You don’t need a big budget… just one lunch hour.
Workplace fundraising is a powerful way to build team spirit, strengthen professional relationships, and raise awareness of MS – without a big time or money commitment.
1) Coffee Morning / Global-Foods Lunch
- How it works: BYO bakes/dishes with a suggested $3–$5 donation.
- Hybrid: Open a Teams/Zoom room so remote teammates can join, donate, and share photos.
- Accessibility: Seated, quiet environment; label allergens.
- Add-ons: “Manager vs. Manager” bake-off, $1 per vote via your donation page.
- Pro tip: Use your official Bike the US for MS donation page so donors receive tax-deductible receipts (and can check for employer matches).
2) Hour-of-Pay Pledge
- Pitch: Payday appeal: “Donate one hour of your pay this month.”
- Comms kit: 3-message sequence, (1) payday morning, (2) mid-day reminder, (3) thank-you recap with total raised.
- Match: Ask HR to match gifts (e.g., up to $250–$500).
- Add-ons: Team/office leaderboard; shout out the first 10 donors on Slack/Teams/Email.
3) Sweepstakes (Big game, Oscars, Bake-Off winner)
- Setup: 20–30 slots at $2 per slot; prize = small hamper or bragging rights.
- Hybrid: Take entries via your donation page; assign slots in a shared sheet.
- Note: Sweepstakes/raffle rules vary by state and employer. Follow company policy and keep a simple entries/prize log.
- Add-ons: Auction a “golden slot” at lunch to boost totals.
4) Desk-to-Desk Raffle (Experiences/Skills)
- Prizes: Barista-made coffee by the boss, résumé review, cake-of-the-month.
- Hybrid: Digital ticket form; live drawing on Teams.
- Accessibility: No physical exertion needed.
- Add-ons: “Surprise hour off admin” coupon donated by a senior leader.
- Note: Confirm your company’s policy on raffles and giveaways.
5) Lunch-and-Learn: MS & Your Ride Story
- How it works: A 20-minute talk about Bike the US for MS and your “why”, plus Q&A; donations via on-screen QR.
- Hybrid: Host live on video and record for those who can’t attend.
- Accessibility: Turn on captions; high-contrast slides; share notes afterward.
- Add-ons: Invite a colleague with a lived connection to MS to share a 60-second story.
6) Movement Challenge (Steps, Minutes, or “Active Breaks”)
- How it works: Teams earn points for activity minutes (not just steps).
- Hybrid: Works for office/WFH; simple shared log or wellness app.
- Accessibility: Time-based scoring includes walking, stretching, chair yoga.
- Add-ons: Mid-challenge “stretch & hydrate” micro-session with your donation QR on screen.
7) “Donate Your Commute” Day
- How it works: On a chosen day, teammates donate what they’d usually spend on commuting or parking.
- Hybrid: Especially effective for WFH teams.
- Accessibility: Zero exertion; fully optional amounts.
- Add-ons: Pair with a virtual coffee hangout and a quick impact update.
8) Skills Marketplace
- How it works: Colleagues list skills (Excel tips, language lesson, bike-fit) in exchange for donations.
- Hybrid: Sessions delivered in person or on Teams/Zoom.
- Accessibility: Seated, scheduled, low-sensory by default.
- Add-ons: Feature a weekly “Skill of the Week” on the intranet with a QR link.
9) Silent Auction of Promises
- How it works: Auction experiences/time—mentoring hour, lunch with an exec, prime parking spot.
- Hybrid: Collect bids via form; winners donate on your page.
- Accessibility: No physical demands; provide clear written descriptions.
- Add-ons: Add a “buy it now” price on select items to speed things up.
10) Workplace Giving & Matching Gifts Drive
- How it works: Promote workplace giving (payroll deduction via platforms like Benevity/CyberGrants/YourCause) and remind colleagues to submit matching gifts.
- Hybrid: Post a short explainer and host a 10-minute drop-in Q&A.
- Accessibility: Share a one-page guide with large text and clear steps.
- Add-ons: Ask HR to spotlight Bike the US for MS as “Cause of the Month” and match the first $500 in new gifts.
Quick message templates you can copy
Coffee morning (chat/Slack/Email):
“Lunch on Thu: Coffee & bakes for Bike the US for MS in [Room] 12:30–1:30. Donate via the QR to get a tax-deductible receipt (and check if your employer matches!).”
Payday “hour-of-pay” email (subject + 3 lines):
Subject: “Double your impact at lunch?”
Line 1: Your 1-sentence “why.”
Line 2: Donation link/QR (tax-deductible).
Line 3: “I’ve requested a company match for this month.”Matching-gifts ask to HR (one-liner):
“Could the company match employee donations to my Bike the US for MS fundraiser this month (e.g., up to $250)? It would double our impact.”
How the event runs (60-minute lunch version)
- 0–10 min: Set up table/signage/QR; post a photo on Slack or email.
- 10–50 min: Host, share your story, thank donors.
- 50–60 min: Quick total; share a thank-you message and next steps.
Things to remember
- Donation link & QR: Use your official Bike the US for MS donation page so every donor gets a tax-deductible receipt and can check for employer matching.
- Policies & light compliance: Confirm workplace rules for food sales, raffles/sweepstakes, and solicitations; state laws vary – keep a simple entries/prizes log where applicable.
- Food safety & allergens: Label common allergens and follow basic safe-serve practices.
- Accessibility: Offer seated/quiet options, captions/alt text, and invite access requests.
Not enough ideas yet?
Explore our other fundraising blogs, and keep an eye on your inbox for Bike the US for MS fundraising tips!
Ready to roll? Set up your donation page, print your QR, and invite your team.
