Fundraisers

BigQ · Newbie Joined: 27 Mar 2010 Posts: 31 Location: NW TN

Hey guys...in my area there seem to be alot of organizations that have boston butt fundraisers. The selling price is generally $25-30 and no sides are prepared or sold...just the butt.

Do any of you guys do these type fundraisers, and if so, what's your cut of the sales? I was thinking give the org 20-25% off the top...that may be way off though.

Thanks,
BigQ

patruns · Posted: Apr 15 2010 Post subject:

In my opinion, deduct the actual costs and the net goes to the charity. Your sweat and hard work doesn't get factored in to the costs. It is a gift. Smile

Jeb'sQ · Posted: Apr 15 2010 Post subject:

That is exactly what I do Patruns. I enjoy the cook, and if I don't think it's a worthy cause I wouldn't be there to begin with. I'm doing a small 50 butt cook, for Relay for Life, Friday night. It's also a little advertising to hopefully future customers.

BigQ · Newbie Joined: 27 Mar 2010 Posts: 31 Location: NW TN

Maybe I'm just a greedy scumbag, but my thought was to approach it as a business opportunity. I would be offering organizations an opportunity to raise funds that they may not have had otherwise. And by organizations I'm talking Little League teams, churches, booster clubs, etc.

I have a handful of charities that I contribute to already (with my time and my money). My time is valuable to me...I only have so much of it. Why can't that time be used to benefit me AND a worthy cause? My plan isn't just to smoke bbq "just for the hell of it"...I'd like to make a little money on the side too.

Anybody kinda-sorta agree with me on this???

BigQ

SoEzzy · Posted: Apr 15 2010 Post subject:

Here's my take and you can blast me or not it's your choice.

Pick one that you want to work with and that has a large following in your area.

Offer them the use of your cooker for price x rental for the day so that they can cook in bulk and you get a days wage, make it competitive price wise and don't gouge them in any way shape or form.

Have a great time cooking for them, and make sure your name etc is advertised in big bold letters on your pit, ezup, van etc.

Have cards and flyers available for those that want to take them.

Consider the whole thing as an advertising gig, even if you only cover your costs and make minimum wage an hour, it's the sort of advertising you can't get in any other format.

If you happen to get a local reporter /camera man to do a piece on the whole butt selling gig, your exposure will bring in more than enough work to cover the once a year days extra work.

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BigQ · Newbie Joined: 27 Mar 2010 Posts: 31 Location: NW TN

SoEzzy...I definitely see your point. It would be great advertising. But what happens when Organization A's fundraiser is a noticeable success and Organizations B, C & D call saying "we heard what a great success Organization A's fundraiser was and we'd like to do the same thing!"???

Why would bbq have to be any different than chocolate bars, candles, microwave popcorn or any other food item that is sold for a fundraiser? Surely the companies that work with organizations selling these items are turning a profit, no?

What I don't want to do is sound like it's all about the money. But at some point (in order to give up a hefty profit job) isn't it ok to have some incentive to do a fundraiser?

Again, I'm not looking to get rich...just trying to establish a "mutually" beneficial relationship.

BigQ

SoEzzy · Posted: Apr 15 2010 Post subject:

texbbqpits · Posted: Apr 15 2010 Post subject: Fund Raisers

For most, I get them to cover the cost of the meat and sides. That's all. For my own church, I generally don't charge them at all, not for anything. I understand wanting to make a profit, but I generally think in more charitable terms in the limited few that I do. If I was doing a bunch, I would probably do it differently. Tom
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BigQ · Newbie Joined: 27 Mar 2010 Posts: 31 Location: NW TN

Texbbqpits,

I think you hit it in your comment...I wouldn't want to do a few. I would want to be the guy people called when they wanted to have a fundraiser.

I WAS looking at this as a strategic marketing opportunity towards a specific target group.

BigQ

Bluegrass BBQ · Posted: Apr 15 2010 Post subject:

Bque, I agree with your thinking. I got my self in a position that I became the fund raiser goat. I was doing so much of this that I was going broke fast. So I had to pick a couple that I do each year. The balance I do figure it some money to cover my time and my helps time. I see nothing wrong with doing fundraisers as a business as long as everyone knows it up front. The whole country has the something for nothing attitude. The ones I love are the fundraisers you work your butt off and they turn around and give the food away. Usually the seniors and bands. Really have to fight with them to charge enough. I remind them they are not selling hot dogs and hambergers.
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