Workplace and Matching Gifts

Workplace Giving

If you would like to start a Wish Program at Work, we would be glad to help. Here are some steps:

• Invite a Make-A-Wish Foundation^® representative to talk to employees at your company, contact Karen Traten at 215-654-9355, ext. 117.
• Designate one person to be in charge of the event or program. This is the most important step. An organized, enthusiastic person will keep the project on track. If you are planning to do several fundraisers over a period of time, you may need a committee.
• Make a chart to show the progress toward your goal.
• Some of the fun can come from challenging another department, division, or office. This is a good way for everyone to get involved.

Here are some fun ideas used by other companies. Please feel free to change them in any way that will work for you:

Raffles

1. THEME BASKET - Raffle off a theme basket. Baskets of Cheer, Party Baskets and Holiday Baskets have all been successful. How: Choose a specific theme (i.e. Basket of Cheer) and ask each employee to donate one item such as a bottle of wine, a jar of olives or a package of cocktail napkins. Then combine all the items to make a spectacularly full gift basket. These Baskets of Cheer can be raffled off through purchased tickets. This has been one of the easiest and most successful fundraisers.
2. ITEMS DONATED BY OUTSIDE SOURCES - Raffle off gift certificates for lunch, dinner, lodging or other services which have been solicited from local restaurants and business. How: Ask other companies with whom you do business to donate an item. For example, how about the company from whom you order all of your office supplies? Would they like to donate a computer to be raffled off? Call theaters — maybe they would be willing to donate “Two on the Aisle.”
3. 50/50 RAFFLE - This is another easy and popular way to get started with your fundraising. How: Choose a raffle ticket price. Let’s say you’ve decided that each ticket will cost $1.00. Then 50% or in this case, $.50 of each dollar goes to the winner of the raffle. The other 50% goes to Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Corporate Contributions

1. MATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS - How: Many companies offer a matching fund program that could increase your collective contribution. Contact your company’s human resources department to see if Make-A-Wish Foundation qualifies for a company-matched gift.
2. CUSTOMER GIFTS - How: Instead of sending a promotional or holiday gift to each of your customers, send a donation to Make-A-Wish Foundation. We will send a letter to your customers telling them of your generosity.
3. PAID DAY OFF - How: Raffle off an extra day of vacation.
4. COMPANY PICNIC DAY - How: The senior management of one local company sat in a dunking tank at the company picnic. Another company raised money through a “pie in the face” event.
5. DRESS DOWN DAY - How: Ever feel like wearing your favorite jeans to work? Pay to wear casual clothes for a day — or a week!

Holiday Ideas

1. CRAFT SALE - How: Does anyone at your company knit, sew, paint, do woodwork or make holiday ornaments? Tap the creative talents of your fellow workers for a pre-holiday craft show and sale.
2. HOLIDAY GIFT WRAP - How: Wrap holiday presents for fellow employees — this is great for those last minute shoppers.
3. STARS FOR AN OFFICE CHRISTMAS TREE - How: If you have a lot of visitors to your office at holiday time, here’s a great idea to decorate your Christmas tree! During the holidays, cut out stars from colored paper and sell them for $1.00 each. The buyer writes his or her name on a star and hangs it on the tree.
4. HOLIDAY CANDY SALES - How: Before holidays such as Valentine’s Day, Easter or Halloween, contact a local candy company and arrange to purchase candy from them. Take orders from your friends and family and sell the candy at a profit.

Auctions

Secure donated items through solicitations. This can be done in person, by phone or through the mail.

1. SILENT AUCTION - How: Display all the donated items attractively. Next to each item, place a “bid sheet” where those interested in that particular item can write their names and amounts they are willing to pay. At the closing time for all bids, the person who has the highest bid for any particular piece pays that amount and wins that item.

Sports Activities

1. GOLF OR TENNIS OUTING - How: Arrange for a group outing at a golf course or tennis court. Charge a small amount over the actual price per player to participate and donate that amount.
2. BOWLING - How: Have a contest between different departments at your local bowling alley. Another idea is to take pledges for each pin you knock over.
3. SOFTBALL GAME - How: If you don’t have a regular team, put together a special team to challenge another group. Consider approaching a local radio station to play your team on request.
4. RUNNING - How: For the runners in your company, take pledges for any race in which they run.

Food Sales

1. BAKE SALE - How: Every Friday a different department or team brings in homemade baked goods to sell at lunch or during coffee breaks.
2. COFFEE/SODA SALE - How: Does your company provide coffee or soda free or charge. Perhaps you could collect a donation of $.25 by placing a contribution basket next to the coffee pot. You’d be surprised how those quarters add up!
3. COVERED-DISH LUNCH DAY - How: Everyone contributes a favorite recipe –typed. Copy and bind them together. They can then be sold to friends and co-workers.

United Way/Combined Federal Campaign
To make a donation through the following United Way offices include our chapter name and address:

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Philadelphia & Susquehanna Valley
One Valley Square
512 Township Line Road
Suite 133
Blue Bell, PA 19422

The following United Way offices ask for a Donor Choice Agency number for our chapter:

UW of the Capitol Region (Harrisburg) – Use Donor Choice Agency #3021
UW of Philadelphia & Southeastern PA – Use Donor Choice Agency #8806

Our CFC (Combined Federal Campaign) Donor Number is 11375.
For more information, please contact:

Karen Traten at 215-654-9355

or by e-mail at ktraten@philadelphia.wish.org