Believe it or not, fall fundraising season is here! Data from the Force4Good platform shows that fundraising activity mirrors the school calendar, with a big spike in requests every fall and spring. That means schools, sports teams, and community groups will soon start organizing their fundraising calendars, and your restaurant has the opportunity to become their go-to destination.
That means now is the perfect time to lay the groundwork for a busy and successful season ahead. Here are five fresh ways to make sure your restaurant is ahead of the curve when the fall fundraiser rush begins:
1. Lock in Your Fundraiser Calendar Now
Get strategic about when you host fundraisers. They’re great traffic drivers – but only if your team is ready and your ops can support them.
Use sales data and team feedback to pick your best fundraising days (usually your slowest ones), and block off busy periods to avoid burnout. Most schools prefer Tuesday through Thursday evenings, so include at least a few weeknight options.
2. Refresh Your Marketing Materials – Digitally and IRL
You likely already have signage, but now’s the time to refresh it with updated branding or seasonal messaging. A few high-impact ways to promote your program:
- Design easy-to-read info cards that explain how to request a fundraiser (QR codes work great!)
- Include cards in to-go bags and school catering orders
- Display signage at the register, community board, or front windows
- Add a banner to your website or footer on your online ordering page
- Promote fundraisers via SMS and email to your loyalty program audience
Already on Force4Good? We’ve got plug-and-play templates ready for your brand – just ask!
3. Tap Into “Everyday Influencers”
Think of your guests not just as diners, but as connectors. Teachers, parents, PTA members, coaches… the people dining in your store today could be the ones organizing tomorrow’s fundraiser.
Train your team to look for these clues:
- Kids in team uniforms
- A catering pickup for a school or nonprofit
- Group orders with organization names on them
Equip your team with fundraiser info cards and a simple one-liner such as “We’d love to support your group – here’s how to get started!” Sometimes, all it takes is one quick conversation to kick off a lasting partnership.
4. Get Your Team Excited
Fundraisers are only as strong as the team behind them. And that includes everyone from the GM to the person on the register.
Make sure your entire team knows:
- What fundraisers are on the calendar
- How guests “count” toward the total (e.g., dine-in, takeout, online)
- Why these events matter (they support local causes and boost sales!)
Pro tip: Use shift huddles and back-of-house signage to remind teams of upcoming fundraisers. And if you’re using Force4Good, their automated reminders make it easy to keep everyone aligned.
5. Time for a Tune-Up
Now’s the time to smooth out any wrinkles in your fundraiser process before things get busy again. Take a walk in your guests’ shoes. Can they…
- Easily place their order?
- Get seated or pick up their food without hassle?
- Understand what’s part of the fundraiser?
- Feel welcomed and appreciated by your team?
Make adjustments now – before your calendar fills up. A few small tweaks can mean the difference between a stressful night and a high-performing event that drives repeat visits and recommendations.
Let’s Make Fall Fundraising Your Best Yet
You don’t have to do everything at once, but doing something now will set you up for a smoother, more successful fall. Whether you’re just starting or scaling an existing program, Force4Good helps simplify the process so you can focus on what matters: connecting with your community and growing your business.
Get started or book a demo to see how Force4Good can power your fundraising season.
