| Fundraising Program
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| Fair Trade Fundraiser Program: Frequently Asked Questions |
 What kind of profit margin does Equal Exchange's Fundraising Program offer?
Our program works essentially as a wholesale ordering program for schools & community groups, using Equal Exchange's wholesale prices. The profit varies by item. Coffee is the highest margin at $4.35/bag or 43% profit to the school. Each chocolate bar makes $1.50 for your organization or $37.5%. Pecans raise $3.05 per bag, 43%. The values section of the fundraiser has a lower profit ($12 per 5 lb bag or 28% profit) but customers are spending more. The common fundraiser makes about 38% profits.
Does Equal Exchange's Fundraising Program have a minimum order?
Equal Exchange offers our products to school and community groups at wholesale prices. Please note that to obtain these prices, you must order each product in full cases. Case sizes are the following:
• 6 items/case for each type of coffee, baking cocoa, hot chocolate, tea, and snacks
• 12 bars/case for each type of chocolate
• Single chocolate samplers & gift boxes
What is the current turn-around time between placing our order & receiving it?
You will receive orders placed Monday through Friday within 10 business days.
Do you offer fundraising for church groups?
Yes, but this is not the program. Please contact our Interfaith Department at interfaith@equalexchange.coop or 774-776-7366.
Can 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 email fundraising@equalexchange.coop. Keep in mind that regardless of what product selection you choose, you'll need to order each product in full cases. Get creative! In addition to offering the products by themselves, some groups assemble gift baskets.
How much time should we leave between starting this fundraiser and placing our order in order to raise the most money?
While most fundraisers run for 2-4 weeks, our experience is that it's best to allow a total of 6 weeks before placing your order with Equal Exchange to allow some planning time.
Are the chocolate bars without nuts processed in the same facility as those with nuts?
Yes, all of our chocolate bar products 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."
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 fundraisers raise money through the Equal Exchange retail web store?
Yes, please contact us at fundraising@equalexchange.coop or call (774) 776-7371, to learn more about our online affiliates program.
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.
How is Equal Exchange's Fair Trade Fundraising Program an environmentally friendly fundraiser?
Equal Exchange's Fair Trade Fundraising Program is 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 the 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.
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.
Do you have an online fundraising program?
No.
Can we email the catalog to friends and family?
Yes. However, their orders must be placed like all the others into the master order form. Equal Exchange ships all of the organization’s order to a single address.
How much are the fundraising catalogs?
The first 800 are free. If you need more than that, the cost is $.25 per catalog.
Where do your 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.
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