What are the best things to sell for fundraising? Here’s what we’re seeing

If you’re here, you’re probably preparing for every parent’s favorite time of year: fundraising. You’re joining the millions of kids, teens, and parents raising money to do group activities. Amid all those fundraisers, it’s natural to wonder, “What are the best things to sell for fundraising?”

Well, that’s something we know a thing or two about. We’ve tracked a bunch of fundraiser ideas for kids and teens and put together a list of the best. Read on to find out:

• The most popular fundraising ideas
• How much it costs to run them
• Some pro tips on running the best fundraiser you can

Don’t sell mulch in December — Why timing and location matter

Before we get into specific products, remember that a successful fundraiser isn’t only about what you sell. When and where you sell matters just as much.

For instance, mulch buyers probably live in suburban homes, not in downtown apartments. And they want fresh mulch in early spring to feed their flower beds — not in the dead of winter.

Not all product demand is so cut and dried. Make sure you research what people around you need and when they need it.

Pay special attention to the “margin of return” you get from any product. That’s how much you get to keep after paying for the cost of the products themselves. We share some estimates based on the industry, but your margin will change for reasons like:

• Who you work with
• Where you are
• How many orders you fulfill

Remember that any fundraising activity will have a margin. Factor that into your goal-setting and planning before you start.

With that part covered, let’s get into the good stuff — what fundraisers should you consider?

Spring fundraisers get people outdoors

Warming weather brings people back outside and wanting to spruce up their homes. This is especially true in the Midwest, where icy winter winds keep people cooped up indoors.

So, if you’re fundraising for your basketball or baseball team — or any sport or group — selling products for outdoor use scratches a big itch for most buyers. These fundraisers focus on suburban environments and make great door-to-door or storefront selling options.

January & February: Flowers

While you usually won’t plant flowers until late spring, you can take orders for flowers in January and February. Plus, if you use a catalog with photos, you can show off beautiful flowers that help convince your buyers to sign up.

• Average item price: $15-30/flat
• Typical margin: 45-55%

Partner with a local gardening supply store and let their expertise inform what flowers you sell.

February & March: Mulch bags

Before flower planting begins, buyers are likely digging out their mulch beds. Hauling fresh mulch is a pain you and your group can help solve.

• Average item price: $4-7/bag
• Typical margin: 40-50%

Offer to spread the mulch for your buyers for an extra $1-2 per bag. Larger groups can quickly spread many bags!

April: Trash bags

Spring weather also brings spring cleaning. In fact, 80% of Americans spring clean yearly — and typically, there's a lot to throw out! Whether it’s tossing dead tree branches or throwing away worn-out rugs, people need trash bags. It’s an easy opportunity for door-to-door sales, too!

• Average item price: $12-15/roll
• Typical margin: 50-60%

Sell heavy-duty trash bags meant for indoor and outdoor cleaning.

Summer selling is slower but possible

No matter what you sell, summer is the toughest season to sell it. School is out, and people take long vacations to enjoy the summer weather. We don’t see many fundraisers at this time of year.

That said, you still might need to fundraise during quiet summer months. If that’s the case, check out our all-season options later in this post.

Fall fundraisers tap into cozy vibes and back to school

As the air turns crisp and the leaves start to change, fall fundraisers can take advantage of the season's nostalgic charm. People love getting cozy, embracing autumn traditions, and preparing for back to school. This makes fall a perfect time to sell products that evoke warmth and connection.

Whether you’re supporting your school, sports team, or community group, fall fundraisers can thrive by leaning into seasonal favorites that bring people together.

August: Mattresses

Retailers are clearing out summer stock, and college-bound teens often need new mattresses for dorms or off-campus housing. You can typically find better deals on mattress stock and sell them throughout your community. This fundraiser is done better locally — mattresses are pretty heavy to haul!

• Average item price: $300-1,000+ (depending on mattress size)
• Typical margin: 20-40%

Spend extra time advertising your upcoming mattress fundraiser. Since mattresses are expensive for most people, you’ll want buyers to budget ahead of time.

September: Popcorn

Popcorn is a common and trusty fundraiser for many sports teams and kid-focused activity groups. The most popular popcorn flavors, like kettle corn, caramel corn, and white cheddar, seem especially delicious during cooler fall months.

• Average item price: $10-20/container
• Typical margin: 40-50%

Bundle popular flavors into larger “gift baskets” to boost buying potential.

October: Blankets

Cooling weather brings more chances to curl up on the couch with a cozy blanket. You would do well to localize a blanket fundraiser as much as possible. For instance, many buyers likely have connections to nearby colleges and universities. Focus on blankets with school colors or mascots. And know your audience (aka, don’t sell Ohio State blankets in Michigan 😉).

• Average item price: $30-45
• Typical margin: 40-50%

Depending on your chosen blanket vendor, you could offer even more personalization options. A monogrammed blanket might be a great premium option!

August-October: Calendars

Even though most people keep calendars on their phones, a glossy annual calendar makes for an excellent piece to hang on the kitchen fridge. You can even work with a printer or online vendor to personalize calendars with photos of your team or group in action.

• Average item price: $15-20
• Typical margin: 45-55%

You can talk with local businesses about placing small ads in your printed calendar. It’s another opportunity to raise more money for a good cause — yours!

August-October: Mums

Few things scream fall quite like vibrant, blooming mums. These hardy flowers are a staple in autumn décor, brightening porches, gardens, and doorsteps with their rich hues of orange, yellow, red, and purple. Their popularity makes them an ideal product for fall fundraisers.

• Average item price: $15-30/flat
• Typical margin: 45-55%

Let supporters choose their colors and quantities ahead of time to simplify distribution and avoid unsold inventory.

Winter fundraisers are all about the holidays

It’s probably unsurprising that the winter months are spent preparing for the holidays. Fundraisers that help people manage some of the many holiday tasks on their plates do very well this time of year.

September: Candles

Candles are popular holiday gifts. Help people get a jump-start on holiday shopping by selling candles around September. Many vendors will help with delivery (worth considering since most candles come in glass jars).

• Average item price: $20-30
• Typical margin: 40-55%

While you want to offer a range of scents, consider picking 2-3 “favorite scents” that your kids can share with buyers. Fewer options to choose from helps your supporters say yes faster!

October: Poinsettias

The poinsettia plant is the classic holiday gift. In the six weeks around Christmas, Americans buy more than 70 million of them! Plan to take orders before the holiday season kicks into high gear to ensure access to these popular plants.

• Average item price: $15-25/plant
• Typical margin: 40-50%

Assemble a flyer with instructions on caring for poinsettias. You can also put more info about your group and other ways your buyers can support you.

October & November: Wrapping paper

Holiday gifts need to get wrapped — you can help your supporters do just that! Wrapping paper is a straightforward fundraiser that many people know or have done before. Get out there early, though; its popularity means more competition.

• Average item price: $10-15/roll
• Typical margin: 50-60%

Offer “perfectly wrapped present” bundles with gift tags and ribbons for a premium fee.

November: Wreaths

Among a bunch of sellable holiday items, the wreath remains a popular and still growing option. Wreaths are also great for selling in urban places like apartments or local companies.

• Average item price: $25-40
• Typical margin: 45-55%

Many buyers might forget the hanging hook and struggle to put wreaths on doors or windows. Offer a hanging service for an extra few bucks per wreath.

Year-round fundraisers you can plug in anytime

Some products just can’t be pinned down to one season. These are top-selling items you can sell throughout the year.

If you have to fundraise during the summer (the slowest season), try one of these options:

Coupon books

Discount cards and coupon books can help your group build local connections and offer rewards to your supporters. Companies can help you compile these books, or you can work with local businesses on special discounts your buyers can use throughout the year.

• Average item price: $20-25 per book
• Typical margin: 50-60%

Calculate just how much your buyer can save by using your coupons and place that number or percentage on the book cover and in your advertising. Help people see the value!

Snack foods

Food fundraising ideas work fantastically because people always want snacks. Common snack options include doughnuts, pretzels, chocolate, popcorn, coffee, cookie dough, and meat sticks. Most of these are easy to carry for door-to-door sales or look great on a table at a storefront.

• Average item price: $8-15
• Typical margin: 40-55%

Curate variety packs that help you sell more snacks to each buyer.

Cutlery

Have you tried chopping an onion with a dull knife? Not-so-great experiences like that can help you convince buyers to give your premium cutlery a try. Chef knives are always a solid go-to, but full knife set or kitchen essentials can help you attract more buyers.

• Average item price: $25-40/set
• Typical margin: 45-55%

Seeing is believing. Chop an onion live and in-person to show off the cutlery’s quality.

Bed sheets

You can run bed sheet fundraisers just about anywhere. Houses and apartments alike have beds that require fresh sheets. Offer high-quality sheets with high thread counts for a premium feel.

• Average item price: $35-50/set
• Typical margin: 40-50%

Pair this fundraiser with mattress sales in August for an extra way to make money!

Water softener salt

Selling bags of softener salt is an especially good option for suburban buyers. Most bags weigh at least 40 pounds, and that can be tough for some homeowners to handle. If your group is older and can manage hefty weights, softener salt is a solid fundraising choice.

• Average item price: $6-9/bag
• Typical margin: 35-45%

Delivering the salt bags takes more effort than other fundraisers. Plan ahead with your own vehicles or consider a local delivery service.

Side note: We’ve helped groups like an Indianapolis wrestling club sell water softener salt (and sell a lot more than before)!

How do you sell things for fundraisers successfully?

Once you choose your product, you need to find buyers and convince them to support you. What can you do to prepare yourself and your group to sell successfully? We have a few tips.

Set clear goals and deadlines

People work best when they know what they’re working toward. Set your group a clear goal for success at the start of your fundraiser.

Many times, this is a dollar amount. But you can also use specific group needs to encourage everyone to participate. For instance, maybe your group needs a new camper for summer camp. Use that as your goal and remind people what they’re working for.

Also, fundraisers shouldn’t run forever. You need an end date to keep your group focused on reaching your goal. It depends on what products you choose and how you’re selling, but 2-4 weeks for running a fundraiser is typically a good timeframe.

And remember — a goal should motivate but not feel overwhelming. Remind your group that it’s okay if they come up a little short. It’s about working hard to achieve something together!

Make a plan to celebrate small milestones along the way to keep everyone encouraged and excited as they work toward your overarching goal!

Start two months before delivery dates

Depending on your chosen products, you’ll need 6-8 weeks to take delivery of items and get them to your buyers. Collect orders earlier to give people more time to buy and share your fundraiser with their friends and loved ones.

Also, check Facebook pages of other local groups to avoid overlapping with too many other fundraisers. Some overlap is probably going to happen (especially if you’re fundraising at the start of school in August or the holidays). But you can go to different neighborhoods, set up outside other stores, or reach new people online to separate yourself from the fundraising pack.

Selling in front of local stores is especially helpful if you already have products or want to try selling a smaller sample. You can have products on-site and hand them off the moment somebody buys!

Offer online and in-person ordering options

With a few weeks to run a fundraiser, you want to be as efficient as you can be. What we’ve seen work well is:

• Set up an online shop and share a link with friends, family, group alumni — anybody who’s connected to your group.
• Go door-to-door in your group members’ neighborhoods, leaning on friendly neighbors to help.
• Set up tables outside of local stores so you can reach people beyond your network with opportunities to buy. You usually can coordinate with local store managers to schedule a time to sell.

Make sure you regularly check these selling channels to make sure people can find and buy from you.

Use social media for promotion

As you set up physical locations and online stores, use social media to help get the word out. Many groups use Facebook pages to share info with their followers. A few tips:

• Pin your online storefront to the top of your Facebook page so buyers can find it without scrolling too far.
• If you’re selling at a storefront, post 2-3 times beforehand with dates and times. Then, share pictures of your group selling on the day-of to boost attention.
• Use a free or low-cost design tool like Canva to make eye-catching digital flyers and posts you can share on the page.
• Encourage your group members to share with their family and friends. They can use other platforms like Instagram or X to expand reach.

Train participants on product knowledge

While you may not want to sound too “sales-y,” you do want your group members to share the same information with each buyer. Before you start fundraising, take the time to talk with group members about the products. Cover key benefits and pricing. Try to anticipate why people might say no and help your group members with responses.

You might even write a short script kids can take with them to use, especially if they’re extra nervous. You can attach scripts to the back of signage like flyers and posters and give them another way to connect with their buyers.

Keep detailed records for future planning

If this is your first fundraiser, you’ll learn a lot of lessons about how to run one successfully. Many people are so worried about starting a fundraiser that they forget about what they need to do to end it. That process includes:

• Checking order forms for completeness
• Matching orders to payments
• Following up with people who haven’t paid yet
• Fulfilling orders (aka shipping products or dropping them off door-to-door)

Write down everything you do during this phase so you can better prepare for your next fundraiser. It’s good to note your biggest lessons while they’re fresh in your mind. Depending on when you run your next fundraiser, a lot of time could pass where you forget important information!

P.S. — If you’re dreading the thought of managing a bunch of paper order forms and loose cash, check out what Jamboree can do to help.

Youth fundraising made easy with the right products and support

Selling products is a great way to help fund whatever activities your groups and kids want to pursue. Make sure you do your research before you begin:

• What might people in our lives or community want to buy?
• Does it fit a really important need right now (like wrapping paper for holiday presents)?
• How much money can we reasonably raise from these products?
• Can my group find new ways to reach more people who want to support our cause?

By choosing helpful products that meet people’s needs (and getting the best technology and support on your side), you’ll prepare your group for fundraising success!