How do I fundraise successfully?

A.N.Other · 14 Dec 2006 at 00:33

I'm after some input from people who have done some fundraising before ... and some good ideas from those who haven't.

In the summer, I'm (if I can raise the money) going on a conservation/research expedition to Indonesia with Operation Wallacea. They work in forest and reef conservation mainly - important things nowadays. This expedition is going to be costing about £2500 with flights, money which I (and my family) don't have.

So, people who have done this sort of fundraising before ... I'm after some advice. Who did you contact? How did you go about it and were you successful? Any tips? Any ideas would be great.

Thanks guys

A.N.Other · 14 Dec 2006 at 19:10

Any ideas?

I've compiled a list of grants that I might be able to apply for, but is this the best way to go?

touch · 14 Dec 2006 at 19:12

Are there other people going with you from the same area?
If so get together with them and do some joint fundraising.
Sponsored walk/run/cycle/crawl/anything really is always good

A.N.Other · 14 Dec 2006 at 19:16

Yeah, forgot to mention that. I'm going with a group of people from uni and we are doing some fundraising as a team. The thing is that as there are 10 or so (was 12 but I think some dropped out) of us, it means that you hardly get any money at the end of the day.

Thanks for the ideas, though. Keep em coming

!

kefkef · 14 Dec 2006 at 19:23

*London Marathon
*Great North Run (if in time)
*Numerous sponsored triathalon events
*Copper Bottle collection at your local pub (one of those big whiskey bottles)
*Online sponsorship page then spam the forums you frequent for a couple of quid from each person
*Sponsored Press-ups (try doing 1000 or even 2000 in so many hours etc)
*Raffles in the student uni on a night (buy a couple of bottles of £3 wine, then sell raffle tickets for 50p a time) doing it regularly

Melm0 · 14 Dec 2006 at 20:22

I'm currently fundraising £3500 to go to Peru for a month in the summer.

We've been bag-packing twice, and we're going again on the 22nd Dec (If you live in Harrogate, get over to the Asda and put some dosh in my bucket!)

My main source has been work, work & work! But i'll give you a list of everything my expedition group has done; bear in mind we all attend a 6th form college, which makes events easier!

*Bag-packing.
*Parties with themes / gigs.
*Selling things - Valentines' roses, Santa hugs, Bake sale.
*Easyfundraising website - you can set up a cause to raise money for, get friends to sign up and when they buy things online, if they go through that site you get say 1%-3.5% of their total bill added to your account.
*Sell junk at a carboot sale / on ebay.
*We managed to get a busking license to go carol singing in Leeds city centre, but we never went.

*Competitions - Guess the right square and win a box of chocs or something
- How many sweets in a jar?
- Name the teddy!

I can't think of any more now, but i'll try ad some more

homerio · 14 Dec 2006 at 20:26

You could also try getting in your local newspaper, saying waht you are doing, when, and how people could help.

daven1986 · 14 Dec 2006 at 21:08

Im sorry i don't understand this. you want people to pay for you to fly to a nice exotic country to conserve trees.......

How about you don't fly and do the environment a favour?
How about you pay for the trip yourself?

Damn people are so ****ing cheap sometimes.

Fraggr · 14 Dec 2006 at 21:28

Say the money is going to charity.

A.N.Other · 14 Dec 2006 at 21:40

daven1986 said:
Im sorry i don't understand this. you want people to pay for you to fly to a nice exotic country to conserve trees.......

How about you don't fly and do the environment a favour?
How about you pay for the trip yourself?

Damn people are so ****ing cheap sometimes.

Thankyou for your input - very helpful! Did you actually even look at the website linked? The reason I'm going is to help me decide what I'm doing for my uni dissertation, so not completely futile. I'm hopefully going to be working with someone doing a doctorate while I'm there.

Many thanks to everyone else. Does bag-packing get a decent amount of money?

daven1986 · 14 Dec 2006 at 22:21

ok read the website, still say you should pay for yourself. wildlife conservation is necessary but it wont make much difference until there are proper laws set out and people abide by them r.e. deforestation, over fishing etc.

either way, get a job and save up.

kefkef · 14 Dec 2006 at 22:23

It always seem to here, though it is best if you can get some kids to do it (local Under 11's football team? Split the proceeds 50/50?) as they always seem to get more cash than when adults do it