Special Events Ideas
Special events are a fantastic way to infuse your workplace with energy, create awareness and boost employee
morale. Of course special events can be a great fundraiser, but the real value is the excitement and momentum they
create for your annual United Way workplace campaign.
There are hundreds of innovative ways to raise awareness and create excitement within your workplace. We
encourage you to ask yourself these three simple questions before moving forward:
1. What do you hope to accomplish with this event?
2. Has there been a similar event held at your organization in the past? What was the outcome?
3. How much time and resources will you need to organize this event?
These simple questions will help you select an activity that is right for both you and your workplace. We’ve listed a
handful of proven ideas that you may find helpful when brainstorming with your team.
Impact Speaker
Arrange for a United Way Impact Speaker to attend a departmental meeting or coffee break.
Most presentations take about 15 minutes and are a great way to learn about the community.
Seeing Is Believing Tours
Arrange for your workplace committee, canvassers or a small group of employees to tour a
few of our United Way Member Agencies to see first-hand the work that is being done. Speak
to your United Way staff partner for booking details.
Lunch & Learn
Leading up to your campaign, offer free information sessions during the lunch hour. Arrange
for an Impact Speaker to present. Encourage employees to bring their own lunch.
Auction
(Services)
Auction off your employees’ special talents as prizes. Examples include: guitar lessons, cook
dinner, valet parking, or buying & delivering coffee every day for a week.
Auctions
(Silent/ Email)
Employees and/or departments can donate baskets or prizes to the auction. Employees write
their bid on a bidding sheet (Silent/email).
Bake / Book / Garage Sale
Always fun to shop! All proceeds donated to United Way.
BBQ Lunch or Breakfast
Advertise well in advance what you will be serving at the barbecue/breakfast. Have your
tickets on sale a week ahead of time so you will have an idea of how much food you will
need. Visit a wholesale distributor to negotiate a donation of supplies (plastic plates, utensils,
etc.). Encourage Senior Management to participate by cooking and remember to provide the
‘chefs’ with United Way aprons.
Casual Days
Charge a donation fee to wear jeans on Friday or have it free when you return your pledge
form. “I’m Dressed This Way for United Way” stickers easily identify participants and are
available for free through your United Way staff partner.
Chili Cook-off
Co-workers compete for bragging rights and the best chili recipe! Charge a small fee per
bowl and include rolls for lunch.
Coffee Cart
Executives and/or canvassers hand out free coffee &/or donuts as they distribute pledge
forms and brochures. This event is great for workplaces that employ shift workers or those
who can’t leave their desk for traditional events.
Cookbook
Compile a cookbook of employee recipes and sell it to raise money for United Way. For
added awareness, pair the cookbook with a potluck lunch.
Crossword Puzzle
To create awareness, generate a crossword puzzle using clues and answers from United
Way’s website. Award small prizes to the person who answers all questions correctly.
Dress Up Days
Wear RED for United Way or dress according to a specific theme to build energy and
excitement.
Special Events Ideas…continued
BINGO
Sell cards for $5 each or 3 for $10 and get those bingo dabbers ready. Select a couple of
numbers each day and communicate through email. This activity builds excitement and
awareness.
Dunk Tank
Employees pay a small fee to dunk their favourite Executive! Yes, you can rent Dunk Tanks!
Piggy Bank Challenge
Groups decorate piggy banks. Have a best dressed pig competition or fattest pig with the
most dollars. Piggy banks then used for employees to drop-off their change during campaign.
Scavenger Hunt
Schedule during the noon hour to promote team spirit and encourage inter-departmental
competition. Charge a flat fee per team and donate proceeds to United Way.
Shoe Shine
Executives shine shoes in exchange for a small donation.
Spelling Bee
Employees vs. Management. Use United Way words (messaging, agency names, etc), to
create awareness and promote team spirit.
Trivia
Include questions about United Way and your own workplace campaign to create awareness.
Award United Way merchandise to the person who answers all questions correctly. Talk to
your United Way staff partner to discuss available items including; coffee mugs, water bottles
and t-shirts.
Ugly Sweater Day / Ugly Tie
Day
Employees can vote on their favourite (or “ugliest”), use as a fun event.
Video Game Tournament
Individuals or teams pay to play favourites like Guitar Hero, Rockband and Wii Olympics.
Teams can dress the part for extra points.
Cookie Event
Have a group of employee volunteers donate homemade cookies to the event. Employees
can purchase a cookie for $1 and have them delivered to colleagues within the organization
just to say thanks and to brighten someone’s day.
Sleep-in: Award
Accept bids on a “Sleep-in” package – blankets/Starbucks and mug, etc.
Door/Desk Decorating
Contest
Employees can have fun decorating their departments while they raise funds. Votes for the
best decorations could be cast for $1 per vote. The decorator of the winning space receives a
special prize.
Penny Collection
Put jars around your workplace collecting everyone’s pennies.
Offering free admission or charging a minimal fee for special events is a great way to ensure employees still have the
capacity to support the annual campaign through pledges/payroll contributions.
TIP: Better yet, why not use the donor’s completed pledge form as an entry ticket to a
special event!
Have questions or need someone to bounce ideas off? Contact us today!
United Way Oxford
Telephone: (519) 539-3851
Email: shelley@unitedwayoxford.ca
Website: www.unitedwayoxford.ca