If you're planning on raising some cash for a family member, friend or even yourself, there are a number of ways you can do so as well as a number of issues you should consider. Below are some ideas for personal fundraising as well as some of the legal aspects of going it alone for your fundraising campaign.
Look for the Easy Option
Before you start involving yourself in the lengthy process of organising an entire fundraising campaign, you should always make yourself aware of any existing charities, trusts or foundations who may be able to help you first. Many existing organisations have grants or money set aside to help individuals who need it. There are over 200,000 charities in the UK and using a website such as Guidestar will help you search for the one that best suits your needs. This way you don't have to set up anything in your own name and will also have the backing of an organisation that has experience and contacts in their area.
What Organisations can I set up to Raise Funds?
If you're planning to organise a registered charity to raise funds, you must set it up for 'public benefit'. In England and Wales, a registered charity will only be considered if it benefits a 'significant segment of the public' or a 'group'. This means that to register a charity and benefit from the advantages in doing so, you must provide documents showing your intention to provide money for a large group. If you don't want to do this, you can raise funds in other ways. You can set up a private trust which has a named beneficiary to whom the funds you raise will be going. Normally to do this, you need to set up a separate bank account and seeking the help of a lawyer can be worthwhile here to ensure you're abiding by the regulations for governing trusts. You can also set up an 'unincorporated body' where a group a people are working together to raise funds for a communal cause. If you want to make this legal, you can outline a 'Memorandum of Association' that defines your objectives and obligations to your fundraising procedure.
Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.
Different Methods of Individual Fundraising
There are a variety of other ways that you can carry out your fundraising appeal. Some of the best methods are those that have been in place for some time such as static collection boxes, door to door collections, raffles, sponsored events and public appeals through publicity. If you plan to run a door to door campaign, it is a good idea to contact your local council to explain the situation first. This covers you for a variety of reasons and also it means they're aware of where you are for issues of safety. You should let the charity that you're collecting for know of your intentions also. They may not be happy with having someone collect on a door to door basis, so run it past them first to check they agree. If you have a collection box to use either in door to door campaigns or static collection box areas, make sure it's securely sealed. Have the name, address and registered number of the charity or beneficiary of the money on it also. This adds to the authenticity and people are generally more willing to give money if they believe the collections for an authentic cause. Always make sure you count the money in the presence of someone else. This keeps you right with the charity and with the bank and saves any mistakes being realised too late in the future. You may also need a licence to collect money in the streets and an ID badge is often required, so please check with your local authority before starting your collection. Stay on the right side of the law and your fundraising can make a huge difference to someone in need.
I am in the process of setting up a just giving/crowdfunding campaign (I have built a webpage too) to raise the funds I need to fight for the compensation we are due for my late fathers properties in the occupied territory of Cyprus.
but getting advice is harder than i expected. I am just wanting to make sure that I am protecting anyone who donates/supports me and their money. (my plan is if we are successful to give them a return too, as I am not just wanting hand outs. that's not me!) but in doing the justgiving/crowdfunding part I also can't afford for this to be seen as an income/savings and have it effect my own benefits as I am disabled and not able to work due to being a long-term Chronic Cluster headache sufferer.
Can anyone point me in the direction of anyone who could advise me properly
Kindest regards
Steve Lysandrou
I want to raise funds to help my nieces who have recently lost their mother to cancer and they have financial issues specially the cost of her funeral. Can I do it myself or is there a legal route I have to go down.
Regards
Liz
I started a fundraiser for a girls summer camp that had a fire. The fire destroyed several cabins and they need to rebuild ASAP as opening day is a few weeks away. I went through Give forward which I see advertised on the sidebars of your site.
The instructions were to set up the account with my personal bank account which I did. Now I am hearing I might have some sticky areas with taxes or the IRS? It seems I should have opened a separate bank account just for the fundraising funds but they never suggested that I do that.
The camp is a small family owned business that was already suffering a bit financially even before the fire. It is however a for profit business. The fundraiser has raised a little over $75,000 in one week!
What do I need to know or do to protect myself from any possible sticky legal situations? Thanks!
Do you know of a charity that we could raise through or would help/
Thank you
A friend of mine as stage 4 cancer and I would like to raise some funds to help complete one of the events on his wish list. What is the best way of raising funds for an individual like my friend?
Many thanks,
Mike
Please do you have any advice for me.
Thank yoy
How do i do this as its not a registered charity its just a local cause?
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