Fundraising

 

Fundraising can be a daunting task. To succeed you will need to plan ahead and set yourself a target to strive for. With some energy, determination and focus, coupled with some creative ideas you’ll be well on your way. Some ideas will bring you instant cash returns. Others will yield little response. It’s important to try a number of strategies and not be disheartened when something is less successful. The key thing is to maintain the momentum.  Here are some top tips to help you on your way. This is not an exhaustive list and undoubtedly you’ll have your own ideas. Just remember…..’YOU CAN DO IT!”

  1. Make it easy for people to sponsor you. Setting up a Justgiving.com online donation account is really easy. You don’t have to rely on people having cash on them and you don’t have to chase them for their donation after the event (hooray). Justgiving will also take gift aid automatically further boosting your sponsorship earnings. Visit their website and follow the simple instructions detailed and before you know it the money will come flowing in.
  2. Always get your friends and family to submit their sponsorship amount on the sponsorship form first – they tend to be the most generous and they set the standard for everyone who sees the form after them.
  3. Ask people to give you the money straight away– this will save a lot of time after the event.
  4. Send an article and photo to your staff newspaper or newsletter. Make sure you’ve included details of how to sponsor you.
  5. Speak to your local supermarket about having a presence in their entrance area. With the high volume of customers entering, coupled with a high average spend per visit, you’ll be amazed how much you can raise—remember to smile and thank them. Thank the supermarket too! To help you the Positive Action on Cancer fundraising team can supply collection tins.
  6. Approach your work colleagues, your employer and any local companies you might have links with, for donations or to ask them to run a fundraising event on your behalf.
  7. Fax or email a sponsorship form to suppliers and clients, asking them to sponsor you.
  8. If your employer is a member of a matched giving scheme, ask them to match the amount you have raised.
  9. Approach your work colleagues, your employer and any local companies you might have links with, for donations or to ask them to run a fundraising event on your behalf.
  10. Fax or email a sponsorship form to suppliers and clients, asking them to sponsor you.
  11. Ask family and friends to collect sponsorship on your behalf. Give them a copy of the sponsorship form and these fundraising tips.
  12. Organise a fun event for friends or colleagues such as a treasure hunt, Trivial Pursuit, cheese and wine, ten-pin bowling, charity auction, barn dance or going horse racing.
  13. Take unwanted items to a car boot sale – you can also ask friends, family and colleagues if they have unwanted goods they can contribute.
  14. Hold a cake sale where you sell slices for £1 each.
  15. Organise a “guess the baby” competition – collect baby photos from friends or colleagues and charge £2 to match names to faces. Give a prize to the person who gets most right.
  16. Organise a sweepstake on a major sporting event such as the Grand National.
  17. Email people in groups so you can tailor your message. Get generous donations on your page first. Send the email on/before pay day!
  18. Promote your page online with social media tools like Twitter, MySpace/ LinkedIn/ Facebook
  19. Put your Justgiving page web address in your email signature, so everyone you email has a chance to visit your page and make a donation.
  20. Ask your company to put your page in their website/intranet.
  21. Send fun reminder emails to people, to nudge them to donate. Keep fundraising after the event and most importantly remember to thank people for supporting you!