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FundraisingThe Childhood Eye Cancer Trust carries out valuable work in the areas of family support, research and raising public awareness. In order to meet the financial demands of these commitments, the Trust relies on charitable donations, and therefore invites and encourages fundraising within the community. OrganisationOrganising a fundraiser can be hard work, so try to work with a few people and delegate tasks, so that the work is evenly spread. For example, if you are planning a dinner-dance, identify one person to organise the venue, another to plan catering, and another to arrange entertainment etc.Though large events are great fundraisers, they do cost a lot to stage. Work on attracting sponsorship for catering, entertainment and perhaps even the venue. Produce an advertising funded souvenir programme to boost profits. Hiring a photographer to take and sell photos will also increase your funds raised. Allow plenty of time to plan events, and set yourself ambitious, but achievable, goals. Make lists of what needs to be done, by whom and when. Utilise the support of the local media to advertise, PromotionPeople will need to know about CHECT, and why they should support your fundraising efforts. Explain clearly the work of the Trust, so that people know who we are, how their donation will be used and who will benefit. On any promotional material, you must clearly state the Trust's full name and registered charity number.CreativitySo many charities exist today, that your potential supporters will almost certainly have been contacted by other organisations soliciting support. Try to stand out from the crowd with a creative, original event or proposition. Some ideas are listed at the end of this page.Corporate supportDon't be afraid to approach businesses for advertising, in-kind donations or sponsorship for your event. If you can, enclose a stamped addressed envelope. This will make replying easier for busy people, and you will be more likely to receive a positive response. Offering something in return is also more likely to produce a positive response. For example, offer to advertise a local supermarket on the back or your tickets, in return for donations of food for your event. Always send a thank you to businesses which support your event.Be sure you know what you are asking for. For example, advertising means the company buys a space in a specific media (such as an event brochure, or on the back of tickets). Sponsorship means the company pays to associate its name, logo and/or product with a specific activity. Benefits to the business include free publicity, increased consumer awareness of the company and/or its products, improved public image and relationships with employees and suppliers. Before contacting any company, consider what you can offer them, and what they can gain by sponsoring you. Approach companies well in advance, so that they can budget for their costs. Many companies have an annual or monthly allocation of charitable funds, so consider approaching potential sponsors at the beginning of the year. Keep your business sponsors up-to-date with your progress and any press coverage of their involvement, and remember to thank them publicly for their support. AccountingKeep clear and consistent records of all your expenses and funds raised, and don't forget to encourage Gift Aid donations - CHECT will receive 28% back from the tax man on all gift aided donations (when the donor pays tax equal to the amount being reclaimed). CHECT can provide Gift Aid forms for your donors.Street CollectionsRemember that there are certain rules you must comply with,- Collections must be licensed by the local council. - Collectors must be over 16 - Collectors must carry collection permits and wear an official collectors badge (ask CHECT for these). - Money must be collected in a sealed tin or envelope - Boxes must be opened and money counted in the presence of at least two 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 collection tins or call out to passers by). Collecting TinsIf you local pub or newsagent is willing, why not give them a collecting tin to display near the till. People will often pop their change into that instead of their pocket. Or, why not round up small change at home - have a 'pot' where you and/or the family can chuck in odd coppers. Its surprising how quickly it mounts up.Special tins with our labels are available from the office, just call us on 020 7377 5578 or email fiona.heath@chect.org.uk Sponsored EventsAsk as many people as possible to sponsor you. Place copies of your sponsor form in a location where people will see it and sign up. For example, leave a copy of your sponsorship form on your workplace notice board, or on the welcome desk at your church, and ask people to sign up through a notice in the newsletter. If approaching a business, put your request for sponsorship in writing, and always personalise the letter to a specific person. If you do not know the name of the person to whom you are writing, telephone the company first, and ask for a specific name. Include the following in your communication - why the recipient should sponsor you, - what your sponsored event involves, and how you are preparing for it - Info about CHECT, who we are, who we support, how and why. - Details of any personal link to CHECT, such as a child with Rb. You can get sponsorship forms from the CHECT office. When filling in a sponsorship form, always begin with people who will sponsor you generously. In this way, subsequent sponsors will see generous donations at the top of the form. And will be more likely to follow suit. Remember to acknowledge contributions with thanks.  Click here to download a sponsorship formCHECT receives online donations through its page at www.justgiving.com. This website also allows fundraisers to set up internet based sponsorship forms on a fundraising page, which can dramatically boost the level of sponsorship received. This service is quick and easy to set up, and simple for the donor to make credit/debit card and gift aided donations. You can add a photo and personalised message, as well as email the link to friends from the site.  Gift AidIf you are a UK taxpayer you can increase your donation at no extra cost to you. Our charity can claim gift aid on your donation. The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust will reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 you give on or after 6 April 2008. The Government will pay an additional 3p on every £1 you give between 6 April 2008 to 5 April 2011. This transitional relief does not affect your personal tax position.To allow us to claim Gift Aid, please ensure that you have completed the form correctly providing your details as per the example given on the form. If you do not provide us with all the information we will be unable to claim gift aid even if you are eligible. Your contact details will not be used for any other purpose. Please tick the box to confirm that you give your permission to the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust to Gift Aid this donation and all future donations and to confirm that the amount you pay in UK income tax or capital gains tax at least equals the amount CHECT will claim in the tax year. Use the mediaContact local newspapers, radio and television stations, community newsgroups and magazines. Ask if a reporter would like to cover your fundraiser, or if you can write an article yourself. Local media is usually interested in covering interesting fundraising events, so identify an angle that will particularly capture their interest. Getting your name and story in print is one of the most effective ways of gaining support.Press ReleasesThese are short communications of maybe five or six paragraphs, which briefly draw attention to a particular event. Remember that these statements will be read by busy editors who may have only a moment to glance at the contents, so be succinct and persuasive - every word counts. include all of the following in a press release: - what is the event, where and when is it taking place? - info about CHECT - who we are, what we do and who benefits? - Why you are organising/participating in the event - give personal reasons that others will relate to, and be inspiring. - Your contact details (name, email, telephone, postal address etc. - contact details media can use, such as CHECT's website and telephone number, and how interested people can sponsor you. Include photos, or indicate your availability for photographs if required. Make sure you follow up a press release with a telephone call to ensure questions are fully answered. Press releases should be addressed to the 'news desk', and can be sent to your regional and local daily/weekly newspapers, television and radio station, community and listings magazines, company magazine or staff newsletter. Check the telephone book, internet and library for contact details. Unusual Fundraising IdeasMurder Mystery, Casino and Race NightsBeneficial Arts (BA) is a company providing creative fundraising materials for charitable events.Murder Mystery evenings are simple to arrange and great fun. Catering for a gathering of ten to 100, the pack includes an outline of the murder and the scene of the crime, scene setters, clues and suspect profiles, decoration pack and instructions for the organisers. Money is raised from advance ticket sales and any additional attractions such as raffle or buffet dinner. Stage a 'Las Vegas' themed evening with a casino night. BA provide all the materials you need, including croupiers - though asking friends to act as croupiers will keep your costs down and increase profits. Funds are raised through admission, sale of fun money, bar and any additional attractions.Spend an evening at the races. BA provides a film of a horse race, which you show at your event. The film arrives sealed, so the result is unknown. You run the betting desk and take a percentage of the profits from guest bets. There are a few restrictions under the Lotteries and Amusements Act of 1976, the main one being that gambling on the race must not be the only activity at the event, so offering a buffet or other entertainment is required. BA supply full information about restrictions and legal requirements.For further details about murder mystery, casino and race nights, visit www.beneficialarts.co.uk or call 0870 7353277. AuctionsSigned sporting memorabilia is very popular and always goes down well at auctions. Write to celebrities to ask for donations. Alternatively, use the auction service provided by MSC Sports for your events. MSC provides a secure option for charitable fundraising. You choose items to auction, from the likes of Tiger Woods, David Beckham and Liverpool Football Team. All profits go to charity, and it the reserve price is not met, the item is taken back free of charge. Visit www.msc-sports.com or call 020 7288 6800 for more details."Sale or Return" Cinema EveningsFind a cinema which will allow you to sell tickets for a specific showing on 'sale or return' basis. Sell the tickets for £10 each to a new release, and pay the cinema the cover price – i.e. £6. 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.Travel for CharityEver wanted to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, or trek to Everest Base Camp, walk the Great Wall of China or cycle across Cuba? Now you can do these things and many more, and raise money for CHECT at the same time.Charity Challenge (CC) is an organisation which organises and runs adventure challenges for dedicated people who wish to experience the world whilst raising money for their favourite charity. From South America to China, Morocco to the Caribbean, there is a vast array of challenges to choose from. You can either pay for the event outright and fundraise as much as possible for your charity, or pay a deposit and fundraise a minimum amount, a portion of which goes to CC to meet the costs of your activity. CC provide extensive support and advice as you fundraise and prepare for your challenge. Visit www.charitychallenge.com for more details. Other fundraising ideasYou might like to have a go at:Coffee Morning, Tea Party or Dinner Collecting tin in your local shop, pub, office etc Sponsored events e.g. haircut, head shave, bike ride, dog walk, car wash, no smoking, diet, silence, swim, walk, run, pram push etc. Marathons or half-marathons Stalls at fairs etc e.g. cakes, books, plants, have-a-go Teddy Bears' Picnic, Pancake Day Event, Easter Egg Hunt Salsa or Line Dancing Tombola/Raffle Donations instead of presents at parties e.g. birthday, anniversary Pamper party, or demo of products in your home Car boot, table-top or jumble Sale Karaoke or Quiz Night Sports tournament eg football or golf Dinner dance/Ball Face painting Fashion show, Concert or Exhibition "Blind Date" Night Carol singing Collecting tinsCreate your own collecting tin using an old (clean!) jam jar and adding your own CHECT label! We've created one for you for you to cut out. Simply download it and then stick the label to your jam jar. It's a great way to collect all your loose change and encourage others to do the same! Leave it in a prominent place and where others can see it - encourage your friends to clear out their loose change!Download your label here You can customise your label. Create your own picture or colour in the Dino ones. Take photos and show us your finished result. Send photos to info@chect.org.uk. |
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