Your fundraising guide

1. Make a plan:

This is the most important first step, but often gets overlooked. Take 20 minutes or so to make a fundraising plan.

1. Map out the ideas you already have to help you reach your target.

   • Note down the people you’re going to ask to donate to you, and how much you think they will give. It might end up looking like this ->

   • Add in some of your existing plans - bake sales, raffles etc. Put a sensible target against each and add them into your plan.

2. Now, look at that gap. How big is it?

   • Less than £500: Think about you how can you stretch your plans to make the difference… how can you supersize your existing plans to make sure you hit £1,800?

   • More than £500: fill the gap! You’ll need to get creative and add something else into your fundraising plan (check out inspiration below). 

2. Set up your fundraising page.

Set up your fundraising page on JustGiving here.

Personalise your page: add a photo and a paragraph about what are you doing and why. Share what Child.org are going to do with the donations you’re collecting. Personalised pages earn more (people give to people) so make sure you’ve got this step covered!

Line up your big hitters early (or donate to yourself) - people tend to follow suit looking at previous donations, so try and craft your asks to get yourself off to the best start (plus, it will make you feel FAB to start strong). You can offer incentives for people to donate - “£50 to design my helmet” is a favourite of ours!

Say thank you and publicly share when others donate - not only will your sponsors feel very loved, but it will gently remind others who haven’t yet donated…

3. Be brave asking for donations

A share on Facebook might not cut it - go direct and go hard. Use the medium that works best for you (Instagram stories? WhatsApp groups? Direct email? A phone call and follow up?)

Frame your ask and line people up - talk talk talk about what you are going to do, what you’re nervous about and why it's important to you that you are undertaking this EPIC challenge. People give to people so share your story and be explicit “it would mean the world to me if you can sponsor me!”

Give those you know will donate a figure “£50 will help me hit my halfway mark”; “it costs £30 to support 5 mums-to-be with lifesaving advice for their newborn baby”

People may well donate twice: whether on your page and then also through an event, a raffle, a bid on an auction etc - make the most of these opportunities!

4. Harness the power of networks

You are taking on this challenge, but you also have an army of supporters backing you - from mum and dad to Auntie Jo and your neighbour Suresh. Give your support network ways they can help you fundraise - from hosting their own coffee mornings/running a raffle or collecting at work, to introducing you to community organisations who will donate to you in return for a talk.

Remember to investigate what support you can get in the workplace - including matched donations! 

5. Supersize your fundraising with these creative ideas