Fundraising FAQ
Why fundraise with wine?
How does it work?
How much does it cost to participate?
When and how do we get paid?
How much money can my organization raise?
How much of my time will this take?
Can we taste the wines first?
How are the labels designed?
How many wines can we private-label for our organization?
Who handles customer service?
Can we see how much wine has been purchased and who has ordered?
Can we add purchaser information to my organization’s database?
Can someone add a cash donation to their wine order as an extra donation amount?
Do any other benefits or perks come with this program?
Is the wine purchase price tax deductible?
What types of organizations can this program benefit?
Can a religious school or a “no alcohol” public school raise money with this program?
Does Torchlight Community provide materials, coaching and assistance to maximize our fundraising?
Where can Torchlight Community ship wine?
Does my organization need a license to sell wine?
Where is the winery?
Can I pick up my wine order at the winery?
Why fund raise with wine?
Your organization needs to raise money and wine is a great tool. Donors and members want more value than ever for their participation, and they are bored with logo tees and bake sales. That’s where the Torchlight Community Wine Fund-raising Program comes in. People like wine, and when they find remarkable wine values, they keep coming back for more.
Torchlight Community (“TLC”) Fund-raising affords you the opportunity to quickly and sustainably create recurring revenue for your organization, while making extraordinary wines available to your donors and members at extraordinary values. Our winemaker ensures high quality, so with each sip they will associate your organization with excellence.
top
How does it work?
Together we develop a wine brand name and label for your organization
TLC creates an online “Wine Shop” to benefit your organization, featuring wines with your labels.
You let your supporters know that the wines are available and that they benefit your mission
For every bottle purchased you receive 40% of the purchase price ($9.50-$22.50 per bottle)
top
How much does it cost to participate?
There is no initial investment required to start and execute this program. Low minimum commitments, no participation fees, no cancellation fees. You simply promote your wine fund-raiser in your marketing materials and earn royalties for every bottle sold. You may wish to purchase samples, at the 40% discount, to taste before selecting wines or to promote the wines to your members and donors. We do ask for a minimum of 2 cases sold per year to continue to host your free online store.
top
When and how do I get paid?
You get paid proceeds on a quarterly basis according to our fiscal year, which runs from September to August. You will receive proceeds for all wines purchased online and onsite (less any non-deliveries and returns).
top
How much money can my organization raise?
Our clients enjoy proceeds ranging from $9.50 – $22.50 per bottle (that’s $114-$270 per case). Organizations who cater to affluent donors and members may receive more. It’s easy to make several thousand dollars each year with this program.
top
How much of my time will this take?
TLC can get a store up and running in a day or two, and we can begin taking orders immediately. If you already engage your members and donors in marketing programs, simply add this new wine program to your email, newsletter and other communications. Our goal is to make this program as simple and low maintenance as possible for you, and we’ve got plenty of low cost and effective ideas for you that will require minimal amounts of your time. However, supporting the program is important and the success of your program depends on the level of your effort and the size and engagement of your donor and/or member base.
top
Can I taste the wines first?
Yes, tasting samples are available for purchase for a nominal charge. Call us at 800-276-9210 or email [email protected] to order.
top
How are the labels designed?
Effective wine labels are best designed by professional designers, and there are several ways to accomplish this. Most organizations can easily find a volunteer, supporter, friend or member who is a professional designer that will donate their creative talent to design a wine label for them. (Designers would love to create a wine label design for their portfolios!) You must first obtain label specifications from us, and these can be downloaded from our website. Your designer must comply with the specifications, so that TLC can obtain Federal label approvals, which are required by law.
TLC also offers discounted label design services through experienced third-party designers with whom we’ve negotiated special low rates on your behalf. Please call 800-276-9210 to make design arrangements, whether you have your own designer or want to work with one of our affiliated designers.
top
How many wines can I private-label for our organization?
You may label as many wines as you like. We recommend that you start with two to four wines, and change them periodically as we release new wines, to keep things fresh for your members and donors.
top
Who handles customer service?
TLC handles all fulfillment and customer service after orders are placed. We pride ourselves on excellent customer service, knowing that it reflects well on all of us. Goosecross has years of experience providing outstanding customer service.
top
Can I see how much wine has been purchased and who has ordered?
Along with your profit check provided on a quarterly basis, you will receive a report of every order that was placed and shipped during the previous period.
top
Can I add purchaser information to my organization’s database?
Along with your periodic order reports and checks, you will also receive the contact information for each purchaser, so that you can add them to your database for future marketing. TLC’s privacy policy clearly states that this information will be transferred to you for such use.
top
Can people add cash donations to their wine orders as an extra donation amount?
Absolutely, it happens all the time. Each web page that features a non-profit’s private-label wines offers multiple opportunities to add as much as a person would like, as a donation to the featured non-profit.
Do any other benefits or perks come with this program?
Yes, there’s more!
Special Events and Tastings
We look forward to working with your organization to coordinate an event that highlights your wine while raising funds to benefit your mission. We facilitate and host events on location at our winery in Yountville. Events are also a great way to give back to donors. Please contact us for more details.
Your Own Wine Club:
A wine club that includes your own printed material and allows for your wine club members up to 4 complimentary tastings at our winery.
“Add a Donation” opportunities:
In the online wine shop benefiting your organization, we offer not only your private-labeled wines, but also “add a donation” opportunities for those placing wine orders. We have found this to be an effective way to acquire extra funds on behalf of our fundraising partners.
Volunteer and Employee Benefits:
As a fundraising partner, your employees, volunteers, board members, and anyone to whom you wish to extend the benefit, have the opportunity to purchase as much wine as you want at very low participant rates. These purchases can be used for event tastings, personal consumption, donor gifts, teacher gifts, increased donation incentives, and for any other reason you wish.
Napa Valley Attractions:
For those wishing to pick up their wine in Napa, we offer free tasting in our beautiful Napa Valley tasting room, as well as coupons and other information for tasting rooms and other attractions in the Napa Valley.
Is the wine purchase price tax deductible?
Please refer this question to your tax advisor.
top
What types of organizations can this program benefit?
Our wine fundraising will benefit any organization that is enthusiastic about it and has an engaged group of supporters, regardless of size. Some of the types of fundraisers we love to support include:
- Nonprofits
- Schools (public and private)
- Churches
- Medical associations
- Medical research groups
- Alumni clubs
- Museum fundraisers
- Performing arts fundraisers
- Sports team fundraisers
- Private club fundraisers
- Political fundraisers
- Almost any other kind of fundraiser – you name it, we can support it!
We are equipped to handle organizations with multiple chapters or participants. With our advanced software we can track which proceeds should be applied to various chapters and campaigns. Examples of this may include organizations like:
- Team in Training, where multiple teams from a chapter may want to participate in a single fundraiser,
- National organizations with multiple chapters in various states,
- School districts with multiple schools being served with a single program.
Can a religious school or a “no alcohol” public school raise money with this program?
Yes, very successfully. While the school itself does not promote the program, it gives access to its parent and supporter lists to the PTO, parent group or affiliated 501(c)(3) fundraising foundation, which facilitates the wine fundraising program. Give us a call to see how others have been successful this way.
top
Does Torchlight Community provide materials, coaching and assistance to maximize our fundraising?
Yes, we want all of our fundraising partners to succeed in their missions. To maximize your fundraising results, we provide how-to’s, fundraising techniques and ideas, one-on-one coaching and even assistance with the preparation of email and direct mail marketing campaigns. Additionally, subject to our availability, we will happily attend and assist at your events in the greater SF Bay area, the greater Sacramento area, and other locations as appropriate.
top
Where can Torchlight Community ship wine?
TLC is responsible for maintaining all licenses and permits necessary for legal shipping. TLC only ships wine legally, so as proper licensing is procured we will be adding more and more states. Through our reliable shippers, TLC requires that a person who is at least 21 years of age be present to sign for all wine deliveries. Please call 800-276-9210 to obtain a complete list of states to which we ship, and the associated fees. If a State is not listed on the schedule, please contact us for your options.
top
Does my organization need a license to sell wine in order to participate?
No. You are not selling wine, you are simply making your donors aware that the product is available for purchase, for the benefit of your organization. You will be collecting fees for the use of your images, name and logos. All wine is produced and sold by Goosecross and TorchLight Community.. Orders are processed through TLC’s software, and TLC handles payment and fulfillment. As the wines bearing your label are sold, TLC pays you fees for the use of your images, name and logos on the bottles. TLC also passes through additional donations, and a portion of the proceeds generated from the sale of non-wine items. For information on day licenses for charitable and other events, please refer to the resources section of our website.
top
Where is the winery?
Our winery is located in the beautiful Napa Valley (only 45 minutes from San Francisco), but we offer varietals from several different appellations. This ensures a wide selection of styles and flavor profiles.
top
Can I pick up my wine order at the winery?
Yes. Pickups are available at Goosecross Cellars’ tasting room in Yountville. All tastings require an appointment in advance. Email [email protected] or call 800-276-9210 to schedule your appointment. top
