Do you have an online fundraising program?
Starting Fall 2012, we be offering an online option. Stay tuned for details!
What kind of profit margin does Equal Exchange's Fundraising Program offer?
The short answer: 40% profit
The long answer: If you use our fundraising catalog to raise funds, the profit margin varies by item – as low as 33% and as high as 47%. The average profit margin is 40%.
To receive a comprehensive list of our profit margins, please sign up for a starter kit, call 774-776-7371 or e-mail fundraising@equalexchange.coop.
How does the fundraiser work?
Our fundraiser works as a wholesale program. Schools and community groups can buy Equal Exchange products at wholesale prices and can sell them at events or through our fundraising catalog.
Is Equal Exchange Fundraising an environmentally friendly fundraiser?
Yes! Equal Exchange Fundraising is 100% Organic & Fair Trade and an environmentally-friendly alternative to conventional fundraisers.
Organic farming practices ensure no chemicals or pesticides were used in the production of Equal Exchange products - which protects the farmers who grew the products, the surrounding environment, birds and other wildlife, as well as the people who enjoy these products. Coffee in particular grows best in a shaded environment.
 Fair Trade principles also encourage sustainable farming practices so that farmers are able to remain on their land and enjoy productive harvests. Additionally, many of our farmer partners are involved in reforestation efforts, diversification projects, and other environmentally-focused projects within their communities. Equal Exchange fundraising materials are printed on 100% post-consumer waste paper.
How much do the fundraising catalogs cost?
Catalogs, posters and promotional materials are FREE!
Does Equal Exchange's Fundraising have a minimum order?
As a commitment to our farmer partners Equal Exchange Fundraising functions as a wholesale program. In order to receive the highest profit margins coffee, tea and cocoa must be ordered in increments of 6. Chocolate bars must be ordered in increments of 12.
We are happy to offer these items individually at a lower profit margin. The upside to this is that you will have no extra items to sell when the catalog sale is over. You will have the choice to order some items in full cases and some as individual units based on what you want and what you think you can sell at the time you place your order.
What is the turn-around time between placing our order & receiving it?
You will receive orders placed Monday through Friday within 10 business days.
May we order other Equal Exchange products besides those listed in the catalog?
Yes! We offer special prices for fundraising groups on all Equal Exchange products. To see the range of products available visit our retail web store.
To learn more about offering these Equal Exchange products in your fundraiser, please call 774-776-7371 or email fundraising@equalexchange.coop. Get creative! In addition to offering the products by themselves, some groups assemble gift baskets.
May we fundraise year-round?
Yes!
However, chocolate may melt at temperatures above 70 degrees. If temperatures are already above 70, we generally have to ship with cold packs and insulation. If you are in a zone that is only two days UPS shipping from Equal Exchange, you need to order a minimum of 8 cases of chocolate to get free shipping. This minimum helps defray our additional packaging and handling costs. If you are out of the two day shipping zone, we must use express shipping, which is quite expensive. E-mail fundraising@equalexchange.coop for prices.
Can we e-mail the Equal Exchange Fundraising catalog to out-of-town friends and family?
Yes. However, their orders must be placed like all the others into the master order form at the end of your catalog sale. Equal Exchange ships all of the organization's order to a single address. However, you could agree to mail the items to out-of-town family members and friends and ask them to pay for the shipping costs.
Do you have lesson plans for teachers about Fair Trade or chocolate co-operatives?
Yes, our curriculum for grades 4 – 9, Win Win Solutions: An Introduction to Fair Trade and Cooperative Economics, is now available online to download one unit at a time.
Are the chocolate bars without nuts processed in the same facility as those with nuts?
Yes, all of our chocolate bars are run in facilities that use nuts. For this reason we have the following allergen statement, or a similar statement, on all of our chocolate products: "May contain traces of milk, peanuts, hazelnuts, almonds, cashews, pistachios & pecans."
Do you have a Kosher-only fundraiser?
Yes, we do. If you'd like to learn more, please call 774-776-7371 and ask us for it.
Where do Equal Exchange's profits go?
 The Short Answer:
For every $1.00 Equal Exchange receives through our product sales, over 97 cents goes back out through:
- coffee, cocoa, sugar, tea, etc. purchases from 40 farmer co-ops around the world
- our buildings and equipment
- payroll
- shipping (over $1,000,000 every year)
- taxes
- basic expenses of importer/manufacturer/wholesaler
Of the 3 cents on the dollar we keep:
- 7% is donated to non-profits working in the Fair Trade and co-op movements.
- 3% is invested as high-risk/low reward capital in small mission-driven co-op start-ups.
- 35% of profits or losses, depending on which we have, are divided equally amongst the worker-owners.
- The remaining 55% gets reinvested in the company to enable us to grow our business and connect yet more farmers and consumers.
See the longer answer in our Equal Exchange FAQ. |
