Fundraising tips!

If you have decided to raise money for a charity they will have their own fundraising packs to assist you and you should contact them in the first instance. However, you may find the tips below of assistance in raising the minimum sponsorship required.

Please note that if you are raising funds for a charity you will not be authorised to fundraise on their behalf until you have made contact with the charity as it may be necessary to sign a short declaration.

Getting started

It may seem a bit daunting but with a little effort and imagination it is well within your reach. For the majority of people taking part in one of our events this will be the first time they have ever done anything like this.

Think big!

The bigger the better! The fastest way to kick start your fundraising is to speak to your employer and ask if they will match what you raise or at least make a substantial donation. Many companies are very willing to support their employees in this way and may have a specific budget for this type of donation. In return you could contact local press and generate some coverage as thanks for their support. Publicise yourself in your company newsletter and ask colleagues to sponsor you direct.

Break it down

The more people you ask to sponsor you, the more money you will raise – it’s that simple. Ask everyone you know and ask them to ask everyone they know. You will be surprised who is willing to help you out with your sponsorship. People like to feel involved. Take time to create a plan and break your fundraising target into manageable amounts.

Here’s a list to get you started:-

  • Family and friends
  • Work contacts
  • Previous employees
  • Colleagues
  • Neighbours
  • Your local pub/shop/bank

We asked one of our most recent participants on the Peru trek to tell us how she raised the money. Here’s how she did it:-

  • Wrote to 10 local companies
  • Asked 15 family/personal friends for a donation and to gift aid the donation
  • Organised a fundraising ball with raffle and auction
  • Put collection boxes in different outlets
  • Organised a disco with raffle
  • Collection at local football club
  • Support from local yoga class through sponsored yoga event and individual donations
  • Two car boot sales

Some fundraising ideas:-

There are lots of things that you can do – here are a few ideas:-

  • Have a themed party in a local bar
  • Get some pledges from friends, family and colleagues
  • Car boot sale
  • Quiz night
  • Hold a BBQ or a dinner party and invite everyone to make a donation
  • Donate your services for a day, clean cars, iron clothes, make the tea at work
  • Dress down day at work
  • Raffle in the workplace
  • Write to a least five close clients or suppliers
  • Bag packing/collection at your local supermarket
  • Donation rather than birthday presents
  • Set up an online donation form and email to everyone you know
  • Guess the baby competition
  • Willing volunteer from your office gets a head/moustache/beard shave or leg/chest wax

Create your own web page

This is a great source of fundraising as you can email all your friends and family and they can donate online at the click of a button. Simply speak to the charity you are raising money for and if they are registered with justgiving.com they will be able to assist you in setting up your own web page. Plus online donations from UK taxpayers collect a 28% bonus.

Publicise your event

Get the local press/radio involved. It’s great to let people in your area know what you are doing. It is also a good opportunity to plug your justgiving web page if you have one and any up and coming events you may have. Your chosen charity should be able to provide you with sample press releases.

Writing to companies

Only write to companies that you have a contact in – otherwise you could receive a lot of rejection letters.

Where possible ask for payment up front

If possible ask your sponsors to donate up-front. If you are using sponsorship forms make sure that you ask people who are likely to donate the most first as normally other people will follow suit. Carry your sponsor forms with you everywhere; you never know where the opportunity may arise to get sponsorship.

And finally

Keep going. You are always going to get some knock backs but don’t let them put you off, it’s all part of the fundraising challenge.