Free fundraising sample kits are offered by several promotional companies to support teams, schools, clubs, and other community-based organisations. These kits provide physical samples of products and marketing materials that groups can evaluate before committing to a fundraising campaign. The availability, contents, and terms of these offers vary significantly between providers, with some restricting access to registered organisations and others offering general samples. This article outlines the key details available from official sources regarding how to request these kits, what they contain, and the eligibility requirements involved.
Understanding Free Fundraising Kits
Free fundraising kits are promotional packages distributed by companies that specialise in fundraising products. They are designed to help group leaders make informed decisions about which fundraising programme to run. These kits typically include product samples, catalogues, and informational brochures. The primary purpose is to allow organisations to assess the quality, profitability, and appeal of the products before launching a full campaign.
The availability of these kits is not universal. Based on the provided source material, some offers are explicitly for teams, groups, or organisations and are not available to individuals. This is a common restriction in the fundraising industry to ensure resources are directed towards active community initiatives.
Key Providers and Their Offerings
The source material identifies several companies that offer free fundraising sample kits. Each has a distinct approach to kit contents, shipping, and eligibility.
The Goodies Factory / Poppin Popcorn
The Goodies Factory, which appears to be associated with Poppin Popcorn, offers a free fundraising kit specifically for teams, groups, or organisations. Individuals cannot request this kit. To obtain it, an interested party must complete a form and submit their information. By doing so, they provide express consent to receive text messages, emails, and phone calls from The Goodies Factory / Poppin Popcorn for communication related to the fundraiser request. This consent is given in accordance with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) regulations. Unsubscribing from these communications is possible via an unsubscribe link.
The source does not specify the exact contents of this kit, the shipping timeline, or whether there are any geographic restrictions. The focus is on the consent process for ongoing communication.
Eventgroove
Eventgroove provides a detailed outline of its free sample kit programme, which is notable for its speed and comprehensiveness. The company states that it ships sample kits overnight at its own cost, provided the request is received by 1:00 PM Central Time (CT) from Monday to Friday. Requests made after this time will be shipped the following business day. A significant restriction is that Eventgroove does not ship to addresses outside the United States.
Eventgroove offers several types of sample kits: * One sample event kit: This includes almost all of Eventgroove's products, such as event tickets, raffle tickets, VIP passes, drink tickets, event badges (all sizes), lanyards, badge holders, wristbands (all types), flyers, club flyers, invitations, postcards, hang tags, table tents, roll tickets, stickers, and programmes. The company describes this as "everything you need for marketing, promotion, and event/raffle operations." It also specifies that professional wristbands in many colours are included, covering Tyvek®, vinyl, and cloth wristbands, as well as brilliant colour-printed synthetic wristbands. * One fundraiser kit: This kit is tailored for fundraising and includes the company's most popular fundraising products: event tickets, raffle tickets, VIP passes, drink tickets, wristbands, flyers, club flyers, invitations, postcards, hang tags, table tents, roll tickets, and stickers. It is described as containing everything needed for marketing, promotion, and raffle operations. * One general sample kit: This kit includes almost all of Eventgroove's products: event tickets, raffle tickets, VIP passes, drink tickets, event badges, lanyards, badge holders, wristbands (all types), flyers, club flyers, invitations, postcards, hang tags, roll tickets, and stickers. The company states this kit is "everything you need for marketing."
The source material does not specify any eligibility criteria beyond the shipping restriction to the United States. The request process appears to be straightforward, though the specific form or webpage for requesting a kit is not detailed in the provided chunks.
Justfundraising
Justfundraising offers a free sample kit that includes a 24-page fundraising catalogue. This catalogue contains information on over 20 "free-to-start" fundraisers. The kit also includes sample brochures for the company's five top-selling brochure programmes and a sample scratch card, which is marketed as the "Highest Profit Fundraiser." Additionally, the kit includes $100 in fundraising coupons.
The source material highlights several fundraising products available through Justfundraising, including "Everyone Loves Our Dough" cookie dough in six best-selling flavours, prepared with fine ingredients and offering convenient delivery. The cookie dough can be kept at room temperature for up to 21 days and is available in two formats: tubs and preformed. Other mentioned products include candles, popcorn, flower bulbs, and snacks.
Justfundrasing states that the sample kit will be shipped out "ASAP" and should arrive within 2 to 6 days. The source does not specify any eligibility restrictions for requesting this kit. Testimonials from schools and sports teams are included, such as one from Hopkins High School stating they raised $4,300, and another from the Simi Tribe Baseball Team in Simi Valley, California, who raised $2,330 for new uniforms and events.
Fundraising.com (Kathryn Beich / Katydids)
Fundraising.com, which appears to be associated with brands like Kathryn Beich and Katydids, offers a "Request a Free Kit" option. The source material shows a form with fields for name, email, and phone number. The website lists a wide range of fundraising products, including Katydids Chocolate Bars, Levee De Fonds, Scratchcards, Mr Beast Fundraising, Katydids, Chocolate, Lollipops, Smencils, Cookie Dough, LEGO®, Beef Jerky, Cotton Candy, Fudge Fundraisers, Earth Candles Fundraising, Stainless Steel Tumblers, Ola Bamboo, and Canadian Products.
The company provides categorised fundraising solutions for various groups, including school fundraising (elementary, middle, high, and Catholic schools), sports team fundraising (baseball, basketball, football, hockey, soccer), church fundraising, youth groups, band and music programmes, scout troops, and PTA/PTO fundraising. It also offers corporate solutions, non-profit organisation partner programmes, corporate sponsorships, event partnerships, and custom fundraising solutions. A "Free Fundraising Guide" is mentioned.
The source does not provide details on the contents of the free kit, shipping timelines, or eligibility requirements. The presence of a phone number (1.800.443.5353) and a statement about "30+ Years of Fundraising Excellence" suggest an established operation, but the specific kit details are not elaborated upon in the provided text.
Eligibility and Request Processes
Based on the source material, eligibility for free fundraising kits varies by provider. The Goodies Factory / Poppin Popcorn explicitly restricts its kit to teams, groups, or organisations, not individuals. Eventgroove's primary restriction is geographic, limiting shipments to addresses within the United States. Justfundrasing and Fundraising.com do not specify eligibility criteria in the provided chunks, though their marketing materials are clearly aimed at community groups and organisations.
The request processes also differ. The Goodies Factory requires form completion and explicit consent for marketing communications. Eventgroove emphasises speed, with a cut-off time for same-day processing. Justfundrasing promises rapid shipping within 2 to 6 days. Fundraising.com uses a simple name, email, and phone number form. None of the sources mention any cost for the kits themselves, as they are described as "free."
Product Range and Fundraising Categories
The fundraising products available through these sample kits cover a broad range. Food items are prominent, including cookie dough (Justfundrasing, Fundraising.com), popcorn (The Goodies Factory/Poppin Popcorn), chocolate bars (Katydids), and snacks. Non-food items include candles (Justfundrasing), flower bulbs, and a variety of event and promotional materials such as tickets, wristbands, badges, and flyers (Eventgroove). Specialty items like Smencils (scented pencils), LEGO® products, beef jerky, cotton candy, fudge, and stainless steel tumblers are also listed (Fundraising.com).
The categorisation of fundraising solutions shows a focus on specific groups. School fundraising is broken down by educational level (elementary, middle, high, Catholic). Sports team fundraising is detailed by sport (baseball, basketball, football, hockey, soccer). Other categories include church fundraising, youth groups, band and music programmes, scout troops, and PTA/PTO groups. Corporate solutions are also available, indicating that these services are not limited to non-profit entities.
Shipping and Logistics
Shipping policies are most clearly defined by Eventgroove, which offers overnight shipping at its own expense for requests made before 1:00 PM CT on business days. This service is limited to the United States. Justfundrasing provides an estimated delivery window of 2 to 6 days. The other sources do not specify shipping timelines or costs in the provided material. It is reasonable to assume that all kits are shipped free of charge, given their promotional nature, but this is not explicitly confirmed for all providers.
Important Considerations for UK Consumers
While the source material is predominantly focused on US-based companies and operations, UK consumers and organisations should be aware of several key points. The geographic restriction noted by Eventgroove (no shipping outside the US) is a critical factor. This means that organisations based in the United Kingdom would likely be unable to receive samples from Eventgroove.
For other providers, such as The Goodies Factory, Justfundrasing, and Fundraising.com, the source material does not specify geographic limitations. However, the contact information, testimonials, and regulatory references (like the FCC and TCPA) are US-centric. UK-based organisations interested in these kits should contact the providers directly to confirm international shipping availability and any associated costs. It is also important to note that the fundraising products and catalogues may be tailored to the US market, which could affect product availability, pricing, and relevance for UK-based campaigns.
Furthermore, UK organisations should be mindful of data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). While US companies may request consent for marketing communications under US laws, UK entities should ensure any data sharing complies with UK standards. Requesting information on how personal data will be processed and stored is a prudent step.
Conclusion
Free fundraising sample kits are a valuable resource for community groups, schools, and organisations looking to launch a fundraising campaign. Providers like The Goodies Factory/Poppin Popcorn, Eventgroove, Justfundrasing, and Fundraising.com offer these kits to help potential clients evaluate products and materials. Key differences exist in kit contents, shipping speed, and eligibility. Eventgroove provides the most detailed product list and fastest shipping but is restricted to the United States. Justfundrasing offers a comprehensive catalogue with a variety of product samples and a clear shipping timeline. The Goodies Factory requires explicit consent for marketing communications and is limited to organisations. Fundraising.com presents a wide array of product categories and solutions but lacks specific kit details in the provided source material.
For UK-based organisations, the most significant barrier is the potential geographic restriction, as explicitly stated by Eventgroove. Interested parties should verify international shipping availability and consider the relevance of US-centric products and catalogues. Overall, these kits serve as a practical first step in selecting a fundraising programme, allowing groups to make informed decisions based on tangible samples and information.