Fundraising With Apparel

How to Run a Successful Apparel Fundraiser for Your Animal Shelter

Raising money for an animal shelter doesn’t have to mean bake sales, car washes, or learning how to juggle. An apparel fundraiser is one of the easiest—and most fun—ways to bring in meaningful funds without any upfront cost or inventory risk. Whether you’re a small foster-based rescue or a large shelter with a full team, this guide will walk you through exactly how to make it work.

Why Apparel Fundraising Works

With print-on-demand, everything is made after someone orders. That means:

  • No upfront costs

  • No boxes of shirts sitting in your office

  • No shipping or fulfillment for you to handle

  • Our team takes care of production, customer service, and delivery

You simply choose the designs you love, share the fundraiser link, and watch the support roll in.

Set a Fundraising Goal

People love feeling like they’re helping you reach something meaningful. Keep it simple and specific:

  • “We’re raising $5,000 to cover emergency medical transport.”

  • “Every 20 shirts helps us spay/neuter another litter.”

  • “All profits from this campaign go toward winter shelter supplies.”

A clear mission makes supporters feel connected to the impact of their purchase.

Promoting Your Fundraiser

Promotion is where shelters see the biggest difference in results. Here’s how to get the most eyes on your campaign:

Social Media

Post consistently during the campaign—not just once.

  • Share a launch post + stories

  • Introduce different images of the product throughout the campaign

  • Spotlight adoptable pets “modeling” the merch

  • Share supporter photos as they come in

  • Use CTAs like “Link in bio” or “Order today to support our shelter”

Email

Send a quick email to your adopters, fosters, and volunteers announcing the fundraiser. Include:

  • A photo of the apparel

  • A short note about what the funds support

  • A clear button/link to order

Shelter Website

Add the link to:

  • Homepage banner

  • Get Involved page

  • Event listings

In-Person Promotion

If you have visitors or volunteers, put up:

  • Flyers with QR codes

  • Signs at adoption events or front counters

People who love your animals love supporting your mission—they just need to know about the fundraiser.

Keep the Momentum Going

Don’t be shy about posting more than once! Good reminders increase participation. Try:

  • Mid-campaign update: “We’re halfway to our goal!”

  • Behind the scenes: a video of your team excited about the merch

  • Countdown posts: “Last 48 hours to grab yours!”

Shelters that post 4–6 times typically see significantly better results than shelters who post once.

Tips for Maximizing Sales

  • Use real animal photos as much as possible—nothing connects like an adoptable face.

  • Give people a reason to share by asking supporters to post themselves wearing the merch.

  • Choose inclusive sizing & styles to widen your audience.

  • Set a clear deadline so supporters take action now, not “later.”

  • Launch during high-traffic moments like holidays, adoption events, community events, or a specific time that is special to your organization

Our Team is Here to Help!

If you have any questions, or need assistance creating marketing materials for your fundraiser, please reach out to miranda@teddythedog.com

Want to inquire about running your own Rescue Tee Project fundraiser? Learn more here!