| MAY 13, 2012 -- The National Grange is excited to announce a fundraising program, in conjunction with Yankee Candle, that can benefit the Grange at all levels. This program will allow Subordinate, Pomona and State Granges to sell specific Yankee Candle products, complete with the Grange logo and tagline, “American Values. Hometown Roots.” printed on the label, for the same price as these items are sold in stores. Each Grange who sells these products will profit from the sale directly.
From each sale, a Subordinate, Pomona or State Grange will keep 25% or more of the total money earned, minus shipping cost. The program does not require any “start up capitol,” and has a low minimum order number of only three candles.
Shipping cost are at a greatly reduced rate and all shipments will be made directly to the Grange, or designated fundraising chairperson, for distribution of product.
The National Grange worked with Yankee Candle to choose three sizes of candles in several different available scents that reflect our image and values and have high selling potential. These available scents and sizes range from small votive candles to large jar candles and include popular Farmhouse Apple, Home Sweet Home and Kitchen Spice. Should these scents become unavailable, the
National Grange will update all potential sellers at the time they request order forms or for those Granges currently selling items, an email will be sent to the Subordinate, Pomona or State Grange’s fundraiser chairperson to inform them of the change.
Any Grange can become involved. There is no limit to the number of candles a Grange may sell and no limit to the amount of times a Grange may run this fundraiser. There is no limit to the timeframe in which the fundraiser may be completed, however, Yankee Candle and the Grange recommend a short sale period. The National Grange recommends no more than a month from the date of beginning to the end date of the fundraiser. This ensures that people who order items from a Grange receive their candles in a reasonable amount of time.
In order to take part in this fundraiser, your Grange must appoint a chairperson who can request a Grange Yankee Candle Fundraiser Packet from Samantha Johnson at the National Grange. Requests can be made by email at sjohnson@nationalgrange.org or by phone at (202) 628-3507 ext. 109.
The National Grange will send a fundraising kit to the chairperson who must review the documents, provide order forms to local sellers and review with them the guidelines for the sale. Upon completion of the fundraiser, local fundraising chairs are responsible for collecting all the order forms and money from sellers, calculating shipping cost for the order and remitting the correct payment amount to the National Grange, then depositing the profit from the fundraiser in the appropriate Subordinate, Pomona or State Grange account.
Fundraising chairs are required to remit with payment of candles a copy of the Chairperson’s Form and a copy of each seller’s form. The National Grange will place the order with Yankee Candle and provide to the fundraising chair confirmation. The candles will arrive in 2 to 3 weeks from the date of order.
WHY THIS IS A GREAT FUNDRAISER
Not only are candles amazing sales products, they are small packages of goodwill. As we all know, one of our most powerful senses is that of smell. When people smell a good scent, they are likely to be happier and more at ease. Having a great-smelling candle in your home with the Grange logo is more likely to make you associate the Grange with positive feelings and memories.
SOME ADDED TIPS
While the scents chosen for sale as part of this fundraiser are all popular and proven to sell, it is important to understand that often candles, and other scented products, sell themselves when people sniff them.
If you are considering the Grange Yankee Candle fundraiser for your Grange, especially if you are considering selling these at a table, stand or event, it is highly suggested that you order from the National Grange at least one candle of each scent as part of the “Candle Sampler Kit” available through Samantha Johnson, Director of the Programs, Benefits and Sales Department.
These candles may be sold by the Grange after the initial fundraiser is complete, recouping the cost of the kit and allowing the Grange to make a $25 profit from the kit alone. |
