Fundraiser pricing and profit margins for college clubs
Good pricing is simple arithmetic. Know what each item costs you, decide what you want to keep, and work backward from your goal to the number of orders you need.
Money never touches Cornell Craves. Students pay the club directly over Venmo or Zelle, and there is no commission or fee.
The formula
Profit per item = selling price minus your cost per item. Orders needed = goal divided by profit per item. Round up, then add a small buffer.
A worked example
Suppose a club buys a dozen donuts for $16 and sells each dozen for $22. Profit is $6 per dozen. To raise $600, the club needs 100 dozen. If it expects 20 percent fewer buyers than it hopes, it should aim to promote to enough people to reach about 125 orders.
Tips for setting the price
Compare with the store price
Buyers accept a small premium when it supports a club, but a price far above retail slows sales.
Keep prices round
Simple prices are easier to pay and to add up.
Include every cost
Count delivery, transport and supplies, not only the vendor invoice.
Do not price below cost
Check that your margin stays positive after any discounts.
Why pre-orders protect your margin
When you buy only what was ordered, you avoid waste, and your margin is not eaten by unsold stock. Cornell Craves analytics show revenue, units sold and best sellers so you can adjust the next drop.
Frequently asked questions
How much profit should a club make on a fundraiser item?
There is no single number. Many clubs aim for a margin that is meaningful per item but still competitive with the store price, and then check that the total meets the goal.
How do I calculate how many items I need to sell?
Divide your fundraising goal by profit per item and round up.
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.