Matching Funds: Companies have done an outstanding job of centering their fundraising
efforts on their matching gift programs. If a company‟s minimum matched gift is a $25 personal
contribution, you can create a drawing and make the minimum level of participation in the
drawing $25.
Jeans for JA: Employees designate one day or even a whole week as Jeans for JA casual
day/week. Employees give a donation (typically $5 for a Friday or $15 for a month of Fridays)
and proudly wear their JANJ sticker in support for NJ Youth.
JA Schoolhouse Campaign: Little paper schoolhouses provided by JA can be used to sell for
a dollar or donation. Many companies have used the schoolhouses to create competition
between departments. Try to see who can sell the most or have the most displayed in their
department or team area.
Colleagues Campaign: Consider asking your vendors, neighboring businesses, and long time
customers to support your Bowl-A-Thon fundraising efforts. They will often give you larger
contributions to help you reach your goals and are glad to be part of your community
involvement efforts.
Penny Wars: Every penny counts. Place “penny” jars throughout the company with
interdepartmental challenges. Pennies are all positive, silver coins and dollars are all negative.
Your department should place as many pennies in your jar as possible and as many silver coins
and dollars in your competitors jars as possible. The department with the most money (minus
negative valued dollars and silver coins) at the end of the given time wins!
Change to Make a Change: Place "Penny Jars" near the coffeepot and throughout your
organization. Use an old quart jar from home and place JA information near the jar. A flyer
near the jar could read: Junior Achievement Month. Every time you drink a cup of coffee,
please donate 25 cents to the future of our kids!
Give it Up: Employees commit to give up a regular daily activity for a month and donate the
money they save. (i.e. coffee, cigarettes, snacks, etc…)
50/50: Sell raffle tickets and offer half of the proceeds a prize.
Raffle: Sell raffles for things like a day off, themed basket with goodies, “VIP” for a Day”
(winner receives special privileges).
Another Man’s Treasure: As a great way to get people to declutter their homes and closets,
ask employees to donate gently used items to be sold and organize a “garage sale at the office.
Silent Auction: Have employees donate items and hold an office auction with all proceeds
benefiting JA.
Bake Sale: Homemade sweets and breakfast treats are a great way to raise additional dollars
towards your Bowl-A-Thon efforts with Junior Achievement. Chili Cook-off- Consider having a
Chili Contest with categories like: Grand Prize Winner for “Best Overall” Chili, “Most Atomic”
Chili and “Most Unusual” Chili. Recruit some „celebrity‟ judges and have each person come up
with a name for their creation.
Candy Sale: Who doesn‟t like chocolate? Sell candy bars at retail windows for additional
dollars towards Bowl-A-Thon! A company in Orlando adds almost $10,000 to their Bowl-A-Thon
total through candy sales alone! (or you can try using this concept to sell fresh flowers!)
Pizza Lunches: Order pizza in and sell it by the slice with all of the additional funds going to
Bowl-A-Thon. Also try: Doughnuts/Bagels for Breakfast or Movie and Popcorn for Lunch
Sweet Tooth Snack Cart Sale: Purchase a box of candy bars or other individually bagged
munchies. Put up a sign stating: "Help NJ youth and satisfy your sweet-tooth at the same
time! $1/bar" (or whatever price you think you can sell the item for). Then, each week change
the item you sell, so they keep coming back for new treats!
BBQ Contest: Do you have some weekend grill-masters that would be willing to bring their
talents to work? Put together a BBQ or cookout for lunch one Friday. Local wholesale clubs can
donate the food and all the proceeds will be additional revenue towards your Bowl-A-Thon
efforts. Also try: Pie Eating or Cake Decorating contest.
Car Wash: It works for High School Varsity sports! Get out and wash cars one afternoon or
Saturday for donations or have your senior staff wash the cars of all employees who raise more
than $250. Also try window washing at drive-thrus.
Zumba Class: Secure a local health club chain to sponsor a 3- or 4-hour Zumba dance
session. Charge for admission; benefiting JA!
Two-Step or Salsa Lessons: Here is your chance to learn those new dance
steps! Coordinate recreational dancers to teach interested employees how to dance. Sell the
lessons!
Karaoke Night: Host a Karaoke night; charge an entry fee
Video Game Tournament: Wii, Xbox, or Playstation video game tournament at your home or
offfice; charge entry fee
Premium Parking: Get permission to sell the front parking spaces with daily and/or weekly
rates with all proceeds going to JA.
Lunch with CEO/President: Any employee reaching a goal of $______ will be treated to a
lunch with the CEO or President. What a great opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of the
bowlers and their fundraising success.