← All articles · 2026-06-28

How to run a t-shirt fundraiser that actually makes money

Short answer: A successful t-shirt fundraiser sells shirts at $10–$15 above wholesale cost using a pre-order model — collect money before placing the order so you carry zero inventory risk and keep 100% of the margin.

T-shirt fundraisers work because the product has obvious value (people actually want the shirt), the margin is predictable, and with a pre-order model there’s no upfront cash outlay. A school, church, or nonprofit running 120 shirts at a $10 margin clears $1,200 on a single campaign.

Step 1 — Set a realistic profit goal first

Work backward from what you need:

Goal	Shirts needed at $10 margin	Shirts needed at $12 margin
$500	50	42
$1,000	100	84
$2,000	200	167

The minimum order for bulk pricing is typically 50 pieces. Under 50, per-shirt cost rises and margin shrinks — worth knowing before you set a goal.

Step 2 — Choose a design people will buy for the cause AND wear later

Buyers decide in about three seconds. The shirt has to pass two tests:

1. Cause connection — the name, logo, or message of your organization is visible
2. Wearability — someone would wear this to the grocery store, not just to the event

Full-color artwork, illustrations, and gradient designs cost the same as single-color text prints when there’s no per-color charge. Use that to your advantage — a compelling illustrated design sells better than plain text at the same margin.

Step 3 — Price it right

Formula: retail price = wholesale cost + desired margin per shirt

General guidance:

• Adult tee wholesale ~$12, retail $20–$22 → $8–$10 margin
• Youth tee wholesale ~$10, retail $16–$18 → $6–$8 margin
• Hoodie wholesale ~$22, retail $32–$35 → $10–$13 margin

Price to the nearest whole dollar. Round up, not down — buyers expect $20, not $19.47.

Step 4 — Run a pre-order window (the most important step)

Pre-orders eliminate inventory risk entirely. You collect money, then place the order. Structure:

1. Open pre-orders for 2 weeks (longer and people forget)
2. Set a firm deadline — “Order by Friday, shirts in hand by [specific date]”
3. Collect payment at the time of order — cash, Venmo, PayPal, or your organization’s payment portal
4. Close the window, total up sizes, submit the order

Add 10–15% to popular sizes (adult M/L/XL) for day-of impulse purchases. These will sell.

Step 5 — Order with enough lead time

Production takes 15–20 business days after you approve the design mockup. You’ll see a mockup within 24 hours of submitting your brief. Work backward from your event date:

• Event date minus 3 business days = latest shirts must arrive
• Arrival date minus 15–20 business days = latest mockup approval date
• Mockup approval minus 2 days = submit your order

If you’re under 3 weeks from your event, the math probably doesn’t work — an honest supplier will tell you this upfront.

Fundraiser checklist

• Profit goal set, minimum quantity calculated
• Design brief or artwork ready
• Mockup approved before pre-orders open
• Retail prices set, payment method ready
• Pre-order window open (2 weeks)
• Order submitted with 3+ week buffer
• Shirts sorted and distribution plan in place
• Extra shirts set aside for day-of sale

How Togethread helps

Togethread works directly with fundraising groups — school PTAs, churches, sports booster clubs, nonprofits. The 50-piece minimum covers most fundraiser goals. Full-color designs (logos, illustrations, multi-color text) have no per-color charge, so you’re not penalized for a compelling design. A designer produces a mockup within 24 hours of your brief, free. You approve before production starts; you see finished production photos before paying the balance. Shirts ship delivered duty-paid — no customs fees or surprise charges.

FAQ

Do we have to pay anything upfront before collecting pre-orders? No. You get a free mockup first. You only pay once you submit the final order with your size quantities — which is after your pre-order window closes and you’ve collected payment from buyers.

What happens if we don’t hit our minimum? The 50-piece minimum is the threshold for bulk pricing. If pre-orders fall short, you can either extend the window, broaden your audience, or adjust your goal. You’re never obligated to order.

Can different shirts (tees and hoodies) count toward the same minimum? Yes — mixed styles in mixed sizes all count toward the 50-piece total at one combined price.

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Related: How to price fundraiser t-shirts · How much do custom shirts cost for 100 people? · Fundraiser shirts in bulk

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