Breast Cancer Fundraising: Ideas for Fundraising from Work and Home

Pink is sweet and pretty, right? Soft, gentle, conjuring up images of roses and tea parties and frilly dresses.
Not always. In this case, it represents power and determination. A relentless fight. It’s the color of the breast cancer movement, one that resonates with women of all ages. It’s an unfortunate fact that breast cancer has affected most women in some way, whether it’s themselves that have been diagnosed or someone in their life – mother, daughter or friend. But the fact that breast cancer has touched so many lives offers as a powerful motivator for breast cancer fundraising, for people to rally behind the cause and wipe out this terrible disease once and for all. Pink just went from frilly to a force to be reckoned with.

There are tons of ways to support breast cancer fundraisers, along with holding one of your own.  We don’t need to throw out tired slogans like “every little bit counts” and “the smallest amount makes a difference”, but being trite doesn’t make them any less true. Don’t be intimidated by the enormous scope of the disease – money raised in any breast cancer fundraising campaign is another step towards finding a cure. In fact, you’d probably be surprised at just how much money you can raise if you know where to look and how to reach people.

There are lots of ways you can raise money without feeling like you’re rerouting all your time and energy to your breast cancer fundraiser.

At work:

1.             Depending on the size of the company you work for (this might not work so well if you’re a self-employed online Treasure Troll retailer) then ask your boss if they can match your donations. Or see your HR representative to see if they have a matching corporate giving program set up and running.

2.             Moonlight as a garbage picker. Well, a recycling picker. Make it your job to turn in the bottles and cans collected from the office (keep an eye on Tina Twelve-Cokes) and keep the profits as donations.

3.             Grab a jar (the bigger the better – an empty jar begs to be filled!) and ask people to throw their loose change in it. It’ll add up quicker than you think. Label the jar clearly so people will be eager to give – whether you call it “Breast Cancer Donations” or “Bling for Boobies” is up to you.

4.             Challenge people to sacrifice the Starbucks. Those of us who can afford to buy a $5 coffee every day can afford to give the same up for a good cause! Hold it for one day, or as long as your office can stand it and you’ll end up with plenty of money and a jitter-free office.

5.             Hold a cake auction between departments, where each one buys a yummy cake and auctions it off to the whole office. Whether they’re homemade or professionally made masterpieces, they’re likely to cause a sugar-crazed frenzy.

At home:

6.             Host a “Pink Party” or “Breast Fest” at your house (feel free to title it with less innuendo). Think of it in the style of a bachelorette party, but with a breast cancer fundraising twist. Make it fun (it’s a party after all) and make everything pink or breast themed. Ask for donations in the invitation or auction off prizes.

7.             Try the same idea but a little lower key. Have people over for a movie night at your place and ask them to donate what they would’ve spent at the movies – if you factor in concessions that means upwards of $20 per person. Make it a weekly event until your breast cancer fundraising deadline, and you’ll be rolling in the dough.

8.             Change your answering machine to let everyone know that you’re raising money for breast cancer. It’s a quick way to grab peoples’ attention and spread the word. And it’s creative enough that they might spread the word for you by mentioning it to others.

9.             Set up breast cancer fundraising in lieu of gifts. If you have a special event coming up (birthday party, anniversary, etc) then ask for donations instead of gifts. People are expecting to spend money anyways and will appreciate putting it towards a good cause. Plus, do you really need ANOTHER Snuggie?

Online:

All of these are great ways to raise extra money for your breast cancer fundraiser and get your coworkers and friends involved. But if you’re really looking to make an impact then taking your campaign online is the fastest way to reach a mass audience and multiply your fundraising efforts. By taking your breast cancer fundraising campaign to the various social network platforms (even peoples’ dogs have Facebook now.

Enough said!) You can spread the word quickly and even have people fundraise on your behalf by sharing with their friends. You’d be wise to register your cause with an online fundraising network where you can not only reach people through Facebook, Twitter and email from one hub, but allows people to donate directly online, making the whole process simpler for everyone involved.

It would be nice if the color pink meant only sugar and spice and everything nice, but the breast cancer movement has given it a new agenda. Until we find a cure and breast cancer stops affecting the women we love, it’s the toughest color there is. Think pink!