Business Fundraiser Partnership Guide
For restaurant owners, entertainment venue operators, and retail business owners — learn why fundraiser night partnerships are one of the highest-ROI marketing channels for local businesses.
Why Host Fundraiser Nights
Fundraiser nights are not charity — they're a customer acquisition strategy disguised as community service. Here's why smart restaurants host them:
- Incremental revenue: 30-100 extra customers on a slow weeknight
- Customer acquisition cost: $0. The school does all the marketing for you
- Repeat visits: 20-30% of fundraiser night customers return within 30 days
- Community goodwill: Builds brand loyalty and word-of-mouth
- Social media exposure: Schools share your business name to hundreds of families
- No Groupon trap: Customers pay full price — you donate from incremental margin
The Economics
Let's compare fundraiser nights to Groupon-style deals to show why the math works in your favor:
| Metric | Fundraiser Night | Groupon Deal |
|---|---|---|
| Customer pays | Full price ($30) | 50% off ($15) |
| Platform takes | $0 | 50% of coupon ($7.50) |
| You donate/lose | 20% = $6 | $22.50 (75% discount) |
| You keep | $24 (80%) | $7.50 (25%) |
With fundraiser nights, you keep 75-85% of revenue from customers who wouldn't have come otherwise. With Groupon, you keep only 25% — and often lose money after food costs.
How to Set Up a Program
- Choose your donation percentage: Start at 15-20%. You can always increase later for high-volume schools.
- Set your available dates: Designate 2-4 weekday evenings per month (Tues-Thurs work best).
- Pick a tracking method: Start with verbal mention or flyer-based for simplicity.
- List your business: Claim your free listing on NAVERS.org so schools can find and book you.
- Prepare your staff: Brief employees on the program, how to identify fundraiser customers, and how to create a great experience.
Marketing Your Program
The beauty of fundraiser nights is that the school does most of the marketing. But you can amplify the effect:
- Post the event on your own social media (tag the school)
- Put a sign in your window the week of the event
- Share the results publicly ("We raised $450 for ABC Elementary!")
- Offer to host quarterly or monthly events with the same school
- Reach out to nearby schools proactively — most are looking for partners
Tracking Methods for Businesses
Choose the tracking method that fits your operation:
| Method | Setup | Accuracy | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal mention | None | Low | Getting started |
| Flyer/code | Minimal | Medium | Most restaurants |
| POS button | POS setup | High | High-volume chains |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much revenue do fundraiser nights generate for my restaurant?
Fundraiser nights typically bring 30-100 additional customers on an otherwise slow evening (usually Tuesday-Thursday). Even after donating 15-25% of those sales, the net revenue is positive because these are incremental customers who would not have visited otherwise. Many restaurants report fundraiser nights as their busiest weekday evenings.
What donation percentage should I offer?
Most restaurants offer 15-20% of qualifying sales. This is industry standard and sustainable for most food-service businesses with 25-35% food costs. Higher percentages (25-33%) generate more school interest but should be reserved for businesses with lower COGS or as a promotional offer.
Will I lose money on fundraiser nights?
No. Unlike Groupon-style deals where businesses discount existing customers, fundraiser nights bring NEW customers at full price. You donate 15-25% of incremental revenue — revenue that would not exist without the event. The remaining 75-85% covers your costs and generates profit.
Ready to get started?
Claim your free listing and start receiving fundraiser night requests from local schools.
Claim Your Business