2 Profitable Candle Fundraiser Ideas Your School Will Love

Raise Money for Your School Selling Candles.

Get creative with your next school fundraiser. If your fundraising campaign is getting stale, it’s time to mix it up. Selling candles is a unique and fun way to raise funds for your school and is a less inundated market than many other product fundraisers, for example, candy bars and t-shirts, making it likely to sell. Candles are diverse in scent and appearance, and therefore there is an option for everyone. BFI recommends two candle fundraisers for schools: Heartland Candles Fundraiser and Candles Online Fundraiser. Let’s learn more about each.

Candle Fundraisers for Schools

Brochures or virtual fundraising are effective ways to execute candle fundraisers. BFI offers two programs that take advantage of each method. Let’s take a look.

Heartland Candles Fundraiser

Heartland Candles offers several options. Aromas are long-lasting and include savory apple, cinnamon spice, and mocha cappuccino. They offer dual-fragrance candles, wax melts, and artisan soy candles. Aromas feature a 5.5% fragrance load, more robust than most other candle companies. These high-quality candles are the #1 selling country jar brand in the southeast. All ingredients are USA-made.

There is no upfront cost to the school or hidden fees. The company packs orders, and orders deliver within 3-4 weeks. The average candle price is $27, with a profit margin of 40%. Heartland Candles is a brochure fundraiser.

Candles Online Fundraiser

Candles Online offers a large assortment of fragrant candles. There are over 60 items to choose from with various scents, including Christmas, camping, fall-themed aromas and more. The fundraiser additionally offers dual-scented candles and wax melts. Candles Online fundraiser operates similarly to crowdfunding in that participants register for their selling page, which they share with friends, family, and other people in their network to make sales and earn capital for their school. Participants may include parents, students, faculty, alum, and other community members.

The profit margin is scaled and directly dependent upon the amount of sales made and can range anywhere from 25-40% with an average candle price of $24. There is no upfront charge for this fundraiser. However, a $50 administrative fee is deducted from the profit only if your group sells less than 50 items. The company handles packaging and delivery, and orders ship to the buyer within three business days after the purchase.

Bonus: How to Sell Candles

Your students must be able to sell candles to raise money. The best way to do this is to inform the potential buyer about the product and why they should purchase it. Luckily, there are benefits to burning candles, going beyond adding a pleasant scent to the room or providing a gentle ambiance. Candles offer aromatherapy and can induce a sense of calm and well-being. They act as room décor, can be used in mediation, and more. Candles are great as gifts or self-indulgence. The variety of scents, designs, and types of wax means there is something for everyone.

Candle Fundraising FAQs

Below are commonly asked questions regarding candle fundraising for schools.

Is Selling Candles a Profitable Fundraiser?

Yes, selling candles can be a profitable fundraiser for schools. It is a lightly tapped market offering a unique and long-lasting product, leading to a higher probability of reaching your financial goal. Several schools report positive experiences and significant success with past candle fundraisers.

How Can My School Launch a Candle Fundraiser?

The easiest way to launch a candle fundraiser is to partner with a fundraising company with an established relationship with a candle supplier leading to the lowest fees and a higher profit in the long run. Working with a fundraising company lessens the workload and provides an expert to turn to for support during all phases of the fundraising process.

Does BFI Offer Candle Fundraising Support?

BFI offers candle fundraising options for schools along with compatible prize programs. Review them under product fundraisers on the BFI website.

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.