Raise Money at Work!
Whether you work in a large, corporate office or a small to mid-size organization, the workplace can be a great place to fundraise. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Jeans Day
This is a very popular method of fundraising, particularly in offices with formal dress codes. If your workplace doesn’t have a jeans day, ask a friend or family member to request one at their office in support of your fundraising campaign.
Music by Donation
Ask colleagues to bring their favourite music to the office and, in return for a donation, they can play a few songs of their choice. For an extra “premium”, allow people to play their entire CD.
Bake Sales
Ask your colleagues to donate their favourite baked goods and raise funds through the sale of the items. If you have a smaller office, feature a few items weekly until everyone who wants to support it has. If you are in a larger office, do a larger one or two day sale.
Potluck Lunch
Similar to a bake sale but request items for a potluck lunch and charge a small fee. To ensure you have a good selection of items, ask people to bring specific dishes – an appetizer, a main or a dessert.
Lunch Service
Do your co-workers eye your lunches enviously or regularly covet your delicious, homemade snacks? Turn this into a fundraising opportunity! Offer to provide lunch or snacks for co-workers for a fee. Make up a menu and have them submit an order to you with payment a few days in advance. It will be cheaper and healthier than if they went to a restaurant and you might even get a few bonus tips!
Matching Donations
As highlighted in the February Pacesetter, many companies have matching donation programs so in addition to asking your employer to match donations by your colleagues, ask your friends and family members to ask their employers to make a matching donation. For example, if your friend donates $100, they then ask their employer to match their donation. This one ask turns your $100 donation into a $200 one!
Change Jar
It may sound insignificant but it is surprising how quickly change can add up and people don’t think twice about getting rid of the coins weighing down their pockets. Have one on your desk for the duration of your fundraising – it doesn’t require any extra work and every bit helps!
Work a Shift by Donation
Offer to cover a shift for a co-worker if they donate an agreed upon amount to your campaign. This is a great way for a co-worker to get a day off and for you to raise money if you have the flexibility to do this in your workplace.
Social Activities
Host some social activities to add extra fun to your fundraising and your workplace. Screening a movie over lunch is great on a rainy day. Charge a small fee and in return provide a healthy snack such as low fat/low sodium popcorn. To get people out of their cubicles in warmer weather, host outdoor activities such as a croquet tournament in a nearby park or a scavenger hunt. Charge a fee to participate and get some items donated to use as prizes for the winners and for random draw prizes.