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For most organizations, successful fundraising generally includes the following components:
Simplicity - Select fundraising projects that are simple and require little or no investment. The best fundraisers are those that can be easily repeated again and again with ever-increasing results.
Fun - Put the 'fun' back in fundraising. Avoid fundraising projects that are complicated or burdensome for volunteers and supporters. Doing good ought to be enjoyable for all involved.
Profitability - The amount of money brought in from fundraisers must be worth the time and effort spent on them.
You are probably reading this in hopes of finding a fundraiser that meets the above criteria. Well, this is your lucky day! I do indeed have such a fundraiser, which many organizations like yours have used successfully.
What could be simpler than selling scented candles? National surveys show that 80% of all U.S. households burn candles. Keep in mind that candles are a consumable product that customers replenish on a regular basis. It would be nearly impossible to reach out in a crowded room without touching a candle user.
There are a variety of approaches to candle fundraisers. Some groups choose to set up a booth or table in some strategic location, while others prefer having volunteers circulate order forms to candle users in their life who are likely to be supportive of their organization's objectives. No matter which method is used, the candles are paid for with the money collected, so there is no investment or risk involved.
Selling scented candles is definitely fun. These candles are highly fragranced, and since there are almost 100 scents to choose from, buying them is a lot of fun, too. They are long-burning premium candles that are made from a vegetable wax blend (a feature that appeals to people who are health and/or environmentally conscious), virtually soot free and not derived from petroleum byproducts. Once your supporters realize they can buy great smelling, good quality candles that don't soil and pollute their living space, they'll never go back to the other kind again.
Our signature scent, Sweet Orange & Chili Pepper, is the top seller year round. Popular holiday scents include White Chocolate & Coffee, Christmas Pine, Mulberry Spice, French Vanilla, Pumpkin Spice, Home for Christmas, Cinnamon Raisin Bun, Holiday Cookies, Hot Apple Pie, and Crème Brulee. If your fundraiser is being held outside of the holiday season, you might want to include Cucumber Melon, Angel Wings, Chocolate Kiss, Coconuts & Lime or Victorian Rose. Each month a new scent is released, giving you even more choices. Take a look at the current list of scents for all available options and pictures of the candles. I will be happy to make suggestions about scent choices for your fundraiser - just ask!
There's money in candle sales. The profit on each candle sold is very high. Because of their competitive price and extraordinary quality, it is easy to develop repeat customers for these candles. As a result, subsequent candle fundraisers become easier and more profitable.
In case you are dubious about the viability of scented candle fundraisers, let me provide you with some interesting data about the candle industry to help you see their potential.
- U.S. retail sales of candles are estimated at approximately $3 billion per year.
- Manufacturer surveys show that more than 95% of all candles are purchased by women.
- Two-thirds of candle buyers say they use candles once a week or more often.
- Approximately 65% of candle sales occur outside of the holiday season.
- Fragrance is by far the most important characteristic impacting candle purchases today, with three-fourths of candle buyers saying it is "very important" in their selection of a candle.
- Both men and women consider candles to be a highly appreciated gift for a wide variety of occasions, such as birthday, anniversary, housewarming, hostess "thank you", Mother's Day, Christmas, Chanukah, etc.
More Candle Fundraising Options
In addition to the basic candle fundraiser outlined above, I can offer another type of candle fundraiser that is appropriate for Internet-based fundraising, or when many of your organization's supporters are geographically distant. It may be utilized on a stand-alone or supplemental basis. Your supporters can buy candles directly from my retail website and, by entering a special I.D. code during checkout, notify me that your organization will benefit from that purchase.
Ready to get started? Interested but still have questions?
Contact me today.
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