Shift Arts Fundraising From Product Sales To Impactful Events

Key Quotes

"we've got to stop pretending that vendor led product fundraisers are going to save our programs are they good for small things sure do they create some consistency again sure is it what we've always done yep but we have big program we have big programs with big goals and big needs and getting sold on tiny ideas that chew up barren energy and volunteer hours for what a couple thousand bucks and a migraine people don't need more cheese and sausage probably don't need more gift wrap either what they actually need is something meaningful to plug into and sitting here as a dad as a booster as someone who loves all of these programs i'm heartbroken watching groups grind themselves into the dirt selling stuff that nobody asked for for margins that would get laughed at and laughed out of any real business room"

Mike argues that traditional vendor-led product fundraisers are insufficient for programs with significant goals and needs. He highlights that these methods consume valuable energy and volunteer hours for minimal financial returns, suggesting that communities are better served by meaningful engagement rather than excessive product sales.

"most product fundraisers give your school somewhere between 30 and 50 of the total sales the rest goes to the company that means you bust your tail to sell 10 000 worth of stuff and your program might keep 3 000 or 5 000 while the vendor quietly walks away with the other half and they put forth no effort and that's before you factor in shipping fees minimum order requirements or prizes and incentives baked into their cost all of which chip away at your actual take home"

Mike points out the disproportionately low percentage of total sales that programs actually retain from vendor-led fundraisers. He explains that after the vendor takes their large share, additional costs like shipping and incentives further reduce the program's net earnings, making the effort expended by the program seem unrewarded.

"you rally parents you hype the sale you throw out posts and emails hand out packets chase down order forms deal with missing payments sort and deliver product handle complaints when something comes in wrong and then at the end at the big reveal somebody goes we raised 3 200 great job everyone nobody collapses but inside your soul is like we did all that for 3 200 seriously and remember that 3 200 is usually going against goals that look more like 30 000 or 80 000 instruments buses travel equipment staff licensing repairs"

Mike describes the extensive emotional and logistical labor involved in product fundraisers, from promotion to delivery and complaint resolution. He contrasts the significant effort with the often meager financial outcome, emphasizing how these small returns fall far short of the substantial financial goals many programs have for essential items like instruments or travel.

"events will align with who you are you're an arts program you create experiences as part of your core education events let your kids do their thing in front of the very people that you're asking for partnership and support from events also invite people to plug in and not just passively purchase instead of buy this overpriced sausage the ask is come spend a night with us and see what your investment creates you're offering community memory and meeting and not just a product but real meaning"

Mike explains that events are a more effective fundraising method because they align with a program's identity and offer genuine engagement. He suggests that instead of selling products, programs can invite supporters to experience their work firsthand, fostering community and offering meaningful connection rather than just a transaction.

"money will move towards clarity courage and consistent consistency clarity is you know what you need why you need it and what it will do courage is you're willing to ask directly and publicly and consistency is you showing up again and again in front of the same people until they understand who you are and what you're building trading crap product for pennies is often a way to avoid the real work the hard conversations with admin the phone calls to sponsors the vulnerability of getting up at your event and saying here's what we need here's why it matters will you help us"

Mike asserts that financial support is driven by clarity about needs, the courage to ask directly, and consistent communication. He argues that relying on low-margin product sales is often a way to avoid the more challenging but ultimately more effective work of clearly articulating needs, engaging sponsors, and making direct appeals for support.

"you're allowed to want better than that you're allowed to say we're going to do a fewer we're going to do fewer things better and we're going to design fundraising that respects our time and our worth i mean wouldn't you rather do one event that raises 10 000 versus 10 small sales that raise 1 000 bucks a piece which seems easier in the grand scheme but you're not extra for wanting strategy just simply being a grown up"

Mike encourages programs to aim for higher impact by doing fewer things better, emphasizing that this approach respects their time and inherent worth. He posits that a single successful event yielding significant funds is more beneficial than multiple small sales with minimal returns, framing strategic fundraising as a mature and necessary practice.