How to Raise Money for Charity FAST at the Office

Want to make a difference in your community but don't have the extra time to devote to volunteering or planning a huge fundraising event? Find a person or cause that you are passionate about and begin your campaign at your place of employment. It's easy, fun, and could be become contagious!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clearance from your supervisor
• A good sense of humor
• A cause that you are passionate about!

1. Once you have clearance from your supervisor, send out an email to your co-workers telling them that you are on a mission to raise money for your favorite charity and will need their help and cooperation over the next couple of weeks. To ensure your success, let them know they should have plenty quarters and single dollar bills throughout the week in order to participate fully.

2. Encourage others to help! Have them create fun ways that they can help contribute to the cause. Can you create a contest for the most money raised, most creative idea, or funniest fundraising idea? Offer creative prizes or incentives. Offer up your famous cheesecake, hand-crafted items, or soon to be expired gift card that you have no intention of using...think outside of the box!

3. Put a collection jar on your desk. Each time a co-worker interrupts you while you are working, tell them they have to add $1 to your charity jar.

4. Go on patrol! Hear someone gossiping? Someone talking on their cell phone? Checking their profile on myspace? Have them fork over a dollar!

5. Go seasonal! Cold and flu season? Charge 25 cents per kleenex or buy personal purse-sized packages to sell for $1!

6. Appeal to a captive audience! Add some convenience items to the ladies bathroom. Put out a basket with hairspray, hand lotion, aspirin, breath minds, etc. and have a little piggy bank where they can "tip" the virtual attendant.

7. If permitted, sell healthy homemade or pre-packaged snacks from your office during a specific time frame. Send emails daily to your office mates around 3pm and encourage them to pay you a visit for a healthy pick-me-up.

8. Similar to the step above, buy bulk candy or chocolate miniatures and put them in a basket on your desk. Charge by the handful or by the piece. I did this once with Swedish Fish and it was a huge hit!

9. Do you have an idea that I haven't mentioned? Please comment below with your suggestions or visit me online at www.thegifttherapist.com

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the excitement up and stay positive!
• Encourage others to get in on the fun.
• After the campaign, be sure to send thank you notes to everyone who helped you!

Resources

• Buy the Book!

[acole]

on 7/21/2008 Good ideas.