Are you looking for a fresh fundraising idea to help you raise money? Consider a plant or flower fundraiser. When well-organized, a flower sale can bring in a substantial amount for your nonprofit.
People never really need a significant reason to buy flowers or a new plant, but a worthy cause gives them one. Here’s what it involves and how you can organize one.
A flower fundraiser is an approach in which you sell flowers to raise money. Although these fundraisers commonly feature flowers, you can also include other plants, such as herbs and pot plants.
Flower fundraisers are extremely popular with schools and community organizations and work exceptionally well as a revenue stream.
It works much like any other product-based fundraisers. You can opt to have your fundraiser entirely online and make deliveries. Or, you could host the fundraiser in person, creating a dedicated flower sale day or plant market in your community.
When hosting your own flower event, you can source flowers from vendors, stores, and nurseries. You can also ask donors or volunteers for help sourcing flowers. Once your flowers are ready, all you have to do is set up the fundraiser using the guide below.
There are many things to love about plant or flower fundraisers. They’re easy to organize if you have a reliable vendor to supply you with fresh flowers. As mentioned, they’re also extremely popular in community settings. Your community gets a great reason to support your cause while also gaining a beautiful bouquet!
Another benefit of this fundraising method is that it generally offers great ROI. If you find an affordable supplier or get donations to source the flowers, you can make a significant profit.
They also offer an opportunity to make money quickly as the fundraiser can run for a day or two, and you receive the money instantly.
Flower fundraisers can vary significantly depending on your budget, location, community, and more. However, there are some basic coordination steps you can follow to ensure your fundraiser is a success.
Although spring tends to be most abundant in blossoms and harvests, every season has a unique crop of flowers and plants. Consider this when deciding when to have a flower sale. Keep in mind popular flower types and when they are most available.
Some flowers and plants that are popular each season are:
Also, the price of particular flower species varies depending on the season. These seasonal factors may impact demand, how much you can charge, and your profits.
A good vendor can guide you on suitable flower choices for your fundraiser. Find a reliable and informed supplier who can provide efficient and smart service. This can be a local farm store, nursery, and even a wholesale store. Of course, your chosen flower vendor should also have great product options.
Ask these local businesses to see if they may be open to sponsoring or donating to your cause. This can help you cut costs and make a greater profit.
If you don’t have a familiar vendor to turn to, you can also look to companies that specialize in supplying flower fundraisers. An example is Flowers For Fundraising. Not only do they provide the flowers, but they also help you design a unique flower fundraiser for your organization.
Deciding early on the planning process whether you want to make virtual or in-person sales will help you manage logistics.
Hosting online will require you to set up a sales page with images of the flowers and their prices. Your sales portal should also include clear instructions or indicators of how the buying process works. The virtual method will also require delivery instructions and guidelines.
On the other hand, for in-person sales you must arrange the right conditions to store the flowers. If you’re turning your sale into an event, like a flower market, you may also need a venue to host from.
Whether you pick online or physical sales, make sure your payment portal is swift, convenient, and easy to use.
Include clear instructions for buyers ordering online. Ensure they can pay using various channels like PayPal, credit card, debit card, etc. For physical transactions, organize a card machine in addition to accepting cash payments.
Ideally, you want to make payment as seamless as possible so nothing hinders the sale. Using digital payments does this for you, whether you’re selling online or in person. An online system keeps all your sales data together, helps you track money with ease, and improves your organization.
Communications and marketing are essential before, during, and after the flower fundraiser. For pre-fundraiser advertising, share fundraiser details (dates, payment process, etc.), tease the kinds of flowers you’ll sell, and remind people what impact their purchase will make towards your cause.
If you’re selling online, you’ll have to maintain communications with buyers. Inform them of their delivery progress, acknowledge their payment, and let them know when they can expect their package.
Once the flower sale is over, be sure to thank your supporters and share the results of your fundraiser. Snaps and selfies from your buyers can also go a long way in giving your sale social proof so others want to buy at your next event.
There are few things like a bouquet of fresh flowers to brighten up a person’s day or add some color to a living space. And there is no time of the year when this isn’t true.
A flower fundraiser has the potential to raise money swiftly for your NPO and bring in much more than you spend organizing it. It’s a low-cost fundraising idea that you could implement several times a year!
Use this handy guide to help you plan your first plant sale, and you’ll realize that you have all the time in the world to sit back and smell the flowers. Are you looking for ideas on other items to sell? Read our list of 11 Top Things To Sell In A Fundraiser.