Alan Edwards, Independent Sales Rep

World's Finest Chocolate Fundraiser

Planning & Execution Guide

📋 At a Glance

Before: Set timeline • Plan promotions • Prepare records • Schedule kickoff • Distribute letters

Delivery: Prepare climate controlled, safe storage area • Recruit volunteers with carts • Check and count order on arrival

During: Advertise • Track results by classroom/group • Enable easy daily checkout • Display prizes

Wrap-up: Extend if needed • Send payment reminders • Pay invoice within 30 days

1. SET YOUR GOALS

GOOD

Set a goal

Example: Raise $5000

BETTER

Set individual and group goals with a purpose

Example: Raise $5000 for student activities, each students sells at least 2 cases, 50% participation

BEST

Set a specific goal meaningful to your group

Example: Fund a new school garden program, refloor Coach Erin's gym.

2. PLAN YOUR TIMELINE

GOOD

Plan a 1 week high energy sale (ok for small groups and teams)

📅 Set calendar reminders

BETTER

Plan a 2 week sale (minimum for larger groups) avoiding holidays and conflicts

📅 Set calendar reminders

BEST

Plan a 3 week sale avoiding long weekends and conflicts. Plan kickoff event to pump up participants

📅 Set calendar reminders

3. COMMUNICATE WITH PARTICIPANTS

GOOD

Create a participation letter explaining sale and responsibilities. Distribute at kickoff

📄 Elementary template

BETTER

Distribute letters to every participant and watch early returns to spot missed classrooms

📄 Field trip template

BEST

Do a second letter distribution to catch those who lost first one. Remind teachers of kickoff details

📄 Middle school template

4. MANAGE CASE CHECKOUT

GOOD

Enable easy daily case checkout - hand out one unpaid case per signed permission slip

BETTER

Encourage pre-paying for multiple cases or allow two unpaid cases for reliable sellers

BEST

Call parents when counting money to thank them and verify if they want another case

5. PROMOTE YOUR SALE

GOOD

Promote with posters, marquee, announcements and social media

📖 Fundraising Guide

BETTER

Add a simple prize promotion to incentivize sellers throughout campaign

📖 Fundraising Guide

BEST

Make prizes visible during sale, include awards in morning announcements, add surprise bonus opportunities midway

📖 Fundraising Guide

💎 Prize Planning for Elementary Schools

A well-structured prize program drives participation. Plan your budget and purchase prizes early.

🏆 Tiered Seller Prizes

1 case sold: ________

Ex: ice cream/popsicle/popcorn party, squishy toy (budget around $2/student or less)

2 cases sold: ________

Ex: fun event like game truck party or magic show (estimate attendance at 15-20% of overall enrollment)

3 cases sold: ________

Prize ideas:

⭐ Top Seller Prizes

Exciting prizes in $100-200 range

Budget: ________

Prize ideas:

🎫 Drawing Prizes

Random drawings for participation

Budget: ________

Prize ideas & drawing rules:

📋 Permission Slip Prizes

Inexpensive items (keychain, smencil, candy) just for returning signed letter

Budget: ________

Prize ideas:

DELIVERY & STORAGE ESSENTIALS

⚠️ Critical Preparation Steps

Before Delivery: Double check order confirmation accuracy • Be ready to open up double doors wide to enable pallet entry when possible • 70-75° dry climate controlled, locked storage away from odors/chemicals/heat • Recruit volunteers with carts/gloves • Notify front desk and admin of what is taking place

At Delivery: Verify case count • Note problems on bill of lading • Contact Alan immediately for shortages or damage

WRAPPING UP YOUR SALE

💰 Final Steps

Extend sale if needed: Consider bonus prizes • Plan a weekend group selling event • Consider letting very reliable, high-selling participants check out two at a time • Continue to promote pre-paying for multiple cases

Collections: Send payment reminders • Pay invoice within 30 days, payment info at worldsfinestnorthtexas.com

📝 Notes