Katrina Slater: How to fundraise successfully

Jenifer Ford, Ann Thomson and Katrina Slater racing for Barnardo's Scotland at the Dragon Boat Race

It’s not a case of what can I do to raise money for a charity, it’s which option will I choose? Most charities will have an option for everyone when it comes to fundraising for them.

Raising funds for charity doesn’t always mean pulling on your trainers. You don’t have to undertake months of training or sweat it out with gruelling challenges to show you believe in children, animals or the environment!

If you’re the unofficial event organiser for your friends - why not put those planning skills to the test and host your very own ‘in aid of’ event?

Barnardo’s Scotland has a range of ready-made events such as the Big Brunch, a Toddle – yes even the under-fives can be fundraisers – you can arrange a Ceilidh or come up with your very own unique idea. It’s true to say though, if you can make it easy for people they’re far more likely to participate.

So what about your work colleagues – how can you make it easy, inject a bit of fun and make them feel their contribution is actually making a difference?

You couldn’t get easier than the ‘First Hour Appeal’ where employees donate the value of one hour’s salary and that’s it, no sweat, no effort but a great donation. Or find the child in them, get them to put their painted hand prints on a large sheet of paper and ask them to include a pledge to donate £X.

During the festive period people are amazingly generous, make your office Christmas tree a donation tree – where people can choose to donate, based on the benefit it will bring the charity - £5 buys a warm hat and gloves for a 5-year-old or will buy a hot meal for a homeless person. You can go back to basics, organise a good old quiz or race night, arrange a bake sale or run a raffle.

Barnardos charity shop on Crighton Place, Leith Walk

Other options include supporting the various campaigns charities are involved in, encourage your company to vote for charities as their ‘charity of the year’, become a Corporate Partner or introduce Payroll Giving – ‘the campaign to make payday last a life time’.

Charities will have a range of collection boxes, having a collecting box in the office that others can donate into is an effective and easy way of raising money, last year collection boxes raised an amazing £307,854 for Barnardo’s Scotland just from small change ‘small change, big difference’.

You can do almost anything to raise money for charities from collecting stamps, to climbing Kilimanjaro. Be topical, invite friends round to watch the Rugby World Cup on your Sky TV, add a beer, ask for a donation or set a charge; arrange a clothes/accessories swap, bring three items and leave with 3 items add a refreshment, ask for a donation or charge – the list of fundraising ideas is extensive.

The old adage ‘time is money’ is certainly true when it comes to charities. Volunteering your time to a charity, whether that be in a children services, a care home, a shop or signing up to help out at a fundraising challenge, is a huge boost to the charity.

There are dozens of ideas that make raising money easy

Charities recognise that not everyone has the time or ability to take on a physical challenge or time to organise a complex event and therefore, they will almost certainly have an idea that fits you. And will have materials available too, sponsor forms, posters, collection boxes, invitations and pricing labels.

And if you do decide a *challenge event is for you, Barnardo’s Scotland has a number of them to choose from, at home or abroad - arun a cycle or a more extreme sport if you’re looking for an adrenaline rush.

So there are literally dozens of ideas to make raising money easy and accessible to all, it’s just a case of finding the one that suits your circumstances. And whatever you do the charity will appreciate your time and effort.

Katrina Slater is national media and communications manager, Barnardo’s Scotland @BarnardosScot