Things are about to get saucy and sweet today as we explore the Panda Express fundraiser!
This delectable blend of cuisine and charity is no ordinary restaurant fundraising idea. In fact, it’s a spicy, tangy mix of community building, all wrapped up in a delightful wonton of philanthropy.
In this post, we dive into how Panda Express fundraising works and how to start your own.
So, grab your fortune cookies as we embark on this flavorful journey of raising funds one yummy meal at a time!
Table of Contents
- What Is A Panda Express Fundraiser?
- Who Can Start A Panda Express Fundraiser?
- How Does A Panda Express Fundraiser Work?
- How To Start A Panda Express Fundraiser
- Is Panda Express Fundraising Right For You?
What Is A Panda Express Fundraiser?
A Panda Express fundraiser involves collaborating with the fast food chain to raise funds for your cause.
The restaurant boasts some impressive stats on the impact of their fundraisers, including:
- Supporting over 28,000 organizations
- Hosting over 104,000 events
- Raising over $13 million for nonprofits
Even better, the company has donated nearly $15 million to support local communities all across the United States.
There are four different types of fundraising to consider:
- Neighborhood Fundraiser
- Virtual Community Fundraiser
- Gift Card Fundraiser
- Donation Request
We break down how each one works and how to get started later on in this article.
Who Can Start A Panda Express Fundraiser?
To start a Panda Express fundraiser, you must be a registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization.
When you go to sign up, the company will request a federal tax ID to confirm your nonprofit status.
If you’re not a registered 501(c)(3), you may still be able to start a gift card fundraiser with RaiseRight. We explain how to get started later on in this post.
How Does A Panda Express Fundraiser Work?
Panda Express is one of the few restaurants that provides chain-wide guidelines for fundraising.
In fact, there are two different types of fundraisers you can organize directly with the restaurant.
Additionally, you may be able to submit a donation request to the company by contacting their support team.
Finally, you might consider gift card fundraising through a third-party company like RaiseRight.
Below, we explain how each type of Panda Express fundraiser works.
Neighborhood Fundraiser
A Panda Express Neighborhood Fundraiser is a Dine to Donate event held at a designated restaurant on a specific day.
The fast food chain donates 20% of your supporters’ pre-tax purchases back to your organization.
While there’s a $100 pre-tax sales minimum, this threshold is met with just ten supporters
Supporters can participate in the fundraiser by ordering food in-person or online. Better yet, they can opt for either delivery or pick-up at the chosen restaurant.
For in-person orders, supporters need to show a paper or digital copy of the event flyer to the cashier.
For online orders, they must order through the Panda Express website or app and use the unique online ordering code from the event flyer.
However, beware that orders placed on other delivery platforms like Grub Hub or DoorDash are not applicable for the fundraiser.
Events can be scheduled every 30 days with a notice of at least two weeks and can be requested up to six months in advance.
If your organization has multiple branches or locations, you may be able to hold multiple fundraisers at more than one Panda Express location. However, you’ll need to contact support for multi-store approval.
Once the event is over, Panda Express will calculate your total event sales and give your organization the 20%.
Virtual Community Fundraiser
A Panda Express Virtual Community Fundraiser is an online Dine To Donate event that allows your organization to raise funds remotely.
When supporters make a purchase using your unique code, 28% is donated back to your organization. Just bear in mind that there is a $150 pre-tax sales minimum.
While it makes a great choice for organizations of all sizes, it’s especially great for those with support across multiple locations.
To participate in the Virtual Community Fundraiser, supporters need to:
- Order online for the event date, up to a week ahead of time
- Choose whether they want to pick-up their food or have it delivered
- Enter the fundraiser code and complete checkout
Remember though, this event only counts online orders made through the Panda Express website or app towards your fundraiser.
Like the Neighborhood Fundraiser, orders placed on other delivery platforms, like Uber Eats and Postmates, don’t count towards your total.
Additionally, in-person orders don’t contribute either. For in-person orders to count, you would need to organize the Neighborhood Fundraiser at a specific location, like we described above.
The Virtual Community Fundraiser can be scheduled at least 10 days in advance of the event date, though availability may vary.
It’s also important to note that the code for your event will be active for the entire day, according to the local time of the supporters. They can even order up to a week ahead for pick-up or delivery on the event date.
Once the fundraiser is over, Panda Express will calculate the total online sales associated with your code and mail you a check.
Gift Card Fundraiser
The most versatile Panda Express fundraiser involves selling gift cards via RaiseRight.
Every time a supporter buys a card using your unique code, up to 8% is donated back to your group.
Even better, supporters can also choose from a wide range of other participating companies!
To start, your group first needs to register on RaiseRight. Once approved, you can share your unique link and code with supporters.
Finally, you can monitor fundraising progress and transfer funds to your organization using the online Dashboard.
Donation Request
The last Panda Express fundraising idea is requesting a food or money donation.
This could be an enticing option for the restaurant if you’re throwing a high-attendance event. This is because the company could see it as a valuable sponsorship opportunity.
The same is true if you boast a large social media presence or extensive email list.
Ultimately, if you can help Panda Express get their brand in front of more people, you’ll incentivize them to donate.
While the fast food chain has no set guidelines for donation requests, they do advise community partners to get in touch.
You can contact their Fundraiser Center to inquire further.
How To Start A Panda Express Fundraiser
You can sign up for a Dine to Donate fundraiser directly on the Panda Express website.
For gift card fundraising, you can also enroll your group directly on RaiseRight.
For donation requests, you’ll have to contact their Fundraiser Center.
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 Panda Express Fundraising Right For You?
Now you know how to turn a heaping plate of Kung Pao Chicken into a power for good!
The next time you’re hankering for a plate of Orange Chicken or a side of Chow Mein, remember the impact your meal can have.
The Panda Express fundraiser reminds us that giving back can be as simple (and delicious!) as ordering your favorite dish.
You may also want to check out these related restaurant fundraisers:
- Chipotle fundraiser
- Chick-fil-A fundraiser
- Krispy Kreme fundraiser
- Subway fundraiser
- Applebee’s 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!
