Fundraising ideas & tips

life event collections

Coming up with a fundraising idea can feel really daunting, but in reality it can (quite literally) be a piece of cake!

We want to provide you with as many fundraising ideas and tips to make your efforts a success. To get you started, here are three questions to help you think about what you could do:

1. What are you passionate about? What do you enjoy doing?

One of the best ways to start thinking about fundraising is considering how your favourite things could be used to raise money. Put the FUN into fundraising! For instance, if you enjoy baking why not hold a bake sale in your work, school or church? Or could you sell some crafts made with love to bring hope to people experiencing homelessness?

2. Could you try something new?

Is there something you’ve wanted to try for a while? Well this could be the push you need! Whether it’s cutting your hair off, performing, or hosting a dinner party why not give it a try while supporting some of the most vulnerable communities in Bristol?

3. Are you looking for a challenge?

Maybe you want to spend the week walking backwards or climb a mountain. Or maybe you want to run a marathon. Whatever your challenge is, it’s a great way to grab people’s attention whilst pushing yourself and raising awareness and funds. If you’re feeling brave, you could even ask people to choose challenges for you when they donate.

Sponsored challenges are a great way to get people’s attention whilst raising awareness and funds. You can collect sponsors on JustGiving or contact Naomi to ask for paper copies of sponsor forms.

These questions are just a starting point so use your imagination, don’t be afraid to dream big! Naomi would love to help you brainstorm and plan your event so do drop her an email or give her a ring! naomi.jervis@inhope.uk / 07939 267789

Fundraising ideas & tips

Top tips for fundraising success

Think about HOW you are going to raise money

Are you charging people to attend an event? Selling tickets? Collecting donations? Selling things? Any method can work, but make sure you’re clear on this from the start!

WHO do you want to get involved? How?

Fundraising involves other people – it’s useful to have somebody to help you fundraise as well as knowing who you will invite to support your event. Friends, colleagues, members of your church – they can all help you achieve your aims.

WHEN are you going to host it?

Think about the best time for your fundraising. Is it an evening or weekend, when all your friends are free, or at lunchtime when your colleagues will be in the office?

SET A TARGET!

Be ambitious! It might seem scary but setting a high target has been proven to increase donations, you can do it!

It is important to share WHY you are fundraising for inHope. People love to support things that you are passionate about. Share your passion for inHope’s work – what made you want to fundraise in the first place?

Set up a JUSTGIVING page

Go to www.justgiving.com/inhope and then click ‘Fundraise For Us’. You’ll need to follow the instructions to either log into your account (if you have one already) or to set up a new one.

Be sure to personalise your page – make it look and sound like you! You should definitely include a little bit about inHope so that people know who you’re raising money for, but most people will donate to support you – so don’t be afraid to tell them about your story too. Sharing your story can help to raise up to 65% more!

Shout it from the rooftops!

  • Ask people – You’re not begging them for money, you’re asking them to do something that will change the life of someone in need in Bristol. People can’t donate if they are not asked!
  • Explain the why! In your posts invite people to partner with you to help those who are experiencing injustices and insecurities in Bristol. Show them how their donation will help to transform the lives of people facing injustices in Bristol.
  • Don’t forget hard copy publicity– not everyone uses social media so it’s worth dropping leaflets, invites or any publicity you make for your fundraising into your neighbour’s letterboxes, or even asking to put a poster up in a community noticeboard. You never know who might see it and want to support you.
  • Take pictures! Maybe you could do some before and after shots, or photos during the event. Photos are a great reminder of what you’re doing and all the hard work you have put in.
  • Keep sharing after the event – JustGiving say that 20% of donations are sent in after an event.
  • Be sure to thank your supporters – however they helped, make sure you show your appreciation. This will leave a good impression and make them more likely to support you and inHope again.
  • Get in touch with the local press – if you’re doing a challenge or something that might grab peoples’ attention, they’d love to here about it. We’re here to help if you’d like any guidance.

We hope these fundraising ideas and tips will help you. You can also download our full fundraising guide, which has more information.