Custom Nonprofit Apparel and Fundraiser Merchandise in Chicago

A nonprofit should not choose merchandise simply because a logo fits on it.

Every product should have a job.

Some apparel identifies volunteers. Some merchandise raises money. Some products support an awareness campaign. Others thank donors, recognize sponsors, outfit staff, or give supporters another way to represent the organization.

Inkdnylon Custom Apparel serves nonprofits, foundations, community organizations, associations, charitable programs, advocacy organizations, fundraising teams, and event organizers throughout Chicago and Cook County with custom apparel, embroidery, screen printing, promotional products, branded merchandise, and larger purchasing programs.

Start With the Mission of the Merchandise

Before selecting a T-shirt, polo, cap, jacket, bag, or promotional product, determine what the organization needs the item to accomplish.

Is it being sold to raise money?

Will volunteers wear it during an event?

Is it part of an awareness campaign?

Will donors receive it?

Does staff need professional apparel?

Will sponsors appear on the product?

The answer should influence the product, decoration, quantity, artwork, and distribution plan.

Fundraiser Merchandise and Staff Apparel Are Different Purchases

A nonprofit may need several categories of branded products at the same time.

Staff apparel represents the organization professionally.

Volunteer shirts help identify the people working an event.

Fundraiser merchandise needs to be something supporters are willing to purchase.

Donor gifts should feel appropriate for the relationship.

Promotional products may be designed for distribution and awareness.

Separating those purposes helps the organization make better purchasing decisions.

What Can Nonprofits Order?

A nonprofit apparel and merchandise program can include:

• Embroidered staff polos
• Volunteer T-shirts
• Caps and headwear
• Quarter-zips
• Jackets and outerwear
• Fundraising T-shirts
• Hoodies and sweatshirts
• Tote bags
• Event apparel
• Awareness campaign merchandise
• Donor gifts
• Promotional products
• Branded merchandise

The organization does not need to use the same product for every audience.

Custom Embroidery for Nonprofit Staff and Leadership

Embroidery can be used for qualifying polos, caps, quarter-zips, jackets, bags, uniforms, and other products where a stitched logo supports the intended presentation.

This can work particularly well for nonprofit staff, leadership, board-facing events, outreach teams, and other situations where the organization needs professional branded apparel.

Artwork still needs to translate properly into embroidery.

Logo detail, lettering size, stitch count, placement, embroidery dimensions, fabric, and garment construction can affect the finished result.

Organizations with qualifying customer-supplied products can submit embroidery requirements through the Contract Embroidery Submission page.

Screen Printing for Fundraisers and Volunteer Apparel

Screen printing can be appropriate for qualifying larger runs of fundraiser shirts, volunteer apparel, awareness campaigns, event shirts, and other garments designed around printed artwork.

A nonprofit may use embroidery and screen printing within the same program.

Staff might wear embroidered polos while volunteers receive printed shirts and supporters purchase campaign merchandise.

The product, artwork, quantity, and intended use should determine the decoration method.

A Fundraiser Shirt Has to Be Worth Buying

A fundraising product should not be evaluated only by how little it costs the organization.

The supporter still has to want it.

Garment quality, design, fit, color, message, decoration, and connection to the cause can influence the perceived value of the merchandise.

A cheaper product does not automatically create a stronger fundraiser if fewer people want to buy or wear it.

The purchasing decision should consider both cost and supporter appeal.

Know the Fundraising Math Before Ordering

If merchandise is being sold to raise money, establish the financial objective before choosing the product.

The organization should understand:

• Expected selling price
• Estimated product and decoration cost
• Number of units expected to sell
• Desired proceeds per item
• Whether products will also be given away
• How unsold inventory would affect the campaign

This creates a clearer purchasing target than simply asking for the least expensive shirt available.

Volunteer Apparel Has an Operational Purpose

Volunteer shirts can do more than promote the organization.

At a fundraiser, community program, outreach event, registration area, food distribution, awareness event, or public gathering, apparel can help attendees identify who is working the event.

Different colors or products can also be used to distinguish staff, volunteers, coordinators, or other groups when the event requires it.

That makes apparel part of event organization as well as branding.

Plan Sponsor Logos Before Production

Fundraising events often involve sponsors.

If sponsor names or logos will appear on apparel or merchandise, determine that requirement before artwork is finalized.

Consider:

• How many sponsors will appear
• Where sponsor logos will be placed
• Whether all sponsors receive equal placement
• Whether sponsor artwork has been collected
• Whether logos meet production requirements
• When the sponsor list becomes final

Late sponsor additions can change artwork that was otherwise ready for production.

Awareness Merchandise Should Carry a Clear Message

Some nonprofit merchandise is designed less around direct fundraising and more around visibility.

An awareness campaign may use a recognizable color, message, symbol, phrase, or graphic to help supporters communicate the cause.

The organization should decide what someone unfamiliar with the nonprofit should understand when they see the product.

That can influence both the artwork and the type of merchandise selected.

What Should a Nonprofit Submit for a Quote?

A complete request helps define the purchasing requirement.

When available, provide:

• Organization name
• Purpose of the project
• Product type
• Quantity
• Size breakdown
• Preferred colors
• Artwork and logos
• Sponsor artwork, when applicable
• Decoration method
• Decoration locations
• Required date
• Event date, when applicable
• Shipping destination
• Whether products are customer supplied
• Whether approved alternatives are permitted

Organizations with spreadsheets, bid documents, product specifications, or other purchasing files can include those with the request.

Can Nonprofits Supply Their Own Apparel?

Yes. Qualifying customer-supplied products can be submitted through applicable contract decoration services.

This may be appropriate when the organization already owns merchandise, has an approved uniform, or purchased specific products for a campaign.

If products need to be sourced, provide the intended use, product type, quantity, size range, color, artwork, and other available requirements.

One Fundraiser Can Become an Annual Program

Many nonprofit purchasing needs repeat.

An annual walk returns. A fundraising gala happens again. Volunteer programs continue. Staff need replacement apparel. New sponsors join. Awareness campaigns return. New employees are hired.

That means the first order can establish information that becomes useful for future programs.

Approved artwork, product specifications, colors, decoration locations, sponsor layouts, and previous quantities can help the organization plan the next campaign.

Private Stores for Nonprofit Apparel and Merchandise

Organizations with recurring apparel or merchandise needs can use Inkdnylon Private Company Stores to establish approved products for repeat ordering.

A structured store can support staff apparel, approved merchandise, organizational programs, and other recurring purchasing requirements.

When Nonprofit Purchasing Becomes an RFQ

Larger nonprofit organizations may purchase far beyond one fundraiser shirt.

A requirement may include employee apparel, volunteer shirts, event merchandise, promotional products, donor gifts, multiple decoration methods, approved alternatives, repeat ordering, and shipping to multiple destinations.

Organizations can submit RFQs, spreadsheets, specifications, product lists, artwork, and other procurement documents so the complete requirement can be evaluated together.

Serving Chicago Nonprofits and Organizations

Inkdnylon Custom Apparel serves nonprofits, foundations, associations, charitable organizations, community programs, and fundraising teams throughout Chicago and Cook County.

Artwork, quantities, specifications, sponsor files, spreadsheets, RFQs, and purchasing documents can be submitted electronically.

Applicable orders can be coordinated for pickup, local delivery, or shipping according to the project. Inkdnylon also serves nonprofit organizations nationwide.

Organizations evaluating Inkdnylon can review our Trust & Compliance information and our Chamber of Commerce profile.

Start a Nonprofit Apparel or Fundraising Project

Start with what the merchandise needs to accomplish.

Determine whether the products are for staff, volunteers, supporters, donors, sponsors, fundraising, awareness, or a combination of those groups.

Then define the products, quantities, artwork, decoration requirements, event date, required date, and distribution needs.

Already have qualifying apparel that needs embroidery? Submit the project through the Contract Embroidery Submission page.

Need fundraiser apparel, volunteer shirts, promotional products, branded merchandise, or a larger nonprofit purchasing program? Submit the complete requirement through Request a Quote.

Inkdnylon Custom Apparel serves Chicago and nationwide nonprofit organizations with custom apparel, fundraising merchandise, contract decoration, and branded products.