Bulk Buying Club Best Practices Toolkit - The Food Security Network ...

Step 4: Look for Funding and Sponsors
Many bulk buying clubs in Newfoundland and
Labrador purchase food costing a total of $30 per
participant per month. Bulk buying clubs use a
number of different approaches to get the financial
support they need to run their program. This can be
done through participant fees, sponsorships,
fundraising, grants, or a combination of approaches.
1. Participant Fees
The amount of money a participant pays will depend on the program. The
Brighter Futures Level Best Bulk Buying Club participants are expected to
contribute $15 per month, which is matched by a sponsoring agency,
giving each participant a total budget of $30 per month for food. These
participant payments are used to cover the cost of food purchased.
Other expenses, such as rent, transportation, equipment, and staff time
are found through grants and fundraising or are donated in-kind.
Other bulk buying clubs may rely entirely on membership fees to cover
both the cost of food purchased and operating costs. These groups would
need to charge a higher rate.
It is important that fees are clearly presented in your group‟s membership
form. See Appendix D: Sample Membership Application (page 32) for an
example.
2. Sponsorship
Sponsors can be community organizations, service clubs, or local
companies that provide both monetary and in-kind support. Sponsors can
be sought to match the funds participants pay each month to cover the
cost of purchasing food. Brighter Futures provides matching funds of $15
per month per participant for the Level Best Bulk Buying Clubs. This allows
for each participant to receive $30 worth of food per month.
Sponsors can also contribute by donating space for sorting and
distributing food; providing money to purchase equipment; lending staff
or volunteers; providing participant training or expertise; or providing
transportation for shopping days.
3. Fundraising
Most groups, organizations, and programs have to fundraise at some
point. Fundraising is most successful when money is being raised for a
clear and tangible purpose, such as fundraising to purchase a specific
piece of equipment. Successful fundraising initiatives include flea markets,
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