How to Run a Successful Beef Jerky Fundraiser 

Fundraisers are essential for schools, sports teams, clubs, and community organizations that need to raise money for essential items. This could be for equipment, travel, events, or special programs. Fundraisers like candy bars and cookie dough have been popular for years. But many organizations are now turning to beef jerky fundraisers as a more profitable and unique option. Jerky is a high-protein snack that appeals to a wide range of snack lovers, making it easy for participants to sell. 

If your organization is looking for a simple and effective way to raise funds, a beef jerky fundraiser can be a great choice. With the right planning, sales strategy, and timeline, your group can maximize profits while keeping the process easy for volunteers. 

At Stoney Point Snacks, we want to make fundraising fun and as easy as possible. Below, we put together a guide to running a successful beef jerky fundraiser for your organization. 

Why Beef Jerky Fundraisers Work

Beef jerky is a widely known snack in the United States. Unlike many traditional fundraising products, jerky has several advantages that make it easier to sell. 

• It appeals to both kids and adults
• It’s a high-protein snack, not just candy
• It has a long shelf life
• It’s easy to store and transport
• It’s an impulse buy at a reasonable price
• Comes in multiple flavors

Fundraiser Models That Work Best

There are several ways to structure a beef jerky fundraiser, depending on your group’s goals.

Order Form Model (The Stoney Point Snacks Way)

This is a popular option for fundraisers. Using order forms that support select flavors or quantities in advance.

How it works:

1. Participants collect orders for a set period of time
2. The organization submits one large order
3. Products are picked up by the organization to be distributed to those who place orders

This model is often used for:

• Larger school fundraisers
• Community organizations
• Booster clubs
• School sports teams
• Youth clubs
• Band and music programs
• Church groups

While it takes a little longer, it can result in larger bulk orders from supporters.

Event or Concession Sales

Beef jerky also sells well at events where people are already looking for snacks. A great place to do this is at sporting events, tournaments, community festivals, fundraising dinners, or outdoor events. Because jerky is easy to store and doesn’t require refrigeration, it’s perfect for concession-style fundraising. You can also take it anywhere since it is lightweight and easy to pack. 

Recommended Fundraiser Timeline

Running a successful fundraiser requires a little planning. Here’s a simple timeline that many organizations follow. 

Week 1: Planning and Setup

During the first week, organizers should:

• Choose a fundraiser coordinator
• Set fundraising goals
• Decide which model to use (direct sales or order form)
• Order products
• Prepare instructions for participants

Clear communication will help prevent confusion among those participating in your organization in the future. 

Week 2-3: Sales Period

Most jerky fundraisers run for 2-3 weeks. This gives participants enough time to sell without losing momentum. Encourage participants to sell to:

• Family and relatives
• Neighbors
• Parents coworkers
• Teachers and school staff
• Local businesses

Remind participants that jerky is an easy add-on purchase. Many buyers will grab a bag simply because it’s convenient.

Week 4: Collection and Final Sales

At the end of the sales period:

• Collect money from participants
• Track total sales
• Reorder additional product if needed
• Prepare for the final distribution (if using order forms)

Some groups also allow a final sales push during this week to maximize profits.

Week 7: Distribution and Wrap-Up

After submitting order forms to Stoney Point Snacks, processing orders can take up to 3 weeks. Once your jerky order is ready, you can:

• Deliver products to buyers
• Thank supporters
• Share total funds raised with the group

Celebrating the results helps keep participants excited about future fundraisers. 

Tips for Maximizing Sales

Even simple fundraisers can benefit from a few smart strategies. 

Set Clear Goals

When participants know exactly what they are working toward, they tend to sell more. Whether it’s new uniforms or travel costs, having a clear goal to work towards helps. 

Encourage Friendly Competition

Some organizations boost participation by offering small incentives. Examples include:

• The top seller wins a gift card
• Team pizza party if everyone sells a minimum amount
• Recognition for top performers

Friendly competition can significantly increase sales. This encourages participants because there is a reward to look forward to at the end of the fundraiser, other than the original goal.

Promote the Fundraiser

Spread the word through:

• Social media posts
• School newsletters
• Email lists
• Community bulletin boards

The more people who know about the fundraiser, the more opportunities participants have to sell. 

Make It Convenient to Buy

Keep pricing simple and easy. Many successful fundraisers use round-number pricing like:

• $8 per bag
• 2 for $14

This makes purchasing quick and encourages people to buy multiple items.

A Fundraiser People Actually Enjoy

One of the biggest challenges with fundraising is selling products people actually want. Beef jerky solves this problem by offering a popular, everyday snack that customers are happy to buy. For schools, sports teams, and community groups, jerky fundraisers offer:

• High profit margins
• Simple logistics
• Fast sales
• Broad customer appeal

With the right plan and motivated group, a beef jerky fundraiser can generate significant funds while keeping the process fun and easy for everyone involved. If your organization is looking for a fundraising option that delivers strong results, beef jerky may be the perfect solution. 

Fundraise With Stoney Point Snacks

When you fundraise with Stoney Point Snacks, you also support active-duty military personnel and local farmers. Our meats are locally sourced from farmers in Littlestown, PA. We support the communities around us to help them grow and be successful. To give back to our military, we set aside $1 for every purchase, whether through fundraising or regular purchases. With the funds we set aside, we create jerky care packages and send them to troops in the U.S. and around the world. 

It’s also easy to fundraise with us. Email gracesnyder@stoneypointjerky.com to learn more about fundraising with us and to get started.