Successful Fundraising Ideas for Groups and Clubs

DIY Coupon Book Fundraiser Idea

How to put on a successful coupon book fundraiser

The coupon book fundraising idea has been around for decades. And if done right, it can be very successful! There are a few fundraising companies that have pre-made coupon books available that you can purchase and then re-sell, but if your fundraising budget is tight and you want to make this activity more about benefiting local businesses, consider the do-it-yourself (DIY) coupon book option.

All you need for this DIY coupon book fundraiser is a local printer, someone who can do some easy design work, and some volunteers to visit local businesses and ask for offers to support your group. You should get a good response if the businesses know it’s for a charitable cause. If you’re on a really tight budget, you can print and cut the coupons yourself, and put the coupons in envelopes (like the Valpak offers everyone gets in the mail).

After you’ve recruited volunteers, reach out to local businesses in your community and ask if they would be willing to offer discounts or special deals for inclusion in your coupon book. Explain the purpose of your fundraiser and how their participation can benefit both their business and your cause. Offer various levels of sponsorship or advertising opportunities to incentivize businesses to participate. Try and collect at least 25 to 50 coupon offers. Good targets include hair salons, spa’s, yogurt shops, restaurants, theatres, home service companies, local boutiques, etc. And don’t forget about businesses that only sell online. The better the offers you are able to compile, the higher you can price your coupon books or envelopes. For example, if you have $500 worth of coupons in your book, you should be able to charge up to $20 to $25 per book. Be sure to work with participating businesses to finalize the details of their coupons, including the discount or offer, expiration date, and any restrictions or limitations. Ensure that the terms and conditions are clearly stated on each coupon to avoid confusion or disputes.

When you start to lay out and design your coupon book, consider including a cover page with your organization’s logo and a brief explanation of the fundraiser. Organize the coupons by category (e.g., dining, entertainment, retail) to make it easy for users to navigate. Use professional design software or online tools such as Canva to create visually appealing coupons.

Check with your local printer regarding prices to print your desired quantity of coupon books, and see if they will be willing to offer you a discount in exchange for an advertisement within the coupon book.

Set your completed coupon book sales price accordingly and let your volunteers get to work selling them throughout the community. Don’t forget to promote on all of your social media channels and create flyers that you can hand out to local businesses.

After the fundraiser concludes, follow up with participating businesses to thank them for their support and provide them with feedback on the success of the coupon book. Send thank-you notes to supporters, volunteers, and buyers to express gratitude for their contributions to the fundraiser.