With the possibility of ‘print-on-demand’ and the ease of self publishing, products like calendars and cookbooks that were previously deemed too expensive or too time intensive to produce and sell for fundraising purposes have actually now become ‘quick to plan and sell’ additions to the collection of fundraising products.
Calendars:
In the old days you’d have to go through a lengthy process of designing a calendar on your computer (or hire a designer) and then have the pressure of ordering a minimum amount for your fundraiser. Those days are over and creating a calendar for your next fundraising event is easier than ever!
There are several services out there that let you assemble calendars from your own pictures and preset designs and then order any number you choose with the option of printing more in the future ‘on demand’ without any additional setup costs. Look for tiered pricing options to get the best deal.
You can easily order calendars through software you may already have on your computer, like iPhoto for example, or you can use one of the many online services such as .
Online publishers like Lulu.com also offer several different custom calendars options at good prices. You can choose from several different themes and designs.
Tip: When choosing pictures for your calendar, try to choose pictures that you think will please the majority of your supporters and any people portrayed in them. It’s best to decide on pictures and design together as a group. Be sure to get a ‘release’ signature from any person appearing in the images. If there are under age kids in the images, get permission from their guardians.
Also, only order ONE calendar with your first order as a ‘final proof’ copy. This will allow you to make any changes and get more feedback from others involved in the fundraiser.
Cookbooks:
Creating a personalized cookbook for your group has also become much easier with a print-on-demand online service such as Shutterfly.com. (Search online for “create my cookbook” for more services.) You can upload your own recipes and photos collected from your group members.
The ordering process is made easy with the availability of choosing from pre-made templates and layouts for your pages. There is usually an option to order “on demand” or to order a larger amount of books for better pricing.
A cookbook fundraiser is a great way to raise funds year round. You can set your own price and periodically offer special pricing – and a different cookbook – for specific holidays for example.