Top Ten Fundraising Tips

My name's Richard and I'm an administrator in the Community Fundraising team. Every week I speak to people who have been put off taking part in a Team Amnesty event because they're not confident they can meet the fundraising target. This has inspired me to write a list of my top ten fundraising tips that'll make even the most daunting targets seem achievable.

1. Set up a Just Giving page: Just Giving pages are a great place to start your fundraising. They’re free to set up and easy to use.

2. Personalise your page: Pictures and videos make your page stand out from the crowd. You could also use your page as a blog. Regular updates about your training will help to make people feel connected to what you’re doing. You could also talk about why you’ve chosen to raise funds for Amnesty. If you share your passion then people are more likely to feel compelled to donate.

3. Social media: Make the most of your followers and friends! Facebook and Twitter are a great way of reaching large numbers of people in an instant. Be imaginative with your posts. Try including pictures, details of cases Amnesty is working on and anything else you think will inspire people to donate.

4. Hold an event: Get your friends together and raise money in the process. Pub quizzes are great fun and an easy way to raise money. You can charge £5 or so for entry and get a friend or business to donate a prize. AmnesTEAs are always popular! Why not request an AmnesTEA pack today and make a start?

5. Get the most out of your talents: Everyone has something they’re good at, so why not use your skills to raise money? Perhaps you’re a hairdresser and you can charge your friends for a haircut. Maybe you play an instrument and can give lessons in return for a small donation. Gill, who ran the London Marathon for Amnesty in 2009, raised money by making and selling greeting cards around the office.

6. Timing can be everything: If you’re asking your colleagues for donations, then wait until after pay day when people aren’t strapped for cash. You also might want to avoid fundraising asks in the run up to Christmas. If you’re running in an event that takes place in December start your fundraising early!

7. Double your money with match funding: Many employers will agree to match whatever you raise yourself, effectively doubling your money. If you’re not sure whether or not this is something your employer does then ask! The worse they can do is say no and, you never know, they might surprise you.

8. Get in touch with local businesses: Local businesses may not be able to offer hard cash, but they might be able to help in other ways. Perhaps they might help promote what you’re doing? Or maybe they could donate prizes for a raffle or cakes for a bake sale? Again, the worse that can happen is that they say no, so ask!

9. Remember Git Aid: Make sure you get all UK taxpayers who donate to Gift Aid their donations. Doing this means a £10 donation is worth £12.50 to Amnesty.

10. Remember we’re here to help: Having trouble coming up with fundraising ideas? Unsure if an idea you’ve had will work? Need Amnesty branded materials for an event? Then get in touch with the Community Fundraising Team by emailing us at: fundraise@amnesty.org.uk.

 Now what are you waiting for? Sign up to an event and get fundraising!