Fundraising Fast Facts - Spring 2007
Fundraising Help on the Way! – Fall 2005
Fast Fundraising Facts – Spring 2004
Product Sales by Schools, Non-profits Net $1.9 Billion – Spring 2002
www.fundraisetaxlaw.org New web site offers state sales and use tax information – Spring 2001
Danny Glover Appears in Safe Fundraising PSAs – Fall 1998
What is AFRDS? – Spring 1997
| Fundraising Fast Facts | Spring 2007 |
The Association of Fund-Raising Distributors and Suppliers recently commissioned a national survey of 1,000 adults – including a statistically significant proportion of parents of school-age children – to find out how Americans feels about product fundraising sales. The survey shows that during the 2005-2006 school year:
89% of parents with children in school made at least one fundraising purchase
72% of non-parents made at least one fundraising purchase
78% of parents and 74% of non-parents agree: “Product fundraising sales are an important financial resource for America’s schools and youth programs.”
Of those surveyed who purchased at least one fundraising item, 48% did
so to “support a worthy cause.”
Among parents who said they and/or their child sold products to support a fundraiser,
88% did so “to support a worthy cause.”
77% of parents who supported at least one fundraiser were told the goal of the fundraiser
81% of parents who supported at least one fundraiser said they were satisfied with the products they purchased
| Fundraising Help on the Way! | Fall 2005 |
Parent volunteers, fundraising chairs, school administrators, teachers, coaches, choral and band directors and booster club leaders now have two new publications to turn to for fundraising guidance. Published by the Association of Fund-Raising Distributors & Suppliers, Fundraising: A Handbook on How to Succeed provides an overview of all aspects of the product fundraising process, from setting goals and selecting a product, program and fundraising professional to important steps to take once the fundraising sale is under way. Fundraising Report Card: A Tool for Evaluating Fundraising Companies is an easy to use checklist of criteria to look for in a fundraising company and/or professional. Each publication contains valuable information for experienced volunteers and to those new to fundraising through product sales.
The new resources are “very practical, easy to use guide(s) for schools and the tips are excellent,” according to Rosa Aronson, director of advocacy and strategic alliances for the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) – one of several top educational and parent advocate groups that reviewed the brochures prior to publication. Other reviewing organizations were the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the National Catholic Educational Association and the National PTA.
To order a free copy of these publications, write to: Association of Fund-Raising Distributors & Suppliers (contact information below).
Association of Fund-Raising
Distributors and Suppliers
5775 Peachtree-Dunwoody Road
Bldg. G, Ste. 500, Atlanta, GA 30342
Phone: (404) 252-3663
Email: afrds@kellencompany.com
Web Site: www.afrds.org
| Fast Fundraising Facts | Spring 2004 |
- Schools and youth groups raise $2 billion each year through product sales.
- 8 out of 10 school principals say fund-raising is worth the time and effort.
- 7 out of 10 principals report an increased need for fundraising over the last decade.
- 8 out of 10 parents purchase items to support school fundraising.
- 6 out of 10 parents actually help sell fundraising items.
| Product Sales by Schools, Non-profits Net $1.9 Billion | Spring 2002 |
Fundraising programs involving product sales raised an estimated $1.9 billion net profit last year for non-profit organizations. Schools and school groups account for $1.52 billion of those profits. The fundraising estimate is based on a new survey conducted by the Association of Fund-Raising Distributors and Suppliers (AFRDS).
Product fundraising generates $4.164 billion in annual retail sales, up roughly 7% since the previous survey in 1997, the last time the industry group collected the statistical data.
"Clearly, product sales is a critical resource for schools and other non-profit organizations working to raise money for computers, class trips, athletic and music programs, playground equipment and much more," said Russell Lemieux, AFRDS executive director.
Other key findings:
- Schools and school groups represent 80% of fundraising sales.
- Among school sales, more than half (54%) were made through elementary schools.
- Among survey respondents, top selling products were, in order: candies and confections, magazine subscriptions, frozen entrees, cheese and meat products, decorative novelties and gift wrap.
- On average, non-profit groups retain 46.5% of the total fundraising sale as pure profit!
- The average product fundraiser generates nearly $6,000 in sales.
| www.fundraisetaxlaw.org New web site offers state sales and use tax information | Spring 2001 |
Each year schools, school groups, PTAs, PTOs, youth sports leagues and other non-profit organizations raise nearly $2 billion by selling merchandise to the public. These fundraising drives through product sales help pay for field trips, classroom supplies, athletic and cultural programs, computers, library books and countless other programs that enrich young lives. Often there are questions about state sales and use tax involving these sales and the answers vary widely from state to state. Now non-profit organizations and fundraising companies have a new online resource to assist them in finding answers to their state sales tax questions. The new web site - www.fundraisetaxlaw.org - is a joint project of the Association of Fund-Raising Distributors & Suppliers (AFRDS) and the Multistate Sales Tax Commission (MTC). Its purpose is to provide a public clearinghouse of information about the various states' practices and procedures related to the transactional taxation of fundraising sales, products and organizations.
Information on this site was compiled from a survey of the revenue departments of 38 states and the District of Columbia. Each state listing includes department of revenue contact information and, in many cases, direct links to the state statute and/or other regulatory documents. Every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this site, however, it does not represent specific legal interpretations or advice about any particular state's tax laws. Laws in this area often change and in some cases may require further clarification. The MTC is a national agency of state governments established to help make state tax systems fair, effective and efficient as they apply to interstate and international commerce, and to protect state fiscal authority. AFRDS is an international trade association of professional companies that provide products and services to non-profit groups to assist them in their fundraising.
| Danny Glover Appears in Safe Fundraising PSAs | Fall 1998 |
When you and your child volunteer to help, focus your efforts on family and friends. Whether fundraising is done inside or outside the home, make sure a responsible adult is present. Fundraising is a time-honored tradition, and an important resource for America's schools. Please support these efforts and help keep them safe for our kids." That's the key message in a series of newly released television and radio public service announcements (PSAs) featuring motion picture star Danny Glover. The 60, 30 and 15 second spots, sponsored by The Association of Fund-Raising Distributors & Suppliers, have already begun to air on radio and television stations across the country. A popular leading man, director and producer, Glover is best-known for his roles in films such as Places in the Heart, The Color Purple, and the popular Lethal Weapon series. Off-screen, he is a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations and a powerful advocate for literacy, speaking to students around the nation on the joys of reading and education. "We're delighted that Mr. Glover has joined our campaign to reinforce the safety of product fundraising drives," said AFRDS President Bob Burleson, Houston, TX. "Kids who volunteer to fundraise need our guidance and close supervision. The fundraising industry is committed to helping make sure that message reaches parents." Students of Manhattan's Dwight School take time out for a photo opportunity with "fellow actor" Danny Glover. Glover worked with the children during taping of a recently released public service announcement on child safety in fundraising.
See the Danny Glover and Safe Fundraising Public Service Announcement on the Association of Fund Raisers and Direct Sellers web site: www.afrds.org. Also find past issues of The Fundraising Edge with articles on safe fundraising, choosing appropriate incentives, how to fight fundraising fatigue and more.| What is AFRDS? | Spring 1997 |
The Association of Fund-Raising Distributors & Suppliers (AFRDS) is an international association devoted exclusively to the product fundraising industry. Its more than 700 member companies manufacture, supply and/or distribute products that are re-sold by not-for-profit organizations for fundraising purposes.
AFRDS and its members are dedicated to promoting professionalism and integrity in product fundraising. AFRDS members ascribe to an industry Code of Ethics and Standards for Professional Practice. Members participate annually in AFRDS workshops and seminars to stay current on the latest products, programs, innovations and techniques.
Representatives from National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Association of Secondary School Principals and the National Catholic Educational Association serve on the AFRDS Advisory Council to provide feedback to the industry on its practices, ethics and related issues. The AFRDS Advisory Council's mission is to foster cooperative and productive relationships between the product fundraising industry and the schools, school groups, and other non-profit organizations the industry serves.
