How to Use School Sports Merchandise for Fundraising

One of the best ways to raise money for your school is school sports merchandise. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to get started using school sports merchandise for fundraising.

1. Why School Sports is Great for Fundraising

Using school-branded merchandise to raise funds has many benefits:

• Engagement: It involves the wider community and builds school spirit and awareness.
• Branding: it promotes the school brand and its sports teams in a wider circle (community members wearing product, not just students) and builds brand recognition.
• Tangible Results: It gives community members a way to financially contribute and receive something in return.
• Sustainable: merchandise can be repeated annually or seasonally with new designs and products.

2. Identifying Your Target Audience

Before launching new merchandise products, identify your target audience. This may include students, parents, alumni, faculty, and local businesses. Identifying your target audience will help you select a merchandise range that is most likely to be appealing to that target group.

3. Choosing the Right Merchandise

Selecting the right products is crucial for a successful fundraiser. Here are some popular merchandise options:

For the biggest impact, go for products that make your school brand visible (anything that can be worn is best for this).  Examples include t-shirts, polos, hoodies and jackets with large school branding.  Hats, caps, scarves ad beanies are also great, as well as waterbottles and gym bags. 

Products like mugs, keychains and tea towels can be a great option as well, depending on the merchandise campaign (they are just not as visible in the community, once purchased). 

Make sure that the merchandise is good quality and appealing to your target audience (for example, adults like polo shirts, kids prefer t-shirts). Customisation options, such as adding names or jersey numbers, can also increase sales.

We always recommend starting small.  Try launching just one or two products, with relatively small quantities, ask for feedback from customers, and repeat. 

4. Designing Your Merchandise

An appealing, eye-catching design is of course critical in generating interest and making sales.  Here are some design tips:

• School Colours and Logo: Be consistent and bold when using the school’s colours and logo.
• Team Spirit: Adding slogans, mascots, or mottos builds the feeling of connection to the school to the wider community.
• Seasonal Themes: Tailor designs to specific sports seasons or events. Making designs “limited time only” or “this event only” will help to drive interest.
• Limited Editions: Create special designs for big games or milestones to encourage quick sales. Be careful not to overstock these products.  It is always better to sell-out than be left with excess merchandise.

5. Pricing Your Merchandise

Pricing should cover costs while ensuring a reasonable profit margin that the school can reinvest in other programs. When working out the sale price, make sure you include an accurate cost base (include production, shipping, handling costs and an allocation for the time your team has spent preparing the goods for sale).

Check what similar items are sold for and aim for a balance between affordability and profitability.  Having a low, mid and high price-point product means you are catering for as many customers as possible.  You can also try initiatives like bundle offers to increase sales volume, or to clear excess stock.

6. Promoting Your Products

Make sure your community knows what is on offer!  Use as many channels as possible, including:

• Social Media: Focus on the platforms that are already used by the school and local community (community Facebook groups can be great).
• Email campaigns and newsletters should be sent to parents, alumni, and supporters.
• The School website should feature the merchandise products prominently (including the link to the online shop, if available).
• Events: Mention merchandise at school events, games, and assemblies. Make it available to buy at these events too.

7. Tracking and Reporting

Monitoring the progress of each merchandise campaign is crucial for getting the most out of future campaigns.  This includes monitoring sales figures, identifying products that sell fastest, and sell the most units, and gathering customer feedback about product improvements, and new product ideas.

Regularly reporting this information to your stakeholders, including other staff, parents, and management will build trust and encourage continued support.

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School merchandise is a great way to raise funds, boost school spirit and build community engagement. Remember, the key to success is starting small and then building on your wins through continuous improvement, and staying connected with your community.

Please get in contact with the KPI Sports team to discuss your school merchandise.