Custom apparel fundraisers work — but how much you actually make depends on a few key factors: what you sell, how you price it, and how you run the campaign. Here's a realistic look at the numbers.
The basic math
Your profit on a custom apparel fundraiser is simple: selling price minus cost per item equals your margin per piece. Multiply that by the number of items sold and that's your fundraiser total.
Example:
- Cost per shirt (printed): $12
- Selling price: $20
- Margin per shirt: $8
- 100 shirts sold: $800 raised
That's a realistic scenario for a small school or youth sports team. Scale it up and the numbers grow quickly.
What affects your cost per shirt?
Quantity is the biggest factor. The more shirts you order, the lower your cost per piece. Here's the general principle:
- 12-23 shirts: higher cost per piece
- 24-47 shirts: meaningfully lower
- 48-71 shirts: lower still
- 72+ shirts: best pricing per piece
This is why team stores with a set close date often outperform open-ended campaigns — a deadline drives everyone to order at once, boosting your total quantity and lowering your cost.
What items sell best in fundraisers?
T-shirts are the workhorse of any apparel fundraiser — low cost, broad appeal, easy to price. Hoodies generate more margin per piece but have a higher price point that some buyers resist. A smart fundraiser offers both and lets buyers choose.
For ideas on what to include, see our guide on how to run a fundraiser with custom apparel.
Realistic fundraiser scenarios
Small team (25 people, families included)
50 shirts sold at $8 margin each = $400 raised. Not life-changing, but enough to cover equipment, entry fees, or a team dinner.
School spirit wear campaign (200-student school)
150 shirts sold at $8 margin each = $1,200 raised. A meaningful amount for a classroom fund, field trip, or school supply budget.
Booster club or nonprofit with a large network
300 shirts + 100 hoodies, $8 margin on shirts, $15 margin on hoodies = $2,400 + $1,500 = $3,900 raised. Very achievable for an established organization with an engaged community.
How to maximize your fundraiser
- Set a deadline — open-ended campaigns underperform. Give people 2-3 weeks and stick to it
- Pre-sell before ordering — use a team store so you only order what's already paid for. Zero inventory risk
- Offer more than one item — a shirt + hoodie option increases average order value
- Price with confidence — people expect to pay more for a fundraiser item. $20-25 for a t-shirt is completely normal
- Promote it actively — email, social, school newsletter. The more people who see it, the more you sell
💡 The single biggest mistake fundraisers make is ordering inventory upfront and guessing sizes. Use a team store — everyone orders their own size, you only print what's paid for, and you pocket the full margin.
Ready to run your fundraiser? Set up a team store or call 855-TSHIRT-5 to talk through the options.