What Fundraiser Groups Need to Run a Catalog Sale

Check out these ideas before you plan your next sale.

We assume you already have a group of students, a financial goal, and a fundraising purpose. Hopefully, you've also done your homework and looked into the pros and cons of how you can raise money. If a catalog sale is where your research journey has taken you, you'll probably want to know what you need to run your fundraiser.

Before you start, you'll want to ensure your students have the supplies they need while you, in turn, have effective selling tools at your disposal.

What follows are the essential things that fundraiser groups need to run an effective catalog sale.

Brochure Fundraising Supplies for Students

Here is a list of supplies that each student will need before your kickoff meeting:

1. Parent Information Letter
2. Sales Brochure
3. Order Form
4. Money Collection Envelope
5. Prize Brochure

The parent information letter informs parents about the fundraiser and how it will work. The sales catalog displays all the items that can be purchased and is what students and parents will show to neighbors, family, and friends.

Once people decide to purchase, they must place the information on the order form. The money is collected and placed in the money collection envelope. The purchaser is informed that items will be delivered in approximately three weeks.

Each student receives a prize brochure telling them what prizes to win for selling items.

Sponsors Fundraiser Sales Tools

To conduct an effective sales campaign, fundraiser groups need sales tools.

School-wide elementary and middle schools receive the following:

• School Fundraising Guidebook: Helps the sponsor navigate the various stages of their sale, provides additional selling tips, and helps answer questions.
• Motivational Selling Video: Provides students with need-to-know information about the fundraiser.
• Promotional Flyers: Extra prize flyers are provided so sponsors can post in key areas around the school.
• Additional Order Forms: If students fill out their first order form, the sponsor can provide extra extras.
• Classroom Envelopes: Allows sponsors to sort individual student order forms by class. Once the merchandise is delivered, each box outside will have the students' and teachers' names.
• Postage-Paid Mailing Box: The sponsor mails it via UPS once teacher envelopes are placed inside this box.

The list for smaller high school groups includes everything except the guidebook and the video. For more information, see how to prepare for a small group fundraiser kickoff.

Tools that Improve Fundraising Performance

In addition to the essential sales tools, it's also important to provide ways for fundraiser groups to maximize their results. Here are some tools that we provide:

• Fundraiser Goal Setting Guide: This allows you to determine your sales potential.
• Sales Tracking: This offers a way to track your progress while holding your sellers accountable. Works best with smaller groups.
• Prospect Lists: Helps high school students jump-start their sales efforts by creating a list of people they can approach.
• The NOW Selling Method: Provides an easy-to-use sales pitch for middle and high school students.

See our brochure fundraisers.

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.