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Pancake Morning

💰 £50-£120 ⏱ 1 Morning 📊 Beginner

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What is it?

A Pancake Morning is a fantastic, beginner-friendly fundraiser where you sell delicious pancakes to friends, family, and your local community. It’s a fun way to bring people together while raising money for your trip, all in just a few hours on a weekend morning.

Why does it work?

People love pancakes and are often happy to support a good cause, especially when offered a tasty treat in a social setting. The combination of affordable pricing and a welcoming atmosphere encourages generous donations and repeat customers.

What you'll need

  • Ingredients for pancakes (flour, eggs, milk, sugar, baking powder)
  • Toppings like syrup, lemon, sugar, chocolate spread, or fruit
  • Cooking equipment (frying pan or griddle, spatula, mixing bowls)
  • Serving plates, napkins, and utensils
  • Table and chairs for setup
  • Cash float and money container
  • Permission from venue (school, community centre, church) if needed
  • Volunteers to help cook, serve, and take payments

Step-by-step plan

1
Choose a suitable date and venue, ideally a weekend morning with good foot traffic, such as a school hall, local community centre, or church.
2
Get permission from the venue and check if you need any health and safety approvals or food hygiene certificates.
3
Plan your pancake menu including classic plain pancakes and a few topping options; consider dietary needs like gluten-free or dairy-free if possible.
4
Create a shopping list and buy ingredients in advance, aiming to keep costs low while ensuring quality.
5
Recruit friends or family to help with cooking, serving, and managing money on the day.
6
Set up your stall or table nicely with signs showing prices and the cause you’re fundraising for to encourage donations.
7
Cook pancakes fresh and serve promptly; keep the queue moving smoothly and chat to customers to engage them with your cause.
8
Keep track of sales and donations throughout the morning and thank everyone for their support.
9
Clean up thoroughly after the event and count your earnings carefully.
10
Share your success on social media or with your community to say thanks and encourage future support.

How to advertise it

  • Post event details on your social media (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) with mouth-watering photos of pancakes.
  • Create colourful posters and put them up at school, local shops, and community centres.
  • Ask your school or community group to announce the event in newsletters or assemblies.
  • Send a message to family and friends via WhatsApp or email inviting them to come along.
  • Use local community Facebook groups or apps like Nextdoor to promote your Pancake Morning.

Realistic earnings

Most teenagers can expect to raise between £50 and £120, depending on turnout and pricing. Charging around £1 to £2 per pancake with optional toppings usually works well.

Top tips

✅ Offer a couple of toppings free or included in the price to make your pancakes stand out.
✅ Use a simple pricing strategy, like £1 per pancake and 50p for extra toppings, so customers understand easily.
✅ Be friendly and chat about your trip to encourage generous donations beyond the pancake price.
✅ Prepare batter in advance to save time and keep pancakes flowing quickly during the event.

Common mistakes to avoid

⚠️ Not checking venue permissions or health regulations, which can cause last-minute cancellations.
⚠️ Underestimating the amount of batter needed, leading to running out early and disappointing customers.
⚠️ Setting prices too high or too low without considering your costs and fundraising goal.
💡 TOP TIP — easyfundraising

Buy your pancake ingredients and cooking supplies through easyfundraising partners like supermarkets or kitchenware stores to raise cashback for your cause while you shop.

Set up your easyfundraising cause free →