4 Ways to Boost an Otis Spunkmeyer Cookie Dough Fundraiser

Your Guide to Selling More Cookie Dough

Maximizing your Otis Spunkmeyer cookie dough sales comes down to strategy. Below are four proven ways to boost sales, from sharing ingredient facts to expanding your outreach.

Big Fundraising Ideas has supported school fundraising programs since 1999. For the full numbers on this fundraiser, see how much a school can make from an Otis Spunkmeyer fundraiser and why Otis Spunkmeyer is America's favorite cookie dough.

The Otis Spunkmeyer Fundraiser at a Glance

1. Advertise the Nutrition Facts

Health and clean eating are two priorities for many people today. Luckily, Otis keeps this in mind when choosing its ingredients. Otis Spunkmeyer's "No Funky Stuff" promise lists no partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), no artificial colors or flavors, and no high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), and Big Fundraising Ideas' Otis pages list zero grams of trans fat per serving. Ingredients and calories vary by flavor and cookie size, so quote the label for each product. For example, Otis lists 140 calories for a 1.1-ounce triple chocolate chip piece.

Share this information with your potential buyers to help boost your raise! This bit of information may take a hesitant customer from maybe to yes.

• Quote the Label: Copy the number or statement for the specific flavor, not a general claim about all cookies.
• Skip Health Claims: Cookies are a treat, so describe ingredients and leave out promises about health benefits.
• Mention Allergens up Front: Families with allergies will thank you. See school food fundraiser rules.

2. Share recipe ideas

Simply making Otis Spunkmeyer cookies delivers a delicious treat. But there are many ways to go beyond baking the cookies as-is. Many fun recipe ideas can spruce up these cookies and make them even more exciting and yummy. Find some online, or have your students experiment and create some of their own recipes.

Your potential customers will be eager to get their Otis Spunkmeyer cookie dough and get baking with some fun recipe ideas in mind. Inspiring recipe ideas create excitement and encourage buyers to head straight to the kitchen. Post recipe ideas on your website and fundraising page. Additionally, consider printing out copies to distribute during the sales process.

• Bake First, then Build: Warm cookie sundaes, cookie ice cream sandwiches made with baked and cooled cookies, and cookie crumble toppings all start with a fully baked cookie.
• Seasonal Plates: A holiday cookie platter with a mix of flavors makes an easy gift.
• Student Creations: Have students invent and test recipes with an adult, and feature the best ones.
• Put It in Writing: Print the recipe on a card that goes with each order.

A Food Safety Note

Never eat raw cookie dough. The FDA advises against eating raw dough or batter because raw flour can carry E. coli and raw eggs can carry Salmonella, and baking kills these bacteria. Make sure every recipe idea you share starts with baking the cookies, and remind buyers to wash their hands and surfaces after handling raw dough.

3. Prepare your students to sell

An excellent way to boost your fundraiser is by preparing your students to market and sell the product. Equip students with sales best practices, product details, and answers to common customer questions. Have students practice their sales pitch by role-playing with partners. Two faculty members can model it before students try.

Consider purchasing your Otis Spunkmeyer cookies from the first two students willing to come up and role-play in front of your group.

This preparation boosts your raise and gives students excellent training and real-life experience. Negotiating, pitching, and presenting are life skills that come in handy in any profession your students enter.

• A simple pitch: "Hi, I'm [name] from [group]. We're raising money for [reason]. Would you like to order some Otis Spunkmeyer cookie dough?"
• Be honest: share only facts students can back up
• No pressure: thank buyers either way, and never push

For related guidance, see how to improve school fundraiser participation, student participation in school fundraising, and how to get parents to support your school fundraiser.

4. Expand Your Reach

Use all available methods to sell Otis Spunkmeyer cookies! Students may sell door-to-door or visit local businesses, as long as an adult supervises them or they work in groups. Ask students to share with family members and distribute catalogs at their parents' workplaces. Post your fundraiser online to reach more potential buyers. Advertise on your website, social media accounts, club pages, and any fundraising platforms you use. Ask students, faculty, and other community members to share the fundraiser.

People are asking where to buy Otis Spunkmeyer cookie dough. Many people learn about Otis through school fundraisers. Big Fundraising Ideas' product page describes it as the number-one-selling cookie dough in the US. Therefore, the more people see your fundraiser, the more potential sales, and the higher your end profit. Unsurprisingly, Otis Spunkmeyer chocolate chip is the top-selling fundraising flavor, followed closely by white chocolate macadamia nut.

Keep Students Safe When They Sell

• Adult Supervision: Students should sell with an adult or in groups with older students, as the original advice says.
• Daylight and Familiar Places: Choose times and places that feel safe, and follow your school's policy.
• An Online Option: An Otis Spunkmeyer online store lets families give without anyone going door-to-door.
• More Guidance: See school fundraising safety tips.

Plan Your Otis Spunkmeyer Calendar

See how a school gets paid after a fundraiser, school fundraiser delivery tips, and no upfront cost fundraisers.

There are tons of ways you can improve your cookie dough fundraiser results. Explore your options, then sell, sell, sell!

To see the full range, visit the Cookie Dough Fundraisers and Brochure Fundraisers pages.

Frequently Asked Questions About Boosting an Otis Spunkmeyer Fundraiser

How can you sell more Otis Spunkmeyer cookie dough in a fundraiser?

Share accurate ingredient and nutrition facts from each flavor's label, give buyers recipe ideas, prepare students with a short sales pitch and role-play, and expand your reach beyond in-person selling to family, workplaces, and an online store. Start early, remind sellers during the sale, and keep adults involved when students sell outside school.

Does Otis Spunkmeyer cookie dough contain artificial ingredients?

Otis Spunkmeyer's "No Funky Stuff" promise lists no high fructose corn syrup, no partially hydrogenated oils, and no artificial colors or flavors. Ingredients vary by product, though, and some Otis fundraising ingredient lists include natural and artificial flavor, so read the label for the specific flavor you are selling before you make any claim.

How many calories are in an Otis Spunkmeyer cookie?

It depends on the flavor and cookie size. For example, Otis lists 140 calories for a 1.1-ounce triple chocolate chip piece. Check the nutrition label for each flavor, and quote the number for that product.

Is Otis Spunkmeyer cookie dough safe to eat raw?

No. The FDA advises against eating raw dough or batter because raw flour can carry E. coli, and raw eggs can carry Salmonella. Baking kills these bacteria, so bake the cookies before eating them, and wash your hands and surfaces after handling raw dough.

What are the best-selling Otis Spunkmeyer flavors for fundraisers?

According to Otis Spunkmeyer, chocolate chip is the best-selling variety for fundraising campaigns, followed by white chocolate macadamia nut. Big Fundraising Ideas describes Otis Spunkmeyer as the number-one-selling cookie dough in the US.

How long does an Otis Spunkmeyer fundraiser last?

The sale runs for two weeks by default. Delivery is about three to four weeks after the order forms are received, so work backward from when you want the cookie dough in hand.

How much profit does a school make selling Otis Spunkmeyer cookie dough?

The product page lists 40% for brochure and online sales and an average price of about $22 per item, which is about $8.80 profit per item. In Big Fundraising Ideas' own example, 60 participants selling 10 items each bring $13,200 in sales and $5,280 in profit.

Is it safe for students to sell door-to-door?

Only with precautions. Students should sell with an adult or in groups with older students, and they should follow your school's policies. Safer ways to reach buyers include selling at school events, selling to family and neighbors with a parent, and selling through an online store.

How does an online store help a cookie dough fundraiser?

It lets family and friends anywhere order without a student having to go door to door. Big Fundraising Ideas reports that on its Otis Spunkmeyer online store, about 46% of participants register on the first day, and 80% of registered participants sell, averaging about $100 per seller.

Is Otis Spunkmeyer cookie dough peanut-free?

Not necessarily. Otis cookie dough contains milk, wheat, soy, and eggs; some varieties also contain nuts, such as white chocolate macadamia nut or peanut butter. Check the ingredient list for each flavor and tell families before they buy.

Need more info? Reach out today for a FREE consultation with an expert. Contact Big Fundraising Ideas or call (866) 980-9930, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST.

Author Bio

Clay Boggess has been designing fundraising programs for schools and various nonprofit organizations throughout the US since 1999. He’s helped administrators, teachers, and outside support entities such as PTAs and PTOs raise millions of dollars. Clay is an owner and partner at Big Fundraising Ideas.