Collaborative Post
Open Books, Warm Hearts: My Post-Event Update
I’ve always felt that a Coffee Morning doesn’t quite end when the last mug is washed (or when you dig into that plate you secretly stashed away for yourself). There’s a small but important moment that comes afterwards: letting people know what we raised, how it’s being sent on to Macmillan Cancer Support, and giving anyone who couldn’t attend a chance to chip in.
This year, I wanted to be clearer, warmer, and a bit more structured with the follow-up. Nothing corporate or formal, just an honest note from someone who cares about the cause and wants friends to see the impact they helped create.
How to create the perfect post-fundraiser post
I’ve found that people appreciate knowing what their Coffee Morning achieved, and where their pennies and pounds actually went. A quick social post works well, especially when it’s friendly and avoids sounding official.
Sharing the total (and the story behind it)
Here’s the simple structure I use to craft my basic social post, revealing how much we raised:
This nice summary rounds off the story and makes donors feel part of something meaningful. It also gives those who missed the morning an easy moment to join in.
Adding photos (with permission)
A few pictures make the post feel more human, and it’s also an excellent opportunity to post some lovely shots of the cakes and bakes! I always ask before posting anyone’s face, and if people prefer not to appear online, I focus on hands pouring coffee, trays of bakes, and the donation table instead.
I try to keep the selection small and avoid overwhelming people’s feeds, and I reckon two or three photos are usually enough.
Tag supporters and give them credit
People love to feel appreciated! If there were a lot of spectacular bakes, I always like to highlight people’s contributions if I can.
I tag my helpers, anyone who donated raffle prizes, and the local groups who boosted the event in their WhatsApp or Facebook chats. It keeps things neighbourly and encourages other people to host their own Coffee Morning next time.
If local shops donated ingredients or prizes, I tag them. It shows appreciation, and it helps raise awareness of the Coffee Morning campaign. If you’re sharing online, this is also a good point to include the official Macmillan Coffee Morning page
Make it easy for latecomers to donate
Every year, I get messages from people who say, “I meant to donate but didn’t make it!” And, on the off-chance they really mean it (!) I like to give them a second bite of the cherry. So I leave a simple line at the bottom of the post with the link to donate securely, something like:
“If you’d like to add a small gift, you can still donate here!”
I sometimes include a gentle mention of Macmillan’s Free Will Writing Service too, especially if someone asks how to support long-term or what other help there is.
Post-Coffee Morning post template
You can be as personal or creative as you like with any posts about your fundraiser. But if you’re a bit stuck or would like a helping hand, here’s a template you can adapt:
“Thank you so much for coming to my Macmillan Coffee Morning!
We raised £[insert]. £[insert] is now on its way to Macmillan to support people living with cancer.
Here are a few photos from the morning (shared with permission).
If you couldn’t make it but would still like to donate, here’s the link: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/donate
And if you’re curious about other ways to support, Macmillan has a helpful free will service too.
Thank you again for helping bring people together for such an important cause.”
A final word: Keeping it human
Being open about the totals doesn’t take anything away from the Coffee Morning itself. If anything, it helps people feel proud of what they’ve done. It shows that their slice of cake and their quiet chat contributed to something bigger.
And the more relaxed and honest we are about sharing that information, the more connected the whole neighbourhood feels to the cause.
If you’re ready to think about hosting your own Macmillan Coffee Morning, you’ll find plenty of inspiration and support online, from planning to posting.
