Raise More Dough: 7 Tips to Host a Winning Bake Sale Fundraiser

A bake sale fundraiser is a classic way to earn funds for charitable organizations. This fundraising idea can be as simple as having a table of cookies and bars, or feature a spread of layer cakes, pastries, or global flavors. 

Whether it’s an annual tradition or a brand-new endeavor, learn how to boost your profits with these bake sale fundraising ideas and tips.

1. Set your goals 

Start by identifying your goals for the bake sale fundraiser. Are you raising money to fund a specific project or aiming to cover some of your operating expenses? 

After you establish your goals in dollars and cents, think about what else you hope to accomplish, such as:

• Improving community outreach and engagement
• Identifying potential new members or supporters
• Engaging newer or different members in volunteer roles
• Promoting upcoming events
• Encouraging members to enroll in and use your RaiseRight program

In addition to a dollar figure, consider: 

• What will be funded
• Who will benefit
• How the spending fulfills organizational priorities

2. Recruit the right team 

While you want to figure out who in your crowd has kitchen skills—basic to advanced—you don’t just need bakers. You’ll also need to recruit a knowledgeable team with:

• Social media or marketing skills (more on this below) 
• Administrative talents to set and monitor pricing, budget, and deadlines 
• Cheerleaders who can greet, engage, and sell to the public

3. Say no to soufflés 

When choosing recipes for your bake sale fundraiser, ensure your targets are feasible to maximize your earnings opportunity. This means considering: 

• Preparation time
• Ingredient costs
• Durability
• Packaging needs
• Storage needs 

In addition to selecting recipes that require lower-cost ingredients, minimal preparation time, and special handling, be sure to include: 

• The basics, starting with chocolate chip cookies
• A mix of individual and group packaging
• Seasonal goods

Only consider more expensive or complex baked goods if you know you have the talent, time, and audience on your side. 

4. Raise more dough with RaiseRight 

Rather than relying solely on proceeds, get a head start on your profits by using RaiseRight to purchase what you need for your bake sale fundraiser.

Earn up to 20% back just by purchasing and using gift cards (you pay face value and get the full value of the card) or shopping online through RaiseRight’s partner brands. 

Prep for your bake sale fundraiser and use RaiseRight for:  

• Ingredients from grocery stores, Sam's Club, Target, or Amazon
• Signage and display materials from Walmart, Michaels, or Big Lots!
• Anything else you need with universal prepaid cards (Visa or American Express) or the Grocery and Auto+ MasterCard 

Best of all, RaiseRight is free to join, and your organization keeps 100% of the earnings! 

5. Prioritize marketing 

Marketing is a must for any fundraiser. To that end, consider:

• Promoting early and often
• Using your organization’s website, newsletter, and any live announcement opportunities
• Posting regularly on social media, including creating a Facebook event and countdown posts across all platforms
• Designing a color flyer that can be used as a printed poster and make it available as a PDF 
• Asking members to post flyers, repost or share on social media, and invite friends and family
• Placing clear, visible signage at the venue and along routes leading to the sale

6. Price appropriately 

Do the math to determine the right price that balances raising funds with attracting buyers. You may be able to price some items slightly higher than retailers, expecting buyers to pay more for a good cause, but you’ll reap more with affordable prices. 

Post a large and legible price list near entrances and at your booth or tables so customers don’t create a bottleneck seeking price information. In addition to a price list, place placards near each pile or section of goods so you don’t have to tag every item. 

7. Cross-sell at your stand 

Lastly, use your bake sale fundraiser to multiply other selling opportunities. Consider cross-selling additional items to the folks lining up at your stand. This could include: 

• Raffle tickets
• Organizational merchandise such as t-shirts, hats, or enamel pins
• A donation jar for minimalists who’d rather give outright
• Gift cards for popular brands, purchased through your RaiseRight program

A sweet addition to your list of fundraising ideas 

Bake sale fundraisers are classic and effective, but unfortunately, you can't host them daily. For a fundraiser that works year-round—24/7, 365 days a year—RaiseRight is the perfect solution.

If your organization isn’t yet earning funds with RaiseRight, you can get started today for free. RaiseRight is one of the best ways to make passive income for your organization throughout the year, between bake sale fundraisers and other events. 

And don’t forget: You can earn funds on just about anything, including bake sale ingredients and everything else it takes to run your organization.