Fundraising Advice

Raising large amounts of money for charity can seem daunting, but with a positive attitude, some imagination and a healthy dose of determination, the money will start mounting up in no time!

Remember that your charity will have highly-experienced fundraising staff, so do talk to them if you are finding it hard-going or need direction. Most charities are also able to give you sponsorship forms, collection tins, T-shirts and more.

Download our Fundraising Hints and Tips for some useful ideas and our Sample Press Release for you to promote your fundraising.

Don’t forget, when you have completed your registration with us you can use the JustGiving link at the end of your confirmation email to set up your fundraising page. Just click on the JustGiving logo, register (if you don’t already have an account) and select the charity you wish to fundraise for.

There are plenty of other helpful websites – one example is through the Institute of Fundraising but here are some pointers from the experts:

Articles by month

Top Tips

Action Medical Research fundraisers celebrating at the Eiffel Tower

FROM US

Plan ahead: fundraising can be time-consuming.
Don’t be afraid to ask!
Explain what you’re doing and why you’re doing it.
Try to get money people have pledged immediately (your charity needs the majority of your funds in advance, before it pays your trip cost).
Ask people to gift-aid their donations.
Involve local media.

from your fellow challengers

"Request any unwanted chocolate or gifts just after Christmas and use these for fundraising events such as raffles throughout the year- just make sure you check use by dates and use them in succession!" - Jayne

"I held coffee mornings with a tombola and a raffle and these have been my best fundraising events! I hold them over 3 to 4 hours and invite lots of people who pop in for an hour or so and spend lot's of money!" - Natalie

"The night before my birthday, I asked people to make a donation of £1 to my JustGiving page with their birthday message instead of putting it on Facebook. The minimum I received was £5 and the most £200!" - Phil

"I updated my Facebook page and blog regularly with the ups and downs of challenge training and kept it honest! This makes your achievements all the more tangible and people will get a feel for how hard you are working." - Jo

JustGiving

Discover Adventure is the only tour operator with an exclusive partnership with JustGiving, the UK’s leading online fundraising website.

JustGiving is the world’s largest community of fundraisers, donors and charities. With over 15 years of experience, they have helped people in 164 countries raise $4.5 billion for good causes. It works by processing donations and reclaiming Gift Aid so charities don’t have to, which makes the money you raise go further. A lot further.

Because you’re doing amazing things for charity you deserve the best tools, expertise and support to help you reach your target and make a real difference to the cause you care about. Online, on social media, on your smartphone, and by text message, JustGiving makes it easy to connect with the supporters and receive donations anytime, anywhere.

It takes less than a minute to set up your page, click below to get started:

CLICK HERE TO SET UP YOUR JUSTGIVING PAGE

(Or if you are already registered on a challenge, give us a call in the office on 01722 718444 and we can give you a specific challenge link to start building your fundraising page).

INSTITUTE OF FUNDRAISING

We are an official Corporate Supporter of the Institute of Fundraising (IoF), the professional membership body for UK fundraising. They offer guidance and information to charities, individuals and corporate supporters on everything to do with charitable fundraising.

Being a member ensures we work with best practice to the highest standards, as well as stay ahead of all the legalities and updates on a national, regional and special interest level.

The Minimum Fundraising Target: how to explain it to your sponsors

Some of your funds raised go to cover your trip cost. (If you’re paying your own costs, tell people!)

The charity keeps at least 50% of your fundraising. We price our trips consistently to ensure this.

Your charity only pays your trip cost once you have raised the minimum amount: there is NO risk to your charity.

Airlines etc. don’t give their services for free. You’re also travelling with a professional company trusted by your charity to ensure you are pushing your limits in a safe environment.

Your charity keeps 100% of any money you raise over the fundraising target.

Breast Cancer Care fundraisers finishing the London to Paris Challenge

Worried some people might think they are sponsoring your holiday?

Trekking across ice fields on the Icelandic Lava Trek

Your trip has been designed to be challenging: you know you will struggle at times. This is not a holiday!

You won’t be doing much sight-seeing: it’s all about the physical activity and you won’t get lie-ins either!

You’ll be exercising for long days in all weathers. You can’t miss a day if it rains!

If you don’t often camp / go without your personal comforts / get up early, point that out! Many people will sponsor you for that alone!

Fundraising itself is hard work … so is the fitness training.

Not everyone can afford to pay their own costs: charities would miss out on £millions if that was the only option.

Charities can’t just rely on donations – a trip like yours motivates people to raise far more than they would donate.

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