Fundraise for Fairtrade

Anything goes!

If there's one rule about fundraising ideas, it's that there are no rules. So be creative. Two of the most popular ways of raising money are getting sponsored to do something and holding a fundraising event.

Setting up an event

From fashion shows to Fairtrade banana jousting, our supporters constantly amaze us with the weird and wonderful things they do to fundraise, whilst also raising awareness of Fairtrade in the local community. Garden parties, cake sales, trivia quizzes, barn dances, chocolate taster sessions... the possibilities are endless! You might want to:

• Charge a small entrance fee or hold a collection at the end
• Put on a raffle or competition
• Mix fundraising activities. For example, sell cakes at your fashion show or hold a raffle on your non-uniform day. Not only does this raise more money but it will make the event more exciting and varied
• Use official promotional material such as posters and banners to make it more colourful. See 'get the official Fairtrade look' to find out how
• Serve Fairtrade tea, coffee, fruit juice and refreshments and distribute leaflets to raise awareness

 

Getting sponsored

You can be sponsored to do just about anything. Dressing up or dressing down for work or school, taking part in sporting events, local runs or walks, giving up something you like or challening yourself to do something you don't. Whatever you do, set a fundraising target, get sponsored and have fun. See 'get the money together' to download a sponsorship form or set up a JustGiving page.

Athletic type? Fancy running for Fairtrade at the British 10k London Run on 8 July 2012? Click here to enter the ballot!

Return to the top of the page

So how do you turn the good intentions of your friends, family and colleagues into cold hard cash, and reach your fundraising target? You can download a sponsor form and get pledges face-to-face or set up a fundraising page on JustGiving so that people can sponsor you online.

Sponsorship form The best option for face-to-face fundraising. Get your friends and family to put their money where their mouth is and sign on the dotted line with a pledge. You can then collect the cash once you've done the deed! Take your form and a pen with you wherever you go on the run up to your activity - you never know when you might bump into someone Be sure to keep your sponsorship form somewhere safe Try putting one up on a noticeboard somewhere people will see it Encourage people to tick the Gift Aid box so that we can reclaim tax on their donations and increase your fundraising total by 25%

Click here to download a sponsorship form

JustGiving For online fundraising. Set up your personalised page, set a target, leave a message and then send your friends a link. Their sponsorship comes directly to us. Easy peasy. Email the page to your friends and family and your colleagues at work or school Post it on facebook, twitter or other social media Put a link on your intranet at work or school Download the JustGiving guide to fundraising for more tips

If you've collected cash at an event or with a sponsorship form, see 'pay the money to you' below for how to get it to us.

Return to the top of the page

There are loads of resources available

Fancy a five foot inflatable Fairtrade banana? We've got one of those. How about some bunting, official Fairtrade t-shirts, a short film to show, or just some promotional leaflets? We've got those too. You can even request for someone to come and speak at your event.

Click here to go to our online resources portal, where you can download campaign resources, films, and even delicious recipes made with Fairtrade ingredients.
Click here to access our online shop and order free promotional materials and merchandise.

Our logo

If you would like to use the Fairtrade logo on publicity related to your fundraising, we ask that you get in touch with us first. Because of its dual role as the FAIRTRADE certification Mark, use of the Fairtrade Foundation logo is controlled. This doesn't mean you can't use it, but you must get our permission first. Email fundraising@fairtrade.org.uk and let us know what you're doing. Try to contact us with as much time as possible before you need it.

Return to the top of the page

So, you've done your fundraising, and now you're wondering how to get the money to us.

First of all, thank you!

The best way to get your money to us is by sending us a cheque. Please make payable to the Fairtrade Foundation and send to Fundraising, 3rd Floor Ibex House, 42-47 Minories, London EC3N 1DY. Or you can:

• Click here to see our online donation methods
• Pay by credit/debit card over the phone by calling 020 3301 5014
• Pay by bank transfer. Email fundraising@fairtrade.org.uk to find out how

Return to the top of the page

There are a few legal considerations before you get going.

Holding a raffle?

If you are holding a private, small scale raffle (for example, at your local pub, office, church hall etc), or a fete, fundraising dinner or party in a private venue, you do not need a license as long as the following conditions are met:

• There are no cash prizes
• Prizes do not cost more than £250
• The sale of tickets and announcements of results are done on the same premises

Raffle tickets cannot be sold to the general public without a license from the Home Office and your local council.  If you’re planning on holding a raffle on a larger scale, or thinking about selling tickets to the general public, be sure to get in touch with your local council and ask them what rules and conditions you’ll need to follow, such as whether you’ll need to apply for a lottery licence.

Other regulations

• For any event taking place in a public area, you must inform the local police and council of your intentions
• For any public sporting event, such as fun run or bike ride, you must have medical cover (such as St. John's Ambulance or the British Red Cross)
• If there are costs involved in your fundraising activity which you intend to take out of the general proceeds, you must clearly state this to the general public e.g. "all net proceeds to be donated to the Fairtrade Foundation"
• If you sell alcohol at an event, you must have a license 
• If you wish to organise or take part in a high risk activity such as a parachute jump, you should provide your own insurance. This is usually covered by the centre, but you should check first

Disclaimer

The Fairtrade Foundation cannot be held responsible for any accidents incurred during your fundraising activity or any failure to observe the above regulations