How to Plan A Discount Card Fundraiser?

When your organization needs to raise funds quickly and effectively, a discount card fundraiser offers one of the highest profit margins available. Schools, sports teams, bands, and nonprofit organizations consistently choose discount cards because they’re easy to sell, provide real value to supporters, and can generate thousands of dollars with minimal upfront investment. 

A well-organized fundraiser can raise significant funds in just 2-3 weeks, with some high school organizations reporting profits exceeding $10,000 from a single campaign. The cards themselves serve as mini-billboards for your organization, reinforcing community awareness every time they’re used at local businesses.

What is a Discount Card Fundraiser?

A discount card fundraiser involves selling plastic or laminated cards that offer special discounts or deals at local businesses for a specified period (usually 6-12 months). Supporters purchase these cards from your organization and then use them throughout the year to save money at participating merchants.

The basic concept works on multiple levels:

• Your organization buys the cards at wholesale prices (typically $1-3 per card)
• You sell them to supporters for $10-20 each
• Each card provides the buyer with discounts at 10-25 local businesses
• The savings potential for cardholders often exceeds $100-$200

These fundraisers work particularly well because they create a win-win-win situation:

• Your organization receives substantial profit (often $7-10 per card)
• Supporters get valuable discounts at places they already shop
• Local businesses gain increased foot traffic and community goodwill

Unlike other fundraising options where supporters buy products they may not really want, custom discount cards for fundraising provide ongoing value throughout the year. This makes them easier to sell and creates positive associations with your organization each time the card is used.

7 Steps to Plan A Discount Card Fundraiser

• Select a Professional Discount Card Provider

The foundation of a successful discount card fundraiser starts with choosing the right card provider. Look for companies with:

• Experience working with organizations like yours
• Strong track records of successful fundraisers
• Ability to recruit local merchants on your behalf
• Quality card production with professional designs
• Clear pricing with no hidden fees

When researching providers for bulk discount card fundraising, ask about their merchant recruitment process. Top companies maintain existing relationships with national and regional chains, making it easier to secure valuable offers quickly.

Request sample cards from potential providers to assess quality and appearance. Flimsy paper cards may be cheaper initially, but can deteriorate quickly in wallets, while plastic cards look more professional and last longer. Most supporters prefer durable cards that they can keep and use throughout the year.

Also inquire about the provider’s timeline from order to delivery. Established companies can typically deliver finished cards within 2-3 weeks after merchant recruitment is complete.

• Establish Your Fundraising Goals and Timeline

Before launching your campaign, clearly define:

• Your financial target (how much money you need to raise)
• The fundraising period (start and end dates)
• The number of cards each participant should sell
• Who will participate in selling

To calculate how many cards you’ll need, divide your fundraising goal by your expected profit per card. For example:

• Fundraising goal: $5,000
• Profit per card: $10
• Cards needed: 500

If you have 25 team members selling, each person would need to sell 20 cards to reach your goal.

When planning your timeline for discount cards for fundraising events, allow:

• 2-3 weeks for merchant recruitment
• 1 week for card production
• 2-3 weeks for actual selling

Most successful campaigns run for about 6-8 weeks total from planning to completion. Avoid scheduling your fundraiser during major holidays or school breaks when potential supporters may be unavailable.

• Recruit Local Businesses to Participate

If your card provider doesn’t handle merchant recruitment, you’ll need to approach local businesses yourself. Prepare a professional presentation explaining how the discount card works and the benefits to their business. Your presentation should also clearly outline the specific discount you’re requesting, your organization’s purpose, how the funds will be used, and the timeline for the program.

Focus on businesses your supporters frequent regularly:

• Quick-service restaurants
• Coffee shops
• Car washes
• Hair salons
• Retail stores
• Entertainment venues

For each merchant, request a specific discount that’s valuable enough to drive card sales but sustainable for their business model. Common offers include:

• 10-15% off total purchase
• Buy-one-get-one deals
• Free item with purchase
• Dollar amount of specific services

Aim to secure 10-25 merchants for your card, creating a diverse mix of businesses that appeal to different supporters. When approaching potential merchants for your custom cards, bring along your organization’s brochure or information sheet to establish credibility.

• Design Your Discount Cards

Effective discount cards include:

• Your organization’s name and logo are prominently displayed
• A brief description of your cause
• Card expiration date (typically one year after distribution)
• Clear list of participating merchants and their offers
• Contact information for your organization

Professional custom discount cards for fundraising should use high-quality materials that will last in wallets and purses for a full year. Consider these design elements:

• Bold, eye-catching colors that align with your organization
• Clean, readable typography for merchant offers
• Credit-card sizing that fits easily in wallets
• Glossy finish for durability and professional appearance

Many card providers offer design services as part of their package. If you’re creating your own design, ensure it meets the printer’s specifications for bleed areas, resolution, and file format.

• Create Effective Sales Materials and Training

Before distributing cards to your sellers, prepare comprehensive support materials to ensure everyone feels confident and equipped for success. Follow these tips:

• Develop a simple sales script with key talking points that sellers can customize to their personal style while maintaining consistent messaging. 
• Create information sheets about your organization and fundraising purpose that sellers can reference or share with potential supporters. 
• Provide collection envelopes for tracking sales and money, along with clear written instructions for handling cash and checks properly.

Hold a kickoff meeting to train all participants on the fundamentals of your campaign. Thoroughly explain the features and benefits of the discount card so sellers can speak knowledgeably about its value. Prepare answers to common questions they might encounter and teach effective sales techniques appropriate for your community. 

When people buy discount cards for fundraising, they often make the decision quickly, so a concise, compelling pitch is essential. Train your sellers to emphasise both the financial support for your organization and the card’s money-saving benefits.

• Launch and Promote Your Fundraiser

Effective promotion drives awareness and creates sales momentum. Use multiple channels to announce your fundraiser:

• Social media posts with graphics showing the card and merchants
• Email announcements to your organization’s contact list
• Flyers in high-traffic community locations
• Announcements at meetings and events
• Local media coverage (newspaper, community websites)

Consider creating a dedicated fundraising page on your website or social media where supporters can learn more about your campaign and contact you to purchase cards.

Some organizations boost sales by setting up tables at high-traffic locations:

• School events
• Community festivals
• Sports games
• Shopping centers (with permission)
• Church gatherings

Maintain regular communication with your selling team throughout the campaign. Share success stories, provide updates on progress toward your goal, and offer encouragement to maintain momentum.

• Track Sales and Distribute Cards

Implement a simple system to record how many cards each seller receives and track daily or weekly sales progress. Collect and secure funds promptly and distribute additional cards as needed. 

For accountability, use a central check-out system where sellers sign for their cards and return with either unsold cards or the equivalent money collected. Set regular collection points (daily or weekly) to minimize the risk of lost cards or funds.

Create a visual tracker (thermometer chart or progress bar) showing your advancement toward your fundraising goal. This creates friendly competition and maintains enthusiasm throughout the campaign.

After your campaign ends:

• Collect all remaining cards and money
• Thank your sellers for their efforts
• Recognize top performers
• Report the final results to your entire organization

Bottom Line

Unlike many fundraising products that are consumed once and forgotten, a discount card fundraiser creates ongoing connections between your organization, local businesses, and community members. By following these seven steps and partnering with a reputable card provider, you can meet or exceed your fundraising goals while offering genuine value to your supporters.

DuraCard makes fundraising simple and profitable. Our custom discount cards have helped thousands of organizations raise millions of dollars with minimal effort. Choose DuraCard and start counting your profits sooner. Get in touch with our experts today!