FUNdraisers – Great Ideas for Fun Campaign Events!
Silly, unexpected, and outrageous….these words describe some of the creative ways that Employee Campaign Coordinators have found to generate additional dollars for United Way. Looking for some good ideas? Listed below are some of the most successful events organized by your fellow coordinators.
FUN WITH FOOD
Potluck Luncheon – Employees bring their favorite food dish. Choose an interesting theme. Everyone pays $4.00 to eat.
Hot Dog Eating Contest – Employees contribute to enter. The top three eaters win prizes.
Chili Cook-Off – Like it hot & spicy, or mild & meaty? Employees pay $4 to eat, and vote on their favorite chilis submitted by their associate chefs. Prizes are provided for the peoples’ favorite chili.
Bake Sale – Employees contribute baked goods. All funds donated to United Way. (This is great just before Halloween or Thanksgiving)
Ice Cream Social – Employees pay to eat. Consider including a Cookies & Cakes Contest as well.
Pancake Breakfast – Bring in a caterer to serve a traditional American flapjack breakfast. Employees pay to eat. All funds donated to United Way.
Lollipop Tree – Color the ends of lollipop sticks with different colors that correspond to prizes. Insert the lollipops into a Styrofoam cone. Employees pay $1 to select a lollipop and possibly win a prize.
Get Donations – When planning a food related event, many vendors will make donations, as long as it’s for a good cause. Check with local grocery stores for hot dogs or ice cream. Many rental facilities will donate Popcorn Machines or Sno-Cone Machines as well.
FUN WITH MANAGEMENT
Management Work Program – Employees can bid on their favorite manager. Management works a full day or half day side by side with the top bidder.
Auctioning Off Management Employees – Employees bid on and “buy” the manager they want to work for them for a day. Duties can include before and after work valet service, dusting a department, filing, etc.
Pie Throwing Contest – For $3 employees can throw three pies at their favorite management associate.
Dunk Tank – Employees sign up to dunk their favorite manager in the store. This is fun at a company picnic!
A Dollar An Inch Contest – Engage managers in an all day competition to end the day with the shortest tie. Employees cut an inch off their favorite manager’s tie each time they donate to the United Way.
FUN WITH CREATIVITY
Silent Talent Auction -- Everyone has something they do well – baking pies, needlepoint, changing the oil on a car, writing poetry….. Donate your talent to an inner office silent auction. You’ll learn more about your co-workers, enjoy a special service, and feel good about sending the proceeds to the United Way.
Silent Auction – Hold a Silent Auction with items such as a VIP Parking Space, Lunch with the CEO, Free Car Wash from the Manager of their choice, or donated items.
Scavenger/Treasure Hunt – Gift cards and other prizes can be hidden throughout your place of business. Employees donate $3.50 to participate. Clues are given to help locate prizes. United Way agencies or programs can be incorporated in the clues.
Fear Factor Event – Employees pay a fee to participate. The Manager carefully chooses trials that the employees must overcome. For example, eating canned spinach or other unpopular foods. The winner receives a donated prize or gift certificate.
Hat & Sunglasses Week – Employees who contribute $2 can wear hats and sunglasses during their shift. Employees can judge the funniest combination. Winner receives a $10 gift certificate.
Book Sale – Have employees bring in their own books and sell in the lunch room. Children’s books are a huge draw. Proceeds go to the United Way OR Consider collecting books for a donation to a United Way agency.
Paper Airplane Toss – Employees pay to enter their one of a kind paper airplane. Donated prizes go to the longest flight, most acrobatic, and best design.
ENGAGING EMPLOYEES
Department Challenge – Each department competes against other departments on various measures. The winning department is recognized during an employee meeting and wins prizes.
Arts & Crafts Contest – Charge an entry fee to participate. Award prizes for 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd place. Display arts and crafts for all to enjoy.
SET A GOAL
Then display a thermometer to show how close your organization comes to the goal as pledges or totals from a special event are collected. People like to feel that they have accomplished something as a group and recognize that it is bigger than what they could do themselves.
Community Involvement Day – Employees nominate fellow employees who participate in local volunteer projects. Winner (top vote getter) receives a prize. This may encourage other associates to consider volunteering and generate interest and support of United Way. The Roger Hill Volunteer Center can match volunteers with volunteer opportunities year round. Call 865-5030, or go to www.rhvc.org.
MORE FUN EVENTS AND INCENTIVES:
FUN EVENTS:
Spare Change Jar - Casual Day Buttons - Softball Tournament - Golf Tournament
Pizza Party - Beach Party - Carnival - Office Olympics - Halloween Costume Contest
Baby-Picture Guessing Game - Cubicle/Office Decorating Contests - Ugly Tie, Earrings
Bridesmaid Dress Contest - Departmental Penny Wars - Office Bingo - Grab Bags
Hallway Golf - Managers Tricycle Race - Company/Sports Trivia - Crossword Puzzle
Water Balloon Toss
INCENTIVES:
Time Off From Work - Casual Day - Reserved/Free Parking - Tickets to Games/Movies
Grocery Certificate - Mail Certificate - Dinner for Two - Hotel Getaways - Flowers
“Sleep-In” Passes - “Leave Work Early” Passes - Employee raffle - Extra Half-Hour for Lunch/Week
CEO/Supervisor Car Wash - Winter Parking Privileges - KU Sporting Events Tickets
Day at the Spa - Holiday Turkey or Ham - Pick Office Music for a Week - CEO’s Parking Spot for a Day/Week
Doughnuts & Coffee for Department - Lunch on the Boss - In-Office Massage
T-shirts, coffee mugs, office equipment, etc.