Dedication
Fundraising
is hard work. It demands dedication and often means a commitment of
several months, so be prepared.
The
One
to One Children's Fund
People will
want to know why they should sponsor you, so you'll need to communicate
what you are doing, why you are doing it, who the One to One Children's
Fund are, how they will spend your funds and who will benefit.
For more information, click
here. The clearer you are, the easier it is to persuade people.
Remember to keep the One to One Children's Fund informed of
your efforts and ask for any help you need.
Setting
Targets
Plan well ahead
and start as soon as the One to One Children's Fund gives you
the go ahead. Calculate how long you've got to raise the money and
set yourself ambitious, but achievable, goals. Decide who to ask for
support and when to approach them.
Delegate
Never underestimate
the value of volunteers and helpers. They could have hidden talents,
and the ability to access untapped donors. Let your volunteers decide
how they would like to help, so they feel comfortable being involved.
Networking
Make a comprehensive
list of potential sponsors and supporters. Include relatives, friends,
neighbours, sports & social club contacts, school/college friends,
colleagues, business contacts, bank manager, Xmas card list, etc.
At
Work: This
is always a great place to get the sponsorship form circulated, or
perhaps a mass e-mail sent out explaining what you are doing. Give
people as much information as possible. Many people will admire what
you are doing and will be willing to support you financially as they
know that they would never do it themselves! Put some information
on notice boards or in your company newsletter about what you are
planning to do, how much you need to raise, and where the money is
going. Ask customers and suppliers (if appropriate to do so), and
stand by busy areas (the canteen or gym at lunch time) with a collecting
tin. Carry change in case someone only has a large note that they
are not prepared to part with. Wear your cycling equipment or rucsac
so no one can walk past you without noticing you (and hopefully contributing).
If you work for a large corporation, they may have sponsorship or
specific departments to deal with charitable donations. Find out whom
to contact and arrange a meeting. Their advice will be valuable whether
sponsorship is given or not. Many companies now work on a match-giving
scheme whereby the company matches any money raised by you. Smaller
companies are also great targets as opposed to large corporations
where no personal contact is available. Try asking family and friends
for any contacts they may have. At
Home:
Anyone
who comes to mind, don’t be afraid to approach them to explain
what you are doing and to ask them for sponsorship. It is always advisable
to start the conversation with "Don’t feel obliged BUT…".
Ask friends, relatives, people at your local pub, sports club,
local businesses - they are all potential sponsors. Keep reminding
yourself that every penny counts! Forget American Express, never
leave home without your sponsorship form!
Accounting
Keep accurate
records for yourself and the One to One Children's Fund. Record
all monies received on a sponsorship form, together with details of
who made the donation and when. The One to One Children's Fund
uses this information to boost the amount raised by collecting Gift
Aid (a refund from the Inland Revenue). For more information about
Gift Aid, speak to the One to One Children's Fund.
Be
Innovative
Whilst
the interest in these charitable fundraising expeditions is growing
at a phenomenal rate, this also means that the people you will try
to attract sponsorship from will possibly have been asked to support
someone else already. Instead of asking someone outright to put their
hands in their pockets and give you cash, why not give them something
back in return. Fundraising
events are a great way of raising significant amounts of money in
a short period of time and a legitimate excuse for bringing
people together for a good cause. If you put
your mind to it, the possibilities are endless. A theme can make your
event really stand out. The key is to be fun and practical. Think
of something inspiring, but also be easy to recreate. Favourites include:
· Circus. With
or without a Big Top, you'll need a few sideshows and plenty of clowns.
· Pantomime.
Great at Christmas and a good excuse to dress up as an ugly sister.
· Medieval.
Hold a 'pillow jousting' tournament and feast on a huge banquet.
· Animals.
Beastly fun for little kids. Include animal face painting, pin the
tail on the donkey and dead lions.
Adverts
& Company Sponsorship
Advertising
is where a company buys a space in a specific media (newsletter, radio,
TV, etc). Sponsorship is where it pays to associate its name, logo
and/or product with an activity. Companies sponsor events to increase
consumer awareness of their product, improve public image & relationships
with employees & suppliers. Before approaching a company, think what
you can offer them. For example, a supermarket could set up a stall
selling its produce at your Cheese and Wine evening. Approach companies
well in advance, so they can budget for the costs. Keep your sponsors
informed of your progress and any publicity, and be sure to thank
them publicly.
Making
that extra £1
Every
pound counts. Here are a few ideas on how to make that little extra:
· Auction off all unclaimed prizes · Collect loose change in buckets,
not tins · Get guests to empty their pockets as they leave your event
· Fine people for not participating or donating enough · Stop all
proceedings until you hit your target · Pass around a pint glass to
be filled with pound coins
Large
Events
Balls
and Dinners are great fundraisers, but cost a lot to stage. Seek out
sponsorship for the food, music or even venue, and don't forget to
leave some cash aside for unexpected costs. Make extra money with
a souvenir programme (funded by advertising), as well as raffles,
draws and auctions. Hire a photographer to take and sell photos of
your guests.
Auctions
Use
the greatest names in sport to help you raise money - and all at no
risk to yourself or the charity! Signed sporting memorabilia is very
popular and always goes down well at auctions. All profits go to charity,
and anything that fails to reach the reserve price is taken back free
of charge. Fast-talking auctioneers can also be hired out to help
you sell prized possessions of the likes of Muhammed Ali, Manchester
United and Tiger Woods. For more details, visit www.msc-sports.co.uk
or call 020 7288 6800.
Casino
Nights
Create
your own casino evening, complete with 'Las Vegas' atmosphere. Ask
friends to act as croupiers, so your guests can enjoy a flutter. Sell
admission tickets, fun money, food and drink. Add a fancy dress theme,
e.g. gangsters & molls. For further details, visit www.beneficialarts.co.uk
or call 0870 7353277.
Race
Nights
You
hire a 16mm film of a horse race, and show it at an organised event.
Guests bet on the horse they think will win. Films come sealed so
the outcome is unknown. You run the betting desk and take a percentage
of the profits. As the Lotteries and Amusements Act of 1976 governs
the activity, there are a few restrictions. The main one is that the
race night cannot be the only inducement to attend, so it's a good
idea to offer food as well. For further details, visit www.beneficialarts.co.uk
or call 0870 7353277.
Murder
Mystery
Simple
to arrange, this is a 'whodunnit' game adapted for social gatherings.
You send off for a murder mystery package, for between ten and 100
players. The package includes an outline of the murder and the scene
of the crime, as well as instructions for organisers, scene setters,
clues & player profiles. Money is raised from advance ticket sales.
For further details, visit www.beneficialarts.co.uk or call 0870 7353277.
Art
Exhibitions
Art
Options offer an art sale service: a cultural event, socially
enjoyable, easy to arrange and at virtually no cost! Art
Options provides the pieces of art: either a broad range to suit
all tastes or a particular style to complement the theme of your charity.
Art Options look after the
whole exhibiting process: arranging the works for viewing and organising
delivery (if required by the buyer). As a fundraising concept an art
sale is simple and easy. For a small investment of time and effort
on your behalf Art Options
will make a generous percentage donation of up to 80% of the profit
of the evening's sales. You would be expected to organise a venue
and invite the people to the exhibition. The financial return for
your event can be considerable - if for example we sell only 10 pieces
of art at an average price of £1,500 the donation for the charity
will be around £5,700. This is a modest estimate and depending upon
how many people you invite the returns could be much higher. For more
information, please contact Johan Gruber on 07973 551 458 or visit
art-options.com.
Party's
Invite
friends to a birthday party and ask them not to bring a present but
to sponsor you instead. Negotiate the free hire of a wine bar and
charge friends (advertise in local papers) £10 admission, find a DJ
and again — with good support, you might be surprised how much
you can raise in a one-off event.
Film
Previews
An
example is to find a cinema that will allow you to sell tickets for
a specific showing on ‘sale or return’. You can sell
the tickets for £10 each to a new film, and pay the cinema the cover
price — i.e. £4. If you manage to fill the cinema, you could
raise your entire sponsorship in one go. If you don’t mange to
sell all of the tickets, give them back before the film’s screening
and you will have lost nothing at all.
Bazaars,
Fetes, Car Boot Sales and Jumble Sales
Add
sparkle by inviting a celebrity to launch it. Raise extra with food
& entertainment - e.g. auctions, raffles, quizzes.
Merchandising
Market
your event with sellable merchandise. But be warned - you are only
exempt from paying tax on profits if you comply with the following
regulations: the profits are applied solely to the purpose of the
Charity; the trading is not regular; the trading does not compete
with other legitimate businesses.
Collection
Boxes
Collections
must be licensed by the local council or its equivalent; collectors
must be over 16; collectors must carry collection permits (ask the
One to One Children's Fund); collectors must wear an
official badge (ask the
One to One Children's Fund); money must be collected
in a sealed tin or envelope; boxes must be opened and money counted
in the presence of two or more people; a return must be made by the
licensing authority; street collectors may not cause an obstruction
or solicit activity for money (don't rattle tins).
Managing
Your Sponsors
Gift
Aid: Tax
on charitable donations can be allocated to the One to One Children's
Fund, which increases sponsorship by 28%. The One to One Children's
Fund will provide gift aid forms for your donors to sign.
Thanks:
Acknowledge every contribution, and keep a record of where your sponsorship
came from.
Sponsorship:
Offer to wear a t-shirt with a company logo on your challenge in return
for a donation.
Getting
Publicity
Try
contacting local newspapers, radio and television stations and community
newsgroups, maybe a reporter would like to write a piece about what
you are doing and follow it up afterwards. Perhaps you could write
an article yourself. Your local media will always be interested in
hearing about what its readers are up to and these expeditions are
very newsworthy. Try and find an ‘angle’ that will particularly
interest them. Think also about the magazines and journals that are
published specifically for your profession or hobby. To get your name
and story in print is one of the most effective ways in gaining support
for your cause. Compile a press release, including all of the following:
Why you want to go - Give personal reasons that others can relate
to. Saying you've always wanted to climb Kilimanjaro is not enough,
How much you need to raise - Highlight how much and who for, and explain
that this is not a holiday, Details of the
One to One Children's Fund
- Explain why the work of the
One to One Children's Fund
is so important. Inspire potential sponsors without overdoing it,
Your contact details - Provide contact details for the newspaper,
and say how interested readers can sponsor you. Address your press
release to the 'news desk', allow plenty of time and send it to: your
regional daily newspaper and radio station, weekly local newspapers,
community and listings magazines (they often include fundraising events),
company magazine or staff newsletter (a good way to ask colleagues
to sponsor you). For contact details, check phone books, media directories,
the internet and the library.
Dos
and Don'ts
Do
have fun collecting your sponsorship. It doesn't have to be a struggle.
Do
plan
a target group. Direct your letters to named individuals - never use
Dear Sir/Madam.
Do
think about what a company/group can gain by sponsoring you - free
advertising, publicity, etc.
Do
tell everyone you know about what you're doing. Word of mouth is the
best form of advertising.
Don't
randomly send letters asking for money. You'll rarely get a response,
let alone any money.
Don't
leave
it to the last minute. Plan your sponsorship strategy ahead.
Don't
panic!
CHARITY
CHALLENGE'S A - Z OF FUNDRAISING IDEAS
A
Abseil:
Scale
the dizzy heights of a local landmark or office block.
Advertising
Booklet:
Compile a local information booklet for distribution at libraries,
shops and businesses. Include info on local attractions. Make money
with adverts and discount vouchers from local firms.
Aerobics:
Organise a sponsored aerobathon with the help of gyms, leisure centres
and sports shops.
Afternoon
Tea: Put
the kettle on and get baking. Entertain guests with raffles, auctions,
tombolas & live music
Air
Miles:
Collect your own, then raffle them off.
Aluminium
Collection: Collect
empty cans and tins and sell them to a recycling company.
Arts/Crafts
Stall:
Make necklaces, dried flower arrangements, stained glass mirrors,
etc, to sell on a stall.
Art
exhibition: Stage
an exhibition for local artists. Charge entrance fee and commission.
As
New Sale:
AKA posh jumble sale. Ask everyone you know for unwanted belongings
& hold a sale evening.
Auction:
Auction off original items, taking a percentage of sales.
Auction
of Services:
Auction services of people and businesses - anything from singing
lessons to dinner for two.
B
Badge
Making:
Make badges to sell at work, to friends or at craft fairs.
Bad
tie day: Charge
your colleagues a pound to come in wearing their loudest tie. Award
the winner.
Baked
Bean Bath:
Get sponsored to spend the day in a bath/Jacuzzi of baked beans. Charge
friends to join you.
Balloon
Race:
Sell balloons that are filled with helium; the purchasers' name and
address are written on a tag fixed to the balloon. The balloon that
travels the furthest wins a prize
Balloon
Rides: Offer
as a prize for raffle/auction, or sell trips in a chartered balloon.
Barbecue:
Add stereo, football and rounders bats and make it a whole day's event.
Barn
Dance: Swing
into action by hiring a caller and traditional country band. Serve
food & plenty of cider.
Battle
of the Bands:
Contest for unsigned bands, where audience votes on the winner. Charge
bands to enter, offer cash prizes and invite record producers. Sell
tickets and set up a paying bar.
Beat
the Goalie: Score
a goal and win a prize. Footballers pay to enter.
Bed
Push: The
'bed' can be anything from a hospital bed to a four-poster or even
a 3-piece suite!
Beer
Festival: Stock
up on international beers, food and music. Remember to check licensing
laws.
Bingo:
Hold
a one-off evening or regular morning sessions.
Board
Games Evening:
Invite friends over to play Scrabble, Monopoly, Cluedo and more. Charge
entrance or game fee.
Boat
Race: Teams
build model boats and race them. Alternatively, use real yachts, dinghies
or canoes.
Boat
Trips: Organise
a cruise down a nearby river or canal. Include refreshments & entertainment.
Bonny
Baby Contest: Charge
proud parents to show off their offspring in the town centre. Invite
the local press.
Book
Sale: Sell
old books, collected from everyone you know. Book
dealers may buy leftover stock.
Bouncy
Castle:
A great way to keep kids entertained at bigger family events. Bouncing
fee.
Bungee
Jump: Raise
sponsorship by flying in the face of fear.
Burns
Night:
Theme evening with Scottish dancing, Haggis, Nepes and Tatties. Admission
fee.
Bus
Pull:
Gather a team & get sponsored to heave a bus through town. More teams?
Make it a race.
C
Cake
Stall:
Hold a traditional cake stand at fetes or fairs. Check health and
safety regulations.
Calendars:
Design & sell a pictorial calendar for your company. Departments/suppliers
may sponsor pages.
Candle
making: Make
and sell candles at craft fairs or coffee mornings.
Car
boot sale:
Cash in your old belongings, or sell pitches. Raise more with bouncy
castles, raffles, etc.
Car
treasure hunt:
Drive from clue to clue in search of the 'treasure'. Teams pay to
enter.
Car
wash:
Wash cars at shopping centre or office car parks.
Carnival:
Arrange a colourful carnival for your town, charging for each float
entered.
Carol
concert:
Host a festive concert for your community. Earn extra by selling minced
pies & mulled wine.
Carol
singing:
Get a group to go door-to-door singing. Bigger public displays may
require a licence.
Casino
evening:
Hire gaming tables and a hall for the evening.
Chariot
race:
Teams race decorated 'chariots' - anything from a horse and cart to
a sedan chair.
Charity
ball: Raise
sponsorship the sophisticated way. Organise a themed ball with DJ
or live music at a hotel or nightclub. Charge for tickets, but boost
your earnings with games and raffles.
Charity
push: Get
sponsored to cover a set distance in a bed, shopping trolley, bathtub,
wheelie bin…
Children's
party:
Organise children's parties or activities, but be sure to check relevant
childcare practices.
Christmas
draw:
Sell tickets and ask local firms to supply prizes. Check regulations
about public draws & raffles.
Classic
car show:
Well-organised classic car and bike shows are great crowd pullers
and fantastic fundraisers.
Clocks:
Build clocks to sell at craft fairs.
Coach
trips:
Coach trips to London, Blackpool, flower shows, etc, are popular.
Sell tickets and hold a raffle.
Coconut
shy:
Easily arranged game for traditional fairs. All you need are a few
coconuts and wooden balls.
Coffee
morning:
It's open house for the morning. Make extra with raffles, bring and
buy sales and cake stalls.
Collecting
tins: Trusted
fundraiser for busy pedestrian areas. Charity should supply tins,
stickers and leaflets.
Concerts:
Entertain the crowds with your own recital, or hire bands of musicians.
Cookery
demo:
Invite well-known chefs to share the recipe of their success with
a ticket-paying audience.
Copper
collection:
Ask people to donate their collections of one and two pence pieces.
Craft
fair:
Make necklaces, dried flower arrangements, stained glass mirrors,
etc, to sell on a stall.
Cricket
match:
Assemble a team and challenge your county team to a match. Charge
spectators.
Crossword
contest:
Compile huge crossword, so punters pay per clue. Each number hides
a ticket for prize draw.
D
Dance:
Barn dances, tea dances, disco dances, salsa dances - whatever rocks
your boat.
Darts
tournament: Challenge
all the pub teams in the area to compete for cash prizes, or a barrel
of beer.
Dinner
and cabaret:
Hire a popular and spacious restaurant. Entertain ticket holders with
music, comedy & magic.
Directories:
Compile
a community businesses and services directory. Raise funds through
advertising.
Disco:
Spin
the decks or hire a DJ to stage a themed disco night.
Dog
show: Charge
proud pet-owners to show off their pooches. Ask pet shops to sponsor
the event.
Duck
race: Sell
numbered plastic ducks and launch them from a bridge. The duck to
finish first wins.
E
Easter
egg hunt: Edible
hide and seek. Charge entry fee and ask confectioners to provide the
eggs.
Eating
marathon:
Get sponsored to stuff your face with as many baked beans/grapes/pies
etc. as possible.
Eyebrows:
Get
sponsored to shave them off - they grow back eventually!
F
Face
painting:
Get creative with face paints at fetes, fairs and children's parties.
Fancy
dress: Jazz
up your event with a fancy dress contest. Charge entrance fee.
Fashion
show:
Ask businesses to sponsor venue, outfits or catwalk. Charge admission
and sales commission.
Fastathon:
Get
sponsored to fast for an hour, a morning or a day. Consult your doctor
first.
Fete:
Reach the whole community by holding a fete, or team up with organisers
of an annual event.
Film
evening: Recreate
an evening of vintage cinema by showing classic films and musicals.
Fireworks:
Weather
permitting, firework displays are massive fundraisers. Check out safety
precautions.
Flower
arranging:
Make your own fresh, dried or silk arrangements to sell at craft fairs
or fetes.
Flower
show: Always
popular. Boost funds with competitions, advice corners & side stalls.
Football
tournament:
Schedule fixtures and charge teams to enter. Ask local businesses
for prizes.
Foreign
coins:
Ask people to donate their leftover holiday coins. Change into sterling
once you have enough.
Fun
day: Arrange
games, music, competitions and stalls at a nearby hall or sports club.
Furniture
sale:
Hire a large hall to sell donated furniture and old office equipment.
Take sales commission.
