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fundraising tips
tips for securing sponsorship

For my charity projects, I raised funds by writing to companies, charities, celebrities and charitable trusts. I begin fundraising anything up to a year in advance. Here's a guide on raising money for charity effectively...

raise awareness

• Firstly, contact your local newspaper, tell them about your charity project and chances are they'll come over and take a photo. Ask them to put your phone number or a website at the bottom of the article so readers get in touch and donate.
  

click each cutting to enlarge

• Contact your local radio and TV stations - if your story is interesting enough, it may be picked up nationally.
• Build a website with a memorable domain name, or register your project at Just Giving, to allow you to receive online donations and claim tax back (gift aid).
• Also, write to any relevant magazines or newsletters you feel may like to cover your project.

corporate sponsorship

• To raise funds you need to be committed, targeting not just companies, but involving people you can personally influence. Begin with small local companies or those linked with your family and friends.
• Put together a well presented information pack. You may wish to include an SAE, a copy of your appearance in the newspaper (adds legitimacy) and a tailored, suitably worded covering letter. Enclose everything within a smartly printed envelope, make it stand out.
• Your letter could include any appropriate charity numbers, all your contact details, perhaps a map (if applicable), a picture of yourself, how they can donate and what exactly the money will be spent on. Keep it all under one side of A4. Companies probably won't sponsor you individually but they may send you a cheque for the charity you're working with.
• You should try and offer the company something in return, perhaps offer to wear their logo or include it on any materials you use. Offer to send reports or photos.
• Search through internet sites to find the addresses of the head offices. Note down local businesses as you spot them around town.
• Particularly if you're writing to record companies, television stations, football clubs etc… - try requesting some raffle / auction items in lieu of money. Items such as signed footballs or CDs make a fair bit of cash on ebay .
• Although there are legal restrictions, raffles can also give an impressive boost to your fundraising total.
• If you're really optimistic about securing sponsorship, call the company to find out exactly who you should be writing to. You may also wish to follow up your letter with a phonecall, after a week or so.
• Most companies won't respond, some you'll probably get rejection letters from – but some may be very generous. Remember to target local companies (no matter how vague and irrelevant they may seem) AND bigger companies relevant to your cause. Check out Scoot and Yell.com.

examples of sponsorship letters for companies

click each letter to enlarge

charities and trust funds

• Send information packs to appropriate charities. Search sites such as the Charity Choice database to find addresses – e.g. if you're teaching in India, you may want to search for ‘teaching', ‘education', ‘India', ‘developing country' etc…
• Go to your university welfare office, local library or careers centre and check out the charitable funds databases. They are basically 'directories' of trusts who, if you fit their requirements, will award you a grant. Whether you get a bursary or not will depend on your situation, your eligibility, the amount of competition and the type of project you're doing.
• All trusts are included in a great piece of software called ‘Funder Finder' which scours thousands of trust funds. Most University career centres have a copy – otherwise fill in a form at Egas Online

individual sponsors

• Tailor your information pack to be sent to celebrities (who may give you raffle/auction items) and millionaires. Search the internet and the Sunday newspapers for their latest 'rich lists' – this will give you information of the nation's most affluent individuals. Use Yahoo to find the addresses under the 'contact us' areas of their respective company websites.
• Put posters up everywhere! Email everyone in your address book. Ask friends and family for sponsorship and perhaps approach your local shop / church / chip shop etc… to put a sponsorship form or donation box on their counter. This alone could raise a few hundred pounds!
• Go on a pub crawl with some collection tins - it's perfectly legal as long as you get permission from the manager.

other sources

• Try approaching relevant religious groups and community associations (Women's Institute, Youth Groups, Rotary Club etc…).
• Check to see if your college or university has a travel / adventure / charitable fund – they may give you a grant.
• Approach a temping agency, get a job. Or two.
• Do another smaller sponsored event prior to your main project. A parachute jump, a marathon, a commando assault course, do a bungee jump, a sponsored bike ride, climb a well-known peak, do a sponsored silence / beard shave / bike ride etc… Anything that requires effort or courage and is imaginative will impress potential sponsors.

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