Success Story: Decades of Fundraising with Knights of Columbus #6460

For group #6460, the De Forest council, this means charity is at the heart of the work they do. With 1.9 million members around the world, Knights of Columbus are making a big impact through a variety of fundraising projects. In De Forest, proceeds from their supporters are distributed to:

• Women's Care Center in Madison
• De Forest Area Needs Network (D.A.N.N.)
• Local Youth Scholarships
• St Olaf Catholic Church
• De Forest Area Chamber of Commerce
• De Forest School District
• De Forest Fire Department
• And more…
  

Knights of Columbus’s Terri Lynn Fundraiser

“The product is great. It’s the best product around,” says member Keith Manke.

Each year, the group orders bulk cases of nuts and chocolates through the Quick Start fundraising program. Once the products arrive, members get the word out through church bulletins and then organize curbside pickup dates once per month during the holidays.

And Keith admits, “The fundraiser has been harder the last two years.”

With challenges related to Covid and other canceled events, like holiday-season bazaars and the group's pancake breakfasts, the sales of Terri Lynn nuts and chocolates has become more important than ever to funding their mission, and remains the organization’s largest fundraising opportunity of the year.

Knights of Columbus’s Fundraising Tips & Successes

“Use previous years’ sales to order next year’s quantities,” says Keith. With decades of ordering under their belts, Knights of Columbus have a long fundraising history to look back on and glean insights from.

What if you’re just getting started with product fundraising? Keith says it’s important to get a feel for what people are going to buy. Some organizations do this by surveying their supporters before ordering. In De Forest, they started by choosing to fundraise during the Christmas season, when their supporters were likely to buy snacks for entertaining, and boxes of chocolates for gift giving.

“Companies still buy them for Christmas presents,” says Keith of Terri Lynn’s Deluxe Gift Tins. “And the kids like Gummy Bears and Malted Milk Balls.”

For the snack-lovers in the community, Keith says the Giant Cashews and Mixed Nuts are the biggest hit. “And Pistachios always go over well with our supporters, too.”

Since Terri Lynn Fundraising programs allow groups to set their own profit margins, Keith says it’s important to plan your prices carefully, too. His advice is to know your community, get specific with your pricing, and have a solid distribution plan.

“Work year to year, see what you make money on, and then price each product accordingly.”

Support Knights of Columbus’ Mission

If you live near De Forest, WI, you can help Knights of Columbus members find sweet success by ordering during their annual nut and chocolate sale in the late fall. We hear they’re also planning to bring back their 4th of July food tent for fundraising this summer!

To learn more about Knights of Columbus chapters and ways to get involved, visit kofc.org or the Knights of Columbus Facebook page.

Ready to Host Your Own Terri Lynn Fundraiser?

Whether you’re new to fundraising, or a seasoned expert like members of Knights of Columbus #6460, our Terri Lynn Fundraising team can point you toward the best-fit programs to help you reach your money-making goals. We’d love to hear about your organization’s fundraising targets, and help you hit them (or exceed them) with Terri Lynn premium nuts, snacks, and confections!

Call our fundraising experts for a free consultation, or browse our online catalog and free promotional materials to start planning for your next fundraiser today.