Product vs Event Fundraising NZ | Which Is Better?
Product Fundraising vs Event Fundraising: Which Is Better for Your Group?
Planning a fundraiser for your school, sports team, club or community group?
One of the first decisions you'll need to make is what type of fundraiser to run.
Should you sell a product, such as toilet paper, food or merchandise?
Or would you be better organising an event such as a quiz night, sausage sizzle, school fair or fun run?
Both product fundraising and event fundraising can work well, but they have very different advantages, costs and organisational requirements.
The best choice depends on how much you need to raise, how many volunteers you have, how much time you can commit and what will appeal to your supporters.
In this guide, we'll compare product fundraising vs event fundraising to help you choose the right approach for your school, sports team, club or Good Cause.
What Is Product Fundraising?
Product fundraising involves selling a product and directing a set amount or margin from each sale towards your fundraising goal.
Traditional examples include:
- Chocolates
- Biscuits
- Toilet paper
- Calendars
- Plants
- Baking
- School merchandise
- Sports club merchandise
The basic idea is simple:
A supporter buys something and your organisation makes money from the sale.
Depending on the fundraiser, your organisation may purchase products in bulk and distribute them, or supporters may be able to order directly online.
What Is Event Fundraising?
Event fundraising involves organising an activity that raises money through admission charges, sales, sponsorship, donations or a combination of these.
Common examples include:
- Quiz nights
- Sausage sizzles
- School fairs
- Fun runs
- Sports tournaments
- Car washes
- Auctions
- Discos
- Community dinners
- Golf days
Events can be excellent for bringing people together, but generally require more coordination than simply selling a product.
Product Fundraising vs Event Fundraising at a Glance
Here's a simple comparison.
| Product Fundraising | Event Fundraising | |
|---|---|---|
| Main activity | Selling a product | Running an event |
| Volunteer requirements | Low to medium | Usually medium to high |
| Venue required | Usually no | Often |
| Weather risk | Usually low | Can be significant |
| Supporter receives something | Yes | Usually an experience, food or activity |
| Can run over several weeks | Yes | Usually centred around a date |
| Geographic reach | Can be wide | Usually more local |
| Setup complexity | Low to medium | Medium to high |
| Community engagement | Medium | Often high |
| Repeatability | Often high | Depends on the event |
| Potential income | Depends on sales | Depends on attendance, costs and additional activities |
Neither is automatically better.
The question is which model best suits your organisation and your fundraising goal.
Advantages of Product Fundraising
1. Supporters Get Something for Their Money
One of the biggest advantages of product fundraising is that supporters aren't necessarily being asked to simply donate.
They're purchasing something.
That can make the conversation easier, particularly when the product is something useful.
Instead of:
"Would you give $20 to our fundraiser?"
the conversation becomes:
"Would you like to buy something and support our fundraiser at the same time?"
That distinction can be important.
2. You Don't Necessarily Need a Venue
Many product fundraisers can be run without hiring a hall, booking a sports facility or finding a suitable event location.
Orders can be taken through families, players, workplaces, friends and community networks.
Some product fundraisers can also operate online.
That reduces one of the potential costs and complications associated with fundraising events.
3. Product Fundraisers Aren't Usually Weather Dependent
Anyone who has organised an outdoor event in New Zealand knows that the weather doesn't always cooperate.
A rainy Saturday can have a major impact on a school fair, car wash, sports day or outdoor sausage sizzle.
Product fundraising is generally less exposed to that risk.
4. You Can Run the Campaign Over Time
An event usually has a specific date.
If a supporter can't attend that day, you may lose their contribution.
A product fundraising campaign can often run for several weeks, giving participants more time to approach:
- Family
- Friends
- Neighbours
- Workmates
- Local businesses
- Community contacts
That can also give you time to send reminders and progress updates during the campaign.
5. It's Easy to Set Individual Targets
Product fundraising can make it particularly easy to divide a large fundraising goal among participants.
Imagine you need to raise $4,000.
You have 40 participating families.
Your average target is:
$4,000 ÷ 40 = $100 per family
If your fundraiser provides a $10 return per sale, each family needs an average of:
$100 ÷ $10 = 10 sales
Instead of asking everyone to focus on a daunting $4,000 target, you can give each family a clear and achievable goal.
Disadvantages of Product Fundraising
Product fundraising isn't completely hands-off.
Depending on the model you choose, your group may need to:
- Take orders
- Collect payments
- Place a bulk order
- Store products
- Sort orders
- Arrange collection
- Distribute products
That's why it's important to understand the fulfilment process before choosing a fundraiser.
There can also be financial risk if your organisation purchases stock before confirming how much it can actually sell.
Whenever possible, taking orders before purchasing stock can help reduce that risk.
Advantages of Event Fundraising
1. Events Bring Your Community Together
This is arguably the biggest advantage of event fundraising.
A successful quiz night, school fair or sports tournament isn't only about raising money.
It can also strengthen relationships between:
- Parents
- Students
- Players
- Coaches
- Teachers
- Sponsors
- Local businesses
- Supporters
That community aspect can make an event worthwhile even when fundraising isn't the only objective.
2. There Can Be Several Ways to Raise Money at One Event
A good fundraising event doesn't necessarily rely on one source of income.
Imagine a school fair.
You might raise money through:
- Entry fees
- Food
- Games
- Raffles
- Auctions
- Market stalls
- Sponsorship
- Donated goods
Likewise, a quiz night could include ticket sales, a raffle and an auction.
Multiple revenue streams can increase the overall fundraising potential.
3. Events Can Attract Sponsors
Events can give local businesses something visible to support.
A sponsor might contribute money, prizes, food, equipment or services in return for recognition.
That can reduce your costs and increase the amount ultimately raised.
4. Events Can Become Annual Traditions
If an event is successful, it can become something your community looks forward to each year.
An established annual quiz night, golf tournament or school fair may become easier to promote because supporters already know what to expect.
Disadvantages of Event Fundraising
The biggest challenge is usually organisation.
Depending on the event, you may need to arrange:
- A venue
- Volunteers
- Food
- Equipment
- Ticketing
- Entertainment
- Health and safety
- Promotion
- Setup
- Cleanup
- Wet-weather plans
- Prizes
- Sponsorship
There may also be substantial costs before the event takes place.
A fundraiser that generates $8,000 in sales but costs $4,000 to run has produced $4,000 before any other applicable expenses are considered.
That's why you should always focus on the net amount raised, not simply how much money passes through the event.
Which Type of Fundraiser Makes More Money?
There isn't a universal answer.
A large, well-supported school fair could raise significantly more than a small product fundraiser.
Equally, an efficiently run product fundraiser involving hundreds of families could outperform an event with poor attendance.
A better question is:
How much can we realistically raise after accounting for our costs, volunteer effort and available audience?
For product fundraising, calculate:
Expected number of sales × fundraising return per sale
For an event, estimate:
Expected income – expected costs = estimated amount raised
Be conservative with both calculations.
Don't Forget the Value of Volunteer Time
Volunteer time may not appear on your profit-and-loss calculation, but it still matters.
Imagine two fundraisers both raise $3,000.
Fundraiser A requires:
- A venue
- 20 volunteers
- Several planning meetings
- An entire Saturday
- Setup and cleanup
Fundraiser B requires:
- A coordinator
- Participants promoting the campaign
- Several hours organising orders and distribution
Both raised the same amount.
But they're very different commitments.
That doesn't automatically make Fundraiser B better. The community engagement generated by Fundraiser A may be extremely valuable.
It simply means the amount raised shouldn't be your only measure of success.
When Is Product Fundraising a Good Choice?
Product fundraising may suit your group if:
- You have limited volunteers
- You don't want to organise a large event
- You want to run the fundraiser over several weeks
- You want participants to have individual sales targets
- You want supporters to receive a product for their money
- You have a product people genuinely want or need
- You want to avoid weather-dependent activities
It's particularly useful when you need a fundraiser that can operate alongside people's normal routines.
When Is Event Fundraising a Good Choice?
An event may be the better option if:
- You have a strong volunteer network
- Community engagement is important
- You have access to a suitable venue
- You have sponsors or businesses willing to help
- Your organisation has a large local following
- You want to create an experience as well as raise money
- You have enough time to organise the event properly
Schools and larger sports clubs can be particularly well placed to run events because they already have a community around them.
What About Toilet Paper Fundraising?
Toilet paper is an example of practical product fundraising.
The idea is straightforward: rather than selling something supporters may not normally purchase, you're offering an everyday household essential.
Hygiene Direct offers two different toilet paper fundraising options.
Traditional Toilet Paper Fundraising – $10 Per Box
The traditional option works much like classic school product fundraisers.
Your school, sports team, club or organisation takes orders from supporters and then places a bulk order.
Your group receives the boxes and organises distribution.
Your organisation makes $10 per box sold.
For example:
| Boxes Sold | Amount Raised |
| 50 | $500 |
| 100 | $1,000 |
| 200 | $2,000 |
| 300 | $3,000 |
| 500 | $5,000 |
The main advantage is the higher return per box.
The trade-off is that your organisation handles the bulk order and distribution.
Learn more about Hygiene Direct's toilet paper fundraising programme.
My Fundraiser – $5.50 Per Box
The second option removes much of that administration.
With My Fundraiser, your organisation registers as a Good Cause and promotes its fundraising link.
Supporters order and pay online themselves.
Their toilet paper is delivered directly to their door, and your Good Cause receives $5.50 per box purchased.
Delivery is available across both the North Island and South Island of New Zealand, although rural delivery fees may apply.
Your organisation doesn't need to:
- Collect individual orders
- Handle supporter payments
- Receive one large bulk shipment
- Store boxes
- Organise distribution to individual supporters
The return per box is lower than the traditional fundraiser, but the administrative workload is also lower.
Visit My Fundraiser to learn more.
Traditional Product Fundraising vs Online Product Fundraising
Even within product fundraising, there's another decision to make.
| Traditional Product Fundraiser | Online Product Fundraiser | |
| Organisation takes orders | Usually | No |
| Organisation may handle payments | Usually | No |
| Bulk delivery | Often | No with direct delivery |
| Distribution required | Often | No with direct delivery |
| Volunteer effort | Medium | Low |
| Geographic reach | Often more local | Potentially wider |
| Fundraising return | Can be higher | Can be lower in exchange for fulfilment |
Hygiene Direct's two toilet paper fundraising options illustrate this trade-off clearly.
With the traditional model you make $10 per box, but your organisation does more of the work.
With My Fundraiser you receive $5.50 per box, while the individual ordering and delivery are handled for you.
The right option depends on which resource your organisation has more of:
Volunteer capacity or the need for convenience.
Can You Combine Product and Event Fundraising?
Absolutely.
In many cases, this may be the best approach.
Imagine a sports team needs to raise $8,000 for a tournament.
Rather than expecting one fundraiser to produce the entire amount, the team might use:
Product fundraiser: $3,000
Quiz night: $2,000
Sausage sizzles: $1,000
Local sponsorship: $2,000
Total: $8,000
This spreads the fundraising across several activities and gives supporters different ways to contribute.
Someone might buy your fundraising product but have no interest in attending a quiz night.
Someone else may attend the quiz but not need the product.
A local business might prefer sponsorship.
You're not repeatedly asking everyone to participate in exactly the same way.
How to Compare Fundraising Ideas Properly
Before choosing your fundraiser, create a simple comparison.
1. Set Your Fundraising Goal
How much do you actually need?
Be specific.
2. Estimate Your Audience
How many families, players, members or supporters will realistically participate?
Don't base your calculations on everyone participating unless that's genuinely likely.
3. Calculate the Potential Return
For product fundraising:
Number of expected sales × return per sale
For events:
Expected attendance × average spend – event costs
4. Estimate Volunteer Requirements
How many people will you need before, during and after the fundraiser?
5. Identify Financial Risk
Will you need to spend money before you know how successful the fundraiser will be?
6. Consider Logistics
Will you need:
- Storage?
- Transport?
- A venue?
- Cooking equipment?
- EFTPOS?
- Tables and chairs?
- Product distribution?
- Parking?
- Wet-weather plans?
7. Think About Your Supporters
What will your particular community respond to?
A fundraising strategy that works brilliantly for one organisation may perform poorly for another.
A Simple Fundraising Decision Checklist
Ask your committee or organising team:
How much do we need to raise?
How quickly do we need the money?
How many people can help?
How much time can those volunteers realistically give?
Do we have money available for upfront costs?
Do we have access to a venue?
Is our supporter base mostly local or spread around New Zealand?
Would our supporters rather buy a useful product or attend an event?
Could we combine several fundraising methods?
Once you've answered those questions, the best option is often much clearer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Product and Event Fundraising
What is product fundraising?
Product fundraising involves selling goods and directing a set amount or margin from each sale towards your fundraising goal.
Examples include toilet paper, chocolates, biscuits, plants, calendars and merchandise.
What are examples of event fundraising?
Popular event fundraisers include quiz nights, school fairs, fun runs, sausage sizzles, sports tournaments, car washes, auctions and community dinners.
Is product fundraising easier than running an event?
It can be.
Product fundraising generally requires fewer event-specific logistics such as venues, catering, entertainment and setup.
However, traditional product fundraisers can still require significant work taking orders and distributing products.
Which fundraiser is best for a school?
It depends on the school.
A large school with an active PTA might have the volunteer resources to run a successful fair or quiz night.
A smaller group or class may prefer a product fundraiser with clear individual targets.
For more ideas, read our guide to 15 fundraising ideas for schools in NZ.
Which fundraiser is best for a sports team?
Sports teams can use product sales, sponsored challenges, sausage sizzles, quiz nights, sponsorships and other activities.
Your best option will depend on your fundraising target, team size and available volunteers.
See our guide to 10 easy fundraising ideas for sports teams and clubs in NZ.
Is toilet paper a good fundraising product?
Toilet paper has one particularly useful characteristic: it's an everyday household essential.
That means supporters can purchase something they already need while helping your organisation raise money.
How much can you make from a toilet paper fundraiser?
With Hygiene Direct's traditional fundraising option, your group makes $10 per box sold.
With My Fundraiser, your Good Cause receives $5.50 per box purchased.
For a more detailed breakdown, read Toilet Paper Fundraising NZ: How It Works & How Much You Can Raise.
So, Which Fundraising Option Is Better?
There's no single winner between product fundraising and event fundraising.
If your organisation has plenty of volunteers and wants to bring the community together, an event can be a fantastic choice.
If you're short on volunteer time, want to spread the campaign over several weeks or like the idea of supporters receiving something useful for their money, product fundraising may make more sense.
And for larger fundraising goals, you don't necessarily need to choose.
Combining product fundraising, events and sponsorship can give your organisation several different ways to reach its target.
The key is to choose fundraising activities that suit your people, your supporters and the amount you're trying to raise.
If you'd like to explore a practical product fundraising option, Hygiene Direct offers two ways to fundraise with toilet paper:
Traditional fundraising: Make $10 per box, with your group handling the bulk order and distribution.
My Fundraiser: Receive $5.50 per box, with supporters ordering online and receiving their purchases directly.
See how Hygiene Direct's toilet paper fundraising programme works.
Related Fundraising Guides
- 15 Fundraising Ideas for Schools in NZ – Easy & Practical Ideas
- 10 Easy Fundraising Ideas for Sports Teams & Clubs in NZ
- Toilet Paper Fundraising NZ: How It Works & How Much You Can Raise
- How to Run a Successful School Fundraiser: Step-by-Step Guide