Macmillan Coffee morning fundraising : 5 office ideas to maximise donations

There’s a reason Macmillan Coffee Morning is one of the most popular fundraising initiatives in the UK. We all love a cup of coffee (and a generous slice of cake), and we also love knowing that our donations are going to help a worthy cause. If you’re working, you might be thinking you’ll be missing out on the above, but here are a few alternative ways in which you can raise money for Macmillan while in the office (and escape the Macmillan Coffee Morning FOMO on Friday 30th September).

Host a Raffle

We all know that nervous excitement, the ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ as the hand swooshes the tickets round and picks out a lucky number. A raffle is a great way to get the blood pumping and the coins rolling in. Luckily, a raffle is something easily executed in the office. In the lead-up to 30th September, ask co-workers to donate prizes (you’ll be surprised by some of the quality items people donate!), buy a book of raffle tickets, and sell them at a set price – £1 a strip seems to be the going rate.

Ensure you give people a couple of weeks to buy the tickets as it allows as many people as possible the opportunity to join in the fun and frivolity!

Fancy-dress & dress-down day

Depending on the strictness of your work’s dress-code policy, fancy dress can be a brilliant way to not only boost morale in the office for the day but also raise those much-needed donations. Have a word with HR before going ahead with this one, and if given the green light, set a donation of around £1 per person to join in and spread the word.

If you’re feeling like you want a sense of unity, set a theme everyone can join in with (80s fancy dress is very in-vogue so we hear…), or simply let people choose their ensemble to take part in.

Even miserable Bill from accounts might want to wear a hat and donate £1 for the cause…

We know some professions have strict dress codes and fancy dress will not be approved (we have an inkling police officers might not get away with fancy dress) but you may be able to negotiate a dress-down day instead. Staff can contribute to wear more casual clothes rather than their standard office uniform.

Because who wouldn’t want to donate to a worthwhile cause and wear their civvy’s while doing so?

Cake Sale

September is often British Bake Off season and everyone thinks they’re Mary Berry, so why not get the staff to show off their culinary skills and bake a cake to sell at elevenses. Donate 50p a slice – or if anyone’s feeling very hungry, they can buy the entire cake to share (or just take it home for themselves…why not?)

Not a baker? Fear not – a shop-bought cake will do just fine and tolls up those all-important donations.

Guess the baby

Who doesn’t want to see some cute (and maybe some not-so-cute) baby photos?

Get staff to send in pics of themselves as a nipper, then on the day have them pinned around the office. People can guess for £1 a go at who they think the babies are, and there can be a grand reveal at lunchtime. It’s a guaranteed way to get everyone talking and raise some cash for Macmillan.

Use easyfundraising

If you want to continue the donations rolling for Macmillan through the rest of the year, this can be done through easyfundraising. Over 7,000 brands will donate to Macmillan for free when you use easyfundraising to shop with them. All you have to do is sign up to choose Macmillan as your chosen cause.

When going about your normal shopping online, go through the easyfundraising website or app, and the brand will donate to Macmillan when you make a purchase – all at no extra cost to you.