General FAQ
Who is The Goodies Factory?
The Goodies Factory is a family-owned fundraising company that started back in 1968. We have grown over the years to become one of the most innovative and respected fundraising companies in the country. Our full-time sales support staff is dedicated to providing unsurpassed personalized service while helping groups reach or exceed their fundraising goals.
Can The Goodies Factory Fundraising help any group?
Yes! We work with everyone from Schools to Non-Profits, Sports, and Individuals. We have the knowledge and experience needed to help each fundraising program be a big success.
What is product fundraising?
Product fundraising is one of the most preferred ways organizations choose to raise money. We offer and manufacture popular consumer-based products, such as candy, popcorn, gift wrap, etc.
What does my fundraiser need to be successful?
All you need is us! And a motivational sponsor/team. Along with outstanding products and superb coordination, we also provide you with complete step-by-step instructions & videos to help ensure that your fundraiser runs smoothly throughout.
What is the recommended selling time frame?
Most fundraising groups sell for two weeks. But with us you can start and end your sale whenever you’d like.
What about door-to-door selling?
Many people confuse product fundraising with ‘door-to-door sales’. The Goodies Factory does not encourage door-to-door selling. In reality, most fundraising sales are made online to parents, family members, friends, and co-workers.
Who can I call if I have questions?
If at anytime you have questions, please contact our live support staff direct at toll-free 877-873-6297 (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CST) or email us at [email protected]. We’re here to make your fundraising experience easier and we’ll be by your side throughout the entire process.
Do you require a minimum order?
No! There is no minimum order required for non-frozen products; however, if your organization opts to do a frozen food fundraiser, shipping charges may apply if minimums are not met.
Do you have an Online Store?
Yes! Your fundraising group will be able to access an online store where customers can shop. Orders are placed/paid for online and shipped directly to the customer within 24 business hours.
Do we have to sign a school fundraising contract?
No! We never have and we never will require contracts to work with us.
Financial FAQ
What percent of sales will my group receive?
The amount of profit an organization receives will depend on the fundraiser chosen. Home delivery fundraisers are 50% profit. School/organization delivery fundraisers are 40% profit.
Do I have to pay for any school fundraising materials?
No. The Goodies Factory provides FREE selling materials such as, brochures, cover letter, envelopes and prize flyers.
Do I collect money at the time the order is made or upon delivery?
Pre-pay is when your sellers take fundraising orders and receive payment at the same time. These funds are then initially deposited in your account. Post-pay is when your customers take orders but don’t collect money until after your school’s fundraising delivery. Most organizations now find it easier to collect the money up front at the time the sale is made as opposed to waiting until the product is delivered to the customer. With post-pay your organization may have to wait for your sellers to collect all the money before paying you.
What do I do once all orders and money have been collected?
Your timeline page will tell you when you will need to mail off your school fundraising orders. In general, you will be asked to mail your orders one week after your fundraising stop date. This is to ensure that you have collected any late orders and money. You will need to make sure that you have a copy of each student’s order form for your records before mailing the original order forms to us for processing.
When and how should I remit payment?
Payment is due prior to delivery of your fundraising merchandise. You will receive an invoice prior to your delivery. We require payment using a cashier’s check, check from your organization or business account check for the amount due (shown at the very bottom of the invoice). Make this check payable to: The Goodies Factory, Inc.
Do you require any money up front?
Generally payment is due at the time of your school fundraising delivery, depending on location.
Are there any cancellation fees?
Yes, there is a 4% credit card fee when cancelling an order or donation.
Credit card statement charges?
Charges on your credit card statement will appear as Poppin Popcorn.
Shipping FAQ
When will I receive my school fundraising merchandise?
Delivery of school fundraising merchandise takes approximately 1-2 weeks after the payment is received.
What do I do when my merchandise arrives?
If your school fundraising merchandise arrives on one of our company trucks we will help you bring your seller’s boxes inside your facility. On the other hand, if your order arrives via common carrier, check the shipment closely before signing the bill of lading. Make sure there are no damages boxes, the pallets are shrink wrapped, and that you have the correct number of pallets. If any problems are seen, notate those problems on the bill of lading before signing. Never blindly sign for any product without checking it first. If your fundraising order is arriving UPS ground, let your office staff know of the pending shipment and to notify you upon delivery. A signature is not required for UPS ground shipments.
How can I make merchandise distribution easier?
All of our student packed school fundraising merchandise except bulk orders are pre-packed by individual seller thus making the distribution process easy. The outside of the sellers box will clearly indicate the sellers name as well as noting if there is more than one box for that individual. Sellers with large orders may need to call parents to come and pick them up. The Sponsor’s Guide also has delivery notices for notifying parents in advance of the delivery. We recommend that the seller or parent sign for their order upon receipt. We also suggest that you have 3 to 4 volunteers to help with the distribution. You will also receive our School Fundraising Guidebook with your orders, which details the entire sale by seller, teacher/grade, etc.
Where Should Merchandise be Distributed?
Gymnasiums, cafeterias or other large centralized areas make excellent distribution locations for your school fundraising merchandise.
When Should Merchandise be Distributed?
Begin distribution of school fundraising orders the day of or the day after they arrive. Set a specific date and time for parents to pick up orders. Make sure notices are sent home with date and times of distribution. Arrange for temporary cold storage for any frozen orders that are not picked up on the day of delivery. Also, if your school district has a voicemail system that allows for automatic messages to be sent out to your parents, arrange to have the principal record a voicemail reminder. Make sure that you mention the day and time of the pickup. Some schools will even inform parents up front that if they don’t pick up their orders by a specific day and time then their product will become the property of the school or organization.
What if product arrives damaged, missing or is not wanted?
The Goodies Factory Fundraising will happily replace any missing or damaged (non-frozen) school fundraising merchandise. Should an item not meet the expectations of a seller, we will immediately credit you the amount that was billed on your invoice. The Goodies Factory Fundraising has a 100% satisfaction guaranteed policy!
Prizes FAQ
Do you offer prize programs for those who sell?
The Goodies Factory Fundraising offers prize programs geared towards preschool, elementary, middle school and high school groups as well as outside organizations such as youth leagues. We can also assist you with a customized prize program.
How do your prize programs work?
The Goodies Factory Fundraising offers a wide selection of prize programs to help motivate your sellers. We stock elementary, middle and high school-aged prizes. Prizes that come from our warehouse are presorted inside each seller’s box.
Merchandise FAQ
Why is product fundraising effective?
Unlike other ‘do-it-yourself’ fundraising efforts, which tend to be much more labor-intensive, and often result in significantly less profit, with school brochure fundraising, The Goodies Factory Fundraising acts as your liaison between the product supplier and you. We are available to provide guidance and support and trouble-shoot any problems that might arise, reducing volunteer time and energy while maximizing sales. In addition, there is no upfront cost because we provide all of your fundraising supplies and promotional material at no charge. Brochure Fundraising works because results are fast and people like buying quality consumer-based products for a worthy cause. Each year, non-profit groups net approximately $2 billion through product fundraising.
What types of fundraising products do you offer?
The Goodies Factory Fundraising offers a wide assortment of products like frozen food, brochure sales, direct sale items and much more!!
Can I choose more than one brochure to sell with?
You can choose from several fundraising brochures. We will thus guide your organization to the best possible brochure choice to help maximize your profits. Most organizations will select one of our large shoppers and then have the option of adding one of our exclusive tag brochures like our popcorn, cookie dough, or snack brochures. In most cases selecting one large fundraising brochure will work best or perhaps two smaller brochures like our cookie dough and popcorn.
Can Cookie Dough be left un-refrigerated for a period of time?
Our Cookie Dough and frozen food brochure programs are shipped on a refrigerated carrier. The product will arrive frozen and should be distributed the same day the shipment is received. If the product is not picked up by the seller/parent at the end of the day, arrangements must be made to refrigerate the items. The Goodies Factory Fundraising is not responsible for product not stored properly.