How Pharmacies and Health Businesses Can Support Community Campaignraisers

Pharmacies and health businesses sit at the heart of their communities. People visit for advice, prescriptions and everyday health — and that trusted position makes them natural (and careful) fundraising partners.

Here's the short version: support fundraisers with offers that fit your role — pharmacy gift cards, health-and-wellness product packs, first-aid or vaccination-related services where appropriate — at a share of at least 10%. Health is a trust industry, so the golden rule is: keep offers honest, keep them professional, and never let a fundraiser over-promise what you can't deliver.

Why pharmacies and health businesses fit fundraising

Health spending is non-discretionary and trusted. A gift card redeemable against prescriptions, vitamins, sunscreen or first-aid supplies is genuinely useful — the kind of offer a family actually uses. And because your customers already trust your advice, your endorsement of a cause carries real weight in the community.

There's also a fit that few other industries have: pharmacies support every kind of fundraiser, because every household needs health products. You can back schools, sports clubs, emergency appeals and community groups with the same offer.

The maths that works

Let's price a $50 pharmacy gift card with a 10% share:

What happens	Amount
Buyer pays	$50.00
Fundraiser's share (10%)	$5.00
Platform fee (5% + GST on the sale)	~$2.75
You receive	~$42.25

Pharmacy margins on retail health products are modest, so the 10% floor is usually right. The value is in the traffic: a card brings a household in, and households buy more than the card's value — sunscreen, vitamins and top-ups. The share guide helps you check whether a higher share works for you.

What makes it work

• Offer a card, not a service promise. Gift cards redeemable against products are the safest, simplest offer — no scope for health-advice misunderstandings.
• Consider product packs. Sunscreen packs for summer, flu-season care packs, first-aid kits — practical bundles sell well and fit your professional role.
• Keep health claims out of the marketing. Never let a fundraiser imply a product treats, cures or prevents anything. Your terms and listing copy should stay factual — here's how to write terms that protect you.
• Make redemption easy. Honour cards at the counter without fuss, and thank the customer for supporting the cause — it reflects well on you and the fundraiser.
• Welcome them back. Add cardholders to your loyalty or reminder list (with permission) so the visit becomes a habit. Here's how.

Which fundraisers to choose

Pharmacies can support almost any cause, but the strongest fits are schools (health education, sports), sports clubs (injury and recovery products), and community health appeals. Use the cause filters to set your boundaries comfortably.

A few honest notes

Health is regulated and reputation-sensitive: keep every offer within your professional scope, avoid "miracle" language, and be careful with anything that could look like promoting a product to treat a condition. If you're ever unsure about an offer's compliance, run it past your professional body before listing it.

Frequently asked questions

What's the minimum share I give a fundraiser?

At least 10% of each sale on Generous.nz. Pharmacy margins usually make 10% the right starting point.

Who pays the platform fee?

You do — 5% + GST on sales, fee-free on your first $1,000 in sales, and no charge if nothing sells.

Can I sell gift cards redeemable on prescriptions?

That's a decision for your pharmacy's professional judgement and legal advice — a card redeemable against retail health products is the safest, most common option.

What if a supporter misunderstands what a product does?

Keep the listing factual, keep health claims out, and your team can clarify at the counter. Clear terms prevent most misunderstandings before they start.

Do health-product customers come back?

Yes — health purchases are repeat by nature, especially with a reminder system. Track redemptions and returns with the ROI scorecard.