Fundraising with Custom Ampersand Merchandise: Complete Guide to Raising Money

Custom ampersand merchandise has become one of the most effective fundraising tools for schools, sports teams, nonprofits, churches, and community organizations. Why? Because ampersand designs create unity, look professional, and people actually want to wear them—not just to support your cause, but because they genuinely like the design.

This comprehensive guide will show you how to run a successful merchandise fundraiser using custom ampersand designs, with proven strategies, realistic profit calculations, and step-by-step implementation plans that have raised thousands of dollars for organizations just like yours.

Why Ampersand Merchandise Works for Fundraising

Traditional fundraisers often suffer from one major problem: people buy to support the cause, not because they actually want the product. Magazine subscriptions, cookie dough, wrapping paper—these work, but participants rarely get excited about them.

Custom ampersand merchandise is different:

• High perceived value: Professional designs that look like retail merchandise people would pay full price for
• Emotional connection: Team names, family relationships, and shared identities create meaningful designs
• Free advertising: Every person wearing your shirt becomes a walking billboard for your organization
• Repeat customers: People buy multiple items for family members and friends
• Year-round appeal: T-shirts are universally useful, unlike seasonal products
• Low upfront cost: Print-on-demand options eliminate inventory risk

Fundraising Models: Choose Your Approach

Model 1: Pre-Order Fundraiser (Lowest Risk)

Collect orders and payment upfront, then place bulk order with printer. Zero financial risk.

Model 2: Inventory Fundraiser (Higher Profit Potential)

Purchase inventory upfront, sell at events and online. Higher margins but requires initial investment.

Best for: Established organizations with event presence (games, concerts, festivals) and storage space.

Model 3: Online Print-on-Demand (Ongoing Revenue)

Set up online store where items are printed and shipped automatically. No inventory, no upfront costs, no fulfillment work.

Best for: Year-round fundraising with minimal effort. Lower margins but zero risk and no time investment.

Step-by-Step: Running Your Ampersand Merchandise Fundraiser

Phase 1: Design & Planning (Week 1-2)

Step 1: Create Your Design

Use the free Ampersand Shirt Generator to create your design in minutes. The most successful fundraising designs follow these patterns:

Step 2: Choose Your Products

Don't just offer t-shirts. Maximize revenue with multiple product types:

• T-shirts: Adult and youth sizes (your bread and butter)
• Long sleeve shirts: Popular for fall/winter fundraisers
• Hoodies/Sweatshirts: Higher price point = higher profit per unit
• Tank tops: Great for spring/summer sports teams
• Hats: Excellent add-on item, low cost to produce

Step 3: Get Quotes from Printers

Contact at least 3 local screen printers and online print services. Ask for quotes on:

Phase 2: Marketing & Sales (Week 2-4)

Step 4: Set Your Timeline

Step 5: Create Your Marketing Materials

You'll need:

• Design mockups: Show the design on actual shirt photos (use free mockup generators)
• Order form: Simple spreadsheet or Google Form with name, size, quantity, payment
• Social media graphics: Square images for Instagram/Facebook with design + deadline
• Email template: Announcement email explaining the fundraiser and how to order
• Flyers: One-page PDF to share digitally or print

Step 6: Multi-Channel Promotion

Successful fundraisers use ALL available channels:

• Email: Send to entire email list (parents, alumni, members, supporters)
• Social Media: Post 3-4 times per week on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
• Text/Messaging: Team/group texts, remind notifications
• In-Person: Announce at meetings, games, practices, services
• School/Organization Channels: Newsletter, bulletin, announcements, website
• Student/Member Sales: Incentivize individuals to sell (prize for top seller)

Phase 3: Fulfillment & Distribution (Week 5-6)

Step 7: Place Your Order

Once your sales window closes:

• Tally all orders by size and product type
• Order 5-10% extra in popular sizes (medium/large) for late orders/exchanges
• Confirm delivery date with printer (typically 10-14 days for screen printing)
• Submit final design files and size breakdown

Step 8: Organize Distribution

Distribution methods:

• Single pickup event: Set a 2-hour window for everyone to collect orders (easiest)
• Multiple pickup times: Offer 2-3 different time slots for flexibility
• Deliver at regular events: Distribute at practices, games, meetings (best for sports teams/schools)
• Ship to individuals: Add $5-8 shipping fee (only if necessary, reduces profit)

Maximizing Your Fundraiser Profits

Pricing Strategy

Here's what actually sells based on fundraising data:

Don't underprice! People expect to pay slightly above retail for fundraisers because they're supporting a cause. Pricing too low actually hurts perceived value.

Add-On Revenue Boosters

• Size premiums: Charge $2 extra for 2XL and up (printers charge you more, pass it along)
• Color upgrades: Offer premium shirt colors for $3-5 extra
• Name personalization: Add individual names for $5-8 extra (huge profit margin, popular with parents)
• Number additions: Jersey numbers for $4-6 extra (perfect for sports teams)

Sales Contest for Organic Promotion

Incentivize your members/students to sell:

• Top seller prize: $50 gift card, free hoodie, or special recognition
• Team competitions: Class vs class, team vs team for bragging rights
• Milestone rewards: Everyone who sells 10+ gets a free hat

Organization-Specific Strategies

Schools & PTOs

• Launch at back-to-school night for maximum visibility
• Send order forms home in backpacks
• Target grandparents and extended family (biggest spenders)
• Create grade-level specific designs for extra purchases
• Timing: September or February (avoid holiday competition)

Expected profit: $8-15 per student in school population. (500 students = $4,000-7,500)

Sports Teams

• Sell to parents, grandparents, siblings, extended family
• Create "fan gear" positioning—not just team shirts
• Offer youth sizes for siblings
• Time it with tournament season for excitement
• Upsell hoodies for cold-weather games

Expected profit: $40-80 per player family. (20 players = $800-1,600)

Churches & Faith Organizations

• Promote during announcements for 3 consecutive weeks
• Set up order table in lobby after services
• Frame as "unity shirts" for members to wear together
• Offer at special events (VBS, mission trips, retreats)
• Create designs for specific ministries (youth group, choir, etc.)

Expected profit: 25-40% of regular attendees will purchase. (200 attendees = 50-80 sales = $600-1,200)

Nonprofits & Causes

• Position as "supporter gear" not just donation
• Show impact: "100% of profits fund [specific program]"
• Sell at fundraising events and galas
• Create annual design tradition for repeat revenue
• Offer to corporate sponsors and volunteers

Expected profit: Variable based on audience size, typically $1,500-5,000 for local nonprofits

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Mistake: Ordering inventory before collecting pre-orders
  Solution: Always use pre-order model for first fundraiser to eliminate risk
• Mistake: Sales window too long (6-8 weeks)
  Solution: Limit to 3 weeks maximum to create urgency
• Mistake: Only announcing once
  Solution: Repeat promotion 8-10 times across multiple channels
• Mistake: Complex design with too many colors
  Solution: Stick to 1-2 colors to minimize printing costs and maximize profit
• Mistake: Not offering youth sizes
  Solution: Families want matching shirts—always include kids' sizes
• Mistake: Unclear about where profits go
  Solution: Explicitly state: "All profits support [specific program/need]"

Year-Round Fundraising Calendar

Don't just run one fundraiser. Create a year-round revenue stream with seasonal campaigns:

• August/September: Back to School design
• October: Spirit Week / Homecoming design
• December: Holiday / End of Year design
• February: Valentine's / Sports Season design
• April/May: Spring / Year-End Celebration design

Each campaign generates fresh revenue without feeling repetitive because the designs and themes change.

Tools & Resources for Your Fundraiser

• Design creation: Free Ampersand Shirt Generator (create professional designs in minutes)
• Order collection: Google Forms, SignUpGenius, or PledgeUp
• Payment processing: Venmo, PayPal, Square, or school/organization accounts
• Mockup generators: Placeit, Printful mockup generator (show design on actual products)
• Printers to contact: Local screen printers, CustomInk, Bonfire, Printful, Rushordertees

Final Thoughts: Make It Annual

The real power of merchandise fundraising is repetition. Once you've run a successful campaign, make it annual. Your second year will be easier (you know the process), cheaper (no setup fees if using same printer), and more profitable (people expect it and plan to buy).

Organizations that run annual ampersand merchandise fundraisers report 30-50% higher sales in year two as the tradition becomes established and word spreads.

Start small, learn from the process, and scale up. Your first campaign might raise $1,000—but by year three, you could be pulling in $5,000+ annually with minimal effort once systems are established.

The combination of custom ampersand designs (professional, meaningful, versatile) with strategic fundraising approaches (pre-orders, urgency, multi-channel promotion) creates a proven formula for success.

Now go create your design and start raising funds for your cause!