Are Candle Fundraisers Effective? Pros, Cons, and Who to Work With

The candle fundraiser is one of the most popular sales-based fundraising ideas, but is this the most effective way to help your organization meet its goals?

Read on for everything you need to know about candle fundraising, and an alternative that might be even more of a crowd-pleaser: 

• What is a candle fundraiser?
• Is candle fundraising effective? 
• Candle fundraising pros and cons
• 7 best options for candle fundraisers
• A brighter alternative to candle fundraisers

What is a candle fundraiser?

You might remember participating in Yankee Candle fundraisers at school or while in a youth group. This fundraising idea involves selling candles door-to-door, online, or via an order form, with a portion of the proceeds going toward your school or organization.

Your profits will vary depending on the candle fundraiser program you choose. For instance, some candle fundraising programs only require you to pay back the cost of the candles, while others keep 55% or more of the profits. 

Because of the profit discrepancies, some candle fundraisers can be labor-intensive. The cost of a candle can range anywhere from a couple of bucks to $35+, so you might need to sell a lot of candles to turn a profit, especially if you’re keeping 45% or less of what you make.

For example, if you sell candles at $20 each, you'll need to sell 25 to raise $500. However, after the candle company takes its cut, you may only be left with $225 or less.

Is candle fundraising effective?

Despite the work involved, candle fundraising can yield a profit, especially since candles are relatively easy to sell and cost more per unit than other fundraising products like cookie dough or discount cards. 

Additionally, candles are generally popular. Selling candles with special features, like a longer burn time, also may allow you to charge more per unit.

Candle fundraising pros and cons

Let's discuss some of the biggest pros and cons of a candle fundraiser.

The pros

• Candles are a crowd-pleaser. The candle industry is worth over $3 billion dollars! Candles make great gifts, and many folks don’t mind stocking up on candles at home. And with a wide variety of options available, there's something for everyone—from scented jar candles to small tea lights to wickless candles.
  
  
• Candles are ideal for the holidays. Approximately 35% of candle sales occur during the holiday season. The cold weather, combined with a craving for nostalgic scents and festive decorations, makes candles an easy sell in the winter months.
  
  
• There are typically no upfront costs. Many candle companies don’t charge upfront, so it’s easy to get your fundraiser up and running. Just acquire the brochures and order forms, sell candles, and pay back the required cut.

The cons

• Parents often do most of the legwork. Students or young athletes usually need the help of their parents to sell candles to coworkers or extended family members. 
  
  
• You only receive a small cut of the profits. Big candle companies often keep over half the profits from a candle fundraiser. Even those with more generous policies may charge for the cost of the candles, which can slow your progress toward your fundraising goals.
  
  
• There can be logistical difficulties. Even the best candle fundraiser can become a hassle. You and your group must convince friends and family to buy candles, find a way to store inventory, and distribute the candles. If you’re short on time or space, candle fundraising will likely be cumbersome. 

7 best options for candle fundraisers

Check out these popular brands if you're ready to pursue candle fundraising for your school or nonprofit organization. 

1. Yankee Candle 

Yankee Candle, one of the most iconic candle brands, closed its official candle fundraising program in 2020, but good news: you can still use RaiseRight to fundraise with them.

Instead of selling products from a catalog, you can sell Yankee Candle eGift cards to your supporters at face value, earning 8% or more back for your organization with every purchase. With RaiseRight, there's no inventory to manage or orders to distribute, and best of all, your organization keeps 100% of the earnings. 

Start a free RaiseRight program today >

2. Bath & Body Works

Bath & Body Works candles are a fan favorite for a reason. With dozens of enticing scents and beautifully designed jars for every season, their single-wick and three-wick candles are renowned for burning evenly and creating a luxurious atmosphere.

While they don't offer an official candle fundraiser program, you can still leverage RaiseRight and sell Bath & Body Works gift cards at face value. Supporters can shop their favorite scents, and your organization earns up to 20% back—no inventory or distribution required!

Start a free RaiseRight program today >

3. Candleberry Candles

This Kentucky-based, family-run candle company has crafted high-quality candles for nearly 30 years. Their fundraising program is standard: your group earns approximately $11 per candle sold; to raise $1,000, you'll need to sell 90 large candles, and to raise $5,000, you'd need to sell 450 large candles.

If you have a larger group with a strong base of supporters or a broad community to engage, this candle fundraiser might be a good fit. 

4. Chestnut Hill Candle Company 

Another small, family-run business with lower minimums, Chestnut Hill Candle Company, based in West Virginia, is an excellent option. They offer free delivery, 40% profit, and candles priced at just $13, allowing your group to earn up to $5 per candle sold.

With 18 seasonal fragrances to choose from, it's easy to appeal to your supporters. However, fundraising spots are limited, so sign up on their website to secure your spot for an upcoming season.

5. Shortie's Candle Company

You might recognize Shortie's Candle Company from retailers like Whole Foods, but this family-owned and operated business still handcrafts every candle with care.

Their candle fundraising program allows your group to earn 40% without pre-purchasing inventory. However, you must limit your selection to 10 scents in 9oz jars. There are start-up fees and shipping costs, so it’s worth crunching the numbers to ensure Shortie’s is the right fit for your fundraising goals.

6. True North Candle Company

True North Candle Company, a Michigan-based business known for hand-poured candles, offers a generous candle fundraising program with 50% or more earnings. With no minimum order requirements, upfront fees, or shipping costs on orders of 100+ candles, it’s a cost-effective choice.

Note that you'll need to place orders manually using their print-ready brochures and order forms, which may add extra time and effort to your candle fundraiser.

7. Oso Candle Company

This Orlando, Florida-based brand offers an easy, straightforward candle fundraising program: your group earns $10 for every 8.5-oz glass jar candle sold at $20 each. Their fragrance lineup changes seasonally and includes unique Florida-inspired scents like Fresh Grapefruit, Pink Flamingo, and Beach Blanket, adding a special touch that supporters will love.

A brighter alternative to candle fundraisers

If candle fundraising burns you out, there’s a more effective way to earn money: RaiseRight.

This passive, no-selling fundraising program is ideal for any school, sports team, church, or other nonprofit organization. It works like this:

• Enroll your organization in a RaiseRight program—it's free to join!
  
  
• Participants buy gift cards, shop online, dine at local restaurants, or book travel to earn for your organization. RaiseRight partners with hundreds of brands, including Yankee Candle, Bath & Body Works, and retailers you visit daily, like Walmart, CVS, and Starbucks. 
  
  
• Your organization earns a percentage back for every purchase—up to 20%!

With RaiseRight, your earning potential is unlimited. Plus, gift cards never expire and can be used year-round. So, consider running a "DIY" candle fundraiser with Yankee Candle or Bath & Body Works gift cards from RaiseRight. 

This approach eliminates the headaches of a traditional candle fundraiser (like profit cuts, order taking, and inventory management), giving you a smoother, more profitable fundraising experience. 

Check out the example RaiseRight purchase below. Sell one $100 Yankee Candle eGift card with 8% earnings and one $100 Bath & Body Works eGift card with 17% earnings (on bonus), and you'll earn $25 towards your fundraiser. It's that simple.