T-Shirt Fundraisers for Schools, Churches and Teams

Half of what leaves our shop goes to a school, a PTA, a church or a youth team, so we have watched a lot of fundraisers work and a few fall apart. Here is how to run one that actually raises money, and the 10% community rate we give Orange County groups.

The math, plainly

Screen printed tees run roughly $6.60 to $9 each at 24 or more pieces, garment included, before your community discount.

Groups typically sell at $20, which leaves $11 to $13 per shirt for the cause.

Sell 100 shirts and you have raised over $1,100 from one design.

Real prices depend on garment, ink colors and quantity. Use the instant quote to price your exact job in about a minute, no phone call needed.

How it works

1. Tell us the group and the goal

How many people, what you want to raise, and when you need the shirts. A team, a class, a congregation, a booster club, it all works the same way.

2. We design it, free

Send a logo, a sketch on a napkin, or nothing at all and we will draw something. Simple type setting and layout is not billed. You approve a proof before anything prints.

3. Take pre-orders, then we print

Collect sizes and money first, then order exactly what you sold. No leftover boxes of size small in a closet, and nobody fronts the cash.

4. Pick up or we deliver

5 to 7 business days after you approve the proof. Pick up in Garden Grove or we ship it. Rush is available if your event moved.

What we print for fundraisers

  • Spirit wear: tees, hoodies, crewnecks, joggers in school colors.
  • Team fundraisers: names and numbers, parent shirts, coach polos, banners of players.
  • Church and ministry: retreat shirts, VBS, mission trips, volunteer tees.
  • Events: 5k and charity walk shirts, carnival volunteer tees, memorial shirts.
  • Embroidery: booster club polos, caps and beanies for staff and coaches.

Three things that sink a fundraiser

  • Ordering before you sell. Take pre-orders with sizes and money first. Every group that guesses ends up with unsold smalls.
  • Too many ink colors. Each color adds a screen. A sharp one or two color design on a colored shirt raises the same money for less cost.
  • Starting too late. Give yourself a week to collect orders plus 5 to 7 business days to print. Rush is possible but it eats your margin.

Questions we get from groups

How does a shirt fundraiser actually make money?

You sell above your cost and keep the difference. With screen printed tees around $6.60 to $9 each at 24 or more pieces, groups usually sell at $20 and keep $11 to $13 a shirt. Sell 100 and that is over $1,100 raised on one design.

What is the minimum for a fundraiser?

No minimums. Screen printing is usually cheapest at 24+. Under that we quote DTF or DTG too, so you can choose.

Do we have to pay before we sell anything?

The order is paid in full before it prints, which is why we recommend taking pre-orders first. You collect from your people, then place one order for exactly what sold, so the group is never out of pocket.

Do you give a discount to schools and churches?

Yes. 10% community discount for Orange County schools, PTAs, churches, nonprofits, first responders and youth sports. Tell us who you are with and we will apply it. It does not stack with our First-Order Deal specials or rush pricing.

Can every shirt have a different name or number?

Yes. Names and numbers work for team fundraisers, and DTF handles individual names without a setup charge per shirt. Tell us what you want and we will price it both ways.

Do you help with the design?

Yes, and simple layout and type setting is free. If your group has a logo we will clean it up for print. If it is a photo or a hand drawing, we will tell you honestly whether it will print well before you commit.

How long does it take?

5 to 7 business days after proof approval. Rush is 3 to 5 business days, or 24 to 72 hours at a higher rate. Build in a week for collecting pre-orders and you are safe.

Price your fundraiser now

Or call (714) 766-4601 and tell us about your group. Ask for the community rate. We are at 11642 Knott St Ste E-19, Garden Grove, and we serve Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino.

Rated 4.9 out of 5 on Google
★★★★★
Real reviews from real customers
Erika Carriveau
★★★★★

I was in a total crunch. I already had the shirt and design, but needed it printed last minute and these guys came through. They did such an incredible job and were able to complete my small order of 1 shirt the same day.

Peter Lam
★★★★★

The Printing Needle is a great place for embroidery orders, and they will accept any order no matter how small. Efficient, friendly, and professional service. My order turned out great.

Nanshi Lamb
★★★★★

The business did an amazing job fixing the low-res images that I provided and designing the apparel according to my requests.

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Live pricing in about 30 seconds. Complex job? Use the full quote form.