complete guide to fundraising

MAKE IT
HAPPEN
YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO FUNDRAISING
FOR AN OUTWARD BOUND® ADVENTURE
+
THE BURSARY
FUNDING I
RECEIVED WAS
A MASSIVE
SUPPORT IN
HELPING ME TO
TAKE PART.+
Jed
#1: APPLY TO THE
ADVENTURE FUND
To get started, The Outward Bound Trust’s
Adventure Fund should be your first port of call.
Submitting an application is a quick and easy
way to get the ball rolling on your fundraising
journey.
Taking into account your personal motivation,
circumstances and needs, the Fund could help
you to cover up to 50% of your course fee.
The best bit? Providing you’re a UK resident
absolutely anyone is eligible to apply.
DID YOU KNOW?
98% OF PEOPLE WHO APPLY TO THE
ADVENTURE FUND ARE SUCCESSFUL
IN RECEIVING FUNDING
£172,000 OF ADVENTURE FUNDING
WAS ALLOCATED IN 2014
£
APPLY NOW AT:
OUTWARDBOUND.ORG.UK/FUNDING
#2: SET UP
A PAGE FOR
DONATIONS
A crucial part to your fundraising
plan should be setting up your
own online page. This will make
it easier for people to read your
story, follow your progress and
most importantly, donate.
There are a number of websites
available to do this, such as My
Donate or Just Giving.
Your next step should be to let people know what you’re course is and
why you’re doing it. Ensure that your page is up-to-date with photos,
videos and personal posts so that it tells your story. By doing this you
will give people a reason to return to your page and share it with others.
Remember, there are many other deserving causes out there for people
to donate to, so try to make an impact and stand out from the crowd.
Do whatever you can to let people know about your page. From posters
in your school, to using Facebook and Instagram, be prepared to share
your page far and wide.
Finally, remember to say thank you. Lots of donate websites allow you
to set up an auto response to any donations received and personalise
it with your own thank you. In doing so, encourage donors to forward
your page to a friend.
#3: WRITE TO LOCAL BUSINESSES
You’d be amazed how charitable businesses can be when it comes to helping out young people in their
community. From football clubs to factories, coffee shops to office blocks, many businesses are obliged to get
involved with helping their local community.
Help may range from opening up their premises for events, donating prizes or offering financial support.
Often, all it takes is a nicely worded letter to get the ball rolling. So why not draw up a list of businesses
you wish to write to and use our letter template to speed the process up.
Remember, if you can offer something extra in
return, such as positive press coverage, increased
business or your own labour, businesses may be
more inclined to help.
LETTER WRITING TOP TIPS:
Be concise; keep your letter to two sides
If you have a friend or family connection
to the business, use it
Share your motivation and explain why
you are going on your course. e.g. Are you
seeking to develop a particular skill?
+
THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN BRILL
THERE ARE SOME VERY GENEROUS
PEOPLE OUT THERE.+
Olivia
Personally deliver your letter by hand, or
explain over the phone before sending it
After your course, follow up with a second
thank you letter
Stay positive and persevere. Be prepared
for some rejection.
From car washing to car boot sales, more and more
young people are making money out of hard work,
imagination and dedication to fundraising events.
Whether it be a race night, raffle, charity BBQ or
bring and buy sale, make sure you’re confident that
the event will appeal to your attendees.
#4: ORGANISE
AN EVENT
The sooner you get started, the easier it will be.
EVENT CHECKLIST:
Set a date and time that people are
likely to be able to attend, avoiding other
occasions in the calendar
Establish a target and a budget
Find your venue (have a backup in mind if
it’s outdoors)
Involve your friends and family to help
and support you
Create a Facebook event and send out
your invitations
Write to your local radio and newspaper
Collect any donations or sponsorship
money
Have some fun!
+
FIND SOMEONE
TO HELP YOU
THROUGH IT AND
MAKE IT FUN.+
Olivia
#5: APPLY TO
CHARITABLE
GROUPS
The Outward Bound Trust has a
number of regional Outward Bound
Associations (OBAs) throughout the
UK.
Managed by volunteers, these OBAs
are set up to support you to fund
your adventure.
+
I APPLIED FOR
FUNDING FROM
VARIOUS LOCAL
CHARITIES AND
THEY WERE A HUGE
HELP+
Nicole
To get in touch with your local OBA
visit our website or call 01931 740000
Additionally, there are many more
charitable groups that offer small
grants and bursaries to young people.
Biglotteryfund.org.uk is packed full of
information and guidance to help you
find these opportunities.
Checking with your local authority,
library, school or college is also a good
way to find funding opportunities.
Use the websites listed on the right
to help you with your research. Once
you’ve found a suitable grant you can
apply with our letter template.
FUNDS AND GRANTS:
THE ADVENTURE
FUND
AL MIZAN TRUST
BIG LOTTERY FUND
THE FREE MASONS
GREGGS
FOUNDATION
THE HIGHLAND
CHILDREN’S TRUST
KICKSTARTER
LADIES CIRCLE
LIONS CLUB
NOTTINGHAM
EDUCATION TRUST
PRINCE’S TRUST
ROTARY
SEAN CONWAY
SCHOLARSHIP
THE WILSON
FOUNDATION
#6: SEND A
PRESS RELEASE
Approaching the media
is a great way to drum up
awareness, support and
curiosity around your cause.
Just a few short lines in your
local newspaper or on your
local radio station can go a
long way.
A press release can be used
to thank local businesses
who have supported you as
well as inviting people to an
event.Reporters are always
looking for new and
interesting stories that
might be relevant to the
community.
You can use our letter
template to help you out.
Once completed, visit the
newspaper website to find
the relevant contact
details and send a copy of
your press release to the
editor and a reporter.
INTRODUCING: NICOLE
WITH JUST 6 MONTHS TO GO BEFORE HER SKILLS FOR LIFE AWARD COURSE, NICOLE AGED 15
FROM GLASGOW, WAS BEGINNING TO WORRY THAT SHE MAY ACTUALLY RAISE TOO MUCH MONEY!
WE GOT IN TOUCH WITH HER TO GET THE LOW DOWN ON HER FUNDRAISING SUCCESS.
How did you go about your fundraising?
I went about it as if it were any other challenge, I knew it was something that I had to achieve if I really
wanted to make my summer a reality
Did you come up with a plan?
To raise £1,750 you need a plan. By breaking it down into bite size chunks and by following the steps in the
fundraising pack, I came up with my own fundraising schedule to stick to.
How did you persuade businesses and other charities to help you?
I tried really hard to explain the benefits that my course would provide, whether that be new-found skills
or increased confidence, people like to know what their donation will help you to achieve.
What was your most successful fundraising event?
My 5K charity run definitely raised the most money, but the event I enjoyed the most was my pop-up
jewellery store. A friend and I set-up our own jewellery shop at a local care home, it raised about £20 but it
was great fun and really helped me to reach my target.
Do you have any top tips or advice to help anyone fundraising?
The more you can get your local community involved and aware of your undraising efforts, the better.
Friends, family, neighbours and local businesses helped me out the most, so be confident, be honest, and
be prepared to ask.
FOR FURTHER FUNDRAISING ADVICE AND
GUIDENCE WHY NOT DROP US A MESSAGE ON:
@OUTWARDBOUNDUK
/THEOUTWARDBOUNDTRUST
OR CONTACT DAVE CHALLIS ON:
DAVE.CHALLIS@OUTWARDBOUND.ORG.UK
01931 740035
Outward Bound® and the Compass Rose are each registered trademarks of The
Outward Bound Trust. Registered charity no: 1128090 in England and Wales; no:
SC040341 in Scotland. Company reg no: 6748835.