After attending an evening shopping event at an Oakland boutique that was giving a percentage of sales to Oakland Tech High School, I thought it was time to work on this list that I’ve been procrastinating for ages: local businesses who partner with schools for fundraising.
Typically the business and the parent coordinator agree on a period for the fundraiser and a percentage of sales that will go to the school. Then, the parent spreads the word among their school community about the opportunity. When the time period is over, the business calculates the earnings and cuts a check for the school. That’s it!
Here are 9 local businesses that would be happy to partner with East Bay schools
5 Tacos & Beers (Albany & Berkeley)
This College Ave and Solano Ave taco shop will give back 30% of the sales from folks who are there for your fundraiser.
Contact them to plan an event >
Famous Dave’s (Alameda)
Offers 20% to your school when you plan an event there.
More details here >
Goldenbug (Rockridge + Berkeley)
Hosts a school fundraiser called GoldenBug Gives during October each year. Sign your school up to receive a promo code. Any purchase made with that code generates a 10% donation back to the school. Sign up for their mailing list to get the announcements. (Scroll down near the bottom of the homepage).
Mountain Mike’s (Berkeley, El Cerrito, Oakland)
A pizza night at Mountain Mike’s earns 20% for your school at the two San Pablo locations (Berkeley and El Cerrito) and 25% at the Telegraph store.
Sign up here >
North Beach Pizza (Berkeley)
Located on University Ave in Berkeley, North Beach Pizza allows you to pick a day and then receive 15% back for all orders your community generates for both dine-in and delivery.
Sign up here >
Oakland Roots
The Community Champions Fundraising Program is available to any nonprofit, including schools. You’ll get a flyer with a link and code to distribute to your community, and 20% of the sales from any tickets bought through that link go back to the nonprofit!
Sign up here >
Pattys & Buns (Oakland)
This Montclair restaurant does a couple of fundraisers each month. They are happy to partner with local teams and schools and will donate 15% of sales for the day.
Fill out this form >
Park Burger (Oakland)
The team at Park Burger has done hundreds of fundraisers and suggests a multi-day time period to offer some flexibility to your community. They will donate 15% of the subtotal (excludes tax and tip) of all orders from your group. You must dine-in (no Doordash orders will be counted!) so make it fun with a big group dinner.
Email this address to begin the process >
Regal Cinemas
The movie theater at Jack London Square has an offer. Get families in your community to buy $30 ticket bundles (two movie tickets) and each sale will generate $7.50 in a donation to your organization. Sign up here >
