Successful Fundraising Ideas for Groups and Clubs

Teddy Bear Delivery Fundraiser Idea

How to create a successful teddy bear delivery fundraiser for special occasions

Everyone loves getting teddy bears, even the guys out there! So why not create an on-going fundraiser where you can generate revenue by selling teddy bears for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, graduations, Mother’s Day, Christmas, get well soon wishes, etc. You can even customize the bears you sell by putting them in mini bear t-shirts with sayings appropriate to the special occasion for which they are being ordered. Birthday bears would have a “Happy Birthday” message, Valentine’s bears would have an “I Love You” message on the shirts, etc. You get the idea.

The great thing about teddy bears is that they come in all shapes and sizes. We do recommend however that you sell bears that are at least 12” in length. The bigger the bear, the higher the perceived value.

You should be able to find 12” to 15” cute and cuddly bears in bulk for around $5.00 each. Amazon has a wide selection. Just be sure to search for bulk quantities, otherwise you’ll be paying full retail. You can also get the t-shirts in bulk for around $2 each. Mini bear hoodies cost a bit more, but may also generate more interest. If you want to put messages on the t-shirts or hoodies, look for the ones that will work well for sublimation or iron-on transfers. You should have no problems selling your special occasion bears for around $20 or more with the t-shirt.

To get started with your teddy bear delivery service fundraising program, you’ll need to have a website where people can see what you offer and be able to place orders. If you don’t already have a website, you can easily set one up on platforms like Squarespace or Wix. Offer a selection of bears for each special occasion category. You’ll also need to decide if you want to sell only within your community or to a national audience. Teddy bears are easy to pack and ship, so you’re not necessarily tied to only selling within a specific local geographical area.

Once your bears and shirts come in, you can go ahead and create some images and post them to your website. Use Canva to help create your images. Figure out what prices you want to charge for each teddy bear based on your cost of materials plus anticipated delivery charges to cover your mileage or postage. If you’re only selling local, be sure to set your delivery area and clearly state the boundaries on your website. With each teddy bear that you sell, you’ll want to include a note card letting the recipient know who placed the order. Be sure to promote the fact that each order goes to support your organization. Put this messaging on your website, on the note cards, and on any promotional materials that you create.

Utilize multiple channels to help spread the word about your teddy bear delivery service for special occasions. Promote heavily on all your social media platforms and be sure to promote in local Facebook groups!