Support Your Cause

ISU Dining is looking for local, civic, community, school and other non-profit organizations who would like to fundraise and earn money for non-profit group organizations.

Odyssey of the Mind World Finals 2026

This coming May 27-30, 2026, ISU Dining will be hosting the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals event. Due to the size of this event, we are reaching out to local non-profit groups with an opportunity to fundraise for their cause. In past years, non-profit groups have achieved goals such as purchasing air conditioning for their church, raising money for scholarships, and purchasing new football or band uniforms.

Assistance is needed during mealtimes, inside one of our dining centers, during the event dates of May 27-30. Volunteers will not be cooking food or using cooking equipment, but WILL assist with serving food, maintaining the dining room, and helping to clean up.

The organization will receive funds for each volunteer at $13.00 per hour. Feel free to share this fundraising information to non-profit, civic, or other charitable groups that may be interested. Groups must have a Taxpayer Identification Number (W-9). Select the plus sign below for additional details or contact us at dmschmid@iastate.edu to schedule your team! 

Fundraising Teams

Organize your members, families, friends, etc. to form a team. A team consists of one Team Leader and four members (5 total volunteers) each day. A Team Leader must be present each day, two people may share the responsibility attending on different days during the event. Team members may vary from day to day with four members in attendance for each day. Suggestion: ask members to work multiple days but explain they are not committing themselves to work every day of the event.

All Team Leaders and workers must be age 18 or older by May 27th, 2026. Each Team Leader must attend an orientation program prior to May 27th, 2026 (actual dates to be determined). The Team Leaders will be responsible for their group members (ability to perform tasks, transportation, training, required form completion, and supervision during the shift).

Meal Periods

Choose a meal period that works for your group. Your lunch team will have the same start time, for example your team will be assigned a start time of 10:30 or 11:00 AM and all participants would report at that time. Another team will be assigned the alternating time to allow for full lunch coverage. If a group has enough participants, two or three meal periods may be an option. Estimated earnings are based on $13/hour per participating volunteer. One free complimentary meal will be provided to all team members for each shift they work.

  • May 28-30 All Breakfast meals (3 days)
  • May 28-30 All Lunch meals (3 days)
  • May 27-30 All Dinner meals (4 days)
Meal Periods Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Wed, May 27 – – 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Thu, May 28 6:30 AM – 9:30 AM 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Fri, May 29 6:30 AM – 9:30 AM 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Sat, May 30 6:30 AM – 9:30 AM 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Total Team Hours 45 Hours 45 Hours 60 Hours
1 Team of 5 per Day $585 $585 $780
2 Teams of 10 per Day $1170 $1170 $1560

Required Uniform

  • A plain solid-colored or white t-shirt with sleeves (no sleeveless shirts)
  • Full length jeans (no capris or cropped slacks/pants)
  • Ankle height or taller socks
  • Comfortable shoes such as athletic/tennis shoes (no sandals, open-toed or any skin showing for personal protection).
  • Hair coverage and aprons are provided.

Schedule Your Team

A limited number of groups will be able to work each meal and are scheduled when a commitment is received. Contacting us is step one, followed by a formal acceptance process which includes signing a contract agreement.