Tampa, FL October 11, 2009 – A web-based business launched primarily to help raise money on behalf of breast cancer research now offers merchandise ( http://www.fundraisingforacause.com ) that can help many other worthy causes.
It has been nearly two years since Karen Conroy first began selling jewelry, caps, coffee mugs and other items online from her South Tampa home. Two months after she launched, she quickly expanded to a 3,000 square foot warehouse to accommodate the increased demand and inventory. The former marketing executive launched Fundraisingforacause.com after her sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. Through her own fundraising efforts, Karen discovered she could raise more money by offering items for sale rather than relying simply on individual donations.
The low-cost merchandise, boasting the pink ribbon associated with breast cancer awareness, quickly became popular with people across the country who also wanted to help raise money and support that cause.
The concept allows customers to place bulk orders for merchandise that they purchase wholesale. By reselling the items for a slightly higher price, they recover their out-of-pocket costs and donate the difference. For example, a sterling silver plated ribbon bracelet can be purchased in small quantities for $3.25 each and is recommended to resell for $10 to $25. That means the buyer recoups their $3.25 upfront cost and donates the remaining difference to the non-profit association.
“We had so much success with the merchandise, plus I started getting calls from other organizations asking if I could develop merchandise for their cause, that it made perfect sense for me to extend the same opportunity to other causes. Non-profits are struggling to raise money right now so it is my hope that more of them will be able to benefit from sales of this merchandise,” said Conroy. “These products have helped others successfully raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for breast cancer. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could have the same impact on other worthy causes?”
From its initial inventory of dozens of different items, Fundraisingforacause.com now offers nearly 400 fundraising items, all at low wholesale prices and in a variety of colors. New colors, and causes, will be added in early 2010.
The following colors are currently available:
• Multi-color items in a puzzle motif represent autism and Asperger Syndrome.
• Orange, which symbolizes leukemia, multiple sclerosis, skin cancer, lupus, hunger, humane treatment of animals and more.
• Purple, which represents a color associated with cancer survivors, pancreatic cancer, domestic violence, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy and more.
• Red ribbon, most commonly associated with AIDS and HIV, is also a symbol for heart disease, diabetes, stroke, MADD, Alcohol Awareness and more.
• Teal represents female causes like ovarian cancer.
In addition, there are also red and purple clothing items, purses and other merchandise made popular by members of the Red Hat Society that is available for sale on the web site (http://www.fundraisingforacause.com ).
Plus, the website (http://www.fundraisingforacause.com ) also offers free access to information, tips and techniques on fundraising as well as free sign templates. The information is provided to help anyone trying to raise money for a walk, increase money raised at a fundraising event, build better awareness for their campaign and more effectively encourage others to donate.
Fundraisingforacause.com:
Fundraisingforacause.com (http://www.fundraisingforacause.com )is a Tampa-based business that offers a selection of merchandise available to the public at wholesale prices. Karen Conroy, founder and president, launched the web-based business on Jan. 1, 2008.
