Charity Merchandise Guide: Ideas, Budget & How to Order
Author: Sarah Roberts
Are you hosting a fundraising event and need products to sell or give out? Or perhaps you’re creating a not-for-profit awareness campaign and looking for ways to spread the word?
Whatever your cause may be, our Charity Merchandise Guide is packed with ideas and advice to help you make the most out of your efforts.
In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about charity merchandise and how to make it work for your cause, from product recommendations to budgeting advice and how to order custom merch.
In this guide:
How to Choose the Right Merchandise for Your Charity’s Cause
Popular Charity Merchandise Ideas & Recommendations
How Merchandise Can Boost Your Charity Fundraising Efforts
How Much Do You Need to Budget for Promotional Items?
How to Order Charity Merchandise from Flashbay
FAQs
Merchandise and promotional products absolutely have their place in fundraising and charity efforts.
T-shirts, hoodies, lanyards, badges, stationery, and tote bags can be customised with your charity’s logo, event name, or sponsor logos, and sold to help generate funds or given out to participants and volunteers as a thank you or incentive.
When done right, utilising merchandise for charities becomes a really powerful tool, and we’re going to help make the process as simple and straightforward for you as possible.
How to Choose the Right Merchandise for Your Charity
When choosing charity merchandise, you want to consider the where’s, what’s, and who’s.
Where will your merchandise be sold or given out? Is it a sports event, a charity walk, or a trade show? Think about what products are most relevant for the nature of the event.
What is the purpose of the merchandise? Are you selling to raise funds, giving them out to create a community buzz, or using them as thank-you gifts for donors? This will help determine the type of merchandise and its design.
Who is your target audience? Demographics are important, but also consider whether your audience is volunteers, participants, potential donors, businesses, and so on. Different groups may have different preferences for merchandise.
Here are some other things to consider when choosing merchandise for charities...
Charity values and mission – The main focus of your charity will always be your values and core mission, so this should be reflected in your merch! If you're an environment-focused charity, we recommend investing in eco-friendly merch to reflect your values.
Practicality and usefulness – Merchandise is more than just getting your logo out there; you also have to consider how practical or useful your merchandise is to people. You're unlikely to sell a chocolate teapot, no matter how great your logo is, whereas a cotton tote provides practical value and feelings of fulfilment.
Quality vs. cost –The quality vs cost of your merch needs to be balanced for you and your target audience. As a charity, your budget is likely to be minimal, so it's best to choose quality over quantity. Your fundraisers or customers are also going to be looking for a quality product that lasts!
Impact on charity marketing and awareness – The secondary appeal of charity merchandise is to get your logo, slogan, or cause into the psyche of other potential donors, fundraisers, or volunteers. Therefore, prioritising highly visible, practical products is key.
Once you have answered these questions and thoughts about these factors, it's time to start brainstorming ideas for your charity merchandise.
Popular Charity Merchandise Ideas & Recommendations
If it’s merchandise recommendations you’re after, you’ll find lots of great ones here. We know you’re probably on a tight schedule to get your items branded and delivered in time for your event, so we’ve listed out our top charity merchandise ideas to help.
1) Small Branded Charity Freebies
The best small branded freebies for charities:
Enamel badge
Trolley tokens
Pens
Wristbands
Small promotional items are a versatile and budget-friendly choice for any charity’s fundraising efforts.
These items can be distributed as freebies at events to create awareness or sold as inexpensive gifts and souvenirs that supporters will love.
They’re particularly effective for…
Use in supermarkets or physical stores placed next to tills
On display at community events, such as fetes and fairs
Popular options include small badges, wristbands, or trolley tokens, all of which are practical, affordable, and appeal to a wide range of visitors. These items not only serve as memorable keepsakes but also provide great opportunities to showcase your charity’s branding.
Here are our top recommendations for small freebies:
Enamel Badge – Branded Pin
Curve – Branded Pen
Revo – Branded Wristband
2) Branded Charity Apparel
Popular branded clothing and apparel for charities:
T-shirts
Bucket hats
Hoodies
Sweatshirts
Branded clothing and apparel is always a fantastic option for charity merchandise. Not only does it provide a functional and visually appealing product, but it also helps spread awareness for your cause wherever it’s worn.
Items like t-shirts, hoodies, and hats can serve as incentives for individuals to sign up for sponsored fundraisers, encouraging participation and fostering a sense of community.
They also make excellent prizes for raffles or competitions, adding an extra layer of excitement to your events.
Branded merchandise can also be sold in charity shops or online, creating a steady stream of funds to support your initiatives while promoting your organisation’s message to a wider audience.
Avenue – Branded T-Shirt
Shade – Branded Bucket Hat
Relax – Branded Hoodie
Dream – Branded Sweatshirt
3) Branded Charity Novelty Gifts
Fun, customisable novelty gifts for charities and fundraisers:
Keyrings
Puzzles
Figet spinner
Fidget toy
Supporting important or challenging causes doesn’t mean your merchandise can't have a sense of fun or creativity. In fact, offering vibrant, playful, or quirky branded items can attract younger audiences and highlight the lighter side of your organisation.
By creating merchandise that appeals to people's fun-loving nature, you can generate more interest in your cause, inviting conversation and connection.
Whether it’s colourful fidget toys, adorable plush toys, or novelty items with clever slogans, these products can engage wider demographics and encourage donations or purchases.
A little bit of fun can go a long way in spreading your message and building support for your charity. Here are our top recommendations for novelty merch:
Paws – Branded Teddy Bear
Blox – Branded Puzzle Game
Cosmic – Branded Fidget Spinner
Bubble – Branded Fidget Toy
4) Branded Charity Drinkware
Branded drinkware remains a perennial favourite, particularly among individuals who are socially conscious and eager to support good causes.
These versatile promotional products can serve a variety of purposes, making them ideal for charity-focused initiatives.
They can be sold in charity shops, offered on stalls at fundraising events, or included as part of incentive packages for participants in fitness-based charity activities such as sponsored runs or cycling challenges.
Here are our top recommendations:
Nova Pure
Rondo
Jumbo
Eterna
5) Custom Branded Charity Tote Bags
Custom-branded tote bags are a timeless piece of merchandise that combines style and functionality.
They offer exceptional practicality, making them a perfect accessory for supporters of your charity to carry everyday items while proudly showcasing your organisation's logo.
With your charity's branding prominently displayed, these bags ensure high visibility and serve as a constant reminder of your cause.
They also make a thoughtful and practical gifts for your dedicated volunteers and paid staff, acknowledging their contributions and forging a deeper connection with your mission.
Urban
Nifty
Palette
Porta
6) Branded Charity USB Sticks
Merchandise isn't just for external use, it can play a vital role in enhancing your internal operations and building a sense of professionalism among your office staff.
Branded USB sticks, for example, are not only practical but also serve as a cohesive touch in what can often be smaller or shared office spaces.
These USBs can be used internally to store important documents, presentations, or training materials, ensuring your team stays organised and efficient.
They're also perfect for easily sharing marketing assets, such as digital printouts for shop windows or promotional content, strengthening your brand identity both within and outside the head office.
Here are our most popular custom USB flash drives:
Twister
Code
Wafer
Event
How Merchandise Can Boost Your Charity Fundraising Efforts
Getting high-quality merchandise for your charity can really improve your fundraising efforts. It helps you connect with donors and participants in a meaningful way.
When you sell branded items like cool t-shirts, handy tote bags, or even stylish drinkware, you're doing more than just raising money directly. You're getting your cause out there!
These items become like little billboards, constantly reminding people of your charity's mission. And when folks wear or use them out and about, they can catch the eye of new supporters, really amplifying your reach.
But it's not just about selling!
Giving away merchandise as a freebie when people complete fundraising events — like handing out a special t-shirt or medal after a fun run, fitness challenge, or sponsored walk — can seriously boost participation and motivation.
Participants don't just feel proud of what they've accomplished; they'll also cherish these items as symbols of their personal contribution to your amazing charity. This positive experience builds so much goodwill and encourages them to get involved again and again.
Ultimately, when you combine impactful branding with these tangible rewards, you create a total win-win situation. You'll not only see more fundraising success but also hopefully a huge jump in awareness for your incredible work.
How Much Do You Need to Budget for Promotional Products?
We get it – working with a not-for-profit budget for your charity merchandise has its own unique challenges. That's why we give you a custom quote every time, making sure it fits your charity's specific needs.
Your quote will depend on a few key things:
The products you choose (whether it's t-shirts, tote bags, or water bottles)
The quantity you order
The type of branding you go for (like classic screen printing or vibrant full-colour digital print).
We always aim to give you the best value possible, understanding that every penny needs to work hard for your cause.
Your budget will naturally be shaped by factors such as the size of your charity and the amount of merchandise you hope to offer.
To really make the most of your investment and stretch those crucial funds further, we recommend:
Focusing on long-term visibility: Choose items that stick around and get noticed, like reusable water bottles, handy branded keychains, or even custom uniforms for your volunteers. These keep your charity's name out there day after day.
Ordering in bulk (if you can): Whenever possible, ordering larger quantities can significantly reduce the per-item cost. It's a great way to take advantage of economies of scale.
Planning ahead: Give yourself enough time! Account for lead times in production and delivery schedules to avoid any last-minute rushes or extra costs.
The merchandise recommendations above are just a starting point. We're here to help you navigate your options and find the perfect merchandise solutions that align with your budget and maximise your charity's impact.
How to Order Charity Merchandise From Flashbay
Ordering custom charity merchandise with Flashbay is fast, flexible, and stress-free. Here's how to get started:
Choose Your Items – Select the products that best fit your charity's cause or intended demographic. (Use the recommendations in this guide to get started.)
Explore Our Branding Methods – From laser engraving to full-colour digital print, we offer a range of branding options tailored to each product. Your Account Manager can recommend the best method based on your item, logo, and intended use.
Request a Quick Quote – Fill out the Quick Quote form with your item preferences and quantities. You’ll get a personalised quote.
Review & Approve Visuals – We’ll provide virtual proofs so you can review exactly how your logo or design will appear before production begins.
Place Your Order & Relax – Once approved, your order will be produced and delivered on time, ready to roll out to staff and clients.
Ready to get started?
Request a FREE Quick Quote now, and a Flashbay expert will be in touch to help you create quality, professional charity merchandise.
FAQ
What is the Most Popular Charity Merchandise?
Branded tote bags, reusable water bottles, badges, and T-shirts are among the most popular charity merchandise. These items are versatile, cost-effective, and widely appealing, making them ideal for raising awareness and funds for your cause.
Do People Want Charity Merchandise Items?
Yes, people appreciate charity merchandise, especially when received in exchange for donations.
Small items like keyrings, pens, or magnets serve as meaningful tokens of appreciation, encouraging contributions while spreading awareness of your cause. Their practicality ensures lasting impact and visibility.
How Do I Find Charity Merchandise Inspiration?
Look at successful campaigns, consider trending designs or slogans, and align merchandise with your charity's mission. Solicit ideas from supporters or team members to create meaningful items that resonate with your audience and effectively promote your cause.
Where are the Most Common Places for Charities to Use Merchandise?
Some of the most common uses for charity merchandise include:
For volunteers and employees to wear at events, in shops, or during outreach efforts
As prizes or incentives for donations or fundraising challenges
In gift shops, supermarkets, or online stores
As part of participation packs for sports events (like t-shirts and water bottles for sports events)
Author: Sarah Roberts
