The hidden costs of fundraising products — and a better way to raise fast

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How much are products actually costing you? And is there a better way to raise the money you need while doing good for your community?

You just learned your team qualified for nationals. Amazing news! Your kids worked hard, earned it, and deserve the spotlight.

Now comes the other part: raising the money to get there.

Travel, hotels, uniforms, food — it adds up fast. And you need funds yesterday.

So, you start brainstorming. Can you sell:

Cookie dough?
Candles?
Trash bags?
Tumblers?

You’ve been here before. You know the drill.

But deep down, you also know that product fundraising takes a ton of work — and gives your team back a small fraction of what you put in.

Let’s talk about that and what a better option for your team looks like.

What product fundraisers really cost you

Product fundraisers have been the go-to for decades. They feel familiar and seem simple enough.

But behind the scenes? They carry real costs — some you see, and some you don’t.

Low profit margins: Most product fundraisers only give back 40–50% of what you raise. The rest goes to the product company.
Tons of effort: Someone collects orders, handles payments, distributes boxes, and chases people for pickup. It’s a full-time volunteer job.
Supporter fatigue: People often buy to be polite, not because they want another candle.
Inventory stress: Leftovers? Lost orders? That’s on you, too — especially if you have to buy product minimums.

If you’ve stocked your garage with unsold blankets or mulch, you know exactly what we’re talking about.

The emotional toll no one talks about

Selling frozen cakes takes time, money, and effort. It’s that energy piece many parents, coaches, and volunteers don’t consider until it’s too late.

Parent burnout: Most teams rely on the same few parents to do all the heavy lifting.
The guilt game: You ask friends and family to buy something they don’t really want time and time again.
Disconnection from your goal: When you’re selling stuff just to raise money, it’s easy to lose sight of what really matters: giving kids opportunities they’ll remember forever.

You shouldn’t have to run a retail business to fund your team’s goals.

There’s a better way — faster, easier, and far more impactful

What if your team could raise money by rallying support around what matters — not by selling stuff people don’t need?

That’s why we built FunditForward, powered by Jamboree. Instead of selling cakes and cookie dough, you support tree planting in your community! Every dollar you raise supports your group and helps plant trees. After your fundraiser, we partner with local organizations to plant the trees for you.

Plus: