A cookie dough fundraiser is one of the most profitable and easy-to-manage fundraising options for schools, teams, and community groups. But success doesn’t just come from having a great product—it’s also about strategy. Whether you’re new to fundraising or looking to boost your results, these top 10 tips to maximize your cookie dough fundraiser profits will help you make the most of your campaign.
At Gogo-Fund, we’ve helped hundreds of groups exceed their fundraising goals with cookie dough, and we’re sharing what works best.
1. Start With a Strong Kickoff
The way you launch your fundraiser sets the tone. Hold a kickoff meeting or send out a video to build excitement. Introduce the product, set clear goals, and explain what the funds will support.
Pro tip: Gogo-Fund provides kickoff materials you can customize for your group!
2. Set a Clear, Achievable Goal
People are more likely to support your fundraiser when they understand the purpose. Be specific: “We’re raising $5,000 for new team uniforms” is more compelling than a vague request.
Setting a strong goal isn’t just about picking a number—it’s about making your purpose specific, motivating, and actionable. Here’s how:
A. Define the Purpose
Start by answering: What are we raising money for?
- Examples: new uniforms, classroom supplies, travel expenses, equipment upgrades
Ex: “We’re raising $3,000 for new cheer uniforms.”
B. Calculate Your Target
Figure out how much you need to raise, then break it down into smaller goals.
- Estimate how many cookie dough tubs or boxes need to be sold.
- Use your profit margin (e.g., $10 profit per item) to determine quantity.
Ex: $3,000 ÷ $10 per item = 300 items needed to hit the goal.
C. Set Group & Individual Goals
Make it personal by assigning goals to individuals or small teams.
- “If each student sells 10 tubs, we’ll reach our goal.”
- Track progress and celebrate milestones.
4. Communicate It Clearly
Post the goal everywhere: kickoff materials, order forms, social media, and group chats. Make sure everyone knows what you’re working toward and why it matters.
3. Choose the Right Timing
Timing is everything when it comes to a successful cookie dough fundraiser. Even with a fantastic product and a motivated team, launching at the wrong time can lead to low engagement and missed goals. One of the most important cookie dough fundraiser tips is to choose your launch window wisely.
As a general rule, the best times to fundraise are fall and early spring, when families are settled into routines and more open to participating. Try to avoid major holiday weeks or particularly busy times in the school or sports calendar—when attention and availability are stretched thin, sales tend to slow down.
🏆 Best Times to Fundraise
- Fall (September–early November): This is the most popular and profitable time for fundraisers. Families are back into routines, the holidays are approaching, and people are more open to buying cookie dough for entertaining or baking.
- Early Spring (late January–March): Another sweet spot—families are refreshed from winter break, and schools and teams often have clear fundraising goals for the second half of the year.
🚫 Times to Avoid
- Holiday weeks (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break): People are busy, traveling, or financially stretched.
- End-of-school year (May–June): Students and parents are focused on finals, graduations, and summer planning.
- Mid-summer: For schools, this can be a tough time to fundraise since many families are away and communication is limited. However, for sports teams and religious groups that stay active over the summer, it can actually be a great window to run a focused and successful campaign.
✅ Pro Tip:
Give yourself at least 2–3 weeks for the selling window. This gives participants time to reach out to friends and family, and it creates urgency with a fixed deadline.
With Gogo-Fund, you can pick your start and end dates—and we’ll help you schedule around your school or team calendar for maximum participation.
4. Promote Consistently Across Channels
Use email, social media, text messages, and printed flyers to spread the word. A multichannel approach helps you reach more supporters.
Bonus: Gogo-Fund offers digital promo templates you can use right out of the box.
5. Make Ordering Easy
The easier you make the process, the more participation you’ll see. Gogo-Fund’s cookie dough program includes a user-friendly order-taker to simplify in-person sales, and we can also support online payment options through trusted third-party platforms to make ordering even more convenient.
6. Incentivize Your Sellers
Keep your group energized by offering fun incentives for top sellers. Rewards don’t have to be costly—simple perks like recognition or small privileges can create big motivation. Here are a few free or budget-friendly ideas to spark excitement:
- Front-of-the-line lunch pass
- Homework pass or free dress day (for schools)
- Shoutout during morning announcements or on social media
- Team captain for the day
- Extra recess or break time
- “Principal for a Day” or coach swap roles
- Custom certificate or printed award
A little recognition goes a long way in encouraging participation and building energy around your fundraiser!
7. Create Urgency With a Deadline
Set a clear end date and remind participants and supporters as it approaches. Limited availability creates urgency, encouraging people to make faster decisions and finalize their purchases more quickly.
8. Showcase the Product
If possible, offer samples or display product images with descriptions. A cookie dough fundraiser is an easy sell when people know what they’re getting—and how delicious it is!
Gogo-Fund’s brochure and online platform include mouth-watering visuals of each cookie flavor.
9. Track Progress Publicly
Use a poster, digital tracker, or social media posts to show progress toward your goal. This builds momentum and gives participants a sense of achievement.
10. Thank Your Supporters & Sellers
A simple thank-you goes a long way. Send an email, post on social media, or write handwritten notes to show appreciation. This builds community and sets the stage for future fundraisers.
Ready to Launch Your Cookie Dough Fundraiser?
With the right tools and support—and the right cookie dough fundraiser tips—your campaign can exceed expectations. At Gogo-Fund, we make it simple with high-quality cookie dough, customizable materials, and hands-on support from start to finish.
👉 Get started with Gogo-Fund today or request your free cookie dough fundraiser kit!
