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Raising money for your team or group doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With games, practices, and school events already filling the calendar, finding a fundraiser that works for your schedule can feel like a big relief. Many teams turn to two common options to reach their goals without adding a lot of extra pressure: direct sales and donation-only fundraisers.
Both can work well, depending on your group’s energy, volunteer availability, and what your supporters prefer. Whether you’re handing out a box of cookie dough or inviting someone to support online, each approach brings something a little different to the table. Looking at something like a cookie dough donation is a great way to understand these differences and figure out what can help your group meet its goals without burning everyone out. Team Butter fundraisers run 100 percent online with personalized stores for each participant, direct shipping to supporters, and 50% profit on every order, so families never have to handle cash or manage inventory.
What Direct Sales Fundraisers Look Like
Direct sales fundraisers are easy to understand. Your team or group offers a product that supporters can buy, and each item sold helps fund your season, trip, or event. These fundraisers are popular because people get something in return, and it feels like a fair trade.
You’ll usually find products that are easy to enjoy or gift, like:
- Popcorn in sweet or salty flavors
- Cookie dough in crowd-pleasing choices
- Treats made for pets
With Team Butter, groups can choose from fundraisers featuring artisanal popcorn, gourmet cookie dough, natural pet treats, and even a national virtual discount card, all offered through simple online stores. Product fundraisers can feel rewarding for everyone. Supporters love getting a box of cookies or a snack while knowing their money supports a good cause. These sales can also create fun energy in the group, with friendly competition over who sells the most. The best part is that with the right tools, families don’t have to collect orders or hand out goods one by one. Online fundraising stores can manage the heavy lifting, from collecting payments to shipping items right to each supporter’s door. That makes things easier for both volunteers and busy coaches.
How Donation-Only Fundraisers Work
Sometimes, keeping it simple is the better fit. Donation-only fundraisers skip the product side altogether, asking people to give a few dollars to help out. With no items to sell and no deliveries to coordinate, this kind of fundraiser can come together quickly.
Donation-based campaigns can be helpful during packed parts of the season. Let’s say your cheer team has back-to-back events or your band has Saturday rehearsals. A no-product fundraiser gives everyone a way to support the effort without added time or setup.
These fundraisers offer another benefit too: they’re often flexible. Families from out of state can still pitch in. Friends from other schools or sports can lend a hand. Many supporters are happy to give a few dollars when they know it helps cover uniforms, travel costs, or tournament fees. This approach works well if your group wants a fast, straightforward way to raise money.
Choosing What Fits Best for Your Group
Picking the right fundraiser starts with asking a few honest questions. Where is your group in the season? Who’s available to help? What are your families most excited about?
Some teams love the team spirit that comes from product sales. Parents chip in to manage stores. Players or participants take pride in tracking their own sales. When people are energized and ready to pitch in, direct sales can feel like a good fit.
Other times, your group might just not have the extra hands. Maybe it’s a mid-season stretch when everyone’s tired or on the road. Maybe you have a new roster of families who haven’t fundraised before. Donation-only campaigns tend to work well in those moments, especially when you’re looking for something that doesn’t require a full team of volunteers.
Being honest with your group about energy, time, and availability can help you decide which kind of fundraiser will keep everyone moving forward with less stress.
Combining Donations and Product Sales
You don’t always have to choose between sales or donations. Some of the best fundraisers mix both. This gives families and supporters options they can feel good about.
Not everyone can or wants to buy something, even if it’s delicious. At the same time, plenty of people enjoy supporting by ordering a treat. Giving both choices opens up more paths to reaching your target without making anyone feel left out.
Let’s say your soccer team runs a fundraiser with cookie dough options and a donation button. One supporter might gift a few tubs of dough to their coworkers, while another prefers to quickly donate ten dollars online. This can feel more inclusive and less like a one-size-fits-all request.
When you add in things like service hours, offered through a cookie dough donation option that supports a bigger cause while helping your team, you’re letting participants take away more than just funds. They gain pride in their effort and warmth from knowing their fundraiser made a difference in more ways than one.
Reaching Your Fundraising Goals with Ease
Fundraising doesn’t have to be a tough part of your season. When you understand how direct sales and donations work, planning becomes a lot easier. You can match the fundraiser to your team’s energy and schedule instead of forcing something that feels off.
Choosing between products or donations (or doing both) gives your group flexibility. A good fundraiser builds excitement without causing stress and helps everyone pull in the same direction for the same goal. Whether you’re coaching volleyball this winter or organizing a spring concert for your choir, a smart plan makes things smoother for everyone involved.
Combining product sales and donations can make fundraising smoother for everyone, and offering something simple like a cookie dough donation gives your supporters a clear way to help, with easy options no matter where they live. Whether your group is planning for basketball season or getting your band trip funded, more ways to raise money help keep things on track. At Team Butter, we believe teams shouldn’t have to choose between fun and flexibility. Ready to find the best fit for your group? Contact us today.