A custom apparel fundraiser is a simple idea that a lot of nonprofits still run the hard way: order a box of shirts up front, guess at sizes, sell what you can, eat the leftovers. It does not have to work that way. An online fundraiser shop prints one shirt at a time, so the organization never buys inventory it cannot sell. This guide covers what an apparel fundraiser is, how it compares to a bake sale or a bulk t-shirt order, how to price it, and how to get a shop live in under a week.
A custom apparel fundraiser is an online store, built around one design or logo, where supporters buy branded shirts, hoodies, or hats and the organization keeps a set profit on every item sold. Unlike a one-time bulk order, a Pro Shops fundraiser shop stays open on its own schedule: a two-week campaign around an event, or a permanent shop that runs year-round for a nonprofit, church, or booster club.
The organization sends one logo or design. Bear Grips prints it on the products the organization chooses, ships each order directly to the buyer, and the organization never touches inventory, packing, or shipping.
| Model | Upfront cost | Sizing risk | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional bulk order | $300 to $800 for 24 to 50 shirts | High. Guess sizes before a single sale. | 2 to 4 weeks to arrive, then a sale event |
| Bear Grips fundraiser shop | $0. Print starts after each sale. | None. Every buyer picks their own size. | Shop live same day, orders ship in about a week |
Every product has a VIP base price (the cost to print, pack, and ship). Retail price minus that base is the fundraiser profit, and the organization sets both.
| Item | VIP base | Typical retail | Profit per item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airlume cotton tee | $19.88 | $28-$30 | $8-$10 |
| Comfort Soft hoodie | $36.88 | $48-$52 | $11-$15 |
| Champion crewneck sweatshirt | $41.88 | $52-$56 | $10-$14 |
| Embroidered snapback hat | $29.86 | $36-$40 | $6-$10 |
Default recommended profit is $10 per item, and most organizations push the hoodie profit a few dollars higher since buyers expect to pay more for warmth.
Organizations that want a done-for-you build can use the $105/month plan instead, which includes a personal advisor who builds the shop layout, writes the product copy, and picks the top color variants each month.
No minimum order, no inventory, free shipping to every supporter. Launch a branded fundraiser shop in a week.
Start FreeThe free plan costs $0/month and includes 3 live products, enough for a small campaign. Self-Service VIP is $59/month for 200 products at the lowest base prices, and Done-For-You VIP is $105/month with a personal advisor handling the shop build.
About a week from order to doorstep. Printing happens in the USA and shipping to the buyer is free.
No. Every product prints after a supporter orders it in their own size. Nothing is bought or printed on speculation.
Yes. The free plan supports 3 live products, and VIP plans support up to 200, so a single shop can run a tee, a hoodie, and a hat design simultaneously.
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