as a learning opportunity. Start with a mix of options and ‘try and test’ over time until you have a suite of proven fundraisers, and by keeping records, you will learn what works for your school. Here are a few suggestions: Grants – There are many grants the right one can take time, and with funders receiving more applications than Search our database and read expert advice at
funded.org.uk/grants. Special events – Fundraisers for adults, such as bollywood nights, are fun and great for community engagement. Events for children or families, such as talent shows, tend to be well attended. Find ideas, step-by-step guides, and read case studies at
funded.org.uk/events. Facilities hire – Letting your school premises can be a useful way to generate additional income. More on this in the summer issue of FundEd, out 27 April. Fairs – These events are wonderful community-builders, but also require a lot of planning and an army of volunteers. But done well, they have the potential to bring in a great deal of money. Crowdfunding – A well planned crowdfunding campaign can give you access to a wide audience and enables people to pledge the amount they feel comfortable with. Success relies on regular and engaging communications. Maintain radio silence on all other fundraising activities while your campaign is live, otherwise you risk diluting your message. Order-form fundraising – Schemes such as Christmas cards, calendars or tea towels are low risk: you only order what you have pre-sold. But they require meticulous administration.
TIP: Apply for a grant of £5,000 and, if you’re successful, you’ll receive £5,000. But employ a mix of initiatives, and you’ll increase your chances of success – especially if each one exceeds its target!
BRAINSTORMING TIPS 1
Refer to your goal. Set the amount that needs to be
raised and consider activities that are aligned to the project.
know works, but there’s a fine line between ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ and ‘variety is the spice of life’.
events, limit these to one per term with smaller activities dotted in around them. Try to appeal to different audiences.
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part of planning. For a list of companies offering fundraising schemes and services to schools, go to
funded.org.uk/suppliers.
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Find a supplier. Researching supplier options is an important
Spread it out! If you’re planning to run some major fundraising
Put a figure next to each activity. If past results are available, let
these guide your targets, but don’t be afraid to aim higher. Factor in up-front costs and expenses.
Go for tried and true (most of the time!). Start with what you
income from activities you’re already doing as a school. Running silent auctions at gala nights or running a read-a-thon around World Book Day are obvious ways to maximise profits. Be creative!
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you to identify the optimum timing for your activities. It will also help you see where you might need to nudge things to avoid volunteer and supporter burn-out. For events in particular, check that there are no sport finals or other major events happening on that day.
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something out of your control may interfere. Likewise there are times when opportunities come up unexpectedly. By having a plan, you can quickly assess whether you have the capacity to take it on.
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Best laid plans. No matter how well calculated your plans are,
Check timings. Mapping out your plan on a calendar will help
Always leverage. Look for opportunities to generate
– Online shopping each time your supporters shop online. A-thons – Sponsored activities challenge participants to collect sponsorship for their efforts. Popular a-thons include spell-a-thons and fun runs, but your options are endless. Sponsorship – Local businesses thrive on the support of their community and are often willing to offer support in return. Schools also boast an effective marketing route to a targeted audience, so think about what amount to ask for and what you can offer in exchange. – Securing a substantial prize (such as an iPad) that people will be eager to win will boost with an event such as a fair (licensing requirements may apply). Silent auctions allowing people to only bid on the prizes in which they are interested.
Find inspiration, read case studies, search the grants database, and get expert advice on all aspects of school fundraising and income generation at
funded.org.uk.
FundEd SPRING 2017 11
IMAGES: ALEXANDR DUBOVITSKIYT; KHVOST/
THINKSTOCK.CO.UK
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