how2fundraise.org forums

Ive always wanted to contribute my time and effort to volunteering or a charity but never really been able to due to one reason or another but now i really want to make an effort to get involved. I feel quite passionate about it but dont think ive ever known anyone who has volunteered or fundraised for charity maybe thats why i never have? Anyway i would like to raise money for an event for worthwhile causes in my area, i know this is a cliche but things that have affected me or i have witnessed motivate me most. So many things go on even the major charities dont seem to be able to hammer it home to the uneducated. Thats probaly why in general the high profile fundraisers raise money for charities that they've been affected by. I would like to raise funds to enable me hold a community event for the groups i'd like to help instead of fundraising for a charity a christmas party would be ideal.

 So i would be grateful for any advice or help i can recieve with the following:

1. I've never done any fundraising before, how do you appeal to the public? I dont really have many people in my life except my family so funds would need to come from people i dont know. Im thinking of doing something exciting in the community so people would want to come and see and then would donate rather than just using the cause to encourage people to donate. This would also save on leaflets and posters etc one small interesting piece in a local paper might be enough to attract people.

2.  The groups i want to raise money for are children affected by parental drug use, abuse and disabilities obviously these kids are in every community but how would you arrange for them to attend a christmas party or similar event?  Through the local social services? local charities? Like i said before ive witnessed things before but not really in contact with these poor kids anymore so would rely on other organisations to find kids to attend.

Any help would be gratefully recieved.

P.s i know their are a number of wonderful large charities that campaign tirelessly for disadvantaged kids but i would really like to see some small changes in my local area.

Bobby

Dear Bobby

Have a look at the fundraising guides on the website, I am sure you will find one that can attract a number of people in your local community, good publicity is the key, have a search here:

http://www.how2fundraise.org/fundraising-ideas/a-to-z-of-how2guides.htm

 There are a few pages on the how2fundraise.org site that will tell you about finding a charity to fundraise for, here are the links:

http://www.how2fundraise.org/fundraising-know-how/find-a-charity-to-fundraise-for/

If what you want is a local charity, I really like the advanced search function on GuideStar, which enabes you to search using a keyword and then by postcode, you'll find the search function here:

http://www.guidestar.org.uk/gs_advancedSearch.aspx

If you want to get involved with working directly with the kids (you mention a Christmas party etc), then you need to make sure that any fundraising activity you organise is compliant with child protection legislation. Not a complex as it sounds in that as long as the children's parents/guardians are with the children the whole time your fundraising team are not obliged to have CRB checks done, please see advice here:

http://www.how2fundraise.org/fundraising-know-how/fundraising-planning/involving-children-in-volunteer-fundraising-activities.htm

Good luck with your fundraising, I hope it is great fun!