Calling all pasta aficionados and breadstick lovers–today we’re exploring the Olive Garden fundraiser!
The Italian-American dining chain is adding in a generous helping of community spirit to go along with your never-ending pasta bowl.
So, in this article we’ll explain how this restaurant fundraising idea works and how to get started.
Let’s explore how to turn our craving for creamy Fettuccine Alfredo into a force for good!
Table of Contents
- What Is An Olive Garden Fundraiser?
- Who Can Start An Olive Garden Fundraiser?
- How Does An Olive Garden Fundraiser Work?
- How To Start An Olive Garden Fundraiser
- Is Olive Garden Fundraising Right For You?
What Is An Olive Garden Fundraiser?
An Olive Garden fundraiser involves raising funds with the Italian-American dining chain.
Unfortunately, there aren’t really any ways to fundraise directly with the restaurant. They don’t offer Dine To Donate events or product sale fundraisers.
However, you can still do Olive Garden fundraising with third-parties. There are two ways to do this:
- Gift card fundraising
- Donation requests
While gift card fundraising requires you to work with the company RaiseRight, donation requests are typically submitted through TheShareWay.
However, you also have the option of submitting a donation request in writing to the manager of your local Olive Garden.
We explain how everything works further on in this post.
Who Can Start An Olive Garden Fundraiser?
There are no set guidelines for who can start an Olive Garden fundraiser.
If you choose to try gift card fundraising, any of the following types of groups are typically eligible:
- School
- Church
- Sports Team
- Booster Club
- PTO/PTA
- Band
- Other Nonprofits
Meanwhile, Olive Garden’s TheShareWay account lists no preferences or eligibility criteria.
While this means that technically anyone can apply, you probably stand a better chance of approval if you’re a 501(c)(3).
However, even if you’re not a tax-exempt nonprofit organization, you can still submit a request. You just need to show how the donation will benefit the community.
How Does An Olive Garden Fundraiser Work?
Unlike a lot of the other restaurant fundraisers we cover on this blog, Olive Garden fundraising has limited options.
In fact, you’ll most likely have to work with third-party companies in order to fundraise with them. However, that doesn’t mean you should ignore the following ideas.
If you just can’t get enough of those breadsticks, these methods are still great ways to raise funds for your group!
Gift Card Fundraising
In an Olive Garden gift card fundraiser, your supporters advocate for your mission by buying gift cards with a special code linked to your organization.
With every gift card transaction, up to 8% of the proceeds are contributed directly back to your group.
Furthermore, your supporters have the flexibility to purchase gift cards from a vast selection of companies, not only Olive Garden. This provides them tons of great choices, increasing the likelihood of additional purchases.
To begin, simply register your team with RaiseRight. Once approved, they’ll supply you with a unique link and code that you can send to your supporters.
Lastly, you can use your dashboard to oversee your fundraising progress and transfer the funds back to your group.
Donation Request
Olive Garden’s website states that you can submit a donation request in writing directly to the manager of your nearby location.
Additionally, and more conveniently, the company accepts donation requests for gift cards and financial contributions via TheShareWay.
However, according to the online donation platform, only 9% of applications get approved, with a 30% decline rate. A significant 62% received no response at all.
Some requests have been successful though. For example, the representative for one approved group said:
“The manager said he was on a tight budget, but gave me a $30 gift card.”
-Garland Senior Activity Center (May 2023)
The average donation value from the restaurant is approximately $25. However, the amount can vary. So, consider investing more time and effort into your application, because it could result in a larger donation.
The casual dining chain provides donations in the form of gift certificates or food, with no particular preferences or eligibility criteria.
Lastly, it’s worth highlighting that Olive Garden considers donation requests from groups across the entire United States.
How To Start An Olive Garden Fundraiser
For gift card fundraising you can enroll your group directly on the RaiseRight website.
Alternatively, for donation requests, you’ll have to submit your application through TheShareWay platform.
Finally, if you’re really looking to raise a lot of funds, fill out this form and we’ll connect you with one of our fundraising partners. They offer tons of great products to raise funds for your cause, and we believe it’s the most profitable type of fundraising venture.
Note: We do not work directly with any restaurant partners, so the best way to work with them is to contact your local restaurant directly. To work with our partners, fill out our form and we’ll help you get started in no time!
Is Olive Garden Fundraising Right For You?
With Olive Garden fundraising, when you’re here, you’re not just family – you’re making a difference!
While the options for raising funds are a bit sparse, there are still great ways to fundraise with everyone’s favorite slice of Italy.
However, you may also want to check out these other awesome restaurant fundraisers:
- Applebee’s fundraiser
- Chili’s fundraiser
- Panda Express fundraiser
- Buffalo Wild Wings fundraiser
- Chipotle fundraiser
- Chick-fil-A fundraiser
However, keep in mind that you can really maximize your fundraising capabilities by utilizing multiple types of fundraisers.
So, if you want to raise as much money for your cause as possible, fill out this form and we’ll help you get on the path to success!
