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If you’re looking for a creative and effective way of fundraising for your nonprofit, a calendar fundraiser is a great choice. It’s a classic method that has stood the test of time, and for good reason.
Calendar fundraisers offer nonprofits a unique opportunity to raise funds while providing supporters with a practical, year-round reminder of their cause.
In this guide, we’ll break down what a calendar fundraiser is, why you should organize one, how much you can earn, and the steps to make it a success.
A calendar fundraiser is a strategy where you sell calendars to raise funds for your cause. The idea is simple: people purchase a calendar, and the proceeds go toward your fundraising goals.
Calendar fundraisers are effective because they provide a tangible product that people will use throughout the year. This means that your cause remains in their daily lives, serving as a constant reminder of their support.
6 reasons why you should organize a calendar fundraiser
1. Simplifies fundraising logistics
Unlike merchandise sales that require inventory management or online donations that need continuous campaign maintenance, calendars provide a tangible, once-a-year product with a clear production and distribution process. The concept is simple: you create a fundraising calendar, sell it, and use the proceeds to support your cause.
2. Provides year-round visibility and engagement
Calendar fundraisers offer a unique advantage by keeping your cause visible throughout the year.
Unlike one-time events or short-term campaigns, a calendar serves as a daily reminder of your organization's mission. This constant presence keeps supporters engaged and acts as an ongoing marketing tool, potentially attracting new donors and maintaining top-of-mind awareness for your nonprofit.
3. Fosters community connection and creativity
Calendar fundraisers offer a great opportunity for creativity that can strengthen community ties. By featuring local themes, artwork, or photographs, you can create a product that resonates deeply with your supporters. This personalized approach allows you to showcase local talent, celebrate community milestones, or highlight important dates relevant to your cause.
The result is a unique, mission-aligned product that not only raises funds but also increases community involvement and pride in supporting your organization.
4. Offers a useful reward for donations
One of the biggest advantages of calendar fundraisers is that the supporters know that they are donating while also purchasing something they can use and enjoy. This tangible link between their support and the product they receive can be very motivating and satisfying.
Compared to event-based fundraisers like galas or charity runs, which often involve significant upfront costs for venues, catering, or equipment, calendar fundraisers can be relatively low-cost. Once you have your design and production set up, the ongoing costs are manageable. This allows you to keep a larger portion of the proceeds for your cause.
Example: When ordered in bulk (500+ units), printing costs typically range from $2 to $5 per calendar. Design costs can be minimized by using volunteer talent or low-cost design platforms.
With a selling price of $15-$20 per calendar, nonprofits can achieve a healthy profit margin. Additionally, digital calendars can be created and distributed at even lower costs, primarily requiring only design time and digital hosting fees.
6. Encourages repeat donations
If supporters enjoy their fundraising calendar and see the impact of their donation, they might be more inclined to support your nonprofit organization again. A calendar fundraiser can help build long-term relationships with major donors by showing them the direct benefits of their support.
9 Steps to organize a calendar fundraiser
Determine the funds you need to raise and what you plan to use them for
Select a theme for your fundraising calendar that will attract and engage your supporters
Decide on the layout and content for each month - including photos, important dates, or special messages
Seek out local businesses or individuals who can sponsor your fundraising calendar
Choose whether you will produce a physical calendar, an online calendar, or both
Decide how much to charge for each fundraising calendar
Spread the word about your calendar fundraiser through social media posts, email newsletters, and community events
Sell your fundraising calendar online and in person and set up a secure payment system for easy transactions
Monitor how many fundraising calendars you sell and express gratitude to everyone who purchased a calendar or helped out
8 tips for creating the perfect calendars
Keep designs simple, clean, and easy to read; avoid cluttering with excessive information or images
Align the calendar theme and content with your organization's goals and values
Use high-quality images and printing for both physical and digital calendars
Be flexible and prepared to adjust plans based on feedback and sales performance
Engage your community in the design process through contests or polls
Start marketing efforts early and use various channels to reach your audience
Offer both physical and digital options, and consider bundled packages or special editions
Track sales and expenses meticulously to evaluate success and inform future efforts
How to measure the success of your calendar fundraiser
Look at your sales data from previous fundraisers to see what worked and what didn’t, focusing on things like pricing, promotion, and design.
Next, gather feedback from supporters and team members to learn how you can improve for future fundraisers. Remember to celebrate your successes and thank everyone who helped out as it keeps your team motivated and encourages continued support.
Case study: How Almost Home Animal Rescue raised $ using Zeffy
The organization offered multiple tiers of participation, including a $25 calendar purchase, a $10 cover photo feature, and $5 monthly photo submissions. This tiered approach allowed supporters to contribute at various levels while personalizing their involvement, ultimately raising $4,782 while saving $239 in fees.
To attract sponsors, Almost Home used Zeffy's system to create special sponsor tickets, allowing local businesses to purchase prominent calendar placements. This generated additional revenue and fostered community partnerships.
By leveraging a free platform like Zeffy, Almost Home Animal Rescue maximized its fundraising efforts, turning a simple calendar into a community-driven project that not only raised funds but also increased engagement with its cause.
Final words on calendar fundraisers
Calendar fundraisers are a fantastic way to engage your community while raising funds. They combine a practical item with the joy of supporting a good cause. To make your calendar fundraiser a success, focus on creating a calendar that reflects your mission and appeals to your audience.
Simplify all your fundraising activities with Zeffy, a 100% free fundraising platform designed to support your efforts. We make managing and tracking donations easy, allowing you to focus on achieving your fundraising goals without worrying about costs.
Common challenges in organizing a calendar fundraiser include managing production costs, ensuring effective promotion, and maintaining donor interest.
To overcome these issues:
Plan your budget carefully and seek out sponsorships to cover costs.
Develop a strong marketing strategy using diverse promotional materials.
Engage your community with interactive fundraising activities to keep interest high.
A calendar raffle is a type of calendar fundraiser where each calendar has a unique number associated with it.
Raffle tickets are sold for each calendar, and holders of these tickets are entered into a draw for various prizes. The funds raised from selling the calendars and raffle tickets go toward your fundraising efforts.
To create great promotional materials for your calendar fundraiser, keep things clear and engaging. Use high-quality images of your calendar and highlight what makes it special. Explain how the money raised will help your cause. Share your materials on social media, in emails, and at local events to reach more people and boost your fundraising activities.
Yes, using a custom calendar design makes your fundraiser unique. You can personalize the visuals and themes to match your nonprofit’s mission, which can attract more supporters and make your calendar more appealing.
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We’ve compiled 10 tips for fundraising campaigns that you may not of heard before, and we’ll dive deeper than what you find in your usual internet search.
