The document provides a step-by-step guide for organizing a candy bar fundraiser to raise money for schools, outlining essential steps such as choosing a supplier, setting goals, marketing, and running the event. It emphasizes the importance of planning, coordination, and communication with volunteers and the community for a successful outcome. Additionally, it encourages appreciation for participants and sharing lessons learned with others looking to organize similar fundraisers.

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Candy Bar Fundraiser :
A Step-by-Step Guide for
2023
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2. I. Introduction
A candy bar fundraiser is a fundraising event where individuals or groups sell candy
bars to raise money for a specific cause, in this case, schools. The purpose of this
fundraiser is to raise funds for schools to support various activities such as educational
programs, extracurricular activities, and school improvements.
The steps involved in organizing and running a candy bar fundraiser
include:
1. Choosing a candy supplier: Research and select a supplier who can provide
high-quality candy at a reasonable price.
2. Setting a fundraising goal: Determine how much money is needed and how many
candy bars need to be sold to reach that goal.
3. Marketing the fundraiser: Develop a marketing plan and create materials to
promote the fundraiser to potential buyers.
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3. 4. Running the fundraiser: Coordinate with volunteers, keep track of sales, and offer
incentives to encourage people to purchase more candy bars.
II. Choosing a Candy Supplier
When selecting a candy supplier for a fundraiser, it's important to compare
different options and consider the following factors:
1. Pricing: Compare prices from different suppliers to ensure you're getting the best
deal. Be sure to factor in shipping costs, as well as any minimum order
requirements.
2. Quality: Look for suppliers that offer high-quality candy that is fresh and visually
appealing. Avoid suppliers that have a history of providing expired or stale candy.
3. Variety: Consider the types of candy offered by different suppliers and choose a
supplier that has a wide variety of options. This will help to appeal to a broader
range of buyers and increase overall sales.
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4. 4. Reputation: Research the supplier's reputation by checking online reviews or
asking for references. Look for suppliers that have a good track record of
providing quality products and good customer service.
5. Delivery time: Make sure the supplier can deliver the candy in a timely manner
and that the delivery schedule aligns with your fundraiser's timeline.
Here are some tips for negotiating with suppliers to get the best deal:
1. Be prepared: Research prices from multiple suppliers and have a clear idea of
what you're willing to pay before negotiating.
2. Be friendly and professional: Build a good relationship with the supplier by being
courteous and professional.
3. Be flexible: Be open to compromise and be willing to negotiate on things like
delivery times or order quantities.
4. Leverage volume: If you're planning on placing a large order, use this as leverage
to negotiate a better price.
5. Be persistent: Be persistent in your negotiation and don't be afraid to walk away
if the supplier is unwilling to meet your terms. Keep in mind that there are many
suppliers out there and you will find one that suits your needs.
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5. III. Setting a Fundraising Goal
Determining how much money is needed for the school and how many
candy bars need to be sold to reach that goal can be done by following
these steps:
1. Identify the specific needs or projects for which the funds will be used. This could
be a new playground, technology upgrades, or a school trip.
2. Estimate the cost of each need or project. This will give you a rough idea of how
much money needs to be raised.
3. Set a fundraising goal: Based on the estimated cost of the needs or projects, set
a specific fundraising goal.
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6. Creating a budget for the fundraiser and allocating funds to different
expenses can be done by considering these steps:
1. Estimate the cost of the candy: This should include the cost of the candy bars,
shipping, and any other expenses related to obtaining the candy.
2. Estimate the cost of marketing and promotion: This should include the cost of
creating promotional materials, as well as any advertising or marketing
expenses.
3. Allocate funds to different expenses: Once you have an estimate of all the
expenses, allocate the funds accordingly.
4. Keep a contingency budget: It's always good to keep some funds as a
contingency budget, in case of any unexpected expenses.
When setting a deadline for reaching the fundraising goal, consider these
factors:
1. The school's schedule: Make sure the deadline for reaching the fundraising goal
does not conflict with any major school events.
2. The candy's shelf life: Take into account how long the candy will last and make
sure it is sold before it expires.
3. The fundraiser's timeline: Keep in mind how long it will take to plan, organize, and
run the fundraiser and set the deadline accordingly.
4. The school's needs: Consider when the school needs the funds, and set a
deadline that aligns with that timeline.
Having a clear fundraising goal, budget, and deadline will help you to focus and stay on
track with your efforts, and it also gives you an idea of the scale of the effort required to
achieve that goal.
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7. IV. Marketing the Fundraiser
Marketing the fundraiser is an important step in ensuring its success. Here are some
steps to take when developing a marketing plan to promote the fundraiser to potential
buyers:
1. Develop a marketing plan: Identify your target audience, determine the best ways
to reach them, and create a plan for promoting the fundraiser.
2. Use social media: Create a social media account for the fundraiser and use it to
post updates, pictures, and information about the fundraiser. Platforms such as
Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can be a great way to reach a wide audience.
3. Use flyers and posters: Create flyers and posters to promote the fundraiser and
distribute them in the community. This can be done by placing them in local
businesses, posting them in public areas, or handing them out door to door.
4. Leverage local media: Reach out to local newspapers, radio stations, and TV
stations to see if they would be willing to run a story or segment on the
fundraiser.
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8. 5. Create a website or online store: Create a website or online store to sell candy
bars and accept donations. This can be a great way to reach a wider audience
and make it easy for people to purchase candy bars or make donations.
6. Leverage personal network: Utilize your personal network to reach out to friends,
family, and other contacts to promote the fundraiser.
When promoting the fundraiser, it is important to be consistent, professional, and
creative. The more people know about the fundraiser, the more likely they are to
participate. A well-designed website or online store would give the fundraiser a more
professional look and feel, and also make it easier for people to participate and
contribute.
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9. V. Running the Fundraiser
Running the fundraiser successfully requires careful coordination and
organization. Here are some steps to take when running the fundraiser:
1. Coordinating with volunteers: Recruit and coordinate a team of volunteers to
help with distribution and sales of candy bars. Assign roles and responsibilities
to each volunteer and provide them with any necessary training.
2. Keeping track of sales and donations: Set up a system for tracking sales and
donations. This can be done using a spreadsheet, or by using a specialized
fundraising software. Make sure to record all transactions and keep accurate
records of the money raised.
3. Offering incentives: Offer incentives to encourage people to purchase more
candy bars. This could include offering discounts for larger purchases, or
offering prizes to the top sellers.
4. Communicate with the school and community: Keep the school and community
informed about the progress of the fundraiser and the impact it is having. This
can be done through regular updates, a fundraising thermometer, or by hosting
events to showcase the fundraising efforts.
5. Distribution and delivery: Make sure to have a plan for distributing and delivering
the candy bars to buyers. This can be done by setting up a pick-up location or by
delivering the candy bars directly to buyers.
6. Follow up: Follow up with the buyers, donors, and volunteers to thank them for
their support and encourage them to participate again in the future.
Running a successful fundraiser requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and
organization. By coordinating with volunteers, keeping track of sales and donations, and
offering incentives, you can help ensure the success of the fundraiser and make it a
positive experience for all involved.
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10. VI. Conclusion
In conclusion, a candy bar fundraiser is a great way to raise funds for schools and
support various activities. The fundraiser can be successful with the right planning,
organization, and execution.
To summarize the success of the fundraiser, it's important to:
● Measure the results against the initial fundraising goal set.
● Provide a final report that includes the total amount raised, the number of candy
bars sold, the number of participants and volunteers.
● Highlight any notable achievements such as reaching the fundraising goal ahead
of schedule or exceeding it.
Once the fundraiser is completed, it's important to thank everyone who helped make it a
success, including participants, volunteers, donors, and sponsors. A simple thank you
note or an event to show appreciation would be a great way to do this.
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11. Finally, encourage others to consider organizing a similar fundraiser in their own
communities. Share the successes and lessons learned during your fundraiser, and
provide tips and resources to help them get started. Remember, the more fundraisers
like these that are organized, the more resources will be available for schools and
communities.
Resources
1. 3 Great Chocolate Bar Fundraisers for Schools
2. 5 Reasons for Chocolate Bar Fundraisers
3. Catalog Sale vs. Candy Bars
4. Why Peanut-Free Candy Bars?
5. Keep Fundraising Sweet
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