Wishmakers at Work
What is Wishmasters® at Work?
When the Make-A-Wish Foundation® was founded – from the granting of the very first wish – the business community became a strong supporter of the Make-A-Wish® mission. As time went on and the business community continued to support the Foundation through corporate grants and donations, the employees of these organizations asked how they could become involved in making wishes come true. At first the fund raisers were as simple as a payday collection or a bake sale, while still others were as involved as a company-wide cookbook. When we began to share some of these fun and original fund raising ideas with other companies, the program, aptly named Wishmasters® at Work, was born.
Wishmasters® at Work enables employees of a company or business to join together and design a fund raising event or an ongoing workplace campaign that fits the needs of their particular work environment. We are constantly amazed and delighted at the variety of ways in which employees raise money. Staff support from the Make-A-Wish Foundation® is always available, and this site is full of ideas, one of which might be right for your company.
HOW TO START Wishmasters® at Work
If you would like to begin a Wishmasters® at Work program, we would be happy to help. Here are some tips to get started:
- Invite a Make-A-Wish® representative to talk to the employees or staff at your company.
- We have speakers, informational videos and lots of photos of our wish children. Once employees find out about the Make-A-Wish Foundation® and see the smiles a wish can bring to a child’s face, they are usually eager to become involved.
- Designate one person to be in charge.
This is an important step. An organized, enthusiastic person will keep the project on track. If you’re planning to do several fund raisers over a period of time, consider forming a Make-A-Wish® committee. - Set a goal and chart your progress.
This is a great way to keep everyone working toward your fund raising goal. We can provide you with your own personalized thermometer chart. It’s a great morale booster to see how you’re progressing toward your goal. - Challenge other offices, divisions and departments.
This is a great way to get more people involved in your fund raiser. The more people involved, the more fun it can be and the more successful your fund raiser will be.
UNITED WAY and CORPORATE GIVING
UNITED WAY / CFC & SECA CAMPAIGNS
While the Make-A-Wish Foundation® is not a United Way agency, we do participate in its Contributor’s Choice program that is available at most United Way offices. Consider designating the Make-A-Wish Foundation® for your United Way donation. For the United Way, our Contributor’s Choice code is #913. Contact your local United Way office or call the Make-A-Wish Foundation® at 1-631-585-WISH for more information.
Federal and state government employees may also contribute to the Foundation. The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) Make-A-Wish® designated code is #3059. Contact your local SECA campaign representative for the Foundation’s State Employee Combined Appeal (SECA) code.
CORPORATE GIVING
Matching Gift Funds
Among the perks offered by many medium and large-sized companies is a matching gifts program. Matching gifts are not just for higher education any more. A wider range of non-profits are eligible for them. Contact your company’s human resource department to see if the Make-A-Wish Foundation® qualifies for a company matched gift. This is a great opportunity to increase and even double your collective contribution.
Customer Gifts
Instead of sending a promotional or holiday gift to each of your customers, send a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® in the name of that special person. A minimum of $10 per gift is suggested. We will send a letter to your clients telling them of your generosity and the wish(es) that the contribution helped to grant.
EMPLOYEE GIVING
Casual Dress Down Day
Ever feel like wearing jeans to work? Pay to wear casual clothes for a day—or a week!
Coffee/Soda Machine
Does your company provide coffee or soda free of charge? If so, consider collecting a donation of 25¢ by placing a contribution basket next to the coffeepot. You’d be surprised how quickly those quarters add up!
Payday Collection
Each payday, collect a donation from everyone and send the money to the Make-A-Wish Foundation®. Or consider a payroll deduction program.
EMPLOYEE SALES
Homemade Crafts
Does anyone at your company knit, sew, paint, do woodwork, or make holiday ornaments? Tap into the creative talents of your fellow workers for a pre-holiday craft show and sale.
Homemade Baked Goods
Every Friday, a different department or team brings in homemade baked goods to sell at lunch.
Employee Cookbook
The favorite recipe of each employee is compiled into a cookbook. Sell to friends and co-workers.
Covered Dish Lunch Day
One department or team prepares lunch for the entire office and charges for each lunch. Consider salads or deli trays as well.
OTHER GREAT IDEAS
Company Picnic Day
Turn your annual picnic into a fund raiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation®. 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.
Baby Picture Contest
Hold a contest to identify your fellow employees using their baby pictures. Try to include pictures from a wide group of employees or consider gathering baby pictures of the senior management team. Sell chances to guess which baby is which!
Weigh-A-Thon
After all the bake sales and candy sales, this idea will be popular and healthy! Each dieter contributes weekly, and the winner (or in this case, the biggest loser) splits the money with the Foundation.
Theme Dance
Plan a company-wide dance. Oldies, big band, disco and Western themes are always popular.
Raffles
50/50
This is the easiest and most popular way to get your fund raising started. Choose a raffle ticket price. Decide, for example, that each ticket will cost $1. Then 50%, or 50¢ of each dollar, is awarded to the winning ticket holder, and the other 50¢ goes to Make-A-Wish.
Donated Item/Gift Certificates
Raffle off a gift certificate from a local restaurant, hotel or business for lunch, dinner, lodging, or special services, such as a facial or car detailing. We will provide you with a letter to use to announce your fund raiser and ask for support.
Theme Baskets
Baskets of cheer, baskets for golfers and gardeners, or beauty and bath packages have all been successful. Choose a theme and ask employees to donate one item. Then combine all the items to make a spectacularly full gift basket. These baskets can be raffled off through purchased tickets. If you work for a mid- to large-size company, consider having each employee team or department donate a theme basket for the raffle. Display the baskets in a central location or lobby. (This has been one of our most successful fundraisers!)
Bonus Vacation Day
Raffle off an extra day of vacation.
Free Parking
Sell chances for free parking in the President’s spot for one week.
Free Lunch
Raffle free lunch coupons for a week at the employee cafeteria.
SPORTS ACTIVITIES and HOLIDAY IDEAS
Sports Activities
Golf or Tennis Outing
Arrange for a group outing at a golf course or tennis court. Charge anl amount over the actual price per player to participate and donate that amount.
Fitness Challenge
Charge an entry fee to participate in a day of fun field events. Form teams, collect pledges from friends and family and compete against each other in events such as an obstacle course, sack race and tug-of-war contest.
Bowl-A-Thon
Have a contest between different departments at your local bowling alley. Another idea is to take pledges for each pin knocked over.
Softball Game
If you don’t have a regular team, put together a special team to challenge another group or division. Consider approaching a local radio station, many of which have their own softball teams and will play for charity.
Running/Biking
Take pledges for fellow employees when they run a local or regional race or marathon.
Holiday Ideas
Holiday Gift Wrap
Wrap holiday presents for fellow employees – this is great for those last minute shoppers.
Join Our Holiday Angel Program
Sell our Make-A-Wish holiday cut-outs for $1 – fill a wall or decorate a tree with them to measure your progress! Each decoration will have a space to write a person’s name.
Holiday Candy Sales
Before holidays such as Valentine’s Day, Easter or Halloween, contact a candy company and arrange to purchase candy from them. Take orders from your friends and family and sell the candy at a profit.
Easter Bonnet Parade
You provide the materials: basic straw hats, cardboard, (even paper plates), plus artificial flowers, feathers, construction paper, scissors, ribbons and glue. Everyone pays a fee to enter. Award prizes (cash or donated items) for the prettiest, funniest or most original.
Halloween Party
Employees can decorate a room with fake cobwebs, bats and pumpkins. Serve cupcakes or cider and doughnuts. Everyone pays admission. Include a costume contest.
Holiday Arrangement or Centerpiece Raffle
Purchase a magnificent holiday centerpiece, or let your most artistic employee create one. Put it in a prominent place as an office decoration prior to the holidays and have employees buy raffle tickets for it. Draw the winning ticket on the day before the holiday break.
Craft Sale
Does anyone at your company knit, sew, paint, do woodwork, or make holiday ornaments? Tap into the creative talents of your fellow workers for a pre-holiday craft show and sale.
RECOGNITION AND APPRECIATION
Any company that participates in Wishmakers® at Work receives a certificate of appreciation and a personal thank-you letter. Contributors of $500 or more are listed in our quarterly newsletter. Wishmaker® contributors – those giving $5,700 or more (the average cost of a wish) – are featured in our quarterly newsletter, given a special appreciation gift commemorating their total sponsorship of a wish.
To participate and plan your own fundraiser, please call the office at 631-585-9474 and we will be happy to assist you.
