You can reliably make solid profits from almost any typical fundraising product if you partner with a professional rep and price the product fairly. Too many PTOs put all the thought into taste-testing the cookie dough or comparing the colors of the gift wrap, and they don't think nearly enough about the actual rep who will be helping you raise the funds.

Pick a great rep (or stay with a great rep), then lean on him or her for expertise. In a recent column, I made the point that "we don't hire a plumber and then have him wait in the hall while we decide how he should fix the pipes," yet that's kind of how many PTOs and PTAs treat their fundraising reps. And it's a mistake.

We have tons more articles on making good fundraising choices on the website:

Put Parent Involvement Before Fundraising

Picking Your Fundraising Partner

Use the Internet To Boost Your School Fundraiser