See How These Not-for-Profit Organisations Use Branded Merchandise

Branded merchandise is an integral part of a not-for-profit organisation’s marketing strategy. Not-for-profit organisations greatly benefit from branded merchandise, helping to raise awareness of the cause and organisation, solidify donor and community relationships, and reward donors.

For your upcoming fundraising campaigns, be inspired by how these not-for-profit organisations are doing their branded merchandise fundraising.

1. Cause Marketing

There is nothing new with cause marketing. In fact, you’ll be surprised to know that this partnership between a business and a not-for-profit organisation has been around since the ‘80s.

The first known example of this is the collaboration between US credit card company, American Express and New York City’s project of restoring the Statue of Liberty. They donated a penny for every use of their credit cards, which amounted to $1.7M in funds raised.

Source: Smithsonian National Postal Museum

Today, many brands and not-for-profits are working together to benefit each other mutually. Brands do it as a part of their corporate social responsibility initiatives while not-for-profit organisations tap on the brands’ visibility to increase awareness while also raising funds.

There are many ways to do cause marketing. The most common and simplest way is through branded merchandise. Companies partner up with not-for-profits to create special-edition promotional products that they can sell. The proceeds from the profits of the product sales go to the not-for-profit organisation.

One good example of this is (RED), a not-for-profit organisation that partners with popular brands to create products and experiences to raise money to support HIV and AIDS organisations worldwide.

2. Fundraising Event Giveaways

Fundraising and awareness events bring people together and strengthen a not-for-profit organisation’s relationship with its supporters and its community. This can be done in many ways: fun runs/marathons, charity auctions, concerts, and parties.

One good example is when the Cerebral Palsy Alliance organised an event to mark a ‘National Day of Action’ for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The event supported the #SaveOurNDIS campaign, a protest against proposed budget cuts for the NDIS. It had a huge community turnout with local politicians, various disability service providers, and major media outlets in attendance.

Branded merchandise greatly contributed to the success of the event as they were used as free giveaways and event merchandise and decorations, such as banners, balloons, branded t-shirts, and more.

3. Selling branded merchandise

Not-for-profit organisations also sell branded merchandise to raise funds and awareness for their cause. Some organisations that do this are the United Nations and the Worldwide Fund. They both have an online store where one can buy limited-edition branded merchandise. All proceeds go directly to support the initiatives of these organisations.

United Nations’ Hello Kitty SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Collection

How will you be using branded merchandise to promote your cause?

Bring more visibility and raise more funds for your not-for-profit organisation by utilising branded merchandise! If you have an upcoming fundraising event or campaign coming up, contact us to try our special offer for not-for-profit organisations.