Team-Building Fundraiser Brings Out Employee Creativity and Raises $50,000

We challenged our employees last summer to a staff fundraising contest for the CompTIA Educational Foundation, raising $50,000 to fund IT training and certification for people in need.  And we’re gearing up to hold a second contest in early 2010.

From May through July last year, six teams composed of three to five employees each developed their own fundraising techniques in a heated competition to see which team could raise the most money for the Foundation’s Creating Futures program.  Creating Futures provides free IT training and certification opportunities to populations who have historically been under-represented in the IT workforce, including U.S. veterans, individuals with disabilities, women, minorities, at-risk youth and dislocated workers.

Our headquarters outside Chicago led the contest, but remote workers and regional offices across the U.S. and Canada jumped into the mix.  Nearly every employee caught the competition’s excitement and donated money – some to multiple teams. In total the contest raised $25,000 which then was matched dollar for dollar by CompTIA. 

“The contest allowed our employees to bond together across departments while at the same time, funding a cause that truly supports our industry and enables people to change their lives for the better,” said Todd Thibodeaux, president and CEO, CompTIA. “The creativity of our employees rang out loud and clear, while simultaneously building awareness for the Foundation inside and outside our association.”

Employees could devise their own fundraisers with no limits on their ideas. Team creativity ran high with techniques ranging from a poker tournament, a bean bag toss, bake sales, candy bar sales and golf tournaments to financial seminars, errand services, and direct requests.  One team held a daytime office party, inviting the employees in the three office buildings near CompTIA’s headquarters to partake in a vendor fest. 

Follow this link for more about the contest as covered by Associations Now magazine

Donations to the CompTIA Educational Foundation can be in cash, equipment or training seats.  All gifts are 100 percent tax-deductible.  Individuals and companies can make a donation to the program, and prospective participants can apply for training by visiting the Foundation’s website, http://www.CompTIA-EF.org.