CH & NFP: Fundraising, raffles & Generally usefule sites

Savvy_Sue · 6 February 2005 at 1:27AM

Since this board has now been around for a while, I’ve asked the Board Guide if we can have a few stickies, and Bridie has agreed! I was simply going to suggest which ones to ‘stick’, but then I found some of the really early (and I think terribly useful!) ones had disappeared altogether, so I’m starting some new threads with useful links in instead! In some cases I’m just highlighting an original MSE post, but if it contained several useful links, I’m sometimes repeating them for speed and convenience (and in the hope that if old posts are culled again, the links won’t be lost for ever…) And this is with thanks to Pablo Money who got charities a slot on the board originally!

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In Fundraising courses in London I waffled on about approaches to fundraising, and also mentioned The Institute of Fundraising, which is probably more suitable for ‘professional’ fundraisers than local bodies wanting smaller amounts, but could be useful.

I also flagged up The Media Trust, which has very good (free) online guides on PR and press, Marketing, Design, Online media, and Video. If you are planning a big event, you definitely want to look at this.

What I failed to mention that time was that if you're into serious fundraising you should try to find a local copy of the FunderFinder software, which helps you to match money available with what you want it for. Then you just have to start making the applications ...

... which can be a very daunting prospect. So if you are new to making applications for grants - or even just writing begging letters - then the FREE Funderfinder software is an essential tool! There are two downloadable Windows only software programs available, one called Apply Yourselves (helps to write a grant application), and the other Budget Yourselves (helps a voluntary organisation or community group write a budget). Excellent for newcomers to this field!

Now one popular and fairly easy way of raising money is through raffles. AFAIK, if you only sell tickets on the day, you don't have to register with the local authority. If you pre-sell, it's a lot more complicated, you have to register, and have certain information on the tickets etc etc etc. This has been talked about before, but it was a long time ago, not on the Charities Board (I think it was I wanna and started with getting raffle tickets printed), and I'm not an expert. However in CH: Are We Law-Breaking? we have a more recent discussion of things like raffles with cash prizes (aka 500 Clubs etc) and their legal status. Hopefully some kind and knowledgeable person will give us the full facts about raffles. But before you decide to do one at an event, just check that the venue is happy: if you are hiring a church hall you may find that they're not.

Savvy_Sue · 6 February 2005 at 2:02AM

Since this board has now been around for a while, I’ve asked the Board Guide if we can have a few stickies, and Bridie has agreed! I was simply going to suggest which ones to ‘stick’, but then I found some of the really early (and I think terribly useful!) ones had disappeared altogether, so I’m starting some new threads with useful links in instead! In some cases I’m just highlighting an original MSE post, but if it contained several useful links, I’m sometimes repeating them for speed and convenience (and in the hope that if old posts are culled again, the links won’t be lost for ever…) And this is with thanks to Pablo Money who got charities a slot on the board originally!

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The Inland Revenue has a section devoted to charities - essential reference, but especially useful for The Gift Aid Toolkit - downloadable free guide to how to get the most out of Gift Aid, including the widely recognised ‘giftaid it’ logo

The Charities Aid Foundation has a dedicated site for E-fundraising and some people like to give through special CAF cheques, so you need to know about them before you get sent one!

IT for Charities – very comprehensive site for all things charity related to IT! Includes links for: Databases, Other Software, Hardware (including free or low cost recycled kit), Internet Resources, IT Services, Other Resources, Technology Reports, Product Reviews. (I'm told this is rather out of date!)

InKind Direct - there is an annual registration fee, and they then send out a catalogue each month stuffed full of surplus to requirements or slightly substandard stationery, household and office equipment, clothes, toiletries … which you can order for a nominal handling fee – anything from £5 upwards, depending on size. You CANNOT sell, barter or trade these goods, so no use for raffle prizes, and the packs can be rather large for small groups, but worth considering if you need regular supplies of such things.

NFP Techno – free newsletter available from Conference House which is a bit more specialist than you may like, but sometimes turns up a gem of useful info!

Independent Examiners - sign up for their free email bulletin of particular interest to trustees and administrators of charities (and highly readable!)

Sandy Adirondack – for free updates on employment issues in the voluntary sector – and lots more useful links from that website.

National Council for Voluntary Organisations - if you use volunteers. Also find your local CVS (Council for Voluntary Services) – it may have a completely different name in your area but local library may know who it is. In Scotland it’s Work With Us.

VolResource - self-described as ‘Relevant, useful and quick information for charity, voluntary, community organisations of any size or type’.

I know there are more, Pablo highlighted another one for getting goods in kind but I can't remember what it was so do add what you find, please!

wirm · 19 February 2005 at 1:52PM

Community Website Builder - This allows registered UK charities, non-profit making organisations and volunteer led groups or organisations to build and maintain their own website free of charge.

Features include:

free website hosting
free website address ending in .ik.com
free technical support by email.

Fran · 21 February 2005 at 2:13AM

There is discussion and info on the "Techie Board" about getting your own website, including free ones. See Techie Board - FAQ's - Own Website

Savvy_Sue · 1 June 2005 at 10:33AM

Specifically near Paisley, taken from the InKind Direct June Newsletter:
In Kind Direct’s first retail style operation has opened at The Community Warehouse in Paisley. Now charities can see the goods for themselves before taking them away in exactly the quantities they need.

The Community Warehouse is a joint initiative between In Kind Direct, Kibble Education and Care, one of our long time partner charities and the social enterprise Green-Works.

Apart from being able to ‘shop’ for In Kind Direct products – although partners will continue to receive the monthly catalogue – The Community Warehouse will offer office furniture refurbished by Green-Works and available at greatly discounted prices.

The Community Warehouse is open by appointment - to arrange a visit please call Lynsey Johnston on 0141 842 3333 or email [email="lynsey.johnston@kibble.org"]lynsey.johnston@kibble.org[/email]. More info on www.thecommunitywarehouse.co.uk

Savvy_Sue · 15 June 2005 at 10:07PM

A bit late for school fairs this summer, but you'll be planning for Christmas before you know it!

There are various firms selling fundraising bits and bobs plus the paraphernalia you need for any 'event'. The following are not recommendations: just the ones I can remember the names of!

Charnwood Catalogue 0800 881 8822 enquiries@charnwood-catalogue.co.uk
As well as 'stuff', they have a range of free infosheets, plus a bookstore of Quick Guides at £8: Overseas Challenges, Fundraising from Grantmakers, Special Events and Fundraising from Charities.

Peeks 01202 489 489 info@peeks.co.uk
Website has a Calendar of Events if you want to do 'themed' or seasonal fundraising, and they offer an email news service as well.

Sure there's others but can't think of them right now.

Savvy_Sue · 29 November 2005 at 12:45PM

InKind Direct have now introduced a flat rate annual registration fee of £50 (previously it was dependent on your annual income).

There are also some subsided registration fees. Have a look at the site to see if you are eligible.

Savvy_Sue · 2 February 2006 at 5:05PM

InKind Direct are now offering to send a very nice tin of biscuits to any charity responsible for another charity signing up. If that doesn't tempt you - and indeed, why should it? - let me add that at £50 per year flat rate, I'd be surprised if you didn't save money if you use any of the consumables they offer, and if your charity uses toiletries or toys, you could save a lot! (That's based on my quick skim of the catalogue thinking "That looks nice, but we won't use it.") There's a fair bit of office stationery in there as well.

As well as special rates for charities in some areas, they can also offer money-off vouchers to the first 50 new charities signing up this year! And they have a retail outlet in Paisley.

Go look at their website, and if you're tempted and wish to give us the credit for it, please send me a PM so I can tell you which charity I work for!

sparkle197828 · 9 April 2006 at 7:43PM

http://www.fig.org.uk/

lozza21_2 · 13 June 2006 at 3:37PM

My friend works for Cystic Fibrosis and they just got a deal with luup https://www.luup.com for payments. LUUP lets you pay, send and receive money with text message...great for fundraising. They also chip in on the donation everytime someone signs up for LUUP

Savvy_Sue · 6 July 2006 at 3:45PM

The online resources available from VOSCUR, our CVS just keep growing. Here's some of what's available:

I've updated the links here, but I'm sure you'll find more: probably particularly worth looking at Funding and Finance and Resources.

CH & NFP: Fundraising, raffles & Generally usefule sites

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