If you’re part of a nonprofit in the Greater Toronto Area, you know how important fundraising is—but you also know how challenging it can be. That’s why we’re excited to share a real-world example of a local organization that turned a simple idea into $5,000 in fundraising with the help of custom T-shirts from PromoPays.

This case study walks you through how one nonprofit made it happen—from design to delivery—and how you can apply the same approach to your next campaign.

The Organization: Hearts in Motion Foundation

Hearts in Motion Foundation is a mid-sized Toronto-based nonprofit focused on youth mental health advocacy. Each year, they host a community walk to raise funds for school-based support programs.

In 2024, they decided to expand their fundraiser by offering custom T-shirts for sale to participants, volunteers, and the wider community.

The Goal

• Raise $5,000 through apparel sales

• Spread awareness for the cause across the GTA

• Increase turnout and visibility at their flagship event

The Strategy

1. Simple, Bold Design

The organization worked with PromoPays to create a clean design featuring:

• A bold slogan: “Walk With Heart”

• Their logo front and centre

• Event name and year on the back

PromoPays provided free design support to ensure print quality and visual impact.

2. Eco-Friendly Shirt Option

They selected an organic cotton T-shirt, appealing to environmentally conscious supporters. The shirts were soft, stylish, and sustainable—adding more value to every purchase.

3. Online Pre-Order Store

PromoPays set up an online pre-order form. This allowed supporters to:

• Choose their size

• Select colour options

• Pay securely online

No paper forms, no guesswork, and no upfront cost.

4. Promotional Push

The team used:

• Email blasts to their donor list

• Daily countdowns on Instagram and Facebook

• Sneak peeks of the shirt design

• Stories from youth who benefited from their programs

This built excitement and urgency around the campaign.

5. Tiered Pricing Incentives

They offered:

• 1 shirt for $25

• 2 shirts for $45

• Free shirt with a $100 donation

This pricing model helped increase both unit sales and overall donations.

The Outcome

• Gross Revenue: $6,250

• Expenses (printing, shipping, processing): $1,250

• Net Funds Raised: $5,000

• Shirts Sold: 250

• Event Attendance: +35% from previous year

• Social Reach: Doubled on Instagram in 3 weeks

Supporters continued wearing the shirts throughout the year, spreading the message far beyond the event.

Why It Worked

• Clear call-to-action

• Great-looking shirts people actually wanted to wear

• Easy online ordering

• Built-in fundraising model

• Local production = faster turnaround and no shipping delays

Lessons You Can Use

• Simplicity sells. Don’t overcomplicate your design.

• Eco sells. Offering a green option can boost perceived value.

• Urgency works. Promote deadlines and exclusivity.

• Tools matter. PromoPays’ online pre-order system made all the difference.

Want to Raise $5,000 (or More) with Custom Apparel?

PromoPays helps nonprofits across the GTA bring fundraising ideas to life with custom T-shirts, hoodies, hats, and more. From design to delivery, we’ve got your back.

👉 Browse Our Custom T-Shirt Options
👉 Request a Quote for Your Fundraiser
👉 Talk to Our Nonprofit Apparel Team

Let’s turn your next fundraiser into a community movement—one shirt at a time. Contact us.