Updated June 2019
Every now and then something new comes along in the fundraising arena – not a variation on an old theme, but something different. This is one of those times – fundraising with kites.
Kites tick many of the proverbial boxes – they appeal to kids because they’re fun, they appeal to adults because they’re sugar-free and encourage healthy activity, they make great gifts and they sell at a relatively low price point but still with a big profit for fundraising groups. Although this post is sponsored by one of my advertisers, all words and opinions are my own.
Fundraising idea:
Product – quality kites in six different designs
Suitable for – everyone (schools, daycares, sporting groups, community groups, playgroups)
Profit: 50%+ or $5 per kite
About Zoom Kites
Developed by Perth mum Shayla Strapps, Zoom Kites is set to take off in July 2018. As a long-standing member of the P&C committee at her children’s school, Shayla knows first-hand the questions and debates committees have when deciding on which fundraisers to undertake. Selling products for a defined period of time is easier than organising an entire event, kites are something that appeals to all ages, and they make great gifts (so be sure to use this as a selling point). The best time to fly kites is in spring and summer when the sea breeze is in, making kites the perfect winter fundraiser.
The products
There are six designs to choose from, all in an easy to assemble/disassemble package which means they will store easily when not in use. Each kite is approximately 90cm wide, and made from light but strong ripstop polyester which means it won’t tear or fray. Each comes with a strong 100m line.
The designs include: flamingo, dragon, dinosaur, mermaid, spaceship and unicorn.
My daughters and I tested the kites on a lovely windy June day on the beach. They are easy to set up, and as long as you remember to tie the kite string to the front (picture) side of the kite, they can be ready to fly in under a minute. Our favourites were definitely the mermaid and dragon kites – we got them so high you could barely see them anymore, and the dragon kite must be a little magical because it kept flying fiercely even as we wound it in. It refused to let us pack it away.
Fundraising with kites process
Visit Zoom Kites and fill out a few details to receive your promotional pack. You will be sent order forms, posters and promotional materials such as coloured posters to display around your school or club.
There are two alternatives for fundraising with Zoom Kites:
Firstly, you can opt for a basic order form fundraiser with no upfront outlay. Students or families are each given a form to take orders from friends, family and neighbours over a four week period. Money is to be collected at the time of ordering, and once the order forms are collected and payment made, delivery of kites is within two weeks.
Secondly, for selling at school fetes or market stalls, you can buy in bulk and sell on the day without your customers needing to wait for delivery.
With both options there is a minimum order of 50 kites, but this can be any combination of designs, and there is no minimum order per design.
If you are a small group or do not think you are able to order 50 kites, contact Shayla and she will see how to make it work for your group. There will also be an online ordering function soon so kites can be paid for online using credit cards.
Cost and profit
Zoom Kits cost $9 per unit for fundraising groups, making the minimum order of 60 kites a cost of $540.
Delivery is set at a flat rate of $30 regardless of where you are in Australia.
You can sell your kites at any price you choose, based on your particular community, although the recommended sale price is between $12-$15.
If a school of 200 students each sold one kite at the price of $14, the profit would be $1,000 (minus delivery costs).
If the same school sold three kites per person [one to keep, one to a neighbour and one as a gift], the profit would be $3,000.
Fundraising Mums special
Zoom Kites are offering Fundraising Mums readers five free kites with every order, plus free delivery. You can choose to sell the kites (a profit of around $75), raffle them during the year, or use them an incentive prize to the families/kids who sell the most kites during your fundraiser.
To claim your 5 free kites makes sure you use the code FMUMS when you order your kites with Zoom Kites.
Things to consider
Kites work well as a fundraiser for all sorts of groups including sporting groups, daycares and kindergartens, schools and community groups. They are even suitable for individuals or families who are raising money for a cause. Any group supporting a healthy/active lifestyle or schools with a sugar-ban would be able to sell kites as a fun and effective way to get kids outside.
Kites would make an eye-catching and dramatic display as a stall set up at a local farmer’s market, community market or school fete. Have a sample of each design out on display and perhaps even have some set up so people can ‘fly before they buy’. If you purchased 100 kites in advance, customers would not need to wait for delivery (and you would make a $500 profit) but if you sell out, make sure you take along some order forms on the day as well.
While kites can be sold all year round, there are certain seasons where they would work particularly well as a fundraiser. In the lead-up to Christmas (‘easy and healthy gifts for the whole family’), Easter (‘a sugar-free alternative to chocolate eggs’) and the wet winter months (‘be prepared for the great Spring flying weather’) kites would be an easy fundraising program to run.
You could combine a kite fundraiser with other outdoor events such as sausage sizzle or DIY obstacle course, charging a flat fee for attending the event (say $20) and this would include a kite, sausage and a drink and the opportunity to run the obstacle course. Then the entire community could have a mass kite-flying session.
For more information about Zoom Kites or to start your fundraiser, visit the website at https://www.zoomkites.com.au/
