complete guide to fundraising
Transcription
complete guide to fundraising
MAKE IT HAPPEN YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO FUNDRAISING FOR AN OUTWARD BOUND® ADVENTURE + THE BURSARY FUNDING I RECEIVED WAS A MASSIVE SUPPORT IN HELPING ME TO TAKE PART.+ Jed #1: APPLY TO THE ADVENTURE FUND To get started, The Outward Bound Trust’s Adventure Fund should be your first port of call. Submitting an application is a quick and easy way to get the ball rolling on your fundraising journey. Taking into account your personal motivation, circumstances and needs, the Fund could help you to cover up to 50% of your course fee. The best bit? Providing you’re a UK resident absolutely anyone is eligible to apply. DID YOU KNOW? 98% OF PEOPLE WHO APPLY TO THE ADVENTURE FUND ARE SUCCESSFUL IN RECEIVING FUNDING £172,000 OF ADVENTURE FUNDING WAS ALLOCATED IN 2014 £ APPLY NOW AT: OUTWARDBOUND.ORG.UK/FUNDING #2: SET UP A PAGE FOR DONATIONS A crucial part to your fundraising plan should be setting up your own online page. This will make it easier for people to read your story, follow your progress and most importantly, donate. There are a number of websites available to do this, such as My Donate or Just Giving. Your next step should be to let people know what you’re course is and why you’re doing it. Ensure that your page is up-to-date with photos, videos and personal posts so that it tells your story. By doing this you will give people a reason to return to your page and share it with others. Remember, there are many other deserving causes out there for people to donate to, so try to make an impact and stand out from the crowd. Do whatever you can to let people know about your page. From posters in your school, to using Facebook and Instagram, be prepared to share your page far and wide. Finally, remember to say thank you. Lots of donate websites allow you to set up an auto response to any donations received and personalise it with your own thank you. In doing so, encourage donors to forward your page to a friend. #3: WRITE TO LOCAL BUSINESSES You’d be amazed how charitable businesses can be when it comes to helping out young people in their community. From football clubs to factories, coffee shops to office blocks, many businesses are obliged to get involved with helping their local community. Help may range from opening up their premises for events, donating prizes or offering financial support. Often, all it takes is a nicely worded letter to get the ball rolling. So why not draw up a list of businesses you wish to write to and use our letter template to speed the process up. Remember, if you can offer something extra in return, such as positive press coverage, increased business or your own labour, businesses may be more inclined to help. LETTER WRITING TOP TIPS: Be concise; keep your letter to two sides If you have a friend or family connection to the business, use it Share your motivation and explain why you are going on your course. e.g. Are you seeking to develop a particular skill? + THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN BRILL THERE ARE SOME VERY GENEROUS PEOPLE OUT THERE.+ Olivia Personally deliver your letter by hand, or explain over the phone before sending it After your course, follow up with a second thank you letter Stay positive and persevere. Be prepared for some rejection. From car washing to car boot sales, more and more young people are making money out of hard work, imagination and dedication to fundraising events. Whether it be a race night, raffle, charity BBQ or bring and buy sale, make sure you’re confident that the event will appeal to your attendees. #4: ORGANISE AN EVENT The sooner you get started, the easier it will be. EVENT CHECKLIST: Set a date and time that people are likely to be able to attend, avoiding other occasions in the calendar Establish a target and a budget Find your venue (have a backup in mind if it’s outdoors) Involve your friends and family to help and support you Create a Facebook event and send out your invitations Write to your local radio and newspaper Collect any donations or sponsorship money Have some fun! + FIND SOMEONE TO HELP YOU THROUGH IT AND MAKE IT FUN.+ Olivia #5: APPLY TO CHARITABLE GROUPS The Outward Bound Trust has a number of regional Outward Bound Associations (OBAs) throughout the UK. Managed by volunteers, these OBAs are set up to support you to fund your adventure. + I APPLIED FOR FUNDING FROM VARIOUS LOCAL CHARITIES AND THEY WERE A HUGE HELP+ Nicole To get in touch with your local OBA visit our website or call 01931 740000 Additionally, there are many more charitable groups that offer small grants and bursaries to young people. Biglotteryfund.org.uk is packed full of information and guidance to help you find these opportunities. Checking with your local authority, library, school or college is also a good way to find funding opportunities. Use the websites listed on the right to help you with your research. Once you’ve found a suitable grant you can apply with our letter template. FUNDS AND GRANTS: THE ADVENTURE FUND AL MIZAN TRUST BIG LOTTERY FUND THE FREE MASONS GREGGS FOUNDATION THE HIGHLAND CHILDREN’S TRUST KICKSTARTER LADIES CIRCLE LIONS CLUB NOTTINGHAM EDUCATION TRUST PRINCE’S TRUST ROTARY SEAN CONWAY SCHOLARSHIP THE WILSON FOUNDATION #6: SEND A PRESS RELEASE Approaching the media is a great way to drum up awareness, support and curiosity around your cause. Just a few short lines in your local newspaper or on your local radio station can go a long way. A press release can be used to thank local businesses who have supported you as well as inviting people to an event.Reporters are always looking for new and interesting stories that might be relevant to the community. You can use our letter template to help you out. Once completed, visit the newspaper website to find the relevant contact details and send a copy of your press release to the editor and a reporter. INTRODUCING: NICOLE WITH JUST 6 MONTHS TO GO BEFORE HER SKILLS FOR LIFE AWARD COURSE, NICOLE AGED 15 FROM GLASGOW, WAS BEGINNING TO WORRY THAT SHE MAY ACTUALLY RAISE TOO MUCH MONEY! WE GOT IN TOUCH WITH HER TO GET THE LOW DOWN ON HER FUNDRAISING SUCCESS. How did you go about your fundraising? I went about it as if it were any other challenge, I knew it was something that I had to achieve if I really wanted to make my summer a reality Did you come up with a plan? To raise £1,750 you need a plan. By breaking it down into bite size chunks and by following the steps in the fundraising pack, I came up with my own fundraising schedule to stick to. How did you persuade businesses and other charities to help you? I tried really hard to explain the benefits that my course would provide, whether that be new-found skills or increased confidence, people like to know what their donation will help you to achieve. What was your most successful fundraising event? My 5K charity run definitely raised the most money, but the event I enjoyed the most was my pop-up jewellery store. A friend and I set-up our own jewellery shop at a local care home, it raised about £20 but it was great fun and really helped me to reach my target. Do you have any top tips or advice to help anyone fundraising? The more you can get your local community involved and aware of your undraising efforts, the better. Friends, family, neighbours and local businesses helped me out the most, so be confident, be honest, and be prepared to ask. FOR FURTHER FUNDRAISING ADVICE AND GUIDENCE WHY NOT DROP US A MESSAGE ON: @OUTWARDBOUNDUK /THEOUTWARDBOUNDTRUST OR CONTACT DAVE CHALLIS ON: [email protected] 01931 740035 Outward Bound® and the Compass Rose are each registered trademarks of The Outward Bound Trust. Registered charity no: 1128090 in England and Wales; no: SC040341 in Scotland. Company reg no: 6748835.