Subway Fundraiser: How It Works | The Ultimate Guide For 2023 (2024)

All aboard the sandwich express, because today we’re exploring the Subway fundraiser!

If you’ve been looking for a fresh ‘n’ zesty restaurant fundraising idea, then your train has arrived.

We’re about to chomp our way through a footlong journey of giving, garnished with a healthy sprinkle of community spirit.

In this article, we’ll explain how Subway fundraising works and how to start your own.

So, get ready to transform our favorite sandwich stop into a powerful platform for change, one Italian BMT at a time!

Table of Contents

• What Is A Subway Fundraiser?
• Who Can Start A Subway Fundraiser?
• How Does A Subway Fundraiser Work?
  • Dine To Donate
  • Gift Card Sale
  • Donation Request
• How To Start A Subway Fundraiser
• What Is A Subway Cares Foundation Grant?
• Is Subway Fundraising Right For You?

What Is A Subway Fundraiser?

A Subway fundraiser involves collaborating with your preferred sandwich shop to raise funds for your cause.

There are three different types of fundraising options:

• Dine To Donate
• Gift Card Sale
• Donation Request

We delve into how each one works further down.

It’s important to remember that not every Subway location offers every type of fundraising. The opportunities they provide are at the discretion of each individual restaurant.

Additionally, the Subway Cares Foundation offers grants, but they don’t accept solicitations. Instead, they are invite-only.

We’ll touch on the Subway Cares Grant at the end of this post.

Who Can Start A Subway Fundraiser?

There are no defined guidelines for who can organize a Subway fundraiser. Instead, it’s up to each individual restaurant owner to decide what their location offers.

However, if you belong to one of the following groups, you can likely assume you’re a qualifying organization:

• K-12 schools
• Higher Education Institutions (colleges and universities)
• Sports teams
• Libraries
• Community centers
• Nonprofits

The only way to determine if your chosen Subway restaurant offers fundraising opportunities is to reach out to them directly.

Fortunately, the company has plenty of locations across the country. In fact, they boast over 20,000 sandwich shops across the country.

How Does A Subway Fundraiser Work?

There are three different types of fundraising you can do with Subway. Just keep in mind that the dine to donate and donation request options aren’t offered by every restaurant.

Meanwhile, gift cards for fundraising are sold by a third-party company, and they are valid at every location.

Dine To Donate

A Subway Dine to Donate fundraiser takes place at a specific restaurant during a designated day and time.

During this period, a percentage of your supporters’ purchases is donated back to your cause. This percentage is usually 15%.

To raise funds, supporters can use a code when they make a purchase so your group gets credit.

Alternatively, if they order in the restaurant, they can simply inform the cashier that they’re participating in the fundraiser.

Once the fundraiser is over, Subway will calculate your net sales and give you your percentage.

Gift Card Sale

Another exciting Subway fundraiser involves selling gift cards through RaiseRight.

Supporters can help your cause by purchasing these gift cards using your dedicated fundraising code. Then, 7.5% of each Subway gift card sale goes back to your cause.

Better yet, supporters have a broad selection of other companies to choose from, too!

To get started, you first need to register your group on RaiseRight. Once approved, you can send out your unique link and code to your supporters.

Finally, use your RaiseRight Dashboard to monitor fundraising progress and transfer funds to your organization.

Donation Request

The final Subway fundraising idea involves submitting a donation request.

Like dine to donate events, you usually need to reach out to your selected restaurant to check if this option is available.

However, you can also apply on TheShareWay. Just bear in mind that the approval rate for requests through this platform is only 3%, and 52% received no response.

Typically, these requests are for either food or cash donations.

If you’re coordinating a high-attendance event, the restaurant may view it as a worthwhile sponsorship opportunity.

The same holds true if you boast a strong social media presence or big email list. If the restaurant can gain exposure to a larger audience, it might be in their best interest to contribute.

Remember though, each Subway location has its own distinct guidelines regarding donation requests. The company also states that they aren’t able to reply to all requests.

How To Start A Subway Fundraiser

To start a Dine To Donate, you need to contact your local Subway to see if they participate in fundraising. The same is true if you want to request a donation.

You can find nearby sandwich shops using the company’s location finder tool.

To start a Gift Card fundraiser, the first step is registering your group with RaiseRight.

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!

What Is A Subway Cares Foundation Grant?

The Subway Cares Foundation provides the Subway Cares Grant to nonprofit organizations focused in the following areas:

• Improving access to nutritious food
• Tuition assistance for school
• Leadership opportunities

While the grant is available globally, there is no way to apply for one. Instead, it is awarded by invitation-only.

The Subway Cares Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization funded by franchisees, employees, suppliers, and customers. Their current programs and grants include:

• Action Against Hunger
• Food Banks of Canada: After the Bell Program
• Folds of Honor
• Boys and Girls Clubs of America

Is Subway Fundraising Right For You?

We’ve journeyed through the mouthwatering world of the Subway fundraiser, explored its footlong potential, and sampled its philanthropic flavor.

No matter the cause, the Subway fundraiser has proven to be the ultimate recipe for a successful charity event.

This sub-filled solution allows you to enjoy your go-to Turkey Breast or Veggie Delite, all while supporting a cause close to your heart.

Of course, there are other awesome restaurant fundraising idea you want to consider, like:

• Panera Bread fundraiser
• Chick-fil-A fundraiser
• Starbucks fundraiser
• Chipotle fundraiser
• Pizza Hut 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!