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:
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.
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.
Let's discuss some of the biggest pros and cons of a candle fundraiser.
Check out these popular brands if you're ready to pursue candle fundraising for your school or nonprofit organization.
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 >
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 >
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
Here are some next steps to get the ball rolling:
If your organization is already earning with RaiseRight, you just need your enrollment code to create an account and begin fundraising right away.