Charity 'minimum sponsorship'

dieselglider

Hi all,

Not sure if it's just me, but does anyone else have misgivings about the reasons behind minimum sponsorship required for the various type of charity 'trips'?

I can see that the charities get something out of such organised trips, but the organising companies also seem to be getting a substantial cut, and that's the bit I personally feel uneasy with.

In a simplistic view, if I was to take part in such an event, especially travelling abroad, it would be as if I was raising some money for the charity, but the crunch being that the charity would be paying for my 'holiday', the event.

Maybe I've got it all wrong, and the charities are happy with the arrangement, but I would like to hear other opinions...

LittleVoice

If the "minimum sponsorship" is a reasonable amount for the service being provided by the company, then I would bear/have borne the cost myself and any sponsorship from others would go/went directly to the charity.

As long as the charity receives the minimum amount from everyone, it gains from any additional sponsorship and also receives publicity.

GiveItBack

Most charities break down the figures so you can see what goes where. eg. Min sponsorship £1500, Cost of activity £600. Some people choose to pay the cost of the trip as if it were a holiday, so that all money raised goes to the charity, some don't.

The charities ted to take the view that it gives them an income they might not otherwise have had, as well as attracting people that might not donate otherwise.

Obviously in the example above, the charity would get more income if someone just donated the £1500, but how any people can /will do that without something in return

jobbingmusician

As someone who has run a smallish UK charity, I can tell you that these trips are worth it because they really do make money for the charity. You get hold of a different sort of person from the wonderful people who can be bothered to organise a fundraising event themselves, and get (maybe younger) people who are keen to do the activity (like cycling across Peru or walking the Great Wall etc.etc.). Some of these could probably pay for the holiday themselves and donate ALL the money to the charity, but as recipients the charities obviously don't want to rock the boat, and are grateful for whatever they get.... And the companies that organise the trips can work very hard, provide escorts etc. etc. (They can also be rather ripoff. But it's up to the charity to unpick the figures and decide this).

Generally, though, I think it is true to say that the charities are happy with the arrangement. Some of the larger charities will organise the whole thing themselves, so all the money goes to them. HTH