Fundraising ideas

Although we try to keep our costs down and give value for money, you will need to raise funds for your trip. You may already have savings or work that will raise the money you need.

Alternatively you may want to find ways to raise money to cover the cost of volunteering with us. There are two main avenues for you to explore: grants and sponsorship, and fundraising events and activities.

Whichever you choose you need to plan your finances carefully and think about the cost of the whole trip - flights, other travel, insurance, pocket money and sightseeing.

Grants and advice

Publications
A Guide to Grants for Individuals in Need 2000/2001, Directory of Social Change
The Directory of Grant-Making Trusts, Directory of Social Change
The Environmental Funding Guide (3 rd Ed), Directory of Social Change
Successful Fundraising, John Baguley, Bibliotek Books 2001
Teach Yourself Fundraising, Jenny Barlour, Hodder &Stoughton 2002
Complete Fundraising Handbook, Directory of Social Change 2001
Writing better Fundraising Applications, Directory of Social Change 1997

Web links
The Directory of Social Change has information and publications about fundraising. [www.dsc.org.uk]
Institute of Fundraising has advice on fundraising. http://www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk
The Fundraising Directory has advice on fundraising. http://www.thefundraisingdirectory.co.uk
FunderFinder has a grants and funding search engine. http://www.funderfinder.org.uk
The Site has useful information and links on fundraising. http://www.thesite.org/travelandfreetime/travel/gapyears/gapyearfunding
Gapyear.com has advice on money and fundraising. http://www.gapyear.com
Realgap has advice on money and fundraising. http://www.realgap.co.uk/Gap-Year-Fundraising-and-Saving
Travellers Worldwide has advice on money and fundraising. http://www.travellersworldwide.com/fundraising.htm

Fundraising events

This has got be one of the most enjoyable and rewarding ways of fundraising. There are so many types of fundraising event that you are sure to find something that suits you. Here are some examples:

Sponsored events
• Beach clean-up - get sponsorship for the number of bags of litter collected, miles of beach cleaned etc.
• Canoe, hike, swim, run or bike from A to B - be imaginative! For example, simulate a jail break obtaining sponsorship for every mile you can travel from a starting point without using any money.
• Bungee or parachute jump - watch out for the costs of daredevil stunts, they may be fun, but they might not make you much money.
• Sit in a bath of baked beans etc. - wacky, fun ideas are a great photo opportunity for the media.
• Give up coffee or chocolate etc for a month - a nice simple idea to try at work.
• Abstain from swearing for a month - put a swear box at work or your local pub.

Sales events
• Car boot sale - try to get your pitch for free.
• Fete or tombola - take a stall and the village fete or organise your own. If you’re organising your own it’s crucial to get large numbers of people to attend (more publicity!). Obtain prizes from local businesses and invite them along to put up a stand.

Themed parties
• Malagasy evening - put on an evening of music, food and dance for your friends.
• Horse racing - you can hire the whole package. Obtain some prizes, get in the experts and place your bets!
• Casino night - again, there’s some initial outlay in hiring the kit and experts, but this usually proves to be a very popular money-spinner.
• Wine, beer or food-tasting - get the nosh at cost, enlist a friend who knows his stuff and away you go.

Other ideas
• Pub quiz or karaoke evening - get hold of some prizes, appoint a quiz master and set an entry fee per team.
• Barn dance - the venue is critical so sort it first. A good band and caller will also make things go with a ‘yee-har!’. Think about additional spin-offs like refreshments, raffle, cabaret, side shows etc.
• Sports or games tournament (5-aside football, scrabble etc) - organise prizes and charge a registration fee.
• Slave auctions, Blind Date… why not...??!!
• Event planning

Like all fundraising activities, it pays to plan well in advance when organising an event. Here are a couple of key points to consider:
Venue - can you get it for free? Do you know someone who owns a pub or club? If not, choose a night that isn’t likely to be packed and guarantee the owners a certain number of people at the bar. Get clear permission to charge at the door.
Publicity is crucial - If people don’t know about your event, they won’t come! Be imaginative and broaden your approach as wide as possible.
Success - The best fundraising event to plan is the one you are most likely to enjoy. Don’t opt for something you hate just because everyone else is doing it.
Budget - Don’t let costs spiral out of control. Look to achieve at least £3 for every £1 spent. Work out your break even point and aim to pass it.
Timing - Try to pick a date for your fundraising bash that doesn’t clash with any other events that might keep your supporters away. Prime examples are major sports events, bank holidays and school holidays.

We hope this helps and Good Luck!

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