By James D’Ambrosio
Recently I discovered a resource that could help nonprofits increase revenue while promoting their cause or mission at the same time. With a reasonable investment in time, planning, technical know-how and creativity, it could be a worthwhile endeavor.
INTRODUCING ZAZZLE COMMUNITY GIVING
Zazzle Community Giving is an online venue where nonprofits create their own ‘store’ of products — posters, cards, T-shirts, prints, stamps and more — with their own unique branding. An agency sets prices, products become available for sale in the U.S. and internationally, and the nonprofit receives 10 percent of proceeds. The program is open to nonprofits in the U.S. free of charge, and has design tools to help create your products. There’s no listing fees, minimum sales fees, management or maintenance fees. In addition to generating revenue, agencies can increase their name recognition when people wear T-shirts, use coffee mugs or other products displaying unique agency branding.
HOW IT WORKS — FINANCIAL DETAILS
Agencies receive a minimum of 10 percent of the sales value for purchases at their store. Zazzle then sends a check to the nonprofit reflecting the amount of royalties generated through sales. Agencies can receive proceeds monthly, quarterly, or when a set amount is reached, whichever they prefer. An additional 15 percent can be earned on sales referred through an agency’s Web site. However, a nonprofit must join Zazzle’s Associates Referral Program to receive this extra revenue.
Purchases from your store by your agency are discounted 20 percent. Since you receive a discount on your own products, you cannot collect royalties on those sales. Additionally, Zazzle recommends consulting legal counsel, noting that nonprofit fund-raising activities are highly regulated and subject to numerous state and federal laws. Like many business activities, due diligence is required to avoid potential problems.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES & MORE INFORMATION
Zazzle Community Giving members have access to a message board, journal, homepage notes and calendar as part of their custom store. You can also share a story with the Zazzle community by submitting a news item (causes are spotlighted on the Zazzle Giving landing page). Accounts can be configured with a link from your Web site to help drive traffic and sales. Click the links below to learn more and/or register your nonprofit.
Click here to learn more about Zazzle Community Giving
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QUESTIONS TO READERS:
A) What do you think of Zazzle Community Giving?
B) Is it a viable option for your agency’s fund-raising efforts?
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Fund-raising, Increasing Nonprofit Revenue, Nonprofit Branding, Nonprofit Fund-raising, Nonprofit Revenue Generation, Zazzle, Zazzle Community Giving, Zazzle Community Giving Program, Zazzle Nonprofit Revenue | Leave a comment »
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