After Hurricane Sandy wiped out the Northeast U.S. coast recently, it reminded us once again how important corporate fundraising really is. With so many people working in the corporate world there is great potential to increase awareness, raise money, and get people in the spirit of helping others.

Of course, getting everyone involved is not always as easy as it seems. There are plenty of competing elements (work being the biggest culprit) that stand in the way. If you want to ignite the passion in all of your employees and manage a successful corporate fundraiser, your friends at Flutter FETTI can show you how to do it:

Kick-off Event

Kick off the corporate fundraiser with a bang… literally. Light up some fireworks, break out the jam band, and shoot off a few Co2 Confetti Launchers (which can be filled with a wide array of products). Whether you make the effect big or small, just made sure the beginning of your fundraiser is a big to-do. Marking the official start with a fun and memorable occasion will have people talking about the event for weeks leading up to it, as well as the weeks afterwards.

The fundraiser kick-off event can be anything and anywhere you fancy, as long as it involves everyone. Throw a casual company barbecue or play a cool viral video at the company town hall meeting. It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you show how serious you are about the fundraising.

Reminders and Contests

Many corporate fundraisers last longer than a few days, but memories quickly fade. Therefore, you constantly need to remind employees that the fundraiser is still happening. Deliver little chocolates to each desk with a little reminder to donate, have a bake sale where all proceeds go to the charity, or host an afternoon ice cream sundae party in the lobby and make an announcement to donate.

An even better way to involve employees is get them active. Hold department or team competitions where they go head-to-head in scavenger hunts, penny jar drives, trivia games, and tug-o-war. All participants pay to play and losers have to donate a little more. Winning departments not only get pride, but a free pizza party too. A little competitive spirit can lead to a lot of extra cash.

Celebration

We’ve all heard the expression “in like a lion, out like a lamb”. Well when it comes to making a successful corporate fundraiser, you need to go in like a lion and out like an ever bigger one! The end of the corporate fundraiser event should be even more exciting than the beginning because you want to reward people for their endless efforts.

Always give a big ‘thank you’ to the core fundraising team by handing out awards, setting up a special lunch, or offering a free day off work. Then throw a party, a buffet lunch, or a town hall-style gathering to thank all participants for their generous donations. Most importantly, give details on the total money raised, especially if you run an annual fundraiser. If you beat last year’s total, shower your employees in heart-shaped confetti to thank them for their big-hearted contributions!

Follow-up

If you plan to run a corporate fundraiser the following year, it’s important to show employees the impact of their previous fundraising session. Send pictures of the families and schoolchildren who benefited from your money or forward a copy of the donation association’s email thanking everyone for their miraculous and unexpected gift.

It may seem like a small gesture, but it helps employees feel warm inside knowing that their hard work and hard-earned money went towards something real and important. It also helps to keep the cycle going by inspiring employees to donate again (or for the first time) next year.

About Flutter FETTI®: Flutter FETTI is an innovator, manufacturer, and worldwide distributor of confetti and streamer products. Our mission is to bring excitement and joy into every special event in your life. Contact one of our confettiologists and we’ll make the right product recommendation to add the “WOW!” effect to your corporate fundraising event.