Fundraising >> Pre-Sales

Sample Brochure - this is a large file, may take a while to download.

Brief description - The pre-sales program is designed to meet the needs of a whole school fund raiser event. This is more like a typical fundraising event where the participants are given a brochure to take home and distribute among friends, family and neighbors. At the end of the event, the orders are counted and money collected to determine the product totals. The fundraising organizers then place an order with us and we will deliver the products on a specified date and location. The fundraising organizers distribute the products to the participants.

Here is how the program works. This program requires a little more work and planning than the direct sales program or internet/phone program. This program has four phases. Each phase is listed in detail below. The first phase is the organization phase. This is where the event specifics are defined and all the event planning is done. The second phase is where the participants generate sales. The third phase is the delivery of the orders and the final phase is customer service.

Planning and Organization

The first phase of the fundraising event is the planning and organization. Usually, there is a person responsible for organizing the event. This person should have an established set of volunteers available to assist the organizer. Here is a list of details that should be determined in this phase.

• Determine products to sell – Urban Survival Tools offers unique products that your customers actually can use and need.
• Determine prices of products - This is where the organizers and planners determine how much money the fundraising event should produce. Typical profit margins range from 40-60 percent. We can work with the organizers to set a pre-determined profit margin. Our typical profit margins are either 40 or 50 percent.
• Set the start and end dates for the event - Determine the expected start and end dates. We usually recommend 2-4 weeks for the duration of the event.
• Estimate delivery date - estimate the delivery date of the products and orders. We usually ship the products within 3-4 weeks. The actual delivery date is determined during this phase.
• Retain volunteers and other help - Yes you may need help.

We are well prepared to assist your organization in these decisions. We provide all the required materials for your organization to have a successful fundraising event and to realize your monetary goals.

Sales stage

This stage is where the participants sell the products to friends, family members, neighbors and other supporters. Each participant receives one or more product brochures and order forms. Once the sales period is over, the orders are counted and the order is placed with Urban Survival Tools. We work with the organizers and planners to ensure order correctness and to ensure all the order forms are complete and accurate.

• Notify organization of order start end ending period - the classrooms and teachers should be made aware of the event and what is required of them.
• Distribute brochures and material - the fundraising material is distributed to the participants.
• Count, check orders and money received - The organizers and planners need to count the orders and all money received.
• The organizers then place and order with Urban Survival Tools and send the order forms along with the payment.

Delivery

This phase occurs when the orders are delivered to the location specified. Each order is bagged and marked with the participant’s information. This helps ensure the easy distribution of the products to the participants.

• Deliver the products to the specified location.
• The fundraising coordinator distributes the products to the participants.

Customer Service

This stage is the last part of the fundraising event. This is where the participants resolve any problems and discrepancies that may have occurred. Urban Survival Tools has a toll free number that the participants can call to report any discrepancies. This prevents the organizers and planners from spending hours performing customer service tasks. Any requests for broken products and replacements are handled through this toll free number. Any new products shipped to the specified delivery location.

The Fundraising organizers can choose between a price program for the participants or a benefit program for the organization. The organizers must choose one or the other. The participant prize program provides selected prizes to the participants based on their sales. There are five prize levels starting from $20.00 and ending at $500.00. Here is more information on the free survival and emergency kit benefit program .

Advantages

• No investment or upfront money required.
• No inventory to store.
• You only buy what you have pre-sold.
• Catalogs offer a wider range of products.

Disadvantages

• Requires more time to plan and manage.
• Takes longer for event to occur.
• Organizers and volunteer staff must handle money collected from supporters.
• Takes time to distribute the products once they are received.