Fund Raising

What can you do to raise funds? The list is endless - choose something you will enjoy doing! Clear out the loft or garage for a sale; are there spare flower or vegetable plants you could sell on; what about a table at your local fete and have ‘name the cuddly gorilla toy’ or ‘count the jelly beans in the jar’…..?

Hold a coffee morning, bad taste day (wearing the worst tie possible to the office), organise a special football match or quiz evening. These can all be great fun, yet bring in much needed funds. Holding a raffle or tombola at any of the above can also bump up your final figure. Search the web for unusual ideas or get together with friends and dream something special up between you….

G4G volunteers preparing cream teas and at a ‘Fun Day’ at the local…

Whatever you decide to do, you MUST be aware that there are certain rules and regulations that you may have to comply with. By the end of June 2009, G4G will include a ‘Fund Raising - Hint and Tips’ on this site to try and help you on your way. Until then, if you want to run a fund raising event, follow the P’s below as a start:

Plan – Planning ahead is vital to a successful event. Think precisely about what you want to do, where it will take place, when it will happen, why you are doing it (G4G will include a fact sheet on gorilla threats and conservation in the ‘Fund Raising - Hints and Tips) and how everyone will help raise funds and also have a great time. If under 18, do ask someone older to help you plan and organise your event. They should be able to ensure you are complying with any rules or regulations that exist and they may even help you out. “More hands make light work”, they say.

Permission – You must get permission from relevant people. Depending on what you want to do, you may need permission from a land owner, publican or store owner for example. If you need an authorisation letter from G4G (to have a collection outside a local store perhaps), email linda@g4g.co.uk

Importantly, you may well need public liability insurance to cover your event. You will not be covered by G4Gs insurance. Most insurance companies can offer cover for one-off events, but you must check if you need this type of cover for your event.

Holding a raffle within the time span of one event (one day or evening) does not need a licence, as long as there are no cash prizes (store vouchers are OK). If you plan a raffle that extends outside the span of one event, you may need a Small Societies Lotteries licence from your Local Authority. If in any doubt about your raffle ideas, do phone your Local Authority first, to check.

Partners – See who might help you – try not to take on an event, on your own. There will always be more to do than you realise!!! Different people have different skills you will be able to use and people will also bring ideas and suggestions that will improve the event. Don’t be afraid of asking for help. All the fund raising events you see in the papers or on TV, are run by groups of people, all working together and each doing their own bit.

Precise accounting – be careful to keep good records of income (the funds that come in) and expenditure (what you have to spend to make the event happen). It’s normal to have to spend something (even if just to buy some raffle tickets) and it’s very good practice to keep simple notes. It will also give others confidence that you know what you are doing.

Prizes – You will almost always need to have prizes to give away in a raffle, tombola, ‘first past the post’, ‘best hairdo’ and so on. When asking friends, relatives or the local shop for prizes, always be polite, explain what you are raising funds for, what the prize will be used for, when and that you will say where the prize came from. A genuine ‘Thank You’ and some publicity at the event will always be appreciated. Not everyone will be able to help you, so if you are declined, remain polite and courteous at all times.

Publicity – a ‘must’ for a successful event! Word of mouth is very effective but putting up posters (with permission) containing all the details will help enormously. Your local paper, parish magasine or local radio may be keen to help you. G4G is preparing posters for you to download and information for the local press.

Whatever you decide to do, make sure you have covered all the angles necessary; ask someone else to check if you’ve missed anything; get some friends or family to help you prepare and - on the day - enjoy yourself!