DIY Fundraising for West Cancer Foundation: Inspiring Ways to Make a Difference

When it comes to supporting a cause as meaningful as cancer research and patient care, every effort counts. West Cancer Foundation relies on contributions from individuals and corporate partners to advance our mission of breaking barriers to cancer care and improving patient outcomes. Here’s a guide with creative and easy ways to get involved and start your own fundraising initiative, whether you’re an individual, part of a group or a corporate partner.

For Individuals or Groups:

1. Birthday or Celebration Fundraiser: Turn a personal milestone into an opportunity to support West Cancer Foundation. Instead of receiving gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, or other celebrations, ask friends and family to donate. Setting up a fundraising page is simple and effective! 
2. Fitness Challenges: Encourage health and wellness while fundraising! Organize virtual or in-person fitness challenges like a 5K run, cycling challenge or push-up contest. Participants can donate to join and share their progress on social media to raise awareness and funds.
3. Dinner or BBQ for a Cause: Host a casual dinner or BBQ event where guests donate an entry fee. It’s a fantastic way to gather people, share information about the Foundation’s work, and raise funds while enjoying good food and conversation.
4. Yard Sale with Purpose: Planning to declutter? A yard sale is a perfect way to clear space while donating proceeds to West Cancer Foundation. You can engage your community while supporting a meaningful cause.
5. Craft or Bake Sales: If you have a talent for crafting or baking, host a sale! Whether you set up at a local community event or sell your items online, all proceeds can go toward supporting the Foundation’s efforts.
6. Game Night or Trivia: Organize a fun trivia or game night, whether virtual or in-person. Invite friends to donate to participate in the event. Mahjong or a trivia challenge are excellent options that bring people together while raising money.
7. Donation Jar Challenge: Place donation jars in local businesses or at events to encourage people to give their spare change. This simple approach helps raise both awareness and funds for West Cancer Foundation’s cause.
8. Social Media Fundraiser: Use platforms like Facebook and Instagram to run a fundraiser. Share why supporting cancer research and patient care matters to you. These platforms make it easy for your personal network to contribute.
9. Promote Give-A-Gram or Buy-A-Ride: These are year-long campaigns from West Cancer Foundation that we promote throughout certain times of the year. We encourage our follower base to join in and share our posts to help us raise money for these causes. 
10. Creative Ideas: Get creative! Consider hosting a cooking class, paint-and-sip event, auction, or concert. These fun gatherings can bring in significant donations while being enjoyable for participants.

For Corporate Partners:

1. Workplace Giving Campaign: Encourage employee donations by setting up a workplace giving campaign, or offer a matching gift program where the company matches the donations made by employees. This doubles the impact and encourages participation!
2. Casual Dress Day Fundraiser: Let employees pay for the privilege of dressing casually for a day at work. This is especially appealing in more formal corporate environments and adds a fun twist to office life.
3. Lunch-and-Learn Events: Host an informative lunch event where representatives from West Cancer Foundation speak about our mission and programs. Employees can donate to attend or learn more about how they can support the cause.
4. Corporate Fitness Challenges: Organize a company-wide fitness challenge, such as tracking steps or miles walked. Employees can make donations to join, and the company can contribute or match funds for the winning team.
5. Employee Auction: Set up an auction where employees donate their time or talents. For example, lunch with a manager, cooking lessons, or even professional development sessions could be up for bids. All proceeds benefit West Cancer Foundation.
6. Product Fundraiser: For companies that sell products, consider designating a specific item where a percentage of sales goes toward West Cancer Foundation. It’s a win-win for the business and the cause.
7. Host a Corporate Event: Plan larger corporate events like a charity golf tournament, gala, Pickleball tournament, or a 5K run/walk. These events often attract community participation and can raise significant funds.
8. No Shave November: Get employees involved in a fun “No Shave November” contest, where they pay to participate and others can vote on the best beard, mustache, or handlebar. All funds go to support the Foundation.
9. Drawings and Raffles: Collect in-kind donations from employees or local businesses, and host a raffle. Sell tickets, and employees can purchase as many as they like. It’s a fun and effective way to raise money!
10. Pie-in-the-Face Contest: This lighthearted contest lets employees donate to see their leadership take a pie to the face! The leader with the least donations gets the pie, providing a hilarious incentive to raise more funds.

By harnessing creativity, social networks and corporate partnerships, you can make a meaningful impact through DIY fundraising for West Cancer Foundation. Whether it’s a personal celebration or a corporate fitness challenge, these activities help raise both funds and awareness in the fight against cancer. Every effort matters! Any questions on how to set up a DIY fundraising event, please feel free to reach out to Stephanie Douglas.