising company you partner with should have sign-up instructions and best practices that you can hand out to group members and parents during your kick-off event.
If you signed up for a program similar to the one used in Butter Braid® Pastry fundraisers, each seller will receive their own unique link to the online store. They can share this link via text, email, or social media, so friends and family can place their orders directly online and pay securely with a credit card or mobile wallet.
However, before you send your sellers out to promote your fundraiser to people all over the country, check to see if your group is responsible for delivering the products. If you are, it may impact who you want to share your online store with. And be sure to share this information with your group upfront to avoid any potential misunderstandings.
5. Who do the checks need to be made out to?
When supporters choose to pay by check, it’s important that those checks are written out correctly. In most cases, checks should be made payable directly to your group or organization, not to the individual seller or fundraising company. Your local fundraising professional will let you know the exact name to use. However, a good rule of thumb is to double-check before collecting payments. This ensures that funds are deposited quickly and accurately, without any delays.
6. How can we best support our kids/sellers?
When parents ask how they can support their child during the fundraiser, it’s helpful to remind them that their role is to encourage, guide, and make the process fun. Considering sharing these tips with the parents in your group:
- Help them practice: Remind parents they can role-play with their child, so they feel confident explaining what they’re raising money for and answering questions from supporters.
- Promote the online store: Encourage parents to share information about your fundraiser on social media, through text, or by email. This not only boosts sales but also makes it easy for out-of-town friends and family to participate.
- Provide positive reinforcement: Stress the importance of celebrating small wins along the way. Praising kids for reaching different milestones or for all the progress they’ve made really helps keep them engaged.
- Stay involved but let the kids lead: It’s important that parents provide guidance and support, but they must let their kids take ownership of the process. This helps them build confidence and take responsibility.
7. When will the fundraiser end?
Equally as important as the fundraising kick-off date is the end date. This is the final day for collecting orders and turning in any necessary forms or payments. Knowing this date helps everyone stay on track and ensures that no orders are missed. When communicating this information, be clear and specific. Share not only the official end date, but also any expectations around turning in order forms, online sales deadlines, or payment collection.
It’s helpful to communicate this date early and often. Mention it at your kickoff meeting, add it to your reminder emails, and put it in any printed handouts. Encourage group members to mark the deadline on their calendars in order to avoid waiting until the last minute to submit orders.
Tip: If your online store closes at a different time than paper orders are due, make sure your group is aware of both dates.
8. Who do we turn the order forms and money in to once the fundraiser has ended?
Parents and sellers will want to know exactly who is responsible for collecting their order forms and payments at the end of the fundraiser. We recommend designating one clear point of contact (or a small team) to collect everything. This could be you as the group leader or another trusted volunteer.
When answering this question, be sure to include:
- The name of the person they should turn materials in to.
- Where to drop off order forms and money (for example, “the school office,” “the gym after practice,” or “Room 105 by Friday at 3:00 PM”).
- What forms of payment should be turned in (cash or checks).
9. When will product pick up day be?
Everyone is going to be eager to learn when they can expect to receive the items their supporters ordered. As the group leader, it’s important to give your group clear details about this process well in advance. We recommend covering these key points in your kick-off packet, follow-up emails, and parent letters:
- Date and time: Confirm this with your local fundraising professional as soon as possible so people can plan ahead.
- Location where items will be available: Be specific; is it in the school auditorium, cafeteria, church hall, or another central spot?
- The process for pick-up: Will sellers be responsible for sorting the items? Will people need to check in with a volunteer? The clearer you are the smoother the distribution will go.
- What happens if someone can’t make it: Let your group members know if there’s an alternate time or someone they can contact to arrange different pick-up options.
Tip: Encourage sellers to double-check their orders on pick-up day. This prevents mistakes and makes sure supporters get exactly what they ordered without delay.
