I can see both sides of the fundraising front- fundraising companies vs business. The biggest problem is that most schools not only are looking for a great profit, but they are also looking for all the extras that goes with signing a contract with the fundraising co. Free stuff like Carnival games and blow-ups, free Holiday gift shop items, Free Food Products, etc. Fundraising companies are able to do this because of the high mark-up on the product price. When dealing with a non-fundraising based businesses, it is very hard to break even, especially if the demands from the schools are so high.
I am an indepentant representative for 2 different business companies that offer fundraisers, but you get profit only. There are no extra perks, bonuses, or free stuff- unless it comes out of my pocket. The bonus is you are selling a great product for a great price and making a great profit. I have done these fundraisers with our school, but I have provided the prizes for the participants, etc. I am lucky to break even... but I do it for our kids, because that is my focus. In the business world, the bottom line is always about the money. If a normal business doesn't see that offering a fundraiser will have much impact on revenue, they more than likely won't be to eager to work with you on it.

I am fairly new to this, but it seems like evry body is doing the same thing over and over again as it pertains to fundraisers. A lot of the ideas are good and generate great money, but in my area everybody complains about the same old thing being pitched every year. When you approach companies about doing fundraisers alot of them complain about the cost in terms of any kind of reward on their part...other than the right thing to do to help the kids. They seem to want to see some kind of business payback to make it worth it to them.
So instead of going to fundraising companies, I am asking you for ideas, or a "wishlist" so to speak, of merchandise, services or anything else, that you are your organizations would like to see as a fundraiser...then I could approach companies and let them know their is broad based support if they help us. A kind of strength in numbers approach. If 15 organizations would utilize someone's service it is a better leverage tool than saying our school with 250 kids would support you....now it is 1800 families would support you.
We asked and the input we have received includes travel agencies, florists, wine shoppes, internet providers, cable/satellite TV, telephone (cell & land).
Just looking for any ideas.