Learn how to make your candy bar sale thrive
When people think about raising money for a school, the first 2 things that come to mind are, why does the money need to be raised, how are we going to get it, and then perhaps most importantly, how much can we raise.
Most measure fundraising success by how much money is brought in. Many are inclined to think that only the wealthy schools have really successful sales. It seems logical because these areas have more resources, are more affluent, and thus have the most money to give. However, you may be surprised that this isn’t always the case.
In fact, the opposite is often the case. There have been groups in wealthy areas that end up having very poor sales due to apathy and poor planning. On the other hand, many organizations from less affluent areas tend to realize that they can’t simply write a check to pay for necessities whenever they want. In other words, having the drive to succeed can overcome what may on the surface appear to be impossible odds. So what does school fundraiser success actually mean?
Success is always relative. To answer this question you must grapple with what success means to your specific group. And to do that, you should first set a concrete financial goal based on a need that others are passionate about as well. This is your foundation. Then it’ll be important to take a closer look at the best way for your school to make money.
One universal favorite that always seems to be at the top of everyone’s list is the candy bar fundraiser. It’s popular and thus easy to sell, and is of course affordable to just about any budget. This also makes it the perfect impulse buy.
However, there’s more to a successful sale than just selling a great product. Here are three additional things that groups don’t often think about when selling candy bars that can boost your bottom line.
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The School Sponsor Always Drives the Sale
Hands down, the most crucial person in determining the success of any candy bar sale is the person who’s in charge of it. Everything begins and ends with the sponsor and the most important trait they can have is passion.
Successful sponsors care a great deal about the needs of their school and as a result, the fundraiser that’s going to make a significant difference. They are also good at motivating others to get involved, not just when it comes to candy bars for fundraising, but with school-related activities in general.
Profitable school fundraisers require taking a targeted multifaceted approach. Not only does the sponsor need to find creative ways to increase student participation, but they also need to be able to engage their school staff and parents as well. Learn how one mom brought her school’s PTA to life.
They understand that having fewer larger sales ultimately leads to more money being raised when all is said and done. Having more money available will lead to getting more things accomplished and having a greater impact on the lives of their students.
This also means that their sale is actively and consistently promoted to their students, parents and staff from day one. They take full advantage of the limited time they have to raise money. These types of sponsors always find a way to prevail, regardless of the obstacles in front of them. And most importantly, this mindset is contagious.
In other words, your students will feed off your enthusiasm. What follows are a few of the attributes that we’ve found most successful sponsors have:
- Others-centered
- Positive
- Organized
- Inspiring
- Purposeful
- Resourceful
- Accessible
As long as you’re willing to do what it takes to be a good sponsor for your school, your candy bar fundraiser can really succeed.
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How to Overcome the Wealth Gap Fallacy
Do wealthy schools always raise more money than less affluent ones? On the surface this would make sense. But let’s deal with this misconception right now. The answer is, wealth does not always determine the success of a school fundraiser.
In fact, quite the opposite can be true. Affluence can even be a hindrance when it comes to fundraising. The bottom line is that if people don’t see a need, apathy and disconnect usually ensues no matter what.
The truth is that many lower-income schools end up outperforming schools in higher-income neighborhoods. School fundraiser success isn’t really determined by the neighborhood, but rather the mind-set of the school staff, parents, and the students.
Positive attitude from the group sponsor can cultivate a strong feeling of unity experienced by all involved. These intangible qualities have been proven to be more significant; which are traits that can be possessed by any group, regardless of socio economics.
Using candy bars for fundraising can work really well for lower income areas because of the favorable price point. Ultimately, having the right product to sell that the community will embrace will lead to a successful outcome.
The good news is that chocolate bar sales are up compared to pre-pandemic levels. The truth is that consumers are seeking a little comfort food and that can help propel sales.
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Commit to Fundraising Excellence
If you could be a fly on the wall and watch everything unfold with your fundraiser, what would you hope to see? What kind of experience do you want everyone to have? Here are some 2 important questions to ponder:
- Will people understand and rally around your purpose?
- Will your customers embrace your product?
These are just a couple of the questions that you should be asking yourself. They are often things that we take for granted, and thus unfortunately don’t always plan for in advance. A positive overall perception about your candy bar fundraiser will make all the difference in the world, especially if you want people to participate in future sales as well.
FAQ
Are candy bar fundraisers for individuals as well as groups?
Although selling candy bars as a school or group is most common, individuals who need to raise money can also sell them. They’re easy to sell because of the affordability and demand.
What are the best candy bar fundraising ideas?
There are many candy bar options for groups to choose from. We recommend offering a variety of flavors and selling them for $1 each.
What are the most popular candy bar brands?
At the top of everyone’s list are Hershey’s Milk Chocolate, Reese’s, and Snickers.
What are the best candy bars to sell for fundraisers?
Because of the relatively high prevalence of peanut allergies in children, peanut-free candy bar fundraisers are a good choice for many school groups.
