{"id":83453,"date":"2024-12-13T07:36:39","date_gmt":"2024-12-13T15:36:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/donorbox.org\/nonprofit-blog?p=83453"},"modified":"2026-07-23T04:13:53","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T11:13:53","slug":"candy-bar-fundraiser","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/donorbox.org\/nonprofit-blog\/candy-bar-fundraiser","title":{"rendered":"Candy Bar Fundraising: Easy Tips for Schools to Raise Money"},"content":{"rendered":"

Candy sales reached an all-time high in 2023, bringing in a whopping $49 billion<\/a>. What if there was a way for your school or PTA<\/a> to get a piece of those sales to fund important projects or activities?<\/p>\n

Introducing the sweetest way to fundraise: candy bar fundraisers.<\/p>\n

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How Do They Work?<\/h2>\n

This popular fundraiser is exactly how it sounds: school groups and students sell candy bars to raise funds for a specific cause. Typically, schools partner with candy companies to set up a profit-sharing partnership and make distribution easy. Your students and parents sell candy bars to neighbors, friends, and the community at large and receive a share of the proceeds to fund your project or program.<\/p>\n

For example, elementary schools<\/a> can use these funds to pay for new playground equipment, while middle schools<\/a> and high schools can fund other activities like school dances or field trips. Whatever you need to fundraise for, this is an easy-to-organize fundraiser with a sweet treat that anyone can get behind.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>How to Set Up Your School\u2019s Candy Bar Fundraiser<\/h2>\n

After getting permission from your school, your PTA can put this fundraiser together in only a few short steps.<\/p>\n

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1. <\/a>Set a Fundraising Goal<\/h3>\n

Fundraising success starts with a financial goal. What are you interested in funding, and how much money do you need to make that happen? Share your fundraising goal<\/a> with both your fundraisers and the general public so everyone understands why this fundraiser is important.<\/p>\n

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2. <\/a>Set a Timeline<\/h3>\n

Next on your list is a timeline. When will you start your campaign? And when will all funds be due? When will everyone receive their candy bars? Typically, a good timeline is around four weeks so your students and parents have time to sell and collect payment.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>3. Choose Candies and Supplier<\/h3>\n

While schools can purchase and sell candy bars on their own, companies like World\u2019s Finest Chocolate, Candy Fundraisers, and School Fundraising all offer profit-sharing programs to make this fundraising campaign easier. You can even partner with well-known brands like See’s Candies<\/a> to get people excited about their candy bar purchases.<\/p>\n

To make things even easier, look for a company that handles distributing the candy bars for you, so all you have to do is submit your orders and collect the funds.<\/p>\n

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4. <\/a>Decide on the Price<\/h3>\n

The cost of your fundraiser\u2019s candy bars depends on your financial goal and the expense of the candy bar. Whichever candy company you partner with may have a set price for each item already, so be sure to do your due diligence and calculate how much candy you’ll need to sell to meet your goal.<\/p>\n

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5. <\/a>Gather your fundraisers<\/h3>\n

Candy bar fundraisers are a great opportunity for your PTA to get more parents involved! Put out the call and make it as easy as possible for more people to get involved.<\/p>\n

Peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns are a great way for your fundraisers to get the word out. They can easily create their own fundraising pages to share with friends and family. Any funds they collect will flow directly to your school’s account. Learn more about peer-to-peer fundraising<\/a> and check out this example of a campaign that has raised over $25,000.<\/p>\n

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Launch Your Peer-to-Peer Campaign<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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6. <\/a>Promote and Market Your Fundraiser<\/h3>\n

Start promoting your candy bar fundraiser a few weeks before the start to get your fundraisers involved. Once your team is formed and your online and paper sales forms are finalized, promote the event with flyers around the school and hand them out during parent-teacher conferences, plays, concerts, sports activities, and more. Use your school’s online presence to share the fundraiser via email, on your website, and on social media.<\/p>\n

Your students and parents can also promote your fundraiser with their networks to ensure you have many interested \u2013 and hungry! \u2013 donors.<\/p>\n

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7. <\/a>Collect Funds and Close the Fundraiser<\/h3>\n

Congratulations! You just ran your candy bar fundraiser. Now it’s time to:<\/p>\n

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  • Collect any outstanding funds from your fundraisers.<\/li>\n
  • Ensure all candy bars have been or will be delivered.<\/li>\n
  • Share how much you raised with your students, parents, and the general public.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    It’s also time to thank everyone who participated. You couldn’t do it without their help!<\/p>\n

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    5 Ideas to Raise More with Your Candy Bar Fundraiser<\/h2>\n

    Now you know how to host a delicious candy bar fundraiser \u2013 but you may not know all the ways to make it as successful as possible. Here are five ideas to ensure your fundraiser is a success.<\/p>\n

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    <\/a>1. Hold a Sales Contest<\/h3>\n

    Everyone loves a little friendly competition! The best way to get students and parents involved in your candy bar fundraiser is to create a contest with an enticing prize. Your contest can be between individual fundraisers or between classes of students, with prizes like a class pizza party or extra recess time. Whoever sells the most candy bars gets the prize \u2013 and bragging rights!<\/p>\n

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    <\/a>2. Showcase Your Goal<\/h3>\n

    Track your sales and showcase your goal in a way that draws attention. Post a goal meter<\/a> online and at the school to show how close you are to your goal. This will create urgency amongst your fundraisers and encourage donors to step up and make their purchases.<\/p>\n

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    3. <\/a>Make In-person Sales Easy<\/h3>\n

    The trick to this type of fundraiser is catching those impulse purchases. Selling candy bars outside a store or at your next football game is a great way to boost funds \u2013 but you need an easy way to collect payments in an increasingly cashless world.<\/p>\n

    Use tools like Donorbox\u2019s Live™ Kiosk app<\/a> that help your fundraisers collect payments with cards, smartphones, and smartwatches. Learn more in this short video:<\/p>\n