How to Raise Funds

How To Fundraise

How To Fundraise

Many times I’ve been asked to offer advice to people about how to fundraise, especially those persons new to the job.

The vast majority of people are ‘volunteers’ and many are not quite sure how they volunteered in the first place! Coupled with the fact that not everyone is a silky smooth telephone salesperson or an Oscar Wilde of the Fundraising letter there is also a degree of trepidation in what they’ve let themselves into.

Fear not though. Raising money for your kid’s school, sports club or favourite charity is not difficult. It doesn’t mean you have to keep knocking on doors or cold calling unsuspecting victims and being told in no uncertain terms that they’re not interested.

If that’s the sort of fundraising environment you want then I suggest you take it up as a career and earn money from it. I’m talking about the huge number of unpaid volunteers up and down the country who ‘help out’.

The subject is vast and details could fill a book if so desired, therefore I’m going to broadly concentrate on some of the easiest routes where persistence is important but not at the expense of your dignity or self-confidence.

Organise a fundraising event.

There, that’s not so difficult is it? The event could be something funny such as a Pyjama Day, an endurance event such as a sponsored silence (great for parents) or something adventurous, along the lines of a parachute jump.

Money can be raised by paying an entrance fee to join, buying a ticket to watch or supporting through sponsorship. You could even organize a whole fundraising day with multiple events and produce a programme paid for by selling advertising space. Again no need to cold call, there’s bound to be a number of supporters of your cause that run a business or know someone who does and would be willing to help out. Add a home-made cake sale to the day and maximize your income streams.

Use established Fundraising Companies

One of the beauties of the internet is that most people now have 24/7 access. There are Online Fundraising websites that help you set-up your own fundraising webpage, for very little cost. There are also different ways of raising this money.

Just Giving, for example, sets-up a webpage for supporters to donate money to your charity, charging a small monthly fee and commission on each donation. They also help you with promoting the webpage to all those you think may be interested.

Simple Fundraising also sets up a free personalized webpage for you but approaches fundraising in a completely different way. Your page has lists of retailers who offer discounts and cashbacks when you purchase goods online. From well-known high street brands to small boutique retailers, the range is excellent.  Every time you or one of your supporters purchases something online through your webpage a commission is earned. This cumulative amount is then paid to you via Simple Fundraising. It doesn’t cost the purchaser anything extra, it just takes advantage of something called affiliate marketing.

There are other types of established organized fundraising companies, you just need to surf the internet and pick the one that suits you best.

Sponsorship

Once you get into the swing of fundraising and unleash your confidence you will discover there is no holding you back. Before you know it you will be on the telephone, sending e-mails and writing letters to all and sundry asking them to sponsor your favourite cause.

Once you’re on the road to raising money for your organization just let your mind think laterally and you’d be amazed at what can be thought of.

Also don’t try and do it all yourself. Find others who you know would be willing to help and spread the load by delegation. A group of people always have a range of talents and skills, make the most of this fact and utilize them.

As a wise man once said, ‘every journey begins with the first step’.

About the Author

Following a highly successful career in London where I owned my own marketing and design company catering for both multinational corporations and small local businesses I decided to “leave the rat race” and establish a Free Fundraising infrastructure for schools, charities, social groups and families.

The result is www.SimpleFundraising.co.uk 

Developing this free fundraising service, along with my brother, has allowed me to achieve a work-life-balance that my family deserve.

Not every group, charity or social organisation can afford a full-time, or even a part-time, fundraiser which is why www.SimpleFundraising.co.uk is completely free.

I am dedicated to helping groups of all sizes in their fundraising efforts and, being a rather creative individual, I continually find ways to help organisations raise money for their cause.

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