A bake sale fundraiser is a great way to show off your grandmother’s scrumptious cookie recipe and raise money for an important cause. 

But as much as patrons want to snatch up homemade brownies, payment options usually get in the way. 

Cash boxes used to be the gold standard for bake sales. But few people use cash these days, and even fewer people feel comfortable using it in this post-pandemic world. 

How can you ensure your bake sale is a sweet success in a cashless society? 

You need Braid Money Pools: a new cash-free payment method and the missing ingredient to your next bake sale fundraiser. 

This post shows you what Braid Pools are, how to set them up, how patrons can easily pay for their goodies, and lots of peachy ways to run a profitable bake sale. 

Contents: 

  • Is a bake sale profitable? 
  • What is a Braid Money Pool? 
  • Everything you need to know about Pool Links 
  • How to set up Braid Money Pools for your bake sale
  • 4 ways to manage bake sale costs 
  • How to set bake sale prices and create price lists
  • How to run a virtual bake sale with Braid

Is a bake sale profitable? 

Bake sales are tantalizing displays of buttery, sugary goodness. But are they profitable? 

You bet. One of the biggest reasons why bake sales are a smart fundraising idea is because volunteers prepare the treats themselves. Additionally, local bakeries are often happy to donate something yummy for a good cause.   

Of course, there are other costs to consider, and we’ll dip into those below, like how to manage bake sale costs and create attractive price lists. 

First, allow us to introduce you to Braid Money Pools and Pool Links!

What is a Braid Money Pool?

In days of yore, people used a cash box to collect money at a bake sale. But you and your patrons prefer a better payment method.

With Braid, you can collect money with Pool Links - a new, cash-free way to collect money so people can buy their cake and eat it, too.

Patrons don’t need to sign up for an account to buy baked goods. They just need your Pool Link.

Plus, unlike other peer-to-peer money transfer apps, like PayPal or Venmo, Braid is designed for multiple users; it’s easy to manage donations with other volunteers. 

Braid is to your bake sale what a glass of milk is to a plate of chocolate chip cookies: a refreshing accompaniment and the perfect fit. Keep reading to see why. 

Create your own Braid Pool today! Click here to get started.

Every pool comes with a customizable Pool Link. This link is so easy to use that people will keep reaching for more treats. 

Your Pool Link isn’t a bunch of random letters, numbers, and symbols. It can clearly reflect your bake sale. This way, patrons know exactly what they’re tapping on and where it’s taking them. 

For example, your Pool Link can say "braid.co/p/St-Jude-Bake-Sale" or "braid.co/p/Dance-Workshop-Bake-Sale."

Every Pool Link is customizable. You can choose your color palette, upload an image, and provide a brief description, explaining your fundraising goals and how you plan to disburse donations. 

A Pool Link can go anywhere. You can place it on your organization’s website or social media accounts, include it in email newsletters, text it, or ask others to share it. 

When it comes to bake sales, one of the best ways to share your Pool Link is to generate a QR code for it.

People can scan the QR code with their mobile device and pay directly into the pool. No account or sign-up needed. 

When patrons are ready to purchase some of your homemade Hello Dollies, they just need your Pool Link to make a quick payment with either credit or debit card. 

Debit card payments are free, and patrons incur a 3% fee for credit card payments.. Your Pool Link ensures that every transaction is quick, safe, and hygienic. No one has to wait to dig into their goodie bag. 

It’s worth noting that even though Pool Links are convenient, some people still prefer to pay with cash. Make these patrons feel welcome by having a small cash box available. Feel free to encourage exact change to simplify things. 

Pool Links are an excellent way to run a successful virtual baked goods sale, too. We’ll discuss that below so keep reading.

Braid Money Pools are the secret ingredient to a successful bake sale fundraiser. Start yours here!

How to set up Braid Money Pools for your bake sale

We’ve spent a lot of time discussing how patrons can pay for their goodies with Pool Links. Now, let’s show you how to set up a money pool so you can have a successful fundraiser.

1. Start your pool

Once you download Braid, you can set up your pool in a matter of minutes. Choose a name for it and invite other volunteers to become pool admin with you.

We don't check your credit history or report anything to the credit bureaus. We just need to verify your identity before you use money on Braid. It only takes a couple of minutes and once completed, you’re free to use your pool.

2. Manage your pool with other volunteers

Unlike popular peer-to-peer money transferring apps, like PayPal or Venmo, Braid is designed for multiple users. Other admin members can:

  • View the pool and check the balance at any time
  • Track contributions
  • Spend pool funds with the Braid card

With Braid's collaborative design, selected volunteers can track and manage contributions during the bake sale. This applies to both in-person sales and virtual ones. (More on that below!)

To create new admin members, send people an invitation link to join the pool. Once they download Braid, they can accept your invitation and share admin tasks with you. 

4. How to collect payments at a bake sale

You already know how easy it is for patrons to pay using Pool Links. Here are two ways to facilitate this payment process at your bake sale. 

  • Invite patrons to pay at each table: Place the QR code for your pool link at every table, together with the price list. Patrons can select their goodies and pay at each individual table
  • Invite patrons to select their treats and pay via the Pool Link at the exit: Make sure to have volunteers there to help calculate the total sum and thank patrons for stopping by and supporting your cause  

With Braid’s instant notifications feature, you can see payments in real-time and watch the pool balance grow during the fundraiser. 

5. Easily disburse funds 

When your bake sale is done, it’s easy to disburse funds to the organization or charity of your choice. 

You don't need to transfer funds to a bank account to spend them. You can spend them directly from the pool using the free digital debit card that comes with your pool. 

You can disburse funds to a bank account or wherever Mastercard is accepted. And because there are no transaction fees, maintenance fees, or overdraft fees, you can donate 100% of the profits from the bake sale. 

If you want to transfer pool funds to your organization’s bank account, you can do so using your pool’s account and routing number. It’s free, fast, and secure.

Ready to set up your free Braid Pool? Click here to get started!

4 ways to manage bake sale costs

Now that you know all about Braid Money Pools and Pool Links, you’re well on your way to having a fantastic bake sale. 

While you’re planning the logistics, consider these four ideas to minimize overhead costs and maximize profits so your fundraiser is a great success.

1. Create a sign-up list 

Create a list of popular baked goods and how many you need of each. Ask volunteers to sign up for one or more items. 

If you know that brownies usually outperform snickerdoodle cookies, your sign-up list ensures you have enough treats to meet demand. The list also ensures you don’t end up with too many unsold goodies. 

2. Ask volunteers to bring the following supplies:

  • Folding tables
  • Chairs
  • Table clothes
  • Coolers
  • Cups
  • Beverages 
  • Napkins
  • Paper or plastic bags

3. Pre-wrap or package baked goods 

Give patrons a convenient, time-saving experience by pre-wrapping the goodies. Once patrons pay with your Pool Link, they can grab and go. Plus, it’s more hygienic.

4. Choose a date, time, and location 

Try to schedule your bake sale around local events, like elections, community events, school events, and PTO. These are all good opportunities to reach more people and reach your fundraising goal. 

How to set bake sale prices and create price lists

When cash was prevalent, the standard pricing for baked goods was in increments of 25 cents: 50 cents, 75 cents, a dollar, etc. 

But since you’re using Braid Money Pools, and people pay with Pool Links, try these fresh new pricing options instead: 

  • Set up tables where people can pick and choose a set number of items for a flat rate. For example, 6 items for $5 or 11 items for $10. That way, people submit one easy payment and get to pick and choose their treats
  • Sell larger items, like pies or cakes, at higher price points
  • Sell bundles: a dozen cookies, 4 cinnamon rolls, etc. 

This approach encourages people to indulge in your offerings and contribute more to the fundraiser. 

Click here to start your free Braid Pool for your next bake sale!

How to run a virtual bake sale with Braid

You might decide that a virtual bake sale is a better way to run your next fundraiser.

On the one hand, it’s a clever way to make sure inclement weather doesn’t rain on your parade. Virtual sales also help people feel safe and protected in a post-pandemic world.  Plus, they’re a great way to ensure patrons can participate if they can’t make it in person. But where do you start?

  • Advertise your bake sale on online 
  • Invite volunteers to sign up to prepare specific treats
  • Decide on a location where people can pick up their goodies
  • Share pictures of the baked goods on social media platforms 
  • Invite people to claim their baked goods on social media and pay with the Pool Link
  • People can pick up their baked goods from the pick-up location 

This is a lot to coordinate and keep track of, but Braid simplifies everything:

  • You can manage the money pool together with any other volunteer who you invite to join the pool
  • You can use instant notifications to see payments in real-time so you can update your baked good list online
  • Refer back to the pool transaction history to ensure everyone gets the correct treats at pick-up

Running a baked sale is a great way to share your family’s best dessert recipes and raise money for an important cause. 

Use Braid Money Pools to easily collect everyone’s payments. It’s the secret ingredient for your next successful bake sale fundraiser.