10 best things to sell for fundraising in 2024

Fundraising is crucial for any organization, and finding the right products to sell can make all the difference. In 2024, customizable items are hot ticket items, as they not only attract a wide audience but also provide an opportunity to engage with supporters on a personal level.

In this blog post, we will look at the top 10 products to sell for a physical or online fundraiser, ensuring both broad appeal and high profitability. 

We will also explore how Gelato's print on demand services can simplify the entire process by providing high-quality, customizable products with no upfront costs. Get ready to start raising money with top product choices this year to boost your fundraising efforts!

• Customizable clothing like t-shirts and hoodies serve as popular and profitable fundraising products.

• Accessories such as hats, tote bags, and phone cases appeal to a wide audience, are easily customized, and make great fundraising ideas. 

• Drinkware, including mugs and water bottles, is another category with practical products that offer great branding opportunities to raise funds.

• Some good product fundraising event ideas include posters, wall art, and calendars that can be designed to reflect your organization's branding or message, adding a personalized touch.

• Gelato's print on demand services streamline the fundraising process and provide high-quality, customizable products with no upfront costs.

Let's jump right into the top items to boost your fundraising efforts in 2024. This curated list of the most lucrative products will help you successfully attract donors and support your cause.

1. T-shirts

A fantastic product to raise money is the fundraising t-shirt. These tees are a classic go-to for several reasons, including the following:

• Versatile design options: T-shirts can be tailored to fit any theme or event. Whether it's a marathon, charity concert, or a community drive, you can create designs that resonate with your audience and encourage them to support your cause.

• Wide appeal: Everyone wears t-shirts, regardless of age, gender, or social background. This universal appeal means that your fundraising campaign can reach a broader audience.

• Cost-effective production: With services like Gelato, you can print t-shirts on demand without upfront costs, eliminating the risk of unsold inventory. You only pay for what you sell, ensuring maximum profitability.

• Easy to distribute: T-shirts are lightweight and easy to ship, making the logistics of fulfilling orders simpler and more cost-effective. This is particularly beneficial if your supporters are spread out around the world.

2. Hoodies 

When it comes to fundraising, hoodies are a fantastic option. Here’s why hoodies should be at the top of your fundraiser product list: 

• High perceived value: Hoodies generally have a higher perceived value than other apparel items. This means you can price them at a premium, increasing your fundraising margins.

• Seasonal appeal: Hoodies are perfect for cold weather, making them a great product for fall and winter fundraising campaigns. But they're also a popular choice year-round for cozy, casual wear.

• Customizable designs: With Gelato, you can easily create unique designs that reflect your cause or organization. Customize with logos, slogans, or even artwork created by your community members.

• Universal sizing: Available in a variety of sizes, hoodies offer a convenient way for you to cater to your entire supporter base, from children to adults.

3. Hats

Hats are a versatile and trendy option for fundraising. Leveraging a service like Gelato's print on demand can help you create unique, high-quality hats that resonate with your supporters. Here are some key reasons to consider hats for your next fundraising event: 

• High visibility: When supporters wear your hats, they help spread awareness about your cause. It’s like having walking billboards promoting your fundraiser wherever they go.

• Durable and long-lasting: A well-made hat can last for years, providing long-term exposure for your organization and ensuring your message stays visible.

• Affordable production costs: Producing customized hats can be cost-effective, especially when using print on demand services. This means you can keep your expenses low while maximizing profit margins.

• Great as gifts or rewards: Hats make excellent rewards for donors or participants in your fundraising events, enhancing their connection to your cause while encouraging further support.

4. Tote bags

Most eco-friendly, reusable bags are practical and offer a blank canvas for creative designs, logos, and messages. Let's explore why they are a top pick for fundraising: 

• Eco-friendly factor: With increasing awareness around sustainability, offering tote bags made from recycled materials can align your fundraising efforts with eco-conscious values.

• Customization options: Tote bags offer a large surface area for customization. You can print your organization's logo, a catchy slogan, or artistic designs, turning each bag into a unique statement piece.

• Cost-effective: Tote bags are relatively inexpensive to produce, especially when ordered in bulk. This allows for a higher profit margin on each sale.

• Practical utility: Tote bags have endless everyday applications, whether for grocery shopping, carrying books, or as a stylish accessory. From students to professionals, everyone can find use for a tote bag. 

5. Mugs

Among the many items for fundraising, beverage mugs stand out as a timeless and practical choice. They cater to a broad audience, from coffee aficionados to tea enthusiasts, making them a hit for any fundraising event. Here's why mugs make good picks for fundraising: 

• Durability: Unlike some products that wear out quickly, mugs are durable and have a long shelf life. This longevity provides ongoing advertisement for your cause each time they are used.

• Gift potential: Mugs make excellent gifts for holidays, birthdays, or corporate events. Their giftability factor can help broaden your market reach beyond just the direct supporters.

• Environmental impact: You can opt for eco-friendly materials or even promote the use of reusable mugs to reduce waste, aligning your fundraising efforts with environmental sustainability, which can appeal to eco-conscious buyers.

• Customization options: With Gelato’s print on demand services, you can design mugs with various themes—be it your organization's logo, a motivational quote, or an artistic design. 

6. Water bottles

Water bottles are a fantastic item to consider for your next fundraising event. They are universally appealing and practical and fall under the category of health-conscious products, making them highly marketable. Here's why water bottles are among the best items to sell for fundraising: 

• Wide appeal: Nearly everyone uses water bottles, whether they're headed to the gym, school, work, or even just running errands. This wide appeal ensures that your fundraising efforts reach a broad audience.

• Functional and durable: High-quality water bottles are made to last. When people purchase something that they know will serve them well for a long time, it adds value to their buying decision, making them more likely to support your cause.

• Health benefits: Staying hydrated is essential for good health. By selling water bottles, you're promoting a healthy lifestyle, which can be a compelling selling point for health-conscious buyers.

• Affordability: Water bottles can be sourced and produced at a relatively low cost, allowing you to price them at an attractive point to buyers while maintaining a healthy profit margin for your fundraising goals.

7. Posters

Posters are visually appealing and highly versatile, making them a fantastic item to include in your fundraising efforts. Here’s why posters can be a game-changer for your fundraising events:  

• Easy to ship: Posters are lightweight and easy to package, which simplifies the logistics of fulfilling orders and reduces shipping costs.

• Great for promotions: Offering limited edition or autographed posters can create a sense of urgency and exclusivity, enticing more people to make a purchase.

• Visual impact: A well-designed poster can capture attention and permanently remind you of your cause, building a deeper connection with supporters.

• Diverse uses: From decorating homes and offices to becoming part of an artistic collection, posters serve multiple purposes, increasing their attractiveness as a fundraising item.

Using Gelato’s print on demand services, you can effortlessly design and distribute custom posters without significant upfront investment. This flexibility allows your organization to maximize profitability and reach a broader audience, ensuring your fundraising efforts are effective and hassle-free. 

8. Wall art

When it comes to fundraising, wall art offers a versatile and visually appealing option that caters to diverse tastes. The best part is that you can offer high-quality, customizable wall art pieces with Gelato's print on demand services. Here's why wall art makes for a good fundraising product:

• High perceived value: Wall art is considered a high-quality, premium item. Participants will likely feel they’re getting a good deal, which can encourage higher spending.

• Various styles: Wall art can be tailored to various styles, from modern abstracts to classic landscapes. This variety ensures that there’s something for everyone in your audience.

• Memorable keepsake: Unlike other fundraising items that might get tucked away, wall art generally finds a proud spot in people's homes or offices, keeping your cause in mind.

• Easy to produce: Utilizing services like Gelato means you don’t have to worry about inventory, as wall art can be printed and shipped on demand. This reduces risk and initial investment.

9. Calendars

Calendars are timeless fundraising items that never go out of style. They have a practical use year-round and serve as a constant reminder of your cause every time someone checks the date. Here are key reasons why calendars are among the best items to sell for fundraising: 

• Customizable themes: Whether it’s scenic landscapes, funny cartoons, or inspirational quotes, you can design calendars that cater to various tastes and preferences.

• High perceived value: Calendars are often seen as valuable items, especially when they feature high-quality images or useful information, such as those found on customized school calendars. This can justify a higher selling price, increasing your fundraising revenue.

• Space for sponsors: You can sell advertising space on each month’s page to local businesses, adding an additional revenue stream to your efforts.

• Eco-friendly options: Many printing services, including Gelato, offer eco-friendly materials, which can appeal to environmentally conscious supporters and enhance your organization's image.

10. Phone cases

Phone cases have become a necessity and a fashion statement, making them a perfect item for fundraising. They offer a blend of style, protection, and personalization that can attract many supporters. Here’s why phone cases are a must-have item for your fundraising efforts: 

• High demand: Almost everyone owns a smartphone these days, and each device needs protection. By selling phone cases, you’re offering a product with a built-in demand.

• Wide profit margins: Given their low production cost and high retail value, phone cases can provide substantial profit margins, making them a lucrative fundraising item.

• Versatility in designs: You can continuously update the designs to keep the product fresh and engaging and cater to the different tastes and preferences of your supporters.

• Appealing to all ages: From teenagers to adults, phone cases are a popular item across all age groups, expanding your potential market base.

Offering customizable, high-quality products is a sure-fire way to boost your fundraising efforts. Not sure where to start or what products will make your fundraising campaign successful? Gelato is here to help.

Gelato opens up a world of possibilities for any fundraising event with an extensive range of print on demand products. With top-tier features such as high-quality printing, global reach, no upfront costs, and an effortless integration process, Gelato streamlines the POD process, allowing you to focus on what truly matters: making a difference.

Gelato's Personalization Studio allows you to create personalized merch with your logo, a catchy slogan, or a fun design to showcase your organization or cause. 

Are you ready to elevate your fundraising strategy? Sign up for Gelato today and choose a subscription plan to leave an unparalleled impact with our products.

What is the best thing to sell for fundraising?

The best items to sell for fundraising should be popular and easy to sell. Items like baked goods, custom t-shirts, and seasonal items (like decorations for the holiday season) often perform well. 

Can you sell different items for a fundraiser?

Selling items for a fundraiser is a common and effective strategy. Organizations often sell branded car stickers, chocolates, candles, and merchandise to raise funds. This method works well because it provides supporters with a tangible item in exchange for their contribution, making it a win-win situation where donors feel they receive value for their money.

Can you sell food for a fundraiser?

Absolutely! Baked goods like cookies, brownies, and cupcakes are among the best foods to sell for a fundraiser. They are relatively inexpensive to make and have a broad appeal. Other popular options include popcorn, candy, and homemade jams. Offering a variety of flavors or unique packaging can help attract more buyers and increase sales.