Case Study: How a School Raised $3,000 with Hats and Tumblers

When a high school booster club set out to raise money for their sports program, they faced the same problem most schools do. Traditional fundraisers like candy bars and raffle tickets offered slim profits and low enthusiasm. They wanted something practical, something people would actually use, and something that would build school pride while putting real dollars into the program. That’s when they turned to Freedomforge.

The booster club decided on two products that could work together: Richardson 112 hats with engraved Heritage Collection leatherette patches and twenty-ounce powder-coated tumblers engraved with the school mascot. The combination created a fundraiser that was both stylish and functional, items that parents, students, and alumni could be proud to buy.

The initial order was simple but effective. One hundred hats and one hundred tumblers were produced and delivered to the booster club. The cost per hat came in around eighteen dollars and the cost per tumbler around fifteen. Both were sold at thirty dollars each, delivering strong profit margins without pushing the price point beyond what parents and supporters were willing to pay.

The results spoke for themselves. In just a few weeks, the school cleared over three thousand dollars in profit. Hats were worn at games and around town, while the tumblers quickly became everyday staples for teachers, parents, and fans. The engraved mascot united the community and gave them something visible to rally around. For many, buying the gear was less about the product itself and more about showing loyalty to the school.

What made this fundraiser different was its repeat potential. Unlike cookie dough or raffle tickets, custom gear can be refreshed every season. New hat colors or alternate tumbler designs keep interest alive while building a collection that fans actually want to own. Instead of being a one-time sale, the booster club found a fundraiser they could return to year after year.

This case study shows why schools and sports programs across the country are turning to custom engraved gear. The products are durable, practical, and stylish. The margins are strong enough to deliver real results. Most importantly, they carry pride in every detail. For this school, what started as a fundraiser became a unifying statement for the entire community.

At Freedomforge, we don’t just make products. We deliver solutions that raise money, build pride, and last far beyond the fundraiser. When you hold a hat or tumbler engraved with your mascot, you hold more than just gear—you hold the symbol of a community standing together.