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Raise money for your school by selling custom printed discount cards to local community residents. These are basically several coupon promotions all printed on a single wallet-sized card. Cards generally have an expiration date of one-year from the date of printing and can be used over and over again during that time.
Planning a Discount Card Fundraiser
FastTrack Fundraising is one such company that offers a premier discount card program for schools and the information contained here relates to their program in particular.
CARD PRICE & PROFIT
In addition to being customizable and easy to sell, discount cards are highly profitable. The cards range in price from $3 to less than $1 each with profit margins from 70% to more than 90%. The more cards you order the higher the profit margin.
Your organization sets the sale price of the cards. However, each card is typically sold for $10. Take a look at your potential profit with FastTrack Fundraising's program:
| Cards Ordered |
Your Cost Per Card |
Profit Margin |
Your Total Profit! |
| Up to 99 | $3.00 | 70% | $693+ |
| 100-249 | $2.25 | 78% | $775+ |
| 250-499 | $2.00 | 80% | $2,000+ |
| 500-749 | $1.50 | 85% | $4,250+ |
| 750-999 | $1.20 | 88% | $6,600+ |
| 1000-1999 | $1.00 | 90% | $9,000+ |
| 2000+ | Less than $1 | More than 90% | $18,000+ |
| * Each card is typically sold for $10 |
The expiration date on the cards is typically set at one year from the date of printing, unless otherwise requested. You decide how long you want the cards valid prior to soliciting businesses to ensure that your participating stores agree to it.
FastTrack Fundraising offers a superb discount card program for schools. Their cards are made of high quality pvc graphic cards and can fit up to 20 offers. There is no fee to participate in the fundraiser, no shipping fee, no setup or design fee. The only cost is the cost of the cards.
Unlike other companies that have a minimum order of at least 500 cards, FastTrack Fundraising has no minimum. This enables smaller schools to participate in this fundraiser, who otherwise could not.
To receive a Free Fundraising Information Kit and samples from FastTrack Fundraising, Click Here
CUSTOMIZE CARDS TO YOUR COMMUNITY
Your school will be responsible for securing the offers on the cards. This is a great benefit. First, it allows you to choose the local businesses at which your customers are most likely to shop. And second, it empowers you to negotiate with the shop owners to obtain the best possible promotions. Offer discounts at businesses your customers would normally shop at anyway and offer them a worthwhile discount and the cards will help sell themselves.
Since there is no cost to the businesses, you will find that they like to participate. It's free advertising for them and it helps to increase their sales. It also gives the business a chance to support the community.
FastTrack makes taking orders easy by providing the online merchant agreement forms for you to print out and for the businesses to complete. They have most national company logos already on file. Or, simply scan and email a logo directly to them for inclusion on the card. In addition to the agreement forms, we suggest you put together a cover letter (on school letterhead) describing your program and the benefits of participation (see our Sample Merchant Solicitation Letter below). The letter should include:
- School name and address
- Contact name, phone, email
- Purpose of the fundraiser (i.e. to purchase new books, desks, computers, etc.)
- Explain that this is free advertising for the business, brings them in business, and is completely free to participate.
- Clearly note the expiration date of the card
Form a committee of volunteers who can solicit local businesses to participate in your school's discount card program and who can later assist with the card's sale efforts. Come up with a plan as to which businesses each volunteer will contact to avoid duplication any of efforts. Offer a range of businesses that will appeal to a large audience. Think about where women, men, children, parents, and grandparents with all interest levels are likely to shop. Following are a few ideas:
- Fast Food Restaurant
- Restaurants & Delis
- Gas & Oil Change
- Home Improvement Centers & Hardware Stores
- Supermarkets
- Ice Cream Shops
- Golf Course, Driving Range & Mini Golf Course
To receive a Free Fundraising Information Kit and samples from FastTrack Fundraising, Click Here
DISCOUNT CARD SALES
Once you receive printed cards, run your sales campaign for 2-3 weeks. We have found that if it is any longer your fundraising members will tend to procrastinate and not place the fundraising campaign as a high priority. Sales suggestions include:
- Encourage parents to purchase cards themselves and to sell to their family, friends, and co-workers.
- Sell cards to teachers and school staff
- Set up a sale table where students are picked up and dropped off at school.
- Ask your local grocery store, bank, or home improvement center if you can set up a table to sell cards one afternoon or Saturday morning.
- Set up a sale table at school sponsored events (sporting events, dinners, crafts fairs, etc.) and have your fundraiser announced over the loud speaker.
- Choose a store listed on your discount card and ask to set up a sale table at the entrance. If the shop owner was willing to participate, they will likely be willing to let you sell the cards in front of their store for a single day. Explain to them that it will bring them repeat business as buyers will want to get frequent use of the card.
Energize your sellers from the beginning. Encourage them to reach a particular sales goal by a set date. If you plan to sell tickets for 3 weeks, perhaps set a sales goal at 10 days prior to the drawing to sell more than half the tickets.
As you distribute the cards for sale, remember to keep a log of how many are given to whom to sell. As the cash from the sale is received back, you are then able to double check to ensure that the correct amount is received.
TURNAROUND TIME
FastTrack also makes ordering easy. Place all orders online and fax the merchant agreement forms. You will receive back (via email) the front and back proof of the card for your approval prior to printing. Once approved, the cards will be printed and shipped within 48 hours (for orders less than 2,000). This is the fastest in the industry! Re-orders are shipped in only 24-hours.
GUARANTEE
FastTrack offers a 100% risk-free satisfaction guarantee. They guarantee complete customer service by providing excellent quality and service. A personal fundraising counselor will be provided to you with assistance to ensure your fundraising success.
THANK YOUR MERCHANTS & VOLUNTEERS
Please remember to always send a thank you note to any company that participated in the discount card program. Let them know how many cards you sold and how much money you were able to raise for your school due to their support.
As always, let your committee members know how much you appreciate their hard work. Once the program has ended, ask each of them for their feedback and suggestions to improve on the program for next year.
MAINTAIN A DATABASE
By planning a Discount Card Fundraiser, you have just gathered invaluable information for next year's event. Rather than start from scratch each year, keep a database of your merchant participants, committee members, and any other valuable information. Keep a copy of the discount card so you know exactly what coupon promotion each one offered. Keep track of how many cards were ordered and at what cost and how many cards were sold and at what price.
Now that you know how, coordinating a Discount Card Fundraiser should be easy!
To receive a Free Fundraising Information Kit
and samples from FastTrack Fundraising, Click Here
FastTrack Fundraising's Services:
- No Setup Fees
- No Shipping Fees
- No Minimum Order
- No Up-front Payment Option
- Quick Turnaround
- Customized Product
SAMPLE MERCHANT SOLICITATION LETTER
Date
Dear (Company Name):
The (school name) School of (city), (state) is seeking merchant participation in this year's discount card fundraising program. Since there is absolutely no cost to participate and the program is designed to bring additional sales volume to your business, we hope you will consider taking part in this unique opportunity that will benefit the students at our school, .
The discount cards are customized to our community. They are basically several coupon promotions all printed on a single wallet-sized card. The cards will have an expiration of one-year from the date of printing (estimated printing date 10/01/07) and can be used repeatedly by the buyer during that time. Your coupon promotion and logo will appear on each card along with other local merchants.
Our fundraising goal for enrichment programs for the 2007-2008 school year is $4,300. This includes 8 educational programs that go beyond the scope of the typical classroom. We are asking for the assistance of our community to make this happen. We are asking for your help by becoming a participating merchant.
Our goal is to sell 500 cards to local community residents within a three week period. We would love to provide valuable coupon offers that will draw buyers to your establishment, but we need your help to make this happen and ultimately raise the funds for our school.
If you have any questions, I can be reached by phone at (phone)or by email at (email). Thank you, in advance, for your support.
Very Truly Yours,
Your Name
Discount Card Fundraising Coordinator
PTO Ideas has provided you with ideas for a Discount Card Fundraiser. This information should not be used as a legal reference and may not be all-inclusive. We suggest consulting with the head of your school, an accountant, or any other essential professional.
Information pertaining to FastTrack Fundraising has been provided by FastTrack Fundraising, should be confirmed by FastTrack Fundraising, and is subject to change.
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