How Local Retail Stores Can Attract New Customers With Fundraiser Vouchers

Every retailer wants new faces in the store. Gift cards are one of the simplest ways to get them — and when they're sold through a fundraiser, they arrive with a story attached.

Why retail gift cards work

A store card is the most flexible product a fundraiser can sell. It suits every audience, redeems against anything in your store, and has no stock or expiry headaches. For supporters, it's a gift they know will be used. For you, it's a customer with credit already in your till.

What to offer

• A set-value card — $25, $50, $100. Simple and easy to price.
• A themed bundle — a $75 card plus a small bonus item.
• A "local treats" card — if you stock multiple brands or makers, a card that supports them all.

The economics that work

You decide the wholesale price (your cost, not your retail price) and the fundraiser's share — at least 10%. You pay a small platform fee only when something sells. The card usually brings a customer who spends more than the card value — the retail equivalent of a deposit on a regular.

Make the visit count

• Greet card holders warmly. Thank them for supporting the cause.
• Help them find something they love — a good experience turns credit into loyalty.
• Invite them back. A friendly mention of what's coming in next week is a quiet repeat invitation.

Choose your causes

Schools, sports clubs and community groups suit most retailers. If you specialise — sports gear, books, baby goods — pick fundraisers whose communities match your stock. The better the fit, the more likely new customers become regulars.

A few practical tips

Track how many cards come back and how much card holders spend beyond the value — that's your real return. Set a sensible redemption period, and make sure your team knows how to redeem cards smoothly. A card that's easy to use is a card that brings people back.

Your store's next loyal customer might arrive holding a fundraiser card. Make the visit worth it.