Community fundraising is very important for The Umoja Centre.
Money raised is used to cover the costs that sponsorship doesn't cover, such as rent, salaries and furniture. Even if all the students were sponsored, it would still not be enough to cover the monthly running costs.
If you would like to organise a fundraising event we have a number of down-loadable resources for you to use here.
Here are some ideas for fundraising for The Umoja Centre. If you need further information please contact Victoria Ryder - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Thank you for your support!
Fundraising Ideas
Events
Tickets can be sold for a particular one-off event.
These sort of events can involve quite a lot of work to organise and publicise depending on the size. However with a few people working together and sharing out jobs, it becomes a lot easier.
You need to think about the location (cost of hire or at home), food & drink and entertainment.
To keep costs to a minimum you may wish to think about buying food & drink from a cash & carry and preparing food yourself. Maybe you have a friendly local band or some other form of entertainment who may offer there services for free or at a reduced rate.
Celidihs, Barn Dances, Concerts, Discos, Club Nights, Festive Occasions, Bingo, Cabaret/Talent Shows, Recitals, Plays, Shows, Easter Extravaganzas, Fashion Shows, Film Shows, Fire-Works Parties, Foam Parties, Game Shows (Stars in their Eyes, Blockbusters, etc.), Gigs, Go-Karting, Halloween Parties, Masked Balls, Murder Mystery Nights, Pet Shows, Quiz Nights, Silly Games Afternoons, Teddy Bear's Picnics, Treasure Hunts...
Sales
These can be quite easy to organise and need just a few volunteers to be there on the day to help.
Small sales such as Car Boots, Cake Sales or a BBQ need little or no publicity. Costs are low and they can raise a lot of money. You could ask your local shop owners if you can hold a stall outside their shops on a Saturday morning; or have a clear out of all the unwanted things in your house and go down to your local Car Boot Sale.
Larger sales such as a Jumble sale need a bit more publicity and organisation. You need to have a well known location such as a Church or Community hall and put posters around the neighbourhood plus you could advertise in the local newspaper.
Try to form a group of people that will run different book, clothes, or white elephant (odds and ends) stalls, who can also act as drop off points for the public wishing to deliver stuff before the sale. On your posters you should leave an email address for people to contact you if they wish to drop off or for you to pick up articles.
Tell as many people as possible to bring any unwanted things either before the event or early on the day to the hall. It's also a good idea to have some teas, coffees and small cakes for sale as well. Remember to organise floats for each stall and possibly someone on the door to charge a small entrance fee.
Jumble Sales, Car Boots, Bring and Buys, Cake Sales, Hot Dog Drives or BBQs, Antiques Fairs, Arts & Crafts Stalls/Exhibitions/Fairs...
Raffles/ Auctions/Tombolas
These can be held at work, at a sports or social club you are involved with or at any other event such as a sale or Barn Dance.
You need to find some good prizes or one really good prize that people will want to buy raffle tickets for. You should consider asking a local restaurant if they would donate a free meal or seek donations from local shops. They would share in the positive publicity.You could hold a raffle over a couple of weeks to get as much money as possible from different friends or groups of people you meet or you could hold and draw the raffle on a day at your work.
Coffee Mornings, Dinner or Drinks Parties
These are quick and easy to organise. Decide which is more appropriate for your friends or neighbours, then send out invitations to your house - letting them know that they will be expected to donate a bit of money for their drinks and some food. You could also hold a small stall if you have things to sell, or hold a raffle.
Themed Dinners or Parties (e.g. African, French, Spanish, Soap Operas, Past eras) Easter Egg Hunts, Fancy Dress Events, Saints Day Parties, 'University Challenge'...
Sponsorship Events
These can be individual or group events and either something challenging, simple or anywhere in between.
You need to decide what you are going to do and set a date, draw up a sponsorship form to carry around with you (everywhere!) so that people can pledge their sponsorship. Publicise your event as much as you can - email everyone in your contact list and put posters up in your local area, etc.
You can use the Just Giving website to manage your event by creating a page linked to the Umoja page where everyone can sign up to sponsor you.
Walks, Cycle-Rides, Skydiving, Bungee Jumping, Sponsored Silences, Wear a Silly Outfit Days, Climbing the 3 Tallest Peaks in the UK, 5 Bridges Walk in Sydney, Abseiling, Bad Hair/Bad Tie Days, Baked Bean Baths, Bouncy Castle Events (no. of bounces a minute), Car Washing, Mountain Climbing, Carol Singing, Marathons (Running, Dancing, Table Tennis, Aerobics, Badminton, Face Painting, Hair Braiding, Cream Cracker Eating, Line Dancing, Karaoke), Non Uniform Days, Pram Pushing, No TV/Smoking/Drinking Days...
Company Giving
Companies may donate if they feel that they will also gain some benefit,such as publicity. You might be able to get a monetary donation or a gift in kind such as a donation for a raffle. Write to the company you work for or a company with which you have contact. It really helps to know someone at the company as it often needs someone on the 'inside' who can push for a donation.
Tournaments
Maybe you and your friends have a hobby such as golf which you could make into a tournament? Participants pay to enter and the winner gets a prize.
Golf, Tennis, Bridge, Scrabble, Chess, Boat Racing, Basketball, Computer Gaming (wii), Cookery, Football, Rugby, Badminton, Go- Karting, Paint-Balling, Hockey, Iron Stomach Competitions, Judo, Jenga, Karaoke, Kite Flying, Line Dancing, Obstacle Courses, Pancake Races, Penalty Shoot Outs, Photography, Polo, Races, Scoffing Food Competitions, Throwing Competitions (Wellies), 'University Challenges', Wacky Races, Beetle Drives, Quizzes...
These are just a few tips, compiled from things that have been tried and tested, however, sometimes your imagination can be the key to a successful event!
