Coffee Morning Fundraiser Ideas: 15 Ways to Raise More

A coffee morning is one of the easiest ways for a church, charity or school to raise money. Almost anyone can host one, and almost everyone will come for cake. These ideas help you turn a pleasant morning into a strong total.

What Makes a Coffee Morning Raise More?

Coffee mornings raise the most when people stay longer and have more chances to give. Good coffee, a warm welcome and two or three simple extras make the biggest difference.

Most of your money will come from drinks, cakes and donations. Games and raffles then add a useful top up.

People also give more when they know the cause. Put up a short sign explaining what the money will do. Something like "£50 buys a week of meals for a family" works far better than a general appeal.

The three basics

• A clear goal: Pick a target and show it on a simple chart.
• Easy giving: Have a card reader or QR code as well as a cash tin.
• Good coffee: Weak, stale coffee sends people home early.

Macmillan's World's Biggest Coffee Morning is held each September. But you can host a fundraising coffee morning at any time of year for any good cause.

5 Quick Win Coffee Morning Ideas

These ideas take little planning but add real money to the pot.

1. A bake sale table. Sell whole cakes and boxes of biscuits for people to take home. Many guests will buy for later as well as now.
2. Pay what you feel drinks. Suggest a minimum and let people give more. Many happily round up for a good cause.
3. A takeaway coffee bag stall. Sell bags of fresh coffee with a share going to your cause.
4. A bring and buy table. Ask guests to bring books, plants or crafts to sell.
5. A gift aid form. If your charity can claim Gift Aid, collect forms for straight donations, not payments for cake. It adds 25p for every £1 donated by UK taxpayers.

A quick look at a big coffee morning

This short Macmillan video shows how their fundraising kit helps hosts get started. It is a nice reminder of how simple a coffee morning can be.

5 Games and Extras That Add to the Total

Small games give people a reason to stay for one more cup. Charge £1 to £2 a go.

1. Guess the weight of the cake. The closest guess wins the cake. It is a classic for a reason.
2. Raffle or tombola. Ask local shops for donated prizes. See the rules below before you sell tickets.
3. A quiz sheet on each table. Twenty light questions and a small prize keep tables chatting.
4. Name the teddy. Guests pay to pick a name, and the hidden name wins the bear.
5. Coffee tasting flight. Serve two coffees side by side and let guests vote for their favourite.

Try a coffee tasting table

A tasting table adds something different. Brew two contrasting coffees and give each a number.

For example, pair our smooth Brazil Eagle Carmelo with the brighter Colombia Planadas. Guests taste, vote and chat. It is fun even for people who think all coffee tastes the same.

5 Coffee Morning Theme Ideas

A theme helps your coffee morning stand out on social media and in church notices.

• A Christmas coffee morning: Mince pies, carols and a festive raffle in late November or early December.
• A bring a neighbour morning: Each guest brings someone new. It is great for building community.
• A bake off: Guests enter cakes and pay to taste and vote.
• A vintage tea and coffee party: Mismatched china, bunting and old time music.
• A breakfast morning: Bacon rolls and coffee for a 9am start before work or school.

Christmas coffee mornings are especially popular. People are in a giving mood and like to buy small gifts. A table of homemade treats and bags of fresh coffee can sell well.

How to Price Your Coffee Morning

Keep prices simple and round. That makes change easy for volunteers and quick for guests.

• Tea or coffee: £1 to £2, or included with cake.
• Slice of cake: £1.50 to £2.50.
• Drink and cake deal: £3 to £4.
• Games: £1 a go, or three for £2.
• Whole cakes to take away: £8 to £12.

Some groups prefer a donation only model. It feels more welcoming and often raises just as much. Put a clear sign by the tin with a suggested amount.

Raffle and Food Rules for UK Coffee Mornings

Most coffee mornings are simple to run legally. Here are the key points, but always check the latest guidance.

Raffles at your event

The Gambling Commission calls a raffle held at an event an incidental lottery. You do not need a licence if you follow a few rules.

• Sell tickets only at the event, while it is happening.
• Do not sell tickets online or in advance.
• Spend no more than £500 of the money raised on prizes. Donated prizes have no limit.
• Spend no more than £100 of ticket money on expenses.

Homemade cakes and food

Government guidance says you do not need a food hygiene certificate to make and sell food for charity events. Homemade cakes are fine.

Keep cream cakes chilled. Keep a list of ingredients for each bake, so guests can ask about allergens. If your group holds events often, check with your local council whether you need to register.

How Much Coffee Do You Need for a Coffee Morning?

Plan on one to two cups per guest. A typical coffee morning guest drinks about one and a half.

As a rough guide, 250g of ground coffee makes around 15 to 17 cups. So 50 guests need about 75 cups, or around 1kg of coffee. Our guide to how much coffee for 100 people has full tables for bigger events.

Make brewing easy for volunteers

A filter machine or a large urn with filter coffee is the simplest set up. Ask one volunteer to own the coffee all morning.

A calibrated scoop removes the guesswork, so every pot tastes the same. It also cuts sachet waste. We explain more in how churches are cutting coffee waste and costs.

Turn it into a regular event

Lots of churches run a monthly coffee morning. It becomes a warm space for the community as well as a fundraiser.

A clear rota keeps it sustainable. Our church coffee rota guide shows how to share the load. If you dream of something bigger, read how to start a church café.

We roast every batch by hand in Weaverham, Cheshire. You can read about our sourcing on our ethical coffee UK page.

Common Questions About Coffee Morning Fundraisers

• What can I do at a coffee morning to raise money?

  Add simple extras to your coffee and cake. A bake sale table, a raffle, guess the weight of the cake and a quiz sheet all work well. Charge £1 to £2 per game.

• How much should I charge at a charity coffee morning?

  Most coffee mornings charge £1 to £2 for a drink and £1.50 to £2.50 for cake. A drink and cake deal for £3 to £4 keeps things simple. Some groups ask for donations instead.

• Do I need a licence to run a raffle at a coffee morning?

  No, not if it is an incidental lottery. Sell tickets only at the event. Spend no more than £500 of proceeds on prizes and £100 on expenses.

• Do I need a food hygiene certificate to sell cakes for charity?

  No. Government guidance says you do not need one to make and sell food for charity events. Keep cream cakes chilled and have ingredient lists ready for allergy questions.

• How much coffee do I need for a coffee morning?

  Plan one to two cups per guest. For 50 guests, around 1kg of ground filter coffee is a safe amount. A 250g bag makes around 15 to 17 cups.

• When is the best time to hold a coffee morning?

  Mid morning, from around 10am to 12pm, suits most people. September is popular because of Macmillan's event, and Christmas coffee mornings also draw good crowds.