One of the best ways to get your group motivated, aware, and
excited about your fundraiser is to hold a pre-fundraiser Kick Off Party. This is the time when you will have everyone in
one place and be able to go over the goals of your fundraiser, set your fundraiser start and finish dates, hand out the catalogs
and order forms, and talk about the incentive plans and individual goals. Make this a fun environment for your group. Order
some pizzas, or have some refreshments available. Talk a little about your strategy and get feedback from the group. This
is your sales force, so you want them to have as much input as possible. You may also want to consider buying a handful of
shirts and hats with your Fundraising Kit. You can use these as giveaways or raffles during your kick off party. It has a
second purpose of allowing them to see and feel the products that you are offering during your fundraiser.
Set Up A Goal Chart If you have ever sat in front of a television and watched a benefit show, than you are familiar with
the goal chart. Most people use a thermometer shaped chart that they color in as the goal gets closer, but you can
use any type of chart that you like. Decide if you want to have your chart show the amount of shirts sold, or if you want
to display the amount of money raised. Since your average profit price per item sold is $5, it may be easier to set a goal
chart of items sold. For example, if your group were trying to raise $1000, you would need to sell around 200 shirts.
So your chart would have 200 as the goal. Put the goal chart in a place that your group will be able to see it at anytime
and update your progress as frequently as possible. If you have a website, keep it online and they can look at the progress
from home. The goal chart will keep everyone aware of your progress, and motivated to reach the top.
Turn Fifteen Into Fifty Enclosed in your Fundraising Kit you will find individual slips for
each member of your group. It is a blank slip that has space for fifteen entries. Have each member of your group write down
fifteen names of individuals or families that they can approach about your Christian T-Shirt Fundraiser. Start with family,
friends, neighbors, co-workers, members of the Church and members of the community. On an average 10 of the individuals on
that list will end up purchasing a shirt to support your fundraiser. Since your profit is $5 per shirt, that list generates
$50 in profit for EACH member of your group. Since we offer Christian shirts
in a complete size range of Youth XS thru Adult 5XL, most of the people on this list will buy at least two shirts. So your
list of fifteen could possibly attract $100 in profits per member of your group. This also helps your group get comfortable
with approaching people about your fundraiser by starting off with people they know.
Advertise and Announce Your Fundraiser
The best way to gain support for your fundraiser is to let the members of your Church and communities know
that it is taking place. Some tips for getting the word out about your fundraiser is to have a mention in your weekly bulletin,
ask to have your fundraiser details read from the pulpit, or set up tables in the lobby or outside before and after
service. Create some excitement about your fundraiser by advertising it a week or two prior to your start date. Create a ‘Don’t
Forget” flyer or bulletin. Ex. Don’t Forget the Youth Department Will Be Hosting Their Christian T-Shirt Fundraiser
Starting On ____ thru _____. We are raising funds for ________. Come support us!
Host
A Fashion Show
We have
worked with several groups who have tried this idea and it has been a huge hit and success for each group. The philosophy
is simple, pick members of your group who are willing to serve as models. Have them flip through the catalog and pick the
shirt that they would like to model. Write down their shirt choice, the size, and the color of the shirt they wish to model.
Do this for the entire catalog of shirts. If you do not have enough members in your group, have them commit to modeling two
shirts each.Place an order for the shirts in each person's color and size preference. We will provide
you with a discount for these shirts if you are hosting a fashion show. Pick a date, time, and location for your fashion show.
Some popular places would be at Church dinners, picnics, or towards the end of service. Have each of your models walk through
the crowd showing off their shirt. Explain that shirts are available in sizes up to Adult 5XL in a variety of colors. Number
the shirts, or use the name in the design – Ex: “Rachel is wearing the Survivor Shirt, which is available in T-Shirts
and Hooded Sweatshirts”. Have a table set up towards the exit doors where the shirts can be purchased. This is a powerful
way to raise money in one afternoon or evening. Again, broadcast this event in your bulletin, through flyers, from the pulpit,
or on the Church website. One group hosted a Dinner Fashion Show where they prepared and served food during the Fashion Show.
They charged a flat rate per plate of food and ended up selling over 300 shirts in just less than 2 hours. All together,
they raised over $2000 for their mission trip in one day! Talk to your group about this idea, and get their input on how it
could best be done in your Church or community.The Christian T-Shirt fashion show is perfect if your group needs to raise money
fast.
Have An Order Table That Is Always Up and Running
Place
a table somewhere that has the catalogs and order forms available to look at. Leave this table in place throughout the duration
of your fundraiser. This way your fundraiser is working for you even when you aren’t. Chances are that your Church has
people inside it at all times on a daily basis. There may be Bible Study groups that meet on certain days, meetings that take
place, or an open sanctuary that is frequented. The order table will allow these people to look through the catalog and fill
in the order form with their order. Check on the order table throughout the week and use follow up calls to confirm the orders
and work out payment details. You will be surprised at the amount of shirts that are sold during the week from having an order
table readily accessible. Dress up the table to make people want to stop and see what it is. Take it a step further and put
sample shirts on the table or the wall behind the table. Your order table will run itself during those times when your group
isn’t able to be actively selling.
Communicate and Motivate
The most important part
of your fundraiser is the team that you are working with. If everyone goes home after your KickOff meeting and throws the
catalogs and order forms into a drawer, your fundraiser will come down to how many shirts that you sold. To avoid you being
the only person working your fundraiser make sure questions are answered, that your team is motivated, that they are aware
of the goal, and they know about the individual incentive plans for their efforts. Currently we offer a FREE shirt to each
member of your group who sells ten (10) shirts. There is no limit to this incentive, if a member of your group sells thirty
(30) shirts, we will gladly provide them with three (3) shirts of their choice! This is our way of saying Thank You to the
efforts your group is putting forth during your Christian T-Shirt Fundraiser.
We
would love to hear from you if you have any additional questions, or would like some personalized assistance with promoting
and kicking off your fundraiser. You can reach us through the website, or toll-free at 888-638-9079. The entire team at Divine
Shirts wishes you the best of luck during your Christian T-Shirt Fundraiser!
