Hints and Tips for arranging a Fundraising Event

• Decide on an event - if you’re struggling check out our A-Z of fundraising ideas for inspiration.
• Decide on a date - when you'd like to hold your event. Evenings or the weekend may be easier for everyone to attend, unless you plan to hold your activity during work hours.
• Find a venue - if your event is too big to hold in your workplace, then consider local halls, community centres and sport centres. You will need to contact the owners of these venues and get their permission. Make sure you plan your activity well in advance as some venues book up quickly.  Many will often let you have the venue at a reduced rate or even free of charge for charity events.
• Work out a budget/target - set yourself a fundraising target and make sure it's around three times as much as you spend – this ensures that you cover all of your costs and raise as much as possible for your charity.  Ensure that any equipment that you need is included within your costs.
• Write a checklist - of all the things that you'll need, for example costumes, equipment, refreshments, then tick them off as you go along. If you're in need of clothes, equipment or refreshments, maybe local retailers can help?  They are often keen to donate goods to help out with fundraising events.   
• Delegate - find out what skills people have, then try to give them tasks they'll enjoy. So if some of your colleagues are creative, why not get them to design and make badges, banners etc?
• Try to keep costs low - for example, ask local businesses if they will donate prizes and cover the cost of printing posters, banners etc.
• Advertise your activity - tell everyone in your office, warehouse, ship, rig, depot, by putting notices in your staff or social group newsletter or displaying posters. Remember, word of mouth is always one of the most successful forms of promotion!
• Consider publicity – local radio stations and newspapers will often be willing to give your event a mention.  The Community Team can help with this by issuing press releases on your behalf. 
• Invite everyone you know - the more people you involve, the more money you will raise. So look to invite friends, family, colleagues, neighbours, business contacts, even your dry cleaner!
• Put your most generous sponsor - at the top of your form. Hopefully others will follow suit!
• Ask your sponsors to Gift Aid it – this means we get up to an extra £28 for every £100 you raise, for free. As long as your sponsors tell us their home address, Charities Trust can claim this extra money from the government on your behalf.
• Record – keep details of everyone who has supported you, this helps you keep track of who you need to thank.
• Have fun! - enjoy your event and don’t forget to tell the Community Team all about it, to get your mention in Bibby News and on the website.