Initiatives 23 King Street, Cambridge CB1 1AH - phone: 0845 609 0206 - e-mail: hello@initiatives.com
F.A.Q.
When is your next fundraising campaign?
Autumn 2008. The Fundraising Pack will be ready in June with our all-new, bigger than ever catalogue. It has been reworked so that it will appeal to a much wider market which means that it should help raise much more money.
When will you be sending my Fundraising Pack, I ordered it online and have not received it yet?
Unless you have requested otherwise we'll be sending out your Fundraising Pack to you at the beginning of September
Where can I get advice?
Our Advice Booklet, in the Fundraising Pack, has a step-by-step guide and lots of other useful information. We also recommend that you explore the website. And you can always call our specialists too. We will be happy to answer any queries.
Tel. 0845 609 0206 (Mon to Fri: 8.30am - 4pm, local rates apply).
Is there any risk involved?
No. Firstly, the Fundraising Pack is free. Secondly, there is no minimum order. Thirdly, if there are no orders, there will be no invoice. There is no risk.
What do I get in the Free Fundraising Pack?
The Fundraising Pack includes our latest catalogues containing a comprehensive range of bulbs, plants and accessories, along with clear and precise order forms. Also personalised labels.
You will also receive our detailed Advice Booklet with its
step-by-step guide, as well as other useful information, helping you achieve the most success from your campaign. It also includes a template letter addressed to parents (available to download online).
Plus, our colourful posters to display around the school and local community to promote awareness of the project.
What should I write on my personalised stickers?
It's completely up to you. Obviously it's a good idea to include the name of your school/association, maybe with a line of encouragement such as 'Help us grow'. You may choose to mention what it is you are fundraising for. Unfortunately there is a restriction on the amount of characters you can use - three lines of 25 at the last count (including gaps and punctuation marks) - so careful cogitation may be necessary.
Of course you are not obliged to use the stickers but we think it helps communicate to parents, and whomever else the catalogue is passed on to, that any purchases they make will be benefiting your school. You could always save time and get the children to stick them on the catalogues when you hand them out.
What is the best way to communicate the return date of the parents' order forms?
We include, on the stickers, the line 'Please return by' with a space left for you to write your chosen date. It is rare for a school to have decided their deadline date at the time they request their kit which is why we leave it blank. To save you time maybe the children can write the dates on the stickers when you hand them out.
It is also a good idea to clearly state the deadline date on the accompanying letter, advise it in your newsletters, on your school website, not forgetting the posters. Every communication possible will help remind parents and hopefully increase the sales.
How can I work out the profit my school may make from the campaign?
If you make sales of £1 to £7,000 your school will keep 30%. If you have sales between £7,000 and £14,000 your takings increase to 35%. Anything over £14,000 will see you reaping 40%! (£20 p&p)
For example, if you sell £4,000 worth of bulbs your school will keep 30%, which amounts to £1,200. Deduct the £20 post and packaging and that leaves you with a whopping £1,180 profit!
How can we increase the level of parent participation?
This is a very good question and indeed a challenge, something fundraisers spend a lot of time trying to figure out. There are a number of strategies that might help ? read more in our Fundraising Advice page.
What if a family is late returning its order form?
If you have already sent the Master Order Form it will be impossible to process the order at the same time and you may therefore incur an extra delivery charge. Therefore prompt, remind, cajole your parents into submitting there orders before you send off the Master Order Form.
What is the latest date by which we can return our Master Order Form?
7 November.
With Fund Wizard, can I access the individual orders after I have sent the finished order to you?
Yes, you sure can. It is also very useful to verify pupils orders if there are any queries after the event. All you have to do is click on Review my Order
Does the school receive its profit in bulbs?
No. But if the school wishes it can, of course, make an order for itself at the same time as the other orders are made.
My target is £300. How many sales do I have to make?
Going by last years figures, £20 is the average individual order. Therefore, to make a net profit (i.e. after the deduction of P&P) 54 individual orders need to be made:
54 x £20 = £1080. 30% of which is £324 (minus £20 P&P = £304).
When do we settle the bill?
There are no advance payments. We will only send you the invoice once the fundraiser has come to an end, i.e. your bulbs have been distributed and you have received payment for them.
How important is the size of the bulb?
The size of the bulb (i.e. its circumference) indicates its grade - the bigger the bulb, the better its flowers will be. Therefore the size of a bulb also determines its value and as we endeavour to supply you with the best bulbs on the market they will invariably be large for their variety.
The circumference of our bulbs are either measured in centimetres or classed by category (I, II, III), a Category I bulb being the biggest and therefore giving bigger, better flowers.
How are the roses delivered?
The rosebushes are sold bare root, as opposed to being sold in pots and come in threes, to reduce the cost of delivery. The roots are well protected in peat and wrapped up so they are kept safe and sound before their plantation. The roses are at least three years of age at the date of sale but will be pruned just before they are delivered so they may appear small at first glance.
Should I water the roses if I cannot distribute them straight away?
The roses should not need to be watered for at least 2 weeks. Over-watering is more harmful than under-watering so if in doubt it is best to refrain.
What should I do if my bulbs are not in great condition?
Despite our rigorous control, bulbs are nevertheless living organisms and may therefore very occasionally be defective. If this should be the case do not hesitate to contact us and we shall arrange a refund or replace your product (depending on available stock).
Why is there not a Spring fundraiser this year?
Since the last campaign we have been doing a lot of thinking and eventually decided that a spring campaign, selling predominantly bulbs, is not the best solution to your fundraising needs. They just don't sell that well. Much more needs to be on offer in order to generate better sales and unfortunately this year we ran out of time to get the best products to you at the best prices. Instead we are concentrating all our efforts on making our new autumn campaign the best yet - but we will certainly have something in place for next spring - it might even be something completely different! Keep a look out.
Are the profits mentioned calculated before or after VAT is deducted?
The 30%, 35% or 40% profits that you may make are calculated before deducting the VAT.
What is the timetable for the autumn campaign?
Requests for the Fundraising Pack should ideally be received in time for us to send it out to you by early September. The deadline for requesting the autumn Fundraising Pack is mid September. If you would like to receive your pack sooner please let us know.
The campaign then runs fairly quickly: pupils gather orders within 15 days, we receive those orders via the Master Order Form and dispatch the bulbs and plants to you within three weeks of that. The Master Order Form can be easily completed on the internet which speeds the process up further.
Where do the bulbs come from?
Where possible we select our bulbs from England but they also come from Holland and also from France (the Anjou area in the Loire Valley). We only work with renowned suppliers in order to assure you get good quality products.
Do we really get a free gift?
Absolutely! When your sales exceed £500 we will give you a 5 mega pixel Vivitar digital camera. £500 equates to an average of 20 to 25 family orders so, if you organise your campaign well, you are almost sure to receive a nice, new digital camera for free at the end of it! (The gift may be subject to change).
When is your next fundraising campaign?
Autumn 2008. The Fundraising Pack will be ready in June with our all-new, bigger than ever catalogue. It has been reworked so that it will appeal to a much wider market which means that it should help raise much more money.
When will you be sending my Fundraising Pack, I ordered it online and have not received it yet?
Unless you have requested otherwise we'll be sending out your Fundraising Pack to you at the beginning of September
Where can I get advice?
Our Advice Booklet, in the Fundraising Pack, has a step-by-step guide and lots of other useful information. We also recommend that you explore the website. And you can always call our specialists too. We will be happy to answer any queries.
Tel. 0845 609 0206 (Mon to Fri: 8.30am - 4pm, local rates apply).
Is there any risk involved?
No. Firstly, the Fundraising Pack is free. Secondly, there is no minimum order. Thirdly, if there are no orders, there will be no invoice. There is no risk.
What do I get in the Free Fundraising Pack?
The Fundraising Pack includes our latest catalogues containing a comprehensive range of bulbs, plants and accessories, along with clear and precise order forms. Also personalised labels.You will also receive our detailed Advice Booklet with its
step-by-step guide, as well as other useful information, helping you achieve the most success from your campaign. It also includes a template letter addressed to parents (available to download online).
Plus, our colourful posters to display around the school and local community to promote awareness of the project.
What should I write on my personalised stickers?
It's completely up to you. Obviously it's a good idea to include the name of your school/association, maybe with a line of encouragement such as 'Help us grow'. You may choose to mention what it is you are fundraising for. Unfortunately there is a restriction on the amount of characters you can use - three lines of 25 at the last count (including gaps and punctuation marks) - so careful cogitation may be necessary.
Of course you are not obliged to use the stickers but we think it helps communicate to parents, and whomever else the catalogue is passed on to, that any purchases they make will be benefiting your school. You could always save time and get the children to stick them on the catalogues when you hand them out.
What is the best way to communicate the return date of the parents' order forms?
We include, on the stickers, the line 'Please return by' with a space left for you to write your chosen date. It is rare for a school to have decided their deadline date at the time they request their kit which is why we leave it blank. To save you time maybe the children can write the dates on the stickers when you hand them out.
It is also a good idea to clearly state the deadline date on the accompanying letter, advise it in your newsletters, on your school website, not forgetting the posters. Every communication possible will help remind parents and hopefully increase the sales.
How can I work out the profit my school may make from the campaign?
If you make sales of £1 to £7,000 your school will keep 30%. If you have sales between £7,000 and £14,000 your takings increase to 35%. Anything over £14,000 will see you reaping 40%! (£20 p&p)
For example, if you sell £4,000 worth of bulbs your school will keep 30%, which amounts to £1,200. Deduct the £20 post and packaging and that leaves you with a whopping £1,180 profit!
How can we increase the level of parent participation?
This is a very good question and indeed a challenge, something fundraisers spend a lot of time trying to figure out. There are a number of strategies that might help ? read more in our Fundraising Advice page.
What if a family is late returning its order form?
If you have already sent the Master Order Form it will be impossible to process the order at the same time and you may therefore incur an extra delivery charge. Therefore prompt, remind, cajole your parents into submitting there orders before you send off the Master Order Form.
What is the latest date by which we can return our Master Order Form?
7 November.
With Fund Wizard, can I access the individual orders after I have sent the finished order to you?
Yes, you sure can. It is also very useful to verify pupils orders if there are any queries after the event. All you have to do is click on Review my Order
Does the school receive its profit in bulbs?
No. But if the school wishes it can, of course, make an order for itself at the same time as the other orders are made.
My target is £300. How many sales do I have to make?
Going by last years figures, £20 is the average individual order. Therefore, to make a net profit (i.e. after the deduction of P&P) 54 individual orders need to be made:
54 x £20 = £1080. 30% of which is £324 (minus £20 P&P = £304).
When do we settle the bill?
There are no advance payments. We will only send you the invoice once the fundraiser has come to an end, i.e. your bulbs have been distributed and you have received payment for them.
How important is the size of the bulb?
The size of the bulb (i.e. its circumference) indicates its grade - the bigger the bulb, the better its flowers will be. Therefore the size of a bulb also determines its value and as we endeavour to supply you with the best bulbs on the market they will invariably be large for their variety.
The circumference of our bulbs are either measured in centimetres or classed by category (I, II, III), a Category I bulb being the biggest and therefore giving bigger, better flowers.
How are the roses delivered?
The rosebushes are sold bare root, as opposed to being sold in pots and come in threes, to reduce the cost of delivery. The roots are well protected in peat and wrapped up so they are kept safe and sound before their plantation. The roses are at least three years of age at the date of sale but will be pruned just before they are delivered so they may appear small at first glance.
Should I water the roses if I cannot distribute them straight away?
The roses should not need to be watered for at least 2 weeks. Over-watering is more harmful than under-watering so if in doubt it is best to refrain.
What should I do if my bulbs are not in great condition?
Despite our rigorous control, bulbs are nevertheless living organisms and may therefore very occasionally be defective. If this should be the case do not hesitate to contact us and we shall arrange a refund or replace your product (depending on available stock).
Why is there not a Spring fundraiser this year?
Since the last campaign we have been doing a lot of thinking and eventually decided that a spring campaign, selling predominantly bulbs, is not the best solution to your fundraising needs. They just don't sell that well. Much more needs to be on offer in order to generate better sales and unfortunately this year we ran out of time to get the best products to you at the best prices. Instead we are concentrating all our efforts on making our new autumn campaign the best yet - but we will certainly have something in place for next spring - it might even be something completely different! Keep a look out.
Are the profits mentioned calculated before or after VAT is deducted?
The 30%, 35% or 40% profits that you may make are calculated before deducting the VAT.
What is the timetable for the autumn campaign?
Requests for the Fundraising Pack should ideally be received in time for us to send it out to you by early September. The deadline for requesting the autumn Fundraising Pack is mid September. If you would like to receive your pack sooner please let us know.
The campaign then runs fairly quickly: pupils gather orders within 15 days, we receive those orders via the Master Order Form and dispatch the bulbs and plants to you within three weeks of that. The Master Order Form can be easily completed on the internet which speeds the process up further.
Where do the bulbs come from?
Where possible we select our bulbs from England but they also come from Holland and also from France (the Anjou area in the Loire Valley). We only work with renowned suppliers in order to assure you get good quality products.
Do we really get a free gift?
Absolutely! When your sales exceed £500 we will give you a 5 mega pixel Vivitar digital camera. £500 equates to an average of 20 to 25 family orders so, if you organise your campaign well, you are almost sure to receive a nice, new digital camera for free at the end of it! (The gift may be subject to change).
When will I receive the chocolates?
The chocolate part of your order will be delivered separately to the bulbs and accessories in early December.
NB. Remember to make a copy of the individual order forms so that you have one copy for the bulbs etc and one for the chocolate distribution.
Why are there two deliveries?
There are two deliveries for two reasons. The first is that our chocolates are freshly made to order and created with Christmas in mind. And because good quality chocolate should be eaten fresh we decided a December delivery was best.
Secondly, we have to take into account hygiene, which is why we didn't want to deliver chocolates with the bulbs.
So will I receive two invoices?
No, we'll send you one invoice, incorporating everything you have ordered, in December following the chocolate delivery.
The chocolate part of your order will be delivered separately to the bulbs and accessories in early December.
NB. Remember to make a copy of the individual order forms so that you have one copy for the bulbs etc and one for the chocolate distribution.
Why are there two deliveries?
There are two deliveries for two reasons. The first is that our chocolates are freshly made to order and created with Christmas in mind. And because good quality chocolate should be eaten fresh we decided a December delivery was best.
Secondly, we have to take into account hygiene, which is why we didn't want to deliver chocolates with the bulbs.
So will I receive two invoices?
No, we'll send you one invoice, incorporating everything you have ordered, in December following the chocolate delivery.