Successful fundraisers don’t just happen by accident. While every group has unique goals, schedules, and challenges, the most successful fundraisers tend to follow a similar playbook. They focus on clear communication, strong organization, and giving their sellers the tools and motivation they need to succeed. The good news? You don’t need to completely reinvent the fundraising wheel to see better results. Small, intentional changes can have a big impact on your overall fundraising sales.
Whether you’re planning your first product fundraiser or looking to improve results from previous years, these seven tips will help you boost participation, increase sales, and keep your group energized from kickoff to delivery day.
7 Strategies to Boost Your Fundraising Sales Results
1. Start with a Clear and Compelling “Why”
Every successful fundraiser begins with a purpose. If sellers and supporters don’t understand why the fundraiser matters, it becomes much harder to get them to participate. Instead of simply saying, “We’re fundraising to support our group,” explain what the funds will actually do. Are you covering travel costs for competitions? Purchasing new equipment or uniforms? Offsetting participation fees so more members can be involved? When people understand how their efforts directly impact something meaningful, they’re far more likely to engage.
This clarity is especially important for sellers. Students/group members who feel connected to the cause are more confident when asking for support and confidence often leads to higher sales. Encourage your group to share the story behind the fundraiser when they talk to friends, family, and neighbors. Supporters aren’t just buying a product; they’re helping make something possible.
Revisit the “why” often throughout the fundraiser. Use reminders, updates, and progress reports to show how close the group is to reaching its goal and what that success will mean. Keeping the purpose front and center helps maintain momentum and motivation.
2. Set Achievable Goals for Sellers and the Group
Goals are powerful motivators but only when they’re realistic. Setting goals that are too high can feel overwhelming while goals that are too low may not inspire much effort. The key is finding the right balance. We recommend breaking your fundraising sales 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 to help achieve higher fundraising sales, check out these tips and tricks!
It’s also helpful to provide benchmarks along the way. Instead of focusing solely on the final number, encourage sellers to aim for smaller milestones, such as selling a certain number of items each week. This creates a sense of progress and accomplishment throughout the fundraiser.
3. Choose Products People Love
A great product can make all the difference in the success of your fundraiser. A high-quality, unique product not only attracts more supporters but also enhances the overall fundraising experience for everyone involved.
Butter Braid® Pastries are a perfect example. Braided by hand and made with 100% real butter, these pastries are bursting with sweet and savory fillings and can be topped with a sweet icing or rich dipping sauce. The premium quality and mouth-watering taste not only make them easy to sell but also ensures supporters are satisfied with their purchase. When you choose a product that people love, they’re more likely to support your fundraiser again in the future and recommend it to others thus increasing your overall sales.
4. Equip Sellers with the Right Tools
When you give sellers all the tools they need, they will feel more comfortable when it comes time for them to reach out to supporters. If they feel comfortable, they’ll reach out to more people meaning you’re more likely to achieve those higher fundraising sales you crave. You can help prepare your sellers by…
- Encouraging them to practice asking people to purchase from their fundraiser
- Giving them details about the products they’ll be selling, so they can answer any questions people may have
- Teaching them the “why” behind their fundraiser. Supporters want to know what you’re fundraising for and how they can help you achieve your goal!
- Reminding them to say “thank you” to each person they talk to, whether they buy from the fundraiser or not.
For more information on how you can help prepare sellers for your fundraiser, check out our blog post How to Ask Someone to Buy from a Fundraiser! It has even more tips and some scripts and social media post examples to get your sellers started.
5. Communicate Early and Often
Clear communication with your sellers, parents, and supporters is essential when planning a product fundraiser. When everyone understands the plan, expectations, and goals from the start, participation rises, and confusion and frustration drop. That’s why we recommend implementing these three strategies into your fundraiser:
- Start communicating before the fundraiser officially begins. Share important dates, goals, and expectations early so everyone has time to plan. A strong kickoff sets the tone and helps prevent confusion later on.
- During the fundraiser, provide regular updates. Remind sellers of approaching deadlines, celebrate progress, and share helpful tips to keep momentum going.
- Don’t forget about supporters, either. Occasional reminders about the fundraiser’s purpose and end date can encourage last-minute orders. Clear communication ensures no one is left wondering what’s happening or what they need to do next.
Check out this blog post for more tips on improving your fundraising communications.
6. Leverage Social Media and Personal Networks
Social media has become a powerful fundraising tool. Encouraging sellers and parents to share fundraiser posts can dramatically expand your reach beyond immediate friends and family. Personal posts tend to perform best. When sellers or parents share why the fundraiser matters to them, it feels more authentic and engaging. A short message explaining the cause, paired with a photo and a direct link to an online store, can be very effective.
It’s important to strike the right balance. Posting consistently keeps the fundraiser top of mind but posting too frequently can feel overwhelming. Encourage sellers to share a few thoughtful updates throughout the fundraiser rather than posting every day.
Social media also allows groups to celebrate milestones publicly. Sharing progress updates or thanking supporters online not only boosts morale but also encourages others to get involved.
7. Celebrate Progress and Show Appreciation
![An example "thank you" Instagram post that a group could post. It has an image of a Butter Braid Pastry slice with "Thank You" over top. The caption says, “Thank you [Supporter Name] for your amazingly generous support of [Group Name] during their [Fundraiser Name]. Through your contribution, you are helping [Group Name] to [short statement of impact/how their contribution will be used]. Much thanks to you and all the generous people just like you for the incredible support!”](https://butterbraid.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/BBP-24IMG-BLOG-Jan-02SMExamplePost-R01-01-576x1024.jpg)
A successful fundraiser isn’t just about raising money; it’s also about building relationships and fostering a sense of community. That’s why it is important to properly thank those who contributed to the effort. Supporters, sellers, parents, and volunteers all play a crucial role in achieving the fundraising sales your group needs, and neglecting to show appreciation can make them less likely to participate in the future. Here’s how you can show your appreciation:
- Send personal thank-you notes: A handwritten note, personalized email, or even a quick phone call to express appreciation can make a big impact. Recognizing individual contributions shows sincerity and encourages continued support.
- Publicly acknowledge supporters: Use social media, newsletters, or a group meeting to give a public shout-out to top sellers, dedicated volunteers, and generous supporters. Highlighting their efforts reinforces their value to the cause.
- Host a celebration event: If possible, organize a simple get-together, like a pizza party or an awards ceremony, to celebrate everyone’s hard work and success.
By making gratitude a key part of your fundraising efforts, you strengthen relationships, encourage future participation, and create a positive experience for everyone involved. A little appreciation goes a long way in ensuring continued success.
