Did you know the average American family eats out 4-5 times per week? Given that fact, you will want to consider a Restaurant Night program as part of the fundraising strategy for your COTA community campaign. Partnering with a different restaurant each month (or every other month) can provide a steady source of proceeds to the COTA campaign.
How does a Restaurant Percentage Night work?
The restaurant gives your COTA community campaign a percentage of sales on a designated night for all the customers who visit because of your contact. Often restaurants will require that a patron bring a coupon or flyer to demonstrate they are supporting the COTA community campaign. Some restaurants will allow you to hold a restaurant night for carry-out and to-go orders, and some will even provide a percentage of ALL sales for the designated day or evening. Check with each restaurant to determine the policy.
What makes a Restaurant Percentage Night successful?
Follow instructions. Many restaurants have policies regarding the format and timeline for a fundraising night. Be sure to know and follow their guidelines.
Promote the event. Share information about the event in a variety of ways. Post information to your COTA campaign website, use social media, send emails, distribute flyers throughout the community, and include an announcement in the local newspaper, church bulletins, and school and business newsletters. Remember to send promotional materials to CampaignInfo@cota.org for approval prior to distribution.
Attend. Some restaurants will allow your team to set up an informational booth during the event. This provides an opportunity to share your patient’s transplant story and enlist new volunteers and supporters for your COTA community campaign.
Incorporate additional fundraising activities. The restaurant may allow you to display COTA Coin Boxes or COTA Paper Icons during your fundraising event, allowing you to increase proceeds from the Restaurant Night.
Celebrate success. Share the fundraising results on your COTA campaign website and social media pages, and use it as an opportunity to promote your next COTA fundraising event.
Visit the Fundraising Resources tab of COTA.org for more information on holding a Restaurant Percentage Night and contact CampaignInfo@cota.org with any questions.
