Tips for successful fundraising

Leading a fundraising event? These tips can help make it a success.

1. Always work towards a goal

A fundraising goal is essential to get and keep you motivated! This will not only enable you to work out how many people to contact about sponsorship, it will also help you decide whether you might need to take part in more than one event. Always aim for a total financial goal that is bigger than you first think you can manage – people are generous and want to give. You’ll be surprised how much comes flooding in!

2. Use the power of the web

There are several easy-to-use websites which support giving. Most of our fundraisers use www.justgiving.com – and our logo and information is already available on JustGiving’s list of registered charities. With very easy step-by-step instructions you can’t go wrong! Money donated on your page is taken from the donors’ bank accounts immediately so you don’t need to do any chasing. You reach friends, family and colleagues easily and you can cast your net really wide.

3. Start with family and friends

When asking for sponsorship, always begin with the people who know you best. It looks great to start with some healthy donations on your form or web page, plus it’ll get others following suit. This can only help you reach your target faster!

4. Challenge yourself – but have fun!

Fundraising is a great opportunity to set and reach a personal goal, but it’s got to be fun otherwise you won’t want to do it! Choose an event that sounds like fun to you.

5. Work on your own, or as a team

Really think this one through. It might feel as though it’s easier to do something on your own because it will be less complex. But working, training and celebrating as a team can boost your adrenaline. What’s more, the more people on your team, the more money you’ll raise for MPD Voice!

6. Get the word out

You are doing an amazing thing in supporting MPD Voice. Tell everyone you know what you’re doing and why! Make a list of why, what, where, when and then spread the word to your family, friends, schools, colleagues and local press. They can all help. If you need assistance with press contacts, please email us at fundraising@mpdvoice.org.uk

7. Ask your employer

Employers often match sponsorship totals – it’s always worth asking – it might double your total for MPD Voice!

8. Just add a tick

Do your sponsors pay UK tax? If they do, they can tick the Gift Aid box of your sponsorship form and MPD Voice can claim back 25p in each £1 donated – that is a massive gift from the government so let’s make sure we claim it! It doesn’t cost your donors anything at all – all we need is their name, home address and postcode to be able to claim their Gift Aid donation.

9. Go for it!

Once you have decided on what you’re going to do, how, when, where and with whom, the most important thing to do is to have fun, enjoy the experience of fundraising and taking part in something special – you are doing it for MPD Voice and ultimately for yourself. Very soon you will be able to say you’ve done something incredible! You can do it, so go for it!

If you need information, ideas, support, literature, and promotional materials such as t-shirts and hats for your event, please contact us at fundraising@mpdvoice.org.uk