One thing our church has learned and greatly benefited from when it comes to fundraisers and that's if the people you're asking to participate feel like they're getting a good deal. Then they not only will participate, but will be repeat "customers". Our church has two BBQ fundraisers per year. We sell a BBQ plate that consist of a pulled pork sandwich (5 oz of meat), bbq beans, chips, a homemade dessert and a soft drink for $10. We normally profit (depending on meat prices when we do it) between $6.25-$7.25/plate sold.
We ensure the quality of the plates are as good or better than what they can get at the local chain bbq. It's gotten so popular in our community we have people calling the church asking when the next one's going to be. We have picked up three local businesses who have us call them when we have them and they buy lunch plates for their staff on that day. We step up the service by delivering it to the businesses. We average anywhere between $1,400-$1,500 net profit per fundraiser. If the weather's good and there aren't a lot of competing events happening that day. We have been known to make up to $2,500 net profit.
When people come up to buy a plate we go out of our way to explain what we're doing, why we're doing it and where the money is going. But it is not uncommon for people to stop us mid sentence and say "I don't care what you're using the money for. I can't go get this type BBQ plate at any restaurant around here for that price." Our belief is if you're asking people outside your church to participate you need to give them something in return they feel is worth their money.
