Popcorn Fund Raising for Fun and Profit

By Darin Brin

Baseball's a wonderful sport, and Little League is a great way to get kids involved in it. However, like everything, Little League costs money, from uniforms to travel costs, if you're lucky enough to get on a travel team. A fund-raiser is a great way to raise money, and a popcorn fund-raiser could be just the way to go.

Take me out to the ball game...

Why a popcorn fund-raiser? For one, popcorn is easy and relatively inexpensive to make. For another, it's a more healthful snack for kids, so parents won't feel guilty about buying it. You can even sell it in little plastic megaphones with team logos for extra team spirit.

As if that weren't enough, buying a popcorn machine is only an expense for the first year. The machine can then be reused year after year for other fund-raisers, which considerably lessens your expense for future fund-raisers.

If your interest is piqued, here are a few fund-raising tips to get you going.

Getting started

Two of the most important things you need to do before you start anything with a fund-raiser is set a goal and set a deadline. How much money are you trying to raise? Why do you need to raise it? And when do you need it by?

You can use this information to properly plan your fund-raising strategy, and to motivate the kids and other people helping with the fund raising. Remind them that if they sell X amount of popcorn by X date, they'll be able to get new uniforms or pay to go to that tournament an hour away.

Hit the big time

Most people look to family, friends, coworkers and neighbors when they're doing a fund-raising campaign, right? That's all well and good, but open your eyes to the other places you could be selling.

Little League games are great, not only because the people there will be more likely to care about your cause, but also because popcorn is a fantastic snack when you're watching a baseball game. However, that's not the only place you should try to hit.

What are some major retail locations in your area? Do you live near a mall? How about a home improvement store or a grocery store? Or can you get clearance to set up at a bulk retailer like Wal-Mart? These are places where hundreds of people go, especially on weekends and right after pay day. Setting up a fund-raiser at one of these places could help you reach your goals in no time at all. Just make sure you have permission first.

Get your pitch down

Although popcorn is delicious and kids are cute, it is pretty difficult to get people to part with their hard-earned money. Have a loose pitch prepared about who you are, why you're raising money, and what the potential donor is getting by helping you. Make a list of talking points to help out your other "salespeople."

You have to talk a good game to get the money you need, and if you take the time to jot out what needs to be mentioned, your chances of getting a sale get a lot higher.

Put the "fun" back into "fund raising"

With a little planning and a good product, your Little League fund-raiser can be a smashing success. Don't hesitate to start your own popcorn fund-raiser today.

Since opening its virtual doors in 2005, liquidationconnect.com has earned a reputation for providing fun, unique products. Liquidation Connect deals directly with the manufacturers and distributors to deliver the highest quality products at the lowest prices. For more information about fund-raising, or to order your own popcorn machine, visit LiquidationConnect.com.