Toilet Paper Fundraising NZ | How It Works & Profit
Toilet Paper Fundraising NZ: How It Works & How Much You Can Raise
Looking for a fundraiser that's practical, easy to understand and based on a product people already buy?
Toilet paper fundraising gives schools, sports teams, clubs and community groups a different approach to traditional fundraising.
Instead of selling chocolates, biscuits or novelty products, you're offering supporters an everyday household essential – something they're going to need regardless.
At Hygiene Direct, there are two ways to run a toilet paper fundraiser in New Zealand:
- Traditional Fundraising – earn $10 per box: Your group takes orders, purchases in bulk and distributes the boxes to supporters.
- My Fundraiser – earn $5.50 per box: Supporters order and pay online, their toilet paper is delivered directly to their door, and your Good Cause receives $5.50 per box.
Which option is right for you depends largely on whether you want to maximise the amount raised per box or minimise the administration involved.
Here's how toilet paper fundraising works, how much you could potentially raise and how to plan a successful campaign.
What Is a Toilet Paper Fundraiser?
A toilet paper fundraiser is a form of product fundraising.
Your supporters purchase toilet paper and a portion of the sale goes towards your school, sports team, club or other Good Cause.
The concept is similar to the traditional school fundraisers many New Zealanders will remember involving chocolates, biscuits and other products.
The key difference is the product.
Toilet paper is something households already need to buy.
That gives supporters an opportunity to help your organisation while stocking up on a practical household essential at the same time.
Who Can Fundraise with Toilet Paper?
A toilet paper fundraiser can suit many different groups, including:
- Schools
- PTAs and parent groups
- School camps and trips
- Sports teams
- Sports clubs
- Individual athletes
- Community organisations
- Charities
- Churches
- Clubs
- Other Good Causes
The important thing is having a clear reason for fundraising and a network of people willing to promote your campaign.
Two Ways to Fundraise with Hygiene Direct
One of the most important things to understand is that Hygiene Direct offers two different fundraising models.
They both involve toilet paper, but the way orders are placed and fulfilled is quite different.
Option 1: Traditional Toilet Paper Fundraising – Earn $10 Per Box
The traditional option offers the higher fundraising return per box.
Your group takes orders from supporters, places a bulk order and then distributes the boxes.
Your organisation makes $10 for every box sold.
How Traditional Toilet Paper Fundraising Works
Step 1: Set your fundraising goal
Decide exactly how much your group needs to raise.
For example:
"We need to raise $5,000 for our school camp."
or:
"We need $8,000 to help our team travel to a national tournament."
A specific goal gives everyone something to work towards.
Step 2: Recruit your fundraisers
Decide who will participate.
For a school, this might be families within a particular class, sports team or year group.
For a sports club, it could be every player in the team.
Step 3: Set an individual target
Divide your total fundraising target by the number of participating families or members.
If you need to raise $5,000 and have 50 participating families:
$5,000 ÷ 50 = $100 per family
At $10 raised per box:
$100 ÷ $10 = 10 boxes per family
Suddenly, a $5,000 fundraising goal becomes a target of 10 boxes for each participating family.
Step 4: Take orders
Your fundraisers approach:
- Friends
- Family
- Grandparents
- Neighbours
- Workmates
- Local businesses
- Club supporters
- Members of the wider community
You can also promote the fundraiser through newsletters, email and social media.
Step 5: Place your bulk order
Once you've collected the orders, your group places its bulk order.
Step 6: Receive and distribute the boxes
Your organisation receives the order and arranges for supporters to receive the boxes they've purchased.
Step 7: Put the funds towards your goal
Your group makes $10 for each box sold.
Learn more about Hygiene Direct's traditional fundraising option.
How Much Can You Raise with Traditional Toilet Paper Fundraising?
Because the traditional option provides $10 per box, calculating your potential fundraising return is straightforward.
| Boxes Sold | Amount Raised |
|---|---|
| 25 | $250 |
| 50 | $500 |
| 100 | $1,000 |
| 150 | $1,500 |
| 200 | $2,000 |
| 250 | $2,500 |
| 300 | $3,000 |
| 500 | $5,000 |
| 750 | $7,500 |
| 1,000 | $10,000 |
The actual number of boxes each participant needs to sell depends on your overall goal and the number of people taking part.
Toilet Paper Fundraising Example: School Camp
Imagine a school group needs to raise $4,000 towards camp costs.
There are 40 participating families.
$4,000 ÷ 40 families = $100 per family
At $10 per box:
$100 ÷ $10 = 10 boxes per family
If all 40 families sell 10 boxes:
40 × 10 = 400 boxes
And:
400 × $10 = $4,000 raised
Breaking the campaign down this way gives every family a clear, manageable target.
Toilet Paper Fundraising Example: Sports Team
Imagine a sports team needs $3,000 towards tournament travel and accommodation.
There are 15 players.
$3,000 ÷ 15 players = $200 per player
At $10 per box:
$200 ÷ $10 = 20 boxes per player
If each player sells 20 boxes, the team reaches its $3,000 target.
You don't necessarily need every participant to sell exactly the same amount, but individual targets make it easier to measure progress.
Option 2: My Fundraiser – Earn $5.50 Per Box
The second option is designed for groups that would rather reduce the amount of administration involved.
With My Fundraiser, your organisation registers as a Good Cause.
Instead of your group collecting individual orders and distributing boxes, supporters place and pay for their own orders online.
Their toilet paper is then delivered directly to their door.
Your Good Cause receives $5.50 for every box purchased in support of your organisation.
How My Fundraiser Works
Step 1: Register your Good Cause
Your school, sports team, club or organisation registers with My Fundraiser.
Step 2: Promote your fundraiser
Share your Good Cause with friends, families, supporters and the wider community.
Step 3: Supporters order online
Supporters place and pay for their own toilet paper orders through My Fundraiser.
Step 4: Orders are delivered directly to supporters
Your group doesn't need to receive one large shipment and organise individual collections.
Delivery is available throughout both the North Island and South Island of New Zealand. Rural delivery fees may apply.
Step 5: Your Good Cause receives $5.50 per box
For every qualifying box purchased in support of your Good Cause, $5.50 goes to your organisation.
Visit My Fundraiser to learn more about the online option.
How Much Can You Raise with My Fundraiser?
With $5.50 going to your Good Cause for every box purchased, your fundraising return looks like this:
| Boxes Purchased | Amount to Your Good Cause |
| 25 | $137.50 |
| 50 | $275 |
| 100 | $550 |
| 150 | $825 |
| 200 | $1,100 |
| 250 | $1,375 |
| 300 | $1,650 |
| 500 | $2,750 |
| 750 | $4,125 |
| 1,000 | $5,500 |
The return per box is lower than the traditional option, but the trade-off is considerably less handling for your organisation.
Traditional Fundraising vs My Fundraiser
So which should you choose?
It comes down to what matters most to your group.
| Traditional Fundraiser | My Fundraiser | |
| Fundraising return | $10 per box | $5.50 per box |
| Group takes individual orders | Yes | No |
| Group handles bulk order | Yes | No |
| Group receives bulk delivery | Yes | No |
| Group distributes boxes | Yes | No |
| Supporters order online | No | Yes |
| Supporters pay online themselves | No | Yes |
| Delivered directly to supporter | No | Yes |
| Administration | Higher | Lower |
| Best for | Maximising return per box | Reducing administration |
Which Option Raises More Money?
On a per-box basis, the traditional Hygiene Direct fundraiser raises more.
For every 100 boxes:
Traditional fundraising:
100 × $10 = $1,000 raised
My Fundraiser:
100 × $5.50 = $550 raised
That's a difference of $450 per 100 boxes.
However, that doesn't automatically mean the traditional model is right for every group.
The traditional fundraiser requires your organisation to manage the ordering and distribution process.
My Fundraiser reduces that workload by allowing supporters to order themselves and receive their purchases directly.
So the decision isn't simply:
"Which pays more?"
It's also:
"How much administration can our group realistically handle?"
Could the Easier Option Result in More Sales?
Potentially.
While My Fundraiser provides a lower return per box, an online fundraiser may be easier to share with supporters who don't live nearby.
For example, a team member could send the fundraiser to relatives elsewhere in New Zealand rather than being limited to people who can conveniently collect a box from the team's bulk order.
That doesn't guarantee more sales, but it's an important factor to consider.
When choosing between the two options, think about both return per box and ease of participation.
Why Toilet Paper Can Work as a Fundraising Product
There are plenty of products you can sell for fundraising.
The challenge is convincing people they actually want them.
Toilet paper has a simple advantage:
It's an everyday household essential.
Your supporters aren't necessarily deciding whether they need another fundraising product.
They're deciding whether to purchase something they'll need anyway while supporting your cause at the same time.
This can also give fundraisers a simple way to start the conversation:
"We're raising money for our tournament. Would you like to stock up on toilet paper and help support our team?"
Who Should You Sell To?
Don't limit your fundraiser to parents and immediate family.
Encourage participants to think about their wider network.
Potential supporters include:
- Parents
- Grandparents
- Aunts and uncles
- Friends
- Neighbours
- Workmates
- Local businesses
- Sports club members
- Former students
- Former players
- Community supporters
Workplaces can be particularly useful because one participant may be able to reach a large number of potential supporters.
How to Promote a Toilet Paper Fundraiser
A good product alone doesn't guarantee a successful fundraiser.
People need to know about it.
Tell People What You're Raising Money For
Be specific.
Instead of:
"Please support our fundraiser."
Try:
"We're raising $5,000 to help our school football team travel to the AIMS Games."
Supporters can immediately understand what they're helping achieve.
Use Social Media
Create simple posts that include:
- What you're raising money for
- Your fundraising target
- How the fundraiser works
- How people can order
- Your closing date, if applicable
Encourage parents, players and members to share the posts rather than relying only on your organisation's main social media page.
Use Email and Newsletters
Schools and clubs often already have direct communication channels with families.
Use them.
Don't assume everyone saw the first announcement either. A reminder during the campaign can make a significant difference.
Ask Supporters to Share
Someone who doesn't need toilet paper immediately may still know someone who does.
A simple:
"If you're unable to order, we'd really appreciate you sharing our fundraiser."
can extend your reach.
Keep Everyone Updated
If your target is $5,000 and you've reached $3,500, tell people.
Progress updates create momentum and remind supporters that the fundraiser is still running.
Set a Realistic Sales Target
A large fundraising number can feel overwhelming.
Individual targets make it easier.
Here's an example using the traditional $10-per-box fundraiser:
| Fundraising Goal | Participants | Target Per Participant | Boxes Per Participant |
| $1,000 | 20 | $50 | 5 |
| $2,000 | 20 | $100 | 10 |
| $3,000 | 20 | $150 | 15 |
| $5,000 | 25 | $200 | 20 |
| $5,000 | 50 | $100 | 10 |
| $10,000 | 50 | $200 | 20 |
This is often a much easier way to communicate the campaign.
Instead of telling 50 families:
"We need to raise $5,000."
you can say:
"If every participating family sells 10 boxes, we'll reach our $5,000 goal."
Consider Combining Fundraisers
Your toilet paper fundraiser doesn't have to be your only fundraising activity.
For larger targets, combining several approaches can work well.
For example:
Toilet paper fundraiser – ongoing campaign
Sausage sizzle – weekend fundraiser
Quiz night – community event
Business sponsorship – approach local businesses
This also gives supporters different ways to contribute.
If you're still deciding which activities to run, read our guides to school fundraising ideas and sports team fundraising ideas.
Traditional Product Fundraising or Online Fundraising?
There's no universally correct answer.
Choose traditional toilet paper fundraising if:
- Maximising your return per box is important
- You have enough volunteers to coordinate the fundraiser
- Bulk delivery is practical
- You can organise distribution to supporters
- Your supporters are mostly local
Consider My Fundraiser if:
- You want to minimise administration
- You don't want to collect individual payments
- You don't want to distribute boxes
- Your supporters are spread around New Zealand
- Making it easy to order online is important
Some organisations may even find that different approaches suit different fundraising campaigns.
Frequently Asked Questions About Toilet Paper Fundraising
How much do you make from a toilet paper fundraiser?
With Hygiene Direct's traditional fundraising option, your group makes $10 per box sold.
With the My Fundraiser online option, your Good Cause receives $5.50 per box purchased.
How many boxes do we need to sell to raise $1,000?
With the traditional Hygiene Direct fundraiser, you would need to sell 100 boxes to raise $1,000.
100 boxes × $10 = $1,000.
With My Fundraiser, approximately 182 boxes at $5.50 per box would generate just over $1,000 for your Good Cause.
How many boxes do we need to sell to raise $5,000?
With traditional fundraising:
500 boxes × $10 = $5,000
If 50 families participate, that's an average of 10 boxes per family.
Do we have to deliver the toilet paper ourselves?
It depends on the fundraising option.
With the traditional fundraiser, your group receives the bulk order and organises distribution.
With My Fundraiser, supporters order online and their toilet paper is delivered directly to them.
Does My Fundraiser deliver throughout New Zealand?
Delivery is available across both the North Island and South Island.
Rural delivery fees may apply.
Is toilet paper fundraising suitable for schools?
Yes. Toilet paper fundraising can be used by schools, PTAs, classes, sports teams and other school groups raising money for camps, trips, equipment, activities and other projects.
Can sports teams run a toilet paper fundraiser?
Yes. Sports teams can use toilet paper fundraising to help raise money towards tournament fees, travel, accommodation, uniforms, equipment and other team costs.
Why fundraise with toilet paper?
The main advantage is that toilet paper is an everyday household product.
Instead of asking supporters to purchase something they may not otherwise want, you're offering a product they already need while giving them an opportunity to support your organisation.
Ready to Start a Toilet Paper Fundraiser?
Whether you're fundraising for a school camp, sports tournament, new equipment, club project or another Good Cause, toilet paper provides a practical product fundraising option.
And with Hygiene Direct, you can choose the approach that works for your group.
Want to Maximise Your Fundraising Return?
Choose the traditional Hygiene Direct fundraiser.
Your group takes orders, purchases in bulk and distributes the boxes.
You make $10 per box sold.
Learn how Hygiene Direct's traditional toilet paper fundraiser works.
Want an Easier, Lower-Admin Option?
Choose My Fundraiser.
Your supporters order and pay online, their toilet paper is delivered directly to their door, and your Good Cause receives $5.50 per box.
Visit My Fundraiser to get started.
Related Fundraising Guides
- 15 Fundraising Ideas for Schools in NZ – Easy & Practical Ideas
- 10 Easy Fundraising Ideas for Sports Teams & Clubs in NZ
- Product Fundraising vs Event Fundraising: Which Is Better?
- How to Run a Successful School Fundraiser: Step-by-Step Guide