Alternatives to a bake sale for college clubs
Bake sales are a campus classic, but they come with baking time, ingredient labels, food-safety limits and unpredictable sales. A pre-order of vendor-packaged food can raise more with less work.
Money never touches Cornell Craves. Students pay the club directly over Venmo or Zelle, and there is no commission or fee.
Why clubs move on from bake sales
Homemade food adds risk and paperwork. Cornell requires bake sales to list ingredients for every product, and food sales need Cornell Dining approval. Sales depend on foot traffic, so a rainy day can sink the whole event.
Easier options
Donut dozens
Sealed boxes that are easy to pre-order and carry.
Cookie boxes
Popular during study weeks and finals.
Bubble tea
A campus favorite that batches into one pickup.
Pretzels and snacks
Low cost, impulse-friendly items.
Pizza and meal trays
Good for dinner pickups and group events.
When a bake sale still makes sense
If your club loves baking and your plan meets Cornell's ingredient-list and approval rules, a bake sale can be a fun community event. Consider pre-taking orders for it, too.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good alternative to a bake sale?
A pre-order fundraiser with vendor-sealed products, such as donut dozens, cookie boxes or bubble tea.
Does Cornell Craves take a cut of the money?
No. Students pay the club directly through Venmo or Zelle. Cornell Craves never handles or holds the money and takes no fee.
Who can use Cornell Craves?
Clubs must be legitimate Cornell student organizations, and new clubs are reviewed before their first drop goes live. Ordering is for current Cornell students with an @cornell.edu Google account. Cornell Craves is an independent student project and is not run or endorsed by Cornell University. It does not replace any Cornell approval, and each club stays responsible for following university and county rules.
Contact
Questions or want to list a fundraiser? Email [email protected] or message @cornellcraves on Instagram.
Last reviewed: September 2026.