Fundraising Guide

Have fun

The more people enjoy themselves, the more generously they are likely to support you. If you have a good time they are also more likely to support you again in the future.

Scale

There are specific events and activities, which because of their size and detail, might be preferred by the more experienced fundraiser who has plenty of spare time and a good number of helpers to hand.

For example, dances, shows and parties contain many possibilities. It tends to follow that large events need a large body of public support. This is just as important as having all the time, helpers and materials you need, so it is wise to assess the likely support for your efforts as part of your early planning.

If you are a first time fundraiser start with something smaller, where less risks are involved. You can still raise a lot of money, as smaller events with little or no initial financial outlay still have the potential for fundraising and lots of fun.

Legal issues

Having decided on your fundraising activity, you must ensure before you start that you obtain any permission or licences that may be required from the local authorities and/or police.

For example, public street or house to house (which includes going from business to business e.g. pub to pub) collections have to be licensed and if you are selling or raffling alcoholic drinks this must also be licensed.

You also need to obtain permission from the owner or manager for events or collections taking place on private property, e.g. supermarkets. If you wish to organise a collection, then please get in touch with us.

Epilepsy Action cannot accept liability for any accidents, so do please ensure any fundraising events you hold are safe for everyone taking part.

Alcohol

An alcohol licence is required for any event where alcohol will be provided or sold. If the venue does not have its own licence you will need to apply to the Licensing Justices of her Majesty’s court in the area where the event will be taking place, at least one month prior to the event.

Entertainment

Several different types of licences may be required for different entertainment events. A licence may be required for events such as dances, plays, live performances and sporting events. Further information and details can be obtained from your local authority.

Lotteries and raffles

Rules and regulations change depending on the size of these events, for small scale raffles it is usually sufficient to obtain a licence from your local council/authority.

If you hold a raffle at your workplace or club, there is no need to obtain a licence, as long as the lottery is promoted and advertised by an employee and the tickets are sold on the premises. As lotteries are governed by many rules we would recommend that you contact the fundraising team at Epilepsy Action for further advice before organising one.

Judging by some of the things people have done for us in the past, it would seem that just about anything lends itself to fundraising. At a time when there is so much fundraising going on, coming up with something unusual will often help to grab publicity, gain people’s attention and their financial support.

Adding a twist or two can make old ideas look a lot fresher, but do exercise your common sense! It doesn’t have to be dangerous to be different. The key is to look at ordinary events and activities and then add something a bit different to them. With some imagination the most obvious ideas can seem quite new.

Check that other events organised in your area do not clash with yours. Is there something similar happening on the same day, which might reduce the number of people who will attend your event, or is someone else planning the same event a few weeks before or after yours?

If you cannot get around these problems why not approach the organisers of the other event to see if you can combine the two and work together, even if the funds are split between two or more charities.

Fundraising guide

Index · Advice · Ideas · Money · Publicity · Training plans
A to Z of fundraising ideas

• Download or print our fundraising guide

• Download or print a sponsorship form

• Get one of our excellent Epilepsy Action events T-shirts

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For help or further information on anything in this fundraising guide, please contact our fundraising team, by phone on 0113 210 8800 (UK) or +44 (0)113 210 8800 (international), or by email at funding@epilepsy.org.uk.

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