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Raising funds
Info on raising money to support a take action project!
Raising money to support your cause can be rewarding, great fun and a brilliant way to highlight your cause. The money you raise can be used to fund the basic running costs of your group as well as the projects and causes you decide to support.
Make a budget:
Before you start fundraising, it is a good idea to create a quick budget sheet. This should outline your projected income (how much you aim to make) and your projected expenses (how much you need to spend). Choose someone from your group to look after accounts who is cool with this responsibility.
Be creative how you ask:
Try and think up of different ways your community can help out. If you are organising a car wash, ask a hardware store or garage to sponsor sponges, clothes and cleaning products. If you are having a Big Match Night, ask a local business or sports shop to sponsor a jersey or team kit. You can also ask businesses or individuals to sponsor prizes or trophies and tell them you will make them famous by naming the competition after them! If there is a large company or factory in your area, ask them to be your major sponsor and don’t be shy to ask them for big bucks!! Remember, Ireland still has a strong regard for personal connections so ask your family and relations to point you towards businesses and people they know and do business with.
Fundraising tips
- Prepare your ‘Pitch'
Have a one page hand-out prepared explaining who your are, what group you represent, what you are fundraising for, when you are holding your event and how they can help out. Be able to rhyme it off in 30 seconds!
- Make a hit list!
Make out a list of potential businesses, services and community groups to approach. Think of businesses that you and your friends use such as video/music/book shops, take-aways, mobile phone shops, cafés, newsagents, supermarkets, sandwich bars, clothes shops, banks etc.
- Always be cool!
Be friendly and mannerly, even if they grunt at you and say they’re not interested. Don’t get disheartened, as some people will be generous and others will not. Move onto the next place on your list and put it behind you.
- Ask early and fairly
Ask for donations a few weeks in advance of your event, as some businesses have to get permission from their owners or head office. If you are approaching many businesses, have an average donation request e.g. €25 in sponsorship/prizes/materials.
- Promote your support
Gather support from teachers, youth workers, parents and friends and use this to help sell your event.
- Invite sponsors along
If you are organising a public event, be sure and invite your sponsors along. Make sure to mention their support someway on the day, even if they’re not there.
- The finishing touch!
Once your fundraising event is completed, be sure and celebrate your achievement someway. The following week, send out thank you letters with a brief summary of how your fundraiser went and how much your group collected. This is a smooth touch and will make it easier for others to seek support in the future.
