Merch as a Fundraiser: How Much Can a Nonprofit Raise?
By The Merch Counter team · Updated · 3 min read
A merch fundraiser raises money from the difference between what supporters pay and what the merch costs to make. With print on demand, a t-shirt that costs about $12 to make † (Printful lists a Bella+Canvas 3001 from $11.92) and sells for $30 raises about $12 per shirt after fees †, with nothing spent up front and no leftover stock. Sell 100 shirts and that's $1,200. Price a little higher — supporters expect to give — and it's more.
Why print on demand suits fundraisers
- No upfront cost. Traditional fundraisers often need someone to front the money for the shirts. Here, nobody does.
- No leftovers. Every shirt made is a shirt sold.
- Every size. No more guessing how many mediums to order. (Adult sizes only: the catalog has no kidswear.)
- Shipping handled. Supporters who live far away can order too.
How much you can raise
Fundraiser shirts can usually be priced higher than everyday merch, because supporters know the money goes to a cause. Examples per item †:
| Price | Cost † | Fee (20%) | Raised per shirt † |
|---|---|---|---|
| $28 | $12.00 | $5.60 | $10.40 |
| $30 | $12.00 | $6.00 | $12.00 |
| $35 | $12.00 | $7.00 | $16.00 |
| $40 | $12.00 | $8.00 | $20.00 |
And for a campaign †:
| Shirts sold | At $30 | At $35 | At $40 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | $600 | $800 | $1,000 |
| 100 | $1,200 | $1,600 | $2,000 |
| 250 | $3,000 | $4,000 | $5,000 |
Adding hoodies (about $20 raised each at $55 †) and totes or mugs as gift options raises the average per supporter.
Setting a goal
- Start from the number you need. "$2,000 for new equipment."
- Divide by what you raise per item. $2,000 ÷ $16 = 125 shirts at $35 †.
- Sanity-check it. How many supporters do you have? How many are likely to buy? If 125 feels like a stretch, add a higher-priced item or lengthen the campaign.
- Say the goal out loud. "Help us reach 125 shirts" gives people something to rally around.
A four-week campaign timeline
Week 1: set up. Open your shop, upload your design, choose 2–3 products, set prices. Order a sample to photograph.
Week 2: launch. Announce it everywhere: email, social, newsletters, at your events. Be clear about the cause and the goal.
Week 3: push. Share progress ("60 shirts so far!"). Ask volunteers and board members to share it. Post photos of supporters wearing the shirt.
Week 4: last call. "Three days left." Then close the campaign and thank everyone, with the total raised.
Because nothing is printed in advance, you can end the campaign by simply unpublishing the products.
Design tips for fundraiser merch
- Make it about the cause, not just the logo: a slogan, the year, the event.
- Make it wearable after the event, so people keep wearing it (and advertising you).
- Use your own artwork. No team logos or characters.
Be transparent
Tell supporters how much of each purchase goes to the cause. "$16 from every shirt goes to new equipment" is more persuasive than "proceeds support us".
Related: Merch for nonprofits · Merch Ideas for Every Kind of Local Business
† Worked examples. They use our real 20% fee and suggested 2.5× price on an illustrative cost to make; real costs vary by product, size and print. Bulk-order figures are illustrative too. Today’s numbers for every product are in the profit calculator and in your dashboard before you list anything.