We see thousands of fundraiser ideas on Cheddar Up, but one that always stops our scroll is a well-orchestrated, absolutely gorgeous flower sale fundraiser or plant sale fundraiser. (We are Midwesterners at heart, after all. Our founder grew up on a farm in Iowa and can detassel corn with the best of ‘em.)
This fundraiser is sow great for any group — schools, community groups, sports teams, bands and music associations, and high school agriculture classes — but the two organizations that crop up most are FFA and 4-H. Back when in-person events were tricky during the pandemic, many agriculture teachers and advisors discovered Cheddar Up as a seamless, virtual way to showcase and sell greenhouses full of their students’ hard work. Fast-forward to today, and they’re still using it (and spreading the word) because having payments, customized forms, and automatic tracking all in one place has completely transformed how plant sales are managed.
Want in? Here’s how to set up an easy online flower or plant sale fundraiser.
Why a Plant Sale Fundraiser?
We love a flower or plant sale fundraiser because:
It requires minimal effort upfront.
Seasonal items help increase sales because they’re immediately relevant. Your community is probably already thinking about them! Plus:
Buyers love to support their communities with a purchase they’d make anyway.
There’s potential to raise a lot of funds in a short amount of time.
Our research shows that a flower or plant sale fundraiser typically brings in around a 50% profit margin, depending on the product type (e.g., bulbs or fresh plants) and markup.
Plant fundraisers on Cheddar Up earn an average of $3,758. The highest earned has been a whopping $36,384.
How to Start a Plant Sale Fundraiser
Pick a season and the items you want to sell.
Need to launch fast? Stick with what’s in season right now.
Selling to your local community? Go with plants that thrive locally and fit the timing of your flower fundraiser.
If you’re looking for specific plant sale fundraiser ideas, here are some of the most popular items to sell by season:
- Fall — mums, leafy vegetables, and bulbs
- Winter/Holiday — trees, garland, wreaths, and poinsettias
- Spring — vegetables, herbs, ferns, annuals, and perennials
Find a vendor.
- Grow your own. If you and your students want to handle everything from seed to sale, that’s amazing! A school plant sale fundraiser is a great way to incorporate a biology lesson while raising money for your campus.
- Check out your local library. Many offer seed banks where you can “borrow” seeds and, at the end of the season, return your best-harvested seeds for others to use. It’s a fantastic way to support your community while growing your fundraiser.
- Visit the local farm supply store. These stores often have a wide selection of seeds — and even plants, if you shop early in the season.
- Partner with a local nursery.Some nurseries have experience supplying plants for fundraisers, and even if they don’t, they may love the idea of teaming up to support the local community.
- Find a wholesale store, like Costco or Sam’s Club. They offer great bulk pricing, but remember that inventory can vary and may be limited.
- Use an online resource that ships nationwide. This is a popular seed source, offering convenience and variety. Plus, browsing these bright bulbs is always a fun way to spark inspiration!
Determine your ordering process.
This is where Cheddar Up shines! While paper forms and manual tracking are always an option, switching to an online system takes your fundraiser to the next level. You can reach more people at once, skip the hassle of printing (and losing) paper forms, and keep all payments secure — no misplaced envelopes to worry about. Plus, orders automatically populate into a tidy spreadsheet, saving you time and headaches. There are plenty of tools out there, but why Cheddar Up? Let’s break it down.
Cheddar Up Tools for an Effective, Efficient Plant Sale Fundraiser
Think of Cheddar Up as your plant-sale logistics coordinator. You’re in charge of selecting your products and handling delivery while we make everything else simple. Setting up your collection is quick and easy — especially with a customizable template to get you started. From there, we handle the heavy lifting: taking orders, tracking quantities, securely collecting payments, and organizing everything in your Cheddar Up dashboard for easy access and management. Here’s how we can specifically benefit your flower and plant sale fundraiser.
Attach a custom order form to payment in the same transaction.
This is the Cheddar Up power duo: Purchasers can fill out their order form and pay using the same custom URL, and all information received is grouped by the payer in your backend report center.
Upload photos of each plant and/or flower being offered.
Being able to see a product is not simply helpful for sales, it’s essential. People like to know what they’re getting, and a few extras may catch their attention!
Track quantities automatically.
Nothing is worse than tallying paper form orders and realizing you oversold. Save the stress and follow-ups: Cheddar Up’s “available quantity” feature is a foolproof enforcement for first-come, first-serve.
Accept credit cards for online and in-person purchases.
Yes, the convenience of being able to pay with a credit card can increase sales, but we take that convenience up a notch with our point-of-sale capability. You can set up a “check out” counter for in-person sales, and everything you sell will integrate with your online orders — remaining quantities and all.
Create a custom URL and/or QR code.
Not only can you disperse it to multiple people at once, but all your sale information lives on one web page. Simple for you to organize, simple for buyers to find. Plus, you can link to it from your website or social media sites!
Require purchasers to select a pick-up time, and easily organize requests.
You can either create an item question or include a pick-up time selection on your custom order form, and in both instances, you can require a response so that no one checks out without choosing a pick-up time.
Message all purchasers when orders are ready.
Speaking of plant sale pick-up: You can also use the message center to communicate about pick-up times or any necessary updates.
Want to learn more about managing a Cheddar Up flower or plant sale fundraiser? Check out these additional guides:
Want to see it in action? Watch a 3-minute demo to see how it works, or join one of our live learning sessions to get your questions answered in real-time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best plant sale fundraiser ideas to raise money for my local community?
Is it easy to set up a plant fundraiser?
Yes, a plant fundraiser is easy to set up when you follow a three-step process: source a vendor, create a digital storefront, and set a distribution date. Using an online platform like Cheddar Up simplifies the process by automating order tracking and payment collection, reducing the administrative burden on volunteers.
How do I set up a school plant sale fundraiser?
To launch a school plant sale fundraiser, begin by selecting a vendor that offers wholesale pricing to non-profits. Create an online shop to collect pre-orders from parents and the community, then schedule a pick-up day at the school. This pre-sale model ensures you only order what you have already sold, eliminating financial risk and leftover inventory.
How do I price plants at my flower fundraiser?
When pricing items for a flower fundraiser, research local nursery retail prices to ensure your items are competitive yet support your cause. Many organizations choose to double the wholesale cost or use flat, “round-number” pricing, such as $5 for small starts and $25 for large baskets, to make transactions quick and easy for donors.
What is the easiest way to collect payments for my plant fundraiser?
The easiest way to collect payments is through a unified digital payment platform like Cheddar Up. This allows you to accept credit cards, e-checks, and mobile wallets (Apple Pay/Google Pay) in one place. Digital collection provides an instant paper trail, simplifies reporting, and allows supporters to contribute remotely via a shared link or QR code.
In short, before you go
A flower or plant sale fundraiser is a smart way to raise money since your community is likely already shopping for these seasonal favorites. Taking your sale online boosts convenience — and could even boost your profits. Cheddar Up plant sales average $3,758. Our tools make your fundraiser easy to find, simple to shop, and effortless to manage!
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