Fundraising with Custom Apparel Guide

Why T-Shirt Fundraising Works

Custom apparel fundraising is one of the most effective ways to raise money while building community. Unlike bake sales or car washes that require significant time and logistics, t-shirt fundraising offers a tangible product that supporters actually want, provides ongoing visibility for your cause, and can be managed with minimal effort.

The economics are compelling: with shirts costing $8-12 each and selling for $20-30, you can generate $10-15+ profit per shirt. A 100-shirt fundraiser can easily raise $1,000-1,500 for your organization. Plus, every person wearing your shirt becomes a walking advertisement for your cause.

Fundraising Strategies: Choose Your Approach

There are several proven approaches to t-shirt fundraising. The best one for you depends on your organization's resources and risk tolerance.

Running a Pre-Sale Fundraiser: Step by Step

The pre-sale model is the safest and most popular approach for schools and community groups. Here's exactly how to run one:

1. Design Your Shirt (Week 1) Create or commission your design. Include your organization name, cause/event, and year. Keep it simple - 1-3 colours work best for screen printing economics.
2. Set Your Pricing (Week 1) Get a quote from T-Shirt Elephant for your expected quantity. Add your desired profit margin. Most fundraisers price at $20-25 for t-shirts, $35-45 for hoodies.
3. Create Order Forms (Week 1) Set up a Google Form, paper order sheets, or online payment system. Collect: name, size, style (if offering options), and payment.
4. Promote Your Fundraiser (Weeks 2-3) Email, social media, in-person announcements. Set a clear deadline (2 weeks is ideal). Send reminders at the halfway point and final day.
5. Compile Orders (Week 3) After the deadline, tally all orders by size and style. Verify payments are collected. Create your final order summary.
6. Place Your Order (Week 3-4) Submit your order to T-Shirt Elephant with the size breakdown and artwork. Production takes 7-10 business days.
7. Distribute Shirts (Week 5) Once shirts arrive, organize distribution. Schools often do classroom distribution; teams hand out at practice.

Pricing for Profit: The Numbers

Here's a realistic breakdown of fundraiser economics using typical pricing for a 100-shirt order:

Pricing by Quantity

Your per-shirt cost decreases as quantity increases. Here's what to expect:

Best Products for Fundraising

Choose products that balance quality, cost, and appeal to maximize your profit:

Add Premium Options to Increase Sales

Offering a hoodie or long-sleeve option alongside t-shirts can significantly boost revenue:

• Gildan 18500 Hoodie: Cost ~$18-22, sell for $40-45, profit $18-27
• Gildan 5400 Long Sleeve: Cost ~$10-12, sell for $28-32, profit $16-22
• Gildan 18000 Crewneck: Cost ~$14-16, sell for $35-38, profit $19-24

Fundraiser Design Tips

Design Elements That Sell

• Clear Cause Connection: Make it obvious what the shirt supports
• Attractive Artwork: People wear designs they're proud of
• Date/Year: Creates collector appeal for annual events
• Donor Recognition: List major sponsors or donor names on back

Keep Printing Costs Down

• Limit Colours: 1-2 colours keeps screen printing costs low
• Single Location: Front-only printing is most economical
• Standard Placement: Left chest or full front are most common
• Avoid Gradients: Solid colours reproduce better and cost less

Promoting Your Fundraiser

Communication Channels

• Email: Send to your full mailing list with clear call-to-action
• Social Media: Post mockups of the design, share the story behind your cause
• In-Person: Announcements at meetings, games, events
• Flyers: Post in common areas with QR codes linking to order forms

Messages That Convert

• Explain exactly what the funds support
• Show the shirt design prominently
• Include a clear deadline ("Order by May 15th!")
• Make ordering easy (link directly to form)
• Send reminders: halfway point and final day

Frequently Asked Questions