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Student clubs thrive on energy, creativity, and community involvement, but almost all of them face the same challenge: money. Whether it is covering competition fees, hosting cultural events, traveling for conferences, or simply printing T-shirts, funding is always a hurdle.
The concrete answer is this: the best fundraising products for student clubs are ones that are affordable to produce, easy to sell to peers and community members, and flexible enough to work for small and large groups alike.
The most effective items are those with everyday use or emotional appeal, products people can carry, wear, or gift, because they spread awareness of the club while raising funds.
Table of Contents
Toggle1. Branded Water Bottles

Reusable water bottles are always in demand. With more students avoiding single-use plastics, a sturdy bottle with a club logo or a custom design will be a hit on campus.
They also double as long-term advertising for the club, since people carry them daily to class, the gym, or sports practice.
Water bottles have higher upfront costs than small items, but they sell at a premium and work well at campus events or through pre-orders. Clubs can even partner with local sports stores or eco-friendly suppliers to keep costs manageable.
Attribute
Details
Production Cost
Medium ($3–$8 per unit)
Retail Price Range
$12–$25
Scalability
High; easy to restock
Profit Margin
Moderate to high
Best Audience
Students, athletes, and eco-conscious buyers
Practical Tip
Offer color options to increase appeal
2. Club T-Shirts
T-shirts remain a timeless fundraising option. They give students a way to show club pride while serving as a wearable promotion across campus.
Printing services make small-batch orders affordable, and designs can be updated each semester to keep the product fresh.
Selling shirts during events, orientation week, or as part of membership dues can generate steady income. Clubs can experiment with slogans, inside jokes, or bold graphics that resonate with the student body.
Attribute
Details
Production Cost
Medium ($5–$10 per shirt)
Retail Price Range
$15–$30
Scalability
Very high with print-on-demand
Profit Margin
Moderate
Best Audience
Students, alumni, event participants
Practical Tip
Launch limited designs tied to major events for exclusivity
3. Bake Sale Items
Sometimes the simplest idea is the most effective. Bake sales continue to be one of the most successful and low-cost fundraisers for student clubs.
Cookies, brownies, cupcakes, or cultural treats made by club members connect directly with buyers on a personal level.
Food-based fundraisers do not require long-term inventory management and can be timed with busy campus hours. They are especially effective when tied to themed events, such as “exam survival snacks” or “holiday treats.”
Attribute
Details
Production Cost
Very low; ingredients are often donated
Retail Price Range
$1–$5 per item
Scalability
High but requires ongoing effort
Profit Margin
High
Best Audience
Hungry students, faculty, and event attendees
Practical Tip
Bundle items (3 for $5) to increase sales volume
4. Button Pins
Affordable, collectible, and easy to distribute, button pins are a perfect fit for student clubs. They allow creative expression with slogans, logos, or quirky designs that can be swapped out for different campaigns.
Because pins are small, they can be sold almost anywhere, from club fairs to sports games, and at a price that most students won’t think twice about paying.
Clubs often design a series of pins so members and supporters want to collect them all. They are also great conversation starters, making them more than just a fundraiser; they help spread awareness of the club’s mission.
Attribute
Details
Production Cost
Very low (often under $1 each)
Retail Price Range
$2–$5
Scalability
Very high; easy to reorder
Profit Margin
Very high
Best Audience
Students, collectors, event-goers
Practical Tip
Sell pins in themed packs to boost total sales
5. Custom Notebooks
Students always need notebooks, and adding a club logo or unique cover art makes them both practical and memorable. They can be produced as simple spiral notebooks or upgraded to premium journals for a higher price point.
Notebooks work well as fundraiser items because they are used daily in classes, so visibility and brand promotion are consistent. Clubs can also sell them in bundles with pens or stickers to raise the average purchase value.
Attribute
Details
Production Cost
Medium ($2–$6 per notebook)
Retail Price Range
$8–$20
Scalability
High with bulk orders
Profit Margin
Moderate
Best Audience
Students, faculty, and academic groups
Practical Tip
Partner with design students for cover art to make each edition unique
6. Club Hoodies
Hoodies carry a higher price tag but also higher perceived value. They are great for colder months and double as long-lasting apparel that students are proud to wear.
Selling them through pre-orders ensures the club doesn’t get stuck with excess inventory.
Since hoodies are more expensive to produce, they work best when marketed as exclusive items tied to membership, graduation, or milestone events.
Attribute
Details
Production Cost
Medium to high ($15–$25)
Retail Price Range
$35–$60
Scalability
High with pre-orders
Profit Margin
Moderate
Best Audience
Club members, alumni, sports fans
Practical Tip
Use hoodies as premium-tier rewards in a fundraising campaign
7. Reusable Tote Bags

Just like with professional merch, tote bags are an eco-friendly and practical option for student clubs. They are perfect for carrying books, groceries, or gym clothes, and the flat surface makes designs pop.
For clubs with a sustainability angle, tote bags align directly with their values. They are also well-suited for themed designs tied to causes like Earth Day, cultural events, or art festivals.
Attribute
Details
Production Cost
Medium ($3–$7 per bag)
Retail Price Range
$12–$25
Scalability
High
Profit Margin
Moderate
Best Audience
Eco-conscious students, shoppers
Practical Tip
Offer discounts for buying tote + T-shirt bundles
8. Phone Accessories
Custom phone cases, PopSockets, or grips featuring club logos or slogans appeal to the tech-savvy student body. With nearly everyone carrying a smartphone, these accessories are high-visibility items that combine functionality with fun design.
They can be produced through print-on-demand services, making them low-risk for clubs without big budgets.
Attribute
Details
Production Cost
Medium ($5–$10 depending on item)
Retail Price Range
$15–$25
Scalability
High with online production partners
Profit Margin
Moderate
Best Audience
Tech-savvy students, younger demographics
Practical Tip
Launch seasonal or meme-inspired designs for a quick buzz
9. Club Calendars

Calendars offer a creative way to showcase the club’s activities, artwork, or history. They are especially effective for cultural clubs, art groups, or student media organizations.
Each month can highlight a different theme, event, or design, giving supporters something fresh to enjoy throughout the year.
Calendars are best sold in the fall semester so they can be gifted during the holiday season and used starting in January.
Attribute
Details
Production Cost
Medium ($4–$8)
Retail Price Range
$15–$25
Scalability
High; seasonal product
Profit Margin
Moderate
Best Audience
Students, faculty, alumni, community supporters
Practical Tip
Include club event dates inside the calendar for built-in promotion
10. Snack Packs
Snack packs are quick sellers on campus, especially during finals or late-night events. Clubs can buy snacks in bulk, chips, granola bars, candy, or instant noodles, and package them into themed “study packs.”
These packs offer convenience to students who are too busy to cook and create a high-profit, fast-turnaround fundraiser.
Attribute
Details
Production Cost
Low to medium; bulk snacks keep costs down
Retail Price Range
$5–$15 per pack
Scalability
High, but requires ongoing effort
Profit Margin
High
Best Audience
Students during exam season
Practical Tip
Add a motivational note or club flyer inside each pack
Final Thoughts
@reneeguu Replying to @wy ♬ original sound – renee
Student clubs don’t need massive budgets to fund their activities. By focusing on practical, appealing products that resonate with campus life, clubs can raise money while also promoting their identity.
Affordable items like bake sale treats, button pins, and notebooks work as quick wins, while premium options like hoodies and water bottles provide larger income from fewer sales.
The best strategy is to mix low-cost, impulse-buy products with higher-value items to maximize reach and revenue.
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