Ready to get planning?
Choosing the event you’d like to organise is probably the best place to start. To help you, we've put together some top tips.
The amount of time you have may influence the event you choose to organise. It takes a lot more time to organise a formal dinner or gala ball, for example, than it does to organise a dress-down day or bake sale.
Whether you’re taking the lead on your own, or have a committee to share responsibilities with, time is crucial. Be realistic about how much you can achieve. You can always start off small and grow it over time, particularly if this is your first event.
Do you have a date in mind? Is there a special date in the calendar like Easter, summer or Christmas that lends itself to the event you’re planning? Or does your company have a special anniversary coming up that you’d like to link to your fundraising?
Once you have a date in mind, work backwards to think about your planning. Consider things like how long you need to promote the event, whether you need to book any rooms or equipment, and any other commitments in the diary or busy times coming up at work.
Think about your audience for the event. Is it your team or department? Is it the whole company? Do you want to include people outside the business like family, friends, customers or clients?
By thinking about your audience, you can ensure your event will work for them when you decide when and where you’ll hold it, and how you’ll let them know the details.
Shout about it! Don’t be shy – shout about the amazing fundraising you’re doing to help children. If you’re holding the event just for colleagues in the office, you may use your internal communication channels like email, the intranet or display boards.
If you’re inviting a wider audience to take part, you may choose to use social media to let everyone know what’s happening. Ensure you share all the important details, including who people need to contact to get involved.
Do you have an amount you’d like to raise in mind? If so, this can help you plan your event in more detail. For example, if you want to raise £250 and are asking people to donate £5 to come to your event, you’ll know that you need 50 people to come.
No matter what your target is, or how you’re planning to raise it, collecting your money through JustGiving can make things really simple. Set up a JustGiving page and you’ll be guided through a step-by-step process. All the money you raise is automatically transferred to us, so you don’t need to worry about it!
Whatever event or activity you’re organising, sometimes there are little extras you can add to boost your fundraising. Here are some of our top ideas:
- Add a raffle, prize draw or tombola to your event. However, please note that these are highly regulated areas and you must not register for your own licence. This is because we hold a Large Society Lottery Licence and the Gambling Act (2005) allows for some non-commercial gaming, even without our licence. Please contact [email protected] who will be happy to help you with any queries.
- Make it easy for people to donate a little extra by having a collection box, tub or bucket around.
- Make every donation go even further with Gift Aid. Any UK taxpayer can include Gift Aid when they donate. It means HMRC will give us another 25p for every pound donated at no extra cost to you. Just remember, if there's any benefit or reward for the money being given – like a ticket to an event or raffle ticket – then this will not be eligible for Gift Aid.
When planning an event, you need to think about health and safety, as well as some legal details. Here’s some guidance.
NSPCC branding
By law, our charity registration number must appear on all posters, advertisements and other fundraising materials. If you’re creating your own, please display this as Registered Charity England and Wales 215401, Scotland SCO37717, Jersey 384. Please contact us for permission when you or a third party want to use our name or logo.
Insurance
If you’re organising an event yourself, it won't be covered by our insurance programme. So you may need to arrange your own insurance unless you're already covered. We won’t be liable for any loss or injury arising out of the event or its organisation.
Food hygiene and alcohol
Please be very careful when handling food and follow basic rules for safe preparation, storage, display and cooking. A licence is needed if you serve alcohol at your event. For more information, contact your local authority.
Health and Safety
If you hold a fundraising event you'll be responsible for the health and safety of all involved. The Chartered Institute of Fundraising has useful information on this.
Collections
Collections are a great way to raise money. If you’re planning a collection that takes place in a publicly owned place then this is governed by strict legal requirements and must be licenced by your local authority. Please contact them for more information.
Raffles, lotteries and prize draws
Raffles, lotteries and prize draws are highly regulated areas and you must not register for your own licence. This is because we hold a Large Society Lotter Licence and the Gambling Act (2005) allows for some non-commercial gaming, even without our licence. Please contact [email protected] who will be happy to help you with any queries.
Whether you’re looking for posters, invitations or other resources to help with your event, we’ve got you covered. Visit our Download resources page for more information.
The Ice Co
Raising money for charities nominated by our team has been a huge part of our company culture for many years.
Our team feel very passionate about ensuring the safety and protection of children, so we were keen to support the NSPCC as one of our chosen charities, donating £665 from our Annual Charity Day.
The day consists of activities such as a raffle and sponsored ‘ice dunking’. Not only does it raise lots of money for charities, but it also has a positive effect on our business by boosting morale and bringing our teams together.
