Candle Fundraising: Full List of Pros, Cons, and Options

Candle fundraising remains one of the most popular sales-based fundraising ideas, thanks to its ambient light, radiant warmth, and countless variety of soothing scents. 

But are candle fundraisers 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 just might be even more of a crowd-pleaser.

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.

Various candle companies offer candle fundraiser programs, each with a different ordering process or business model. For instance, some candle fundraising programs only require you to pay back the cost of the candles, while many others keep 55% or more of the profits. 

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

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

Is candle fundraising effective?

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

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

However, as noted earlier, there are some cons to consider. 

Candle fundraising pros and cons

Below are some of the most notable pros and cons of organizing a candle fundraiser.

The pros

Let’s take a look at some of the major upsides of candle fundraising. 

• Candles are a crowd-pleaser. Did you know? The candle industry is worth over $3 billion dollars! Candles are popular, 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 even easier sell in the winter months. 
  
  
• There are typically no upfront costs. Many candle companies don’t charge upfront for their supplies, so it’s easy to get your fundraiser up and running without worrying about breaking even. Simply order the brochures and order forms, sell, place a mass order, and pay back the required cut.

The cons

Despite the various advantages of candle fundraising, there are some downsides to keep in mind. 

• Parents often do most of the legwork. Students or young athletes usually need the help of their parents to sell the goods to coworkers or extended family members. Candles, in particular, can be a burdensome fundraiser for parents since the target demographic for candles skews toward adults. 
  
  
• You only receive a small cut of the profits. Big candle companies often keep over half of the profits from any given candle fundraiser. Even those with more generous policies may charge for the cost of the candles, which can slow your progress toward meeting your fundraising goals.
  
  
• There can be logistical difficulties. Even the best candle fundraiser can quickly become a hassle. Not only do you need to organize order forms and keep track of earnings for your entire organization, but you also need to order, store, and distribute the candles. If you’re short on time or space, candle fundraising will likely become cumbersome. 

Best options for candle fundraising

If you're ready to pursue candle fundraising for your school or organization, start by checking out these popular companies and brands. 

Yankee Candle 

Yankee Candle, one of the most iconic candle brands, actually closed its official candle fundraising program in 2020, but there’s still a way to earn with them—through RaiseRight. 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. 

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!

Candleberry Candles

This Kentucky-based, family-run candle company has been crafting high-quality candles for nearly 30 years. Their fundraising program is standard: your group earns approximately $11 per candle sold; for example, raising $1,000 requires selling 90 large candles, while raising $5,000 would mean selling 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. 

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 be sure to sign up on their website to secure your spot for an upcoming season.

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 flexible candle fundraising program allows your group to earn 40% without needing to pre-purchase inventory. However, you'll need to limit your selection to 10 scents in 9oz jars. There is a start-up fee and shipping costs, so it’s worth crunching the numbers to ensure Shortie’s is the right fit for your fundraising goals.

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. However, 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.

Oso Candle Company

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

A brighter alternative: RaiseRight

If candle fundraising burns you out, there’s a more effective way to fundraise: RaiseRight. This passive, no-selling fundraising idea 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!
• Shop online or buy gift cards for all your shopping and spending needs (think gas, groceries, coffee, or dining out). RaiseRight partners with hundreds of retailers, including Yankee Candle and Bath & Body Works.
• 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 purchased and used year-round. So, consider running your own candle fundraiser with Yankee Candle or Bath & Body Works gift cards. This approach allows you to avoid working with companies that take a cut and require you to manage orders and store inventory, giving you a simpler and more profitable fundraising experience.