Well, there are two things about the profit %.

Yes, it's a possibility that some schools are getting a different % than others for basically the exact same program. Kind of like different customers sometimes pay different prices for exact same car. Educated, business-like customers can get best deal.

Another reason for that is some schools *are* more attractive customers, to be perfectly honest. Bigger elementary schols typically yield more total gross profit than smaller middles, for example. And some elementarys have a track record of holding very successful fundraisers each year, so FR companies are likely to offer a higher % for that account (because FR company can be fairly confident it will still make enough profit to be worthwhile).

But there's another reason for different percentages, too. What kind of prize program are you getting? What kind of kick-off event? What kind of extra incentives or give-aways for your group leaders? You might get 40% plus very high-end kick-off event (lots of giveaways) and very high-end prize program (iPods and limo rides); whereas other group might get 50% with very low-end prize program. Since the FR company funds the kick-off and prize program, it can offer higher % in example #2.

All the more reason to make it not just about profit %, because profit % can be manipulated so easily. Better to find a great partner, a good price, good service, a good product and a fair % -- and then make it a great FR together.

Tim

Our School district in Belleville, IL has been promised 55% profit from Sally Foster on our Gift Sale and 50% profit on our Otis Spunkmeyer sale. What level of profit are other schools being offered? What is the deal with different levels of profit? It seems that if there is a sliding scale for profit, some schools are getting the short end of the deal.

raptordad;148156 wrote: Just tired of the whole Sally Foster thing. This is a prime example of one of those companies that take more than their fair share in profits. I love how the Entertainment Books post "Up to 50% Profit" when in fact it is more like 30% if you do another fund raiser, and if you are the first one in your region to send home the book... and that's not saying that they won't unfairly oversaturate the area with books at other schools. And after all that work....just barely at last year's level. But it must be our fault and not theirs..... glad to say that we are moving on.

I'm so glad you have posted this. It is a big misconception and I would love to address it. I work for a competitor of Sally Foster but this issue comes up alot. And it is why more and more fundraising companies are going out of business.
Do you know that every packet that comes to your school costs the company $3-4? So if you have 500 students, it costs the company $1,500-2,000 just to start your fundraiser. The products and prizes costs the company 25-30% of the printed price. Then there is shipping and bonuses.

So lets say the school with 500 kids sold $10,000. The school gets $5,000. The company pays $1,500 for brochures, $2,500 for products and prizes, minimum of $500 for shipping. That means the company %500 to pay for bonuses and rep pay. That does not take into account taxes and overhead.

So please keep that in mind when you wonder why there is not as many choices next year because companies are out of business. Or that the companies cannot afford to give as mauch in bonuses next year.

The key isn't the company. The key is the excitement generated by the PTO and administration because of the reason for raising the money. If parents understand why it will benefit THEIR child, they will go all out and you'll have a success.

I have to say that we have ran the program at our elementary school for two years now and our school is very happy with Entertainment. We have had wonderful profit, excellent customer service, and our families seem very happy with their product. I am sorry to hear about the schools that have had a unhappy experience. I guess it is like anything else you just have to try it and decide for yourself. Consider me a very happy customer and ways and means PTA board member.

Sally Foster is a BIG $$ fundraiser. My daughter's school has made $10,000's with Sally Foster and their other product, the Entertainment coupon book year over year. So, I guess it's who who talk to and how well the sale is run. They have always been more than fair with us and have offered lots of customer service from the rep and other helpers she hired. Don't write them off as a high dollar fundraiser if that is what you are looking for.......