School Cookie Dough Fundraisers 101

Everything you need to know about cookie dough fundraisers.

Let’s face it- sweet treats are an easy sell. In 2022, one company sold 95.7 million units of cookie dough. No wonder cookie dough fundraising is a popular school campaign choice- it’s certainly a hot product right now! Is your school interested in getting in on the action? Learn everything you need to know to pick the right cookie dough fundraiser and raise the capital you need.

How Do School Cookie Dough Fundraisers Work?

Products are sold in person by brochure or via an online store. Customers select the flavor and quantity they desire and receive the product later. Depending on the selected supplier and program, the cookie dough will be delivered directly to the customer or the school for distribution.

Customers purchase the cookie dough, and the school retains a percentage of the proceeds. Profit margins may vary.

Cookie Dough Fundraising Pros and Cons

Every fundraiser has its highlights and drawbacks, and cookie dough campaigns are no exception. Let’s take a look at both the good and the bad.

Pros of Selling Cookie Dough

Pros of selling cookie dough include:

• the opportunity to offer a variety of flavors
• promoting a possible family activity
• baking cookies can be nostalgic
• cookie dough has a long shelf-life
• cookie dough offers high-profit margins

Cons of Selling Cookie Dough

There are a few cons to selecting a cookie dough fundraiser. These include:

• some people don’t enjoy sweets and, therefore, won’t participate
• the cookie dough needs to remain refrigerated or frozen until delivered
• possibility of market saturation due to the popularity of the fundraiser

Cookie Dough Fundraiser Profit Margin

One of the reasons cookie dough is such a popular fundraising choice is it commonly offers a generous profit margin. All BFI cookie fundraisers offer 40% profit to schools. The average price of an Otis Spunkmeyer box of 36 cookies is $22, meaning for 100 units sold, your school earns up to $880.

FAQ: School Cookie Dough Fundraisers

We know you likely still have questions. We’ve answered a few of the most common questions below. If we miss yours, contact us, and we’ll happily fill you in.

How long does cookie dough last?

Cookie dough has a long shelf life. For example, Otis Spunkmeyer cookie dough lasts up to two weeks in the fridge and six months when frozen.

Does cookie dough need to be refrigerated right away?

Most cookie dough stays fresh at room temperature for 6-8 hours. If you don’t plan to use the product immediately, we recommend storing it in the refrigerator or freezer.

Does shelf-stable cookie dough taste as good as well-known brands?

It can become an issue when schools must deal with the leftover product after delivery. But dealing with frozen cookie dough can become a problem without proper storage. Storing cookie dough is one of the most prominent concerns schools have.

You can store shelf-stable cookie dough safely at 72 degrees or less for up to 21 days. It can then be refrozen or refrigerated. Shelf-stable is convenient, but does it taste as good as a well-known brand like Otis Spunkmeyer?

Everyone has their taste preferences; however, sales continue to show that shelf-stable dough tastes as good as any other cookie dough product. Learn more about shelf-stable cookie dough.

Is Cookie Dough Kosher?

All brands of cookie dough sold by Big Fundraising Ideas are Kosher.

How Long Does Cookie Dough Last?

When sealed in its original packaging, cookie dough can be left in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If stored frozen, it’s good for up to a year. It can be thawed and refrozen.

Campaigning With Cookie Dough: Top 3 Suppliers

Our top picks at BFI include Otis Spunkmeyer, Amazing Dough, and David’s Cookies. We partner with schools to launch campaigns with all three suppliers. Let’s look at why we suggest utilizing one of these companies.

#1 Otis Spunkmeyer

Otis Spunkmeyer prides itself on “NFS”: No Funky Stuff. Their products don’t contain any high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils, artificial colors, or artificial flavors. They offer eight top-selling flavors with 36 pre-portioned cookies per box weighing 2.5 pounds each. Otis Spunkmeyer is a brand people know, love, and trust, making sales a breeze.

#2 Amazing Dough

Amazing Dough offers eight premium selections, including name-brand mix-ins like Hershey’s, M&M’s, and Quaker Oats. Amazing Dough is shelf-stable, and each box makes 35 cookies.

#3 David’s Cookie Dough

David’s Cookie Dough offers six flavors with 48 per-portioned cookies per box. David’s store includes gluten-free and dairy-free options, opening up your available market. Cookies contain no trans-fat and are certified Kosher.

Bonus: How To Maximize Your Cookie Dough Fundraiser

Once you’ve selected your cookie dough, it’s time to sell! Here are some unique tips to help you maximize your raise.

• Advertise the nutrition facts: Many people are focused on health these days, and cookies have gained a bad rap in the health world. Share the good news- cookies have come a long way. For example, Otis Spunkmeyer cookies don’t contain PHOS, artificial colors, flavors, or HFCS and are considered low-calorie snacks at just 120 calories for a sugar cookie.
• Brainstorm your raise: Consider who you will sell to and how. Your market includes friends, family, faculty, and community members. Sales channels can include your online store, going door-to-door, and selling at parents’ offices or a place of business. Encourage older students to use prospecting sheets.
• Get creative: Create or research fun recipes to excite people about selling cookie dough. To gain extra brownie points, hand out a uniquely shaped cookie cutter to each customer who purchases a certain number of boxes.
• Offer additional reasons to buy: Is a holiday around the corner? Maybe there is a loved one with a sweet tooth? Remind potential customers that they can buy for themselves and others.

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.