Sell holiday gift baskets to raise money.
The Christmas season is a time to exchange gifts, making it an ideal time to raise money for your worthy cause. Charities, schools, churches and other nonprofit organizations can put together Christmas gifts to sell to holiday shoppers. Since consumers are spending anyway, they'll enjoy purchasing gifts from an organization that will use their money for a good cause. The key to Christmas gift fund-raising success is effective marketing of your products.
Gift Baskets
Gift baskets offer a medley of items that an entire family can enjoy. Or, a business can deliver a gift basket to a client as a thanks for his business. Since these items are popular around the holidays, nonprofit organizations can make and sell their own gift baskets to raise money. Choose themes for your gift baskets. You can include popcorn, candy and a few DVDs for a movie-themed gift basket or a basket full of fresh fruits and fruit dip for a healthy but tasty treat. Sell the baskets so that you make a profit on them, and allow the profits to support your cause.
Gift Card Donation
Some families shy away from exchanging gifts that no one wants, and nonprofit organizations can attract this customer base by selling donations to the charity in a person's name. For example, an animal shelter can name cages after donors, so a person can make a donation in the name of his animal-loving sister. Or, you can simply sell donation cards that say "A donation has been made in your name" with an explanation of how your organization will use the funds. This is an effective Christmas fund-raiser because all proceeds go toward your cause.
Holiday Market
Host a holiday market to attract holiday shoppers and support local businesses at the same time. Invite local crafters, artists and jewelry makers to set up booths at a holiday market and sell their products to Christmas shoppers looking for a unique gift. In exchange for the publicity and access to a large customer base, business owners can donate a portion of their profits -- up to 20 percent -- to your fund-raising cause. People will enjoy purchasing gift items that are handmade and support a worthy cause.
Sweet Treats
Nothing says Christmas like red and green sugar cookies, chocolate bark and other sweet treats. Make Christmas baking easy by hosting a bake sale where you sell individually packaged treats as well as gift baskets full of holiday delicacies. The cost to produce these items is low, as many holiday treats use inexpensive ingredients, and you can make them in bulk. Set reasonable prices that allow you to bring home a small profit from each sale made.
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