Nonprofit Fundraiser Merchandise Case Study
A local nonprofit added a small branded-merch table to its annual fundraiser. The table covered the merch cost and added a new donor channel. Read the project, then a plain guide to planning a merch table.
A community-focused nonprofit hosting an annual fundraising event came to us for help adding a small branded-merchandise table to the night. The goal was twofold: cover the cost of the merch through sales at the table, and create a take-home item that kept the cause in front of new supporters after the event.
The brief
Limited budget, fast turnaround, and the merch had to feel like the cause, not like generic logo wear.
What we suggested
A small line of co-branded t-shirts and tote bags using the nonprofit's existing color palette, plus a run of stickers as a free add-on with every donation above a certain level. We helped them pick fabrics and a print method that would hold up to repeated washing; these were going to be worn, not stored.
The result
The merch table broke even on the night and supplied take-home items that kept the cause visible in the local community for months afterward. The nonprofit added a small merch line to their permanent operations after the event's success.
Shop merch table basics
How do you plan a merch table for a nonprofit event?
Plan a merch table by choosing two or three items your supporters would wear or carry anyway, pricing them so the table can cover its own cost, and adding a free small item to reward giving. Keep the range short so the table is easy to run.
The rest of this page is general guidance. It is not part of the client story above.
Which items work best on a fundraiser merch table?
Wearable and carryable items work best, because supporters who use them advertise the cause in daily life. T-shirts and tote bags are the usual starting point, and a small sticker makes an easy giveaway. All three take a logo well and suit a mixed crowd.
For example, the Gildan Adult Heavy Cotton T-Shirt is listed as 100% cotton jersey with a blended cotton and polyester option, and the Promotional 100% Cotton Tote Bag is a 15" W x 15" H bag in 4 oz natural cotton. The 6 Inch Circle Permanent Bumper Sticker is a full-color vinyl sticker, 6.00" by 6.00", according to its product listing.
Merch table items from our catalog
View all t-shirts →
How do you choose a fabric and print method that lasts?
Choose a fabric the wearer will actually wash, and ask which print method suits it. Cotton is a familiar choice for shirts and totes, and the print method decides how a logo holds up over time. Confirm the method for each item on its product page before you approve artwork.
Because supporters wear these items, test one washed sample when the schedule allows. It is a small step that avoids a disappointing result on the night.
How do you keep merch on-message for a cause?
Use the colors and wording your supporters already know, and keep the design simple enough to read from across a room. A merch item should look like it belongs to your cause. Generic logo wear tends to end up in a drawer.
A short list of design habits:
- Use your existing palette instead of adding new colors.
- Put the cause name or a short phrase on the item, not a paragraph.
- Keep one design across shirts, totes and stickers so the range looks like a set.
- Print the web address so a new supporter can find you after the event.
What should you confirm before ordering for an event?
Confirm the event date, the sizes you need, the logo file and the delivery address before you approve a proof. Fast turnaround is possible on many items, but it depends on the product and the print method, so give us your date when you ask for a quote.
Planning a merch table for your event?
Tell us the event date, your budget and the cause. A specialist will suggest a short range of items with pricing at each quantity, usually the same business day.
Frequently asked questions
Can a merch table pay for itself at a fundraiser?
It can, if the items are priced to cover their cost and the range is short. The client in this case study broke even on the night. Results vary with the crowd, the items and the price points you choose.
What should a nonprofit sell first?
Start with two or three items supporters will use: a t-shirt, a tote bag and a small giveaway such as a sticker. A short range is easier to run and easier to reorder if it sells.
Should stickers be sold or given away?
In this case study, stickers were a free add-on for donations above a chosen level. That rewards giving and puts the cause on laptops, bottles and cars after the event. Whether to sell them is your call.
How do I make sure shirts hold up in the wash?
Pick a fabric suited to repeated washing and ask which print method is used. Check the material on the product page, and request a sample when you have time.
How far ahead should we order for an event?
Give us your event date when you request a quote, and we will tell you what is realistic for the items you choose. Ordering sooner leaves room for a proof and any changes.
Where can I see more nonprofit ideas?
Browse our tote bags and t-shirts, or contact us and we will suggest a range for your cause.