12 Charity Fundraising Ideas for Businesses
Corporate fundraising doesn’t have to mean gala dinners or exhausting logistics. With the right approach, businesses of all sizes can run meaningful charity initiatives that boost morale, reinforce team values, and make a tangible difference — without pulling staff away from their day jobs.
At Personnel Checks, we’ve always believed in doing business with purpose. Whether it’s a muddy Tough Mudder weekend, a team-led charity quiz night, or an impromptu bake sale in the office kitchen, fundraising gives our people the chance to connect, get creative, and give back to causes that matter.
In this article, we’ve pulled together a mix of easy, effective, and team-friendly charity fundraising ideas — all designed to help you start strong and make your efforts count.
Why Fundraising Is Good for Business
The benefits of workplace fundraising go far beyond the feel-good factor.
For one, it strengthens internal culture. When your people are rallying behind a cause, they’re not just raising money — they’re connecting with each other on a deeper level. It builds pride, sparks collaboration, and adds meaning to the day-to-day.
From an external perspective, it’s great for brand reputation too. Customers and partners are increasingly drawn to purpose-led businesses — those that genuinely care about the communities they operate in.
And if you’re looking to attract talent? Charity involvement is a signal that you walk the talk when it comes to values — something younger candidates, in particular, pay attention to.
Section 1: Easy to Run, Big on Impact
Not every fundraiser needs weeks of planning or a big team behind it. These quick-win ideas are ideal for busy teams looking to make a difference with minimal disruption to the working day.
1. Dress Down (or Dress Up!) Day
Let your team swap their usual workwear for something more relaxed or quirky in exchange for a small donation. Whether it's pyjamas, football kits, or Halloween costumes, this one is all about keeping it light, fun, and inclusive.
Pro tip: Tie it to a theme — like World Book Day or National Coming Out Day — to keep it fresh year-round.
2. Bake Sale or Coffee Morning
This one’s a classic for a reason. Staff bring in homemade (or shop-bought, we won’t judge) treats to sell in the office kitchen. Add a hot drink station and you’ve got yourself a ready-made social moment.
At Personnel Checks, we've done this for Macmillan and local charities — and it never fails to spark conversation across teams.
3. Charity Raffle
Gather a few donated prizes (think wine, beauty vouchers, or an “extra day off” token) and let people buy tickets over the course of a week. It's a low-lift activity with high engagement.
If you’re tight on time, a digital raffle using a tool like Raffall or Google Forms works just as well.
4. The Office Tuck Shop
Set up a DIY snack stand in your break room stocked with crisps, sweets, or soft drinks. Add a simple honesty box or QR donation code and watch the fundraising tick along passively.
Perfect for smaller teams or ongoing fundraising efforts, especially when tied to a charity partner or internal initiative like #ChecksForChange.
Section 2: Team Spirit & Healthy Competition
A bit of competition can go a long way — especially when it’s for a good cause. These ideas are great for boosting team morale while raising serious funds.
5. Charity Quiz Night
Everyone loves a quiz — especially when there’s a trophy (or just bragging rights) at stake. Host it after work, at a local venue or online, and charge teams an entry fee.
At Personnel Checks, our annual charity quiz has become a bit of a tradition. It’s light-hearted, surprisingly competitive, and always one of our most talked-about events.
6. Sponsored Challenge (e.g. Tough Mudder, walkathons, step counts)
Nothing brings a team together quite like mud, sweat and sore legs. A sponsored challenge like Tough Mudder or a team walkathon not only raises money, but also bonds your people in a way few other activities can.
We’ve taken on Tough Mudder in the past — and while the bruises faded, the sense of achievement stuck around.
7. The Enterprise Challenge
Give teams a small budget (e.g. £10 each) and challenge them to grow it over a set period — Dragon’s Den-style. Whether they bake, sell, or host events, the team that raises the most wins.
It’s a brilliant way to encourage entrepreneurial thinking while fundraising, and it works well as part of a longer campaign.
8. Interdepartmental Fundraising Games
Turn giving into a bit of friendly rivalry. Set up competitions between departments — from “who can raise the most in a week” to office Olympics or bake-off-style showdowns.
Offer a running leaderboard and a fun prize to keep people engaged (and talking about it by the kettle).
Section 3: Creative & Culture-Building Ideas
Not every fundraiser needs to be competitive — sometimes the most meaningful ones are those that bring out your team’s creativity and character.
9. Skill Swap or Workshop Sessions
Got a budding barista, yoga instructor or spreadsheet wizard in your midst? Give staff the stage to run short workshops in exchange for donations. Whether it’s how to make a killer flat white or a crash course in Canva, it’s a brilliant way to share skills and raise money.
You’ll be surprised how many hidden talents exist across your team — and it’s a great excuse to bring people together across departments.
10. Silent Auction
Ask local businesses or staff members to donate experiences, skills or prizes — then host a silent auction online or in the office. Think everything from "lunch with the CEO" to “car wash by the IT team.”
It’s engaging, often hilarious, and works particularly well if you tie it to a bigger internal campaign or celebration.
11. Lunchtime Talent Show
Give your team a stage (or a Teams call) and let them showcase a hidden talent: music, magic, stand-up — anything goes. Sell tickets, offer snacks, and donate the proceeds.
Keep it light, keep it supportive, and you’ll likely spark conversations long after the event’s over.
12. Desk Décor or Fancy Hat Day
A quick-win, creativity-led idea — challenge the team to decorate their desks or don a wild hat for a day. Small donations to take part, and a mini prize for the best effort.
It’s a great photo opp, a social media content booster, and a nice morale lift — especially during quieter seasons.
How We Fundraise at Personnel Checks
We don’t just talk the talk — fundraising is a part of our company culture. Here are a few of the ways our team has raised money (and plenty of smiles) over the years:
Annual Charity Quiz Night – For many years we have run a charity quiz for Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone, bringing hundreds of people together from across Lancashire and raising tens of thousands for the Youth Zone.
Tough Mudder Challenge – Several brave team members tackled the course together, raising money for mental health support while proving we’re tougher than we look.
Staff-Led Charity Days – We encourage team members to bring their own fundraising ideas to life — and we back them all the way. It might say something about our office, but most of the time these end up being food related.
These aren’t just fundraising activities — they’re moments that bring people together and reinforce our company values: teamwork, positivity, and going the extra mile.
Whether you try one idea or ten, the most important step is just getting started. Fundraising doesn’t have to be flashy or complicated — some of the most powerful moments come from simple, authentic efforts led by your team.
So pick a cause, pick a date, and see what your people can achieve together.