How to start a club fundraiser
Starting a club fundraiser is easier than it looks. Decide what you need to raise, pick one product students want, take orders online, and hand out on a set day. This guide shows the whole process for a college club or student organization.
Money never touches Cornell Craves. Students pay the club directly over Venmo or Zelle, and there is no commission or fee.
The process in seven steps
1. Set a clear goal
Decide how much the club needs and what it is for, such as a trip, an event or dues. A specific goal makes members and buyers care.
2. Check approvals
Confirm with your advisor and your university's student organization office what is allowed, especially for food and money handling.
3. Pick one product
Choose something students already want: donut dozens, cookie boxes, bubble tea, chicken trays, pretzels or a bake sale.
4. Price it for profit
Work out your cost per item and set a price that leaves your club a margin. Add up the total you expect to sell against your goal.
5. Take orders before you buy
Post the fundraiser on Cornell Craves so students can order online. Buy only what was ordered, so there is no upfront risk.
6. Plan pickup
Pick easy locations and short time windows. Assign members to scan QR pickup passes.
7. Review and repeat
Check what sold, thank buyers and plan the next drop.
Where Cornell Craves helps
Cornell Craves handles steps 5 to 7 for Cornell student organizations: online ordering, QR pickup passes, goal tracking and analytics. It replaces the Google Form, spreadsheet and Venmo screenshot cross-checking.
Frequently asked questions
How do you start a fundraiser for a club?
Set a goal, get approval, pick one product, pre-sell it online, then hand it out at a set pickup time.
How long does it take to set up a club fundraiser?
A pre-order food fundraiser can be posted in an afternoon. Most clubs run the sale for a few days to a week.
What is the easiest way for a Cornell club to run a food fundraiser?
Post it on Cornell Craves. A club picks a brand, sets a price and a goal, chooses pickup spots and times, and the fundraiser shows up in a live feed that every Cornell student can see. Orders are collected online and members scan a QR pass at pickup.
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. Ordering is for current Cornell students with an @cornell.edu Google account. Cornell Craves is an independent student project and is not run by Cornell University.
Contact
Questions or want to list a fundraiser? Email [email protected] or message @cornellcraves on Instagram.