Shopping and lunch give-backs

Also called: Everyday purchase give-back (toilet paper, school lunches)

Ask supporters to use a shopping or lunch programme that gives your group a rebate. Confirm the scheme, rate and payout terms before promoting it.

Typically raises

$300

$50–1,500 a yearest.

About $200 per organiser hour

Based on a group's supporter purchases over a year

Is it right for us?

Money: Under $500
Work: An afternoon
Helpers: 1–2 people
Lead time: A week or less
Red tape: None

Uncommon: newer model; few families know it exists

People: 1
Organiser time: 1-2 hours to set up, then minimal (estimate)
Lead time: Days
Up-front cost: Nothing up front. None
Risk: None.

Can suit, but rarely run by: Kindy or early learning, Primary or intermediate school, High school, Sports club or team, Church, Charity, Community group, marae or service club

When: Summer (Dec–Feb), Autumn (Mar–May), Winter (Jun–Aug), Spring (Sep–Nov)

How big a job: An afternoon, 1–2 people

How it works

The scorecard and money example describe one version of this fundraiser. Other versions have different costs, helpers and results. Choose a version below before making your budget.

The money, as an example sum

Nothing to pay up front, and the typical result for a group's supporter purchases over a year is about $300 a year.

From the typical figure on this page. Your result will differ.

Where the money figure comes from

Estimate per year. Stated rates: My Fundraiser 10% of essential purchases (e.g. toilet paper); Ezlunch optional 10% give-back on lunch orders (Kindo).

Last checked October 2026. Ran this? Tell us what you raised and we’ll use real results to improve the figures.

Ways to run it

Household essentials: Choose a supplier programme with a clear rebate, no unwanted stock and a workable delivery plan.
Online cashback: Check current scheme terms, eligibility and payout thresholds before asking families to join.
Sushi, pizza or lunch order days with a supplier rebate: A lunch supplier delivers ordered lunches to school and returns a share of each order to the school.

Step by step

Pick a give-back supplier and confirm the percentage in writing.
Sign up and get your group link or code.
Share the link with families and supporters.
Remind once a term in the newsletter.
Check statements and report the total.

One example in our October research is Ezlunch through Kindo. Ask the school and supplier whether a give-back is currently available and confirm the rate before promoting it.

Plan your chosen version

These notes come from the October 2026 research. Figures describe separate examples, not extra money to add to the headline amount.

Sushi, pizza or lunch order days with a supplier rebate

A lunch supplier delivers ordered lunches to school and returns a share of each order to the school.

Separate example: $200 per season after costs (estimate). one school term of lunch orders

Estimate per term. Stated rebates: Ezlunch 10% of lunch orders (via Kindo); HELL Pizza school lunches $1 of each $5 pizza (Family Times listing, undated). Sushi Day runs a school fundraising programme (terms not published on the page found).

Helpers: 1 coordinator. Lead time: 2-3 weeks (estimate). Cash risk: None.

Choose a supplier and ask for its written rebate.
Agree delivery time and labelling by class.
Set order cutoff.
Promote via newsletter and payment app.
Hand out on the day.
Check the rebate statement.

Rules to check for this version

Supplier is the registered food business; the school is not selling food.

Tips for this version

Ezlunch notes daily logins for lunch orders bring parents into the school payment shop (Kindo page).

Watch out for

Rebate figures change; confirm current terms in writing.

Sources: ezlunch.co.nz, kindo.co.nz, familytimes.co.nz, sushiday.co.nz, facebook.com

Getting the word out

Even a well-run plan fails if nobody hears about it. There are two asks, and the first one goes out first.

Ask for help: Someone to sign the group up and remind families each term.
Ask people to buy: Families to order or shop through it, again and again.
When to start: Ask for helpers first, as soon as the date is set. Start the public ask about 1–2 weeks out, and book newsletter and paper notices before that: small newsletters close early.

Where to put it

Asking people yourselfMost yeses come from someone asking directly. Give every member a short message they can send to family and workmates.
Email lists and group chatsYour members’ email list and the class, team or church group chats. Short, with one date or one link.
School, club and church newslettersYour own newsletter is free and read by the families most likely to say yes. Check when it closes.
Local Facebook pages and community groupsPost in your town’s community page and local groups (check their rules), and share from your group’s own page.

The full guide to getting the word out: every channel from flyers to the evening news, with lead times and costs.

What you’ll need

Place: Not neededNone needed
Landowner’s permission: Not needed
Council permit: Not needed
Food rules: Not neededNo food sold
Alcohol: Not neededNo alcohol sold
Gambling rules: Not neededNot gambling

No permits or licences. Confirm the give-back rate in writing.

What you can get donated

None.

Tips

Low money but no volunteer time.

Watch out for

Small sums unless many families switch.