Fundraising Ideas & Information

Your Challenge is as much about fundraising, as taking on the physical aspect of the trip. When you register as a fundraiser for a Charity Challenge you pledge to raise as much sponsorship as possible, (a minimum of $1500 over and above the cost of the trip) Many people find this aspect of the challenge quite daunting at first, but by being creative and planning ahead, the fundraising can be as rewarding and enjoyable as the trip itself, as many past participants have found. The important thing is to use your existing networks and interests and have fun raising the money!

If you enjoy Golf organize a Golf day at your local club or if you like live music then organize a band at your local pub.

Fundraising does require planning and we do appreciate the time and effort you'll put into raising all this money for the OCF. We know that often the hardest part is just getting started, so we've compiled a fundraising guide to help you. Read on for lots of practical tips on how to achieve your target and an A to Z list of fundraising ideas.

Getting started

To get you started, follow these five steps:

Step One

Write to absolutely everyone you know and ask them to make a donation; friends, family, work colleagues. Ask for the money up front - it's less work for you!

Step Two

Will your company make a donation? Will they match the money that you raise? Will they let you contact clients and suppliers to ask for donations?

Step Three

What do you do in your spare time? Do you have children, or do your friends have children? Do you have a local pub? Are you a member of any clubs or gyms? Get them all involved in fundraising with you.

Step Four

If friends and family can't give money, will they organise a small event for you? A car boot sale, cake bake or chocolate sales at work or a pub trivia night?

Step Five

Organise events that give people something in return for their money - a raffle, bag packing at the local supermarket, a wine tasting evening, an auction.

It can seem very daunting, so break it down and make your target more manageable.

The ideas below will raise $5,000:
Car boot sale $300
Dress down day at local school or work $400
Ask ten business suppliers/clients for $50 = $500
Trivia night at local pub $600
Traditional sponsorship pledges / in lieu of presents from family & friends $700
Wine and chocolate sales $1500
BBQ or dinner with ticket sales $1000

Tips on Fundraising.

Dedication

Fundraising can be hard work. It demands dedication on your part and often means a commitment of several months, so be prepared.

Be an Ambassador for OCF

You will be spreading the word about the OCF in the community. People will want to know why they should sponsor you so be prepared with effective explanations of why you are doing it, who the OCF is, how they will spend your funds and who will benefit. The clearer you are, the easier it is to persuade people. Remember to keep us informed of your efforts, we can help support you with information and don't hesitate to ask for any help you need. Finally, don't forget to direct your supporters to our website at www.ocf.com.au. It will provide a wealth of information.

Start early and set goals

Plan well ahead and start as soon as possible Calculate how long you've got to raise the money and set yourself ambitious, but achievable, goals. Decide who to ask for support and how and when to approach them.

Don't be afraid to ask for help!

You'll often be surprised at how willing people are to help. What you don't ask for you don't get. Don't underestimate the value of volunteers and helpers. They could have hidden talents, and the ability to access untapped donors you're unaware of. But let your volunteers decide how they would like to help, so they feel comfortable being involved.

Social networks

Your best way to raise funds is through your existing networks and interests.
Make a comprehensive list of potential sponsors and supporters. Include relatives, friends, neighbours, sports & social club contacts, school/college friends, colleagues, business contacts, bank manager, Xmas card list, etc.

Your Workplace

This is always a great place to get personal sponsorships, or perhaps a mass e-mail sent out explaining what you are doing and the reasons why. Give people as much information as possible. Many people will admire what you are doing and will be willing to support you financially as they know that they would never do it themselves! Put some information on notice boards or in your company newsletter about what you are planning to do, how much you need to raise, and where the money is going. Ask customers and suppliers (if appropriate to do so).

If you work for a large corporation, they may have sponsorship or specific departments to deal with charitable donations. Find out whom to contact and arrange a meeting. Their advice will be valuable whether sponsorship is given or not. Many companies now work on a match-giving scheme whereby the company matches any money raised by you.(all tax deductible don't forget) Smaller companies are also great targets as opposed to large corporations where often no personal contact is available. Try asking your family and friends for any contacts they may have.

The more professional you can be in your approach the better. If you are asking for a considerable sum of money then you'd better make sure your letters and presentations look the part. If you don't know where to start ask a friend or relative who may have experience in marketing or receives these kinds of appeals, how to go about making your request look good. Also think about what you can offer in return: good photos of you in a spectacular location prominently displaying a company's logo or banner are a start.

At Home

Anyone who comes to mind, don't be afraid to approach them to explain what you are doing and to ask them for sponsorship. It is always advisable to start the conversation with "Don't feel obliged BUT...". Ask friends, relatives, people at your local pub, sports club, local businesses - they are all potential sponsors. Keep reminding yourself that every cent counts! Never leave home without your sponsorship form!

Accounting

It is vital to keep accurate records for yourself and OCF. Record all monies received on a sponsorship form, together with details of who made the donation and when. The OCF can use this information to send out a tax deductible receipt where appropriate.

Be Innovative & professional

Instead of asking someone outright to put their hands in their pockets and give you cash, why not give them something back in return. Fundraising events are a great way of raising significant amounts of money in a short period of time and a legitimate excuse for bringing people together for a good cause. If you put your mind to it, the possibilities are endless. A theme can make your event really stand out. The key is to be fun and practical. Think of something inspiring, but also be easy to recreate.

Adverts & Company Sponsorship

Advertising is where a company buys a space in a specific media (newsletter, radio, TV, etc). Sponsorship is where it pays to associate its name, logo and/or product with an activity. Companies sponsor events to increase consumer awareness of their product, improve public image & relationships with employees & suppliers. Before approaching a company, think what you can offer them. For example, a supermarket could set up a stall selling its produce at your Cheese and Wine evening. Approach companies well in advance, so they can budget for the costs. Keep your sponsors informed of your progress and any publicity, and be sure to thank them publicly.

Making that extra $1

Every Dollar counts. Here are a few ideas on how to make that little extra:

Auction off all unclaimed prizes
Collect loose change in buckets, not tins
Get guests to empty their pockets as they leave your event
Fine people for not participating or donating enough
Stop all proceedings until you hit your target
Pass around a schooner to be filled with dollar coins.

Large Events

Balls and Dinners are great fundraisers, but cost a lot to stage. Seek out sponsorship for the food, music or even venue, and don't forget to leave some cash aside for unexpected costs. Make extra money with a souvenir programme (funded by advertising), as well as raffles, draws and auctions. Hire a photographer to take and sell photos of your guests.

Auctions

Use the greatest names in sport to help you raise money - and all at no risk to yourself or the charity! Signed sporting memorabilia is very popular and always goes down well at auctions. All profits go to your fundraising activities and anything that fails to reach the reserve price is taken back free of charge. Fast-talking auctioneers can also be hired out to help you sell prized possessions.

Murder Mystery

Simple to arrange, this is a 'whodunnit' game adapted for social gatherings. You buy a murder mystery package, for between ten and 100 players.(Search the web for suppliers in your area) The package includes an outline of the murder and the scene of the crime, as well as instructions for organisers, scene setters, clues and player profiles. Money is raised from advance ticket sales.

Parties

Invite friends to a birthday party and ask them not to bring a present but to sponsor you instead. Negotiate the free hire of a wine bar and charge friends (advertise in local papers) $20 admission, find a DJ or band and again - with good support, you might be surprised how much you can raise in a one-off event.

Film Previews

An example is to find a cinema that will allow you to sell tickets for a specific showing on ‘sale or return'. You can sell the tickets for $20 each to a new film, and pay the cinema the cover price - i.e. $8. If you manage to fill the cinema, you could raise your entire sponsorship in one go. If you don't mange to sell all of the tickets, give them back before the film's screening and you will have lost nothing at all.

Merchandising

Market your event with sellable merchandise. But be warned - you are only exempt from paying tax on profits if you comply with the following regulations: the profits are applied solely to the benefit of OCF; the trading is not regular; the trading does not compete with other legitimate businesses.

Managing Your Sponsors

Get online

Sign up with an online sponsorship page to help you manage your fundraising. This is an effective way to manage your fundraising efforts and let people donate to you online. We recommend www.everydayhero.com.au

Thanks: Acknowledge every contribution, and keep a record of where your sponsorship came from.

Sponsorship: Offer to wear a t-shirt with a company logo on your challenge in return for a donation.

Getting Publicity

Try contacting local newspapers, radio and television stations and community newsgroups, maybe a reporter would like to write a piece about what you are doing and follow it up afterwards. Perhaps you could write an article yourself.

Your local media will always be interested in hearing about what its readers are up to and these expeditions are very newsworthy. Try and find an ‘angle' that will particularly interest them.

Think also about the magazines and journals that are published specifically for your profession or hobby. To get your name and story in print is one of the most effective ways in gaining support for your cause. Compile a press release, including all of the following: Why you want to go - Give personal reasons that others can relate to. Saying you've always wanted to cycle up to the base camp of Everest is not enough, How much you need to raise - Highlight how much and who for, and explain that this is not a holiday.

Details of your charity - Explain why the work OCF does, is so important. Inspire potential sponsors without overdoing it. Your contact details - provide contact details for the newspaper, and say how interested readers can sponsor you. Address your press release to the 'news desk', allow plenty of time and send it to: your regional daily newspaper and radio station, weekly local newspapers, community and listings magazines (they often include fundraising events), company magazine or staff newsletter (a good way to ask colleagues to sponsor you). For contact details, check phone books, media directories, the internet and the library.

Sample Fundraising Letter

Date

Mr J. Citizen
123 Australia Street
LIDCOMBE NSW 2141

Dear John,

In September next year, following six months of intensive physical training, I am going to attempt to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Starting off on the lower rain forested slopes, I will spend seven days slowly climbing and acclimatising, making my way to the glacier covered summit at 19,340ft above sea level. If I make it to the peak, not only will I be achieving a personal life long dream, but I will hopefully be making many other dreams come true too.

Every foot of the mountain I climb, every blister I get, every shallow breath I puff, and every degree below zero that I endure at night will be worth all of the pain and effort because I will be putting myself through it all in aid of the Oncology Children's Foundation. The money that I hope to raise for this climb will assist OCF in funding the $2,500,000 five year Gene Therapy Program.

Despite all of my physical and mental training and preparation, the biggest challenge so far seems to be finding the financial support to make this event a success for the OCF. This is where I hope you can potentially come in! Please do not feel obliged, but if at all possible - I would really appreciate it if you could provide some financial support in order to help me achieve my fundraising goal.
I have paid ..... towards the costs of the expedition myself, and have agreed to raise a further....... of which approximately ........ will be deducted to cover the balance of the expedition costs and the remainder will be kept by the charity.

In return for your support, I would like to offer you something in return, in addition to the knowledge that you are helping to save the lives of children suffering from cancer. If you would like me to, I will wear your company t-shirt, or carry a banner with your company logo on it, to the summit of Kilimanjaro - the highest peak in all of Africa and take some photos. You can then feature them in your company newsletter or perhaps for some PR for the local newspapers. I am open to any other suggestions if you have any. I have enclosed a stamp-addressed envelope for your reply and please remember that no matter what you are able to give, it will be gratefully received by OCF and the wonderful values that they represent.

Thanking you in advance for your support

Yours truly

Your signature

A-Z of Fundraising Ideas

Don't be daunted by reaching the required sponsorship level. Fundraising can be fun! Here are a few helpful ideas which past participants have used to inspire them:

Auction of a Promise

Persuade people to donate a promise of their time, use of their belongings, or to donate a gift. You can even ask people to donate themselves and auction them as slaves for the day.

Bring a Dollar to Work Day

Ask all your colleagues to bring just a dollar to work in aid of the charity.

Cricket Match

Have a knockout contest and get people to pay to join a team. Charge admission to all your spectators and sell refreshments.

Dinner Dance

Arrange a band and food and charge a reasonable price. Organise a raffle and/or an auction.

Fashion Show

Ask a local clothes shop to put on a show in conjunction with your company.

It's a Knockout

Challenge your clients and other companies to a friendly 'It's a Knockout' competition.

Just a Minute

Have a sponsored game show with no repeating, hesitating or deviating.

Karaoke Evening

Ask a local pub to host one for you and charge people to get in or take part.

Lunch Money

Ask all your colleagues to bring in sandwiches for their lunch and donate the money saved to the OCF.

Masked Ball

Everybody wear a mask of their choice. Have a competition to guess who's who.

Night in for the Charity

Stay in for an evening you'd normally go out and donate the money saved to the OCF.

Outward Bound Weekends

This is the perfect way to promote team work within your company while raising money for the OCF.

Publicity

Send a press release to all your local papers asking for sponsorship from companies and individuals.

Quiz Night

Challenge different departments or branches to a friendly inter-company quiz, with prizes for the best team, most inventive answer etc.

Raffle

Please check with the Fundraising offers at the Foundation for the types of prizes that are approved under the Charities Act. The OCF will be able to assist with raffle tickets etc.

Runs

Sign for local runs and kill two birds with one stone. Ask people to sponsor you and get fit at the same time in preparation for your challenge.

Treasure Hunt

A challenging and fun way to raise big money.

University Challenge

Collect together teams who attended the same or nearby universities and hold a challenge to see which university comes top.

Variety Show

Round up your talented friends and tread the boards, charging for admission of course.

Wine Tasting

Invite an ‘expert' or local wine dealer to bring along a few cases of wine and donate some of the proceeds of his sales to the OCF.

X-files Party

Or any other themed evening with fundraising top of the menu of course.

Some Do's and Don'ts

Do have fun collecting your sponsorship. It doesn't have to be a struggle.
Do plan a target group. Direct your letters to named individuals - never use Dear Sir/Madam.
Do think about what a company/group can gain by sponsoring you - free advertising, publicity, etc.
Do tell everyone you know about what you're doing. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising.
Don't randomly send letters asking for money without purpose. You'll rarely get a response, let alone any money.
Don't leave it to the last minute