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Starting a fundraiser when you don’t have a formal sales team doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With a few clear steps and the right tools, it’s possible to keep things simple, especially during winter when families are indoors and often looking for a feel-good way to support a cause. One of the easiest options is to order a cookie dough fundraiser that lets your group raise money without pushing anyone into a high-pressure sales role. With Team Butter cookie dough fundraisers, your group earns 50% profit on every sale, no matter how much you sell.
This plan works well for busy sports teams, cheer squads, choir programs, and just about any group of kids who need uniforms, gear, or help traveling to events. Whether you’re planning during winter break or right after the new year, this is a great time to set up a fundraiser that works without taking over everyone’s schedule.
Get the Right People in the Right Spots
No sales team? No problem. All you really need is a few steady helpers to cover the basics. The trick is to keep it super easy and make sure no one feels stuck doing it all on their own. Think of it more like organizing a game plan than running a business.
Here’s how to get support without building a large structure:
• Pick two to three people who are willing to take on a small job, like running the main fundraiser page, keeping an eye on progress, or sending short reminders to keep things moving
• Ask parents, older students, or even team managers to help with the pieces that fit their strengths
• Keep tasks focused, like one person updating the group once a week or another checking if goals are being met
When jobs are shared instead of piled on one person, people feel better about helping out, and they’re more likely to follow through.
Choose a Fundraiser That Ships for You
Winter can be tough when it comes to moving boxes, finding storage space, and dealing with cold-weather delays. That’s why it helps to pick a cookie dough fundraiser that comes with direct shipping. We run these fundraisers 100 percent online with personal stores for every participant, direct shipping to customers, and no inventory to manage. No unloading, no sorting, and no extra pickups.
There are a few reasons this setup really works:
• Families can order online from anywhere, and their cookie dough is sent right to their door
• Volunteers don’t need to handle products, which means less stress and less mess
• Friends and supporters from outside your neighborhood can still take part
If someone wants to support their niece on a cheer team or their brother’s band trip, they don’t have to live nearby. A clear link and a few clicks are all they need.
Keep the Group Motivated Without In-Person Meets
Not every group gets the chance to meet face-to-face every week, especially during breaks or colder months. But that doesn’t mean your fundraiser has to stall out. A little bit of digital teamwork can go a long way in keeping everyone engaged.
You can keep interest high with a few simple approaches:
• Set a shared goal early on, whether it’s one new drum for the band or getting half the dance team tournament-ready
• Send group texts with updates about who’s getting close to their goal or what milestones have already been hit
• Share snapshots of pets with cookie dough signs, kids in practice gear, or fun social posts that keep the energy up
When the group sees that progress is happening, it builds momentum. Even small signs of forward motion make people feel like their effort counts.
Make Sharing Extra Easy
Instead of asking families to dig deep into new marketing strategies, help them talk about the fundraiser in the same way they’d share something fun online. The easier it is to explain what it is and how it works, the more likely people are to join in.
Support sharing by offering:
• A few short text or email templates people can send to friends, coworkers, or family
• Simple social graphics or photos to post on sites like Facebook or Instagram
• Friendly reminders about who loves cookie dough or would be glad to buy a treat to help out
Most people are happy to support a student or youth group, they just need a quick way to know how.
What Happens After You Launch Matters Too
The first week usually brings in the biggest wave of support. But after that, it’s helpful to keep the fire going so your fundraiser doesn’t fade out before the deadline. A check-in or highlight can work better than starting from scratch each time.
Try a few of these ideas once you’re up and running:
• Send a message a couple of weeks in, just to let people know how things are going
• Give a quiet shout-out to those behind the scenes who’ve helped or shared more than once
• Post a closing update when the fundraiser ends to show how the effort made an impact
Saying thank you and showing the real value of the fundraiser reminds people why they helped in the first place. It also lays the groundwork for the next time your group needs a hand.
Your Group Can Handle This (Even in Winter)
Running a fundraiser without a formal sales team might sound tough at first, but it really only takes a few small steps. When you divide up tasks, pick a program that takes care of shipping, and give your group a fun reason to share, things fall into place.
Winter fundraisers don’t need to feel sluggish. People are still happy to support causes they care about, especially when it’s easy. From busy basketball teams to packed school bands, every group can benefit from a simple approach that skips the stress but still gets results.
At Team Butter, we believe fundraising should be simple enough for any group to manage without the pressure of major sales tactics. Whether your supporters are backing a soccer team, choir, or cheer squad, winter is the perfect time to offer families a convenient way to help out online. One of the easiest options is to order a cookie dough fundraiser with direct shipping, allowing everyone to participate from home. When your group is ready, our team is here to guide you through each step and help you start your next successful fundraiser.
