Your complete guide to fundraising
We are delighted that you’ve become part of a team that supports people with disabilities and connects them with their community.
This pack is full of inspiration, tips and resources, all designed to help you smash your fundraising goal. Our supporters join in on a huge range of activities; from marathons to bake sales, they do it all!
Team Shaftesbury is with you from the start until you cross that finish line, to help with all your questions, queries, and qualms as you get set on your fundraising adventure.
Give us a call on 020 7452 2121 or email us at events@shaftesburygroup.org to chat with our fundraising team. Please keep us up to date with all the wonderful things that you do – we’d love to share your story!
It all adds up
Shaftesbury is the disability charity that’s committed to enabling children, young people and adults to live a life that adds up for them. Through a wide range of disability, education, training and community services, we promote inclusion and wellbeing for all. What makes life add up is different for everyone. It’s the sum of many things and many people - from friendship to fun; from companionship to community; from a great chat to a challenge overcome.
What your support means
Together, we work to see people take part, contribute and be valued. We put the elements in place that all add up to connected lives and communities. By joining Team Shaftesbury, you are part of a team that is connecting communities and tackling barriers to inclusion. Every pound raised makes a huge difference. From marathons, sponsored challenges, and cycle rides or campaigns you take part in – it all adds up to changed lives and opportunities.
The impact of your support...
A little goes a long way
£30
could buy multi-sensory textured balls
£50
could pay for an extra staff member to support a 4-hour trip
£150
can buy an iPad to support students learning at Shaftesbury Millie College
£400
could buy a goat for students to nurture for as part of their animal care
Digital table
Shaftesbury Wall Street is the proud owner of a fantastic, interactive Digital Table, which arrived in 2021. Its large size enables more social interactivity, with groups being able to play on it together, greater independence as the larger icons mean residents can operate the table without assistance, plus residents with vision problems will be able to see loved ones when they video call.
Run for Charity
Challenge yourself to a 10k, full or half marathon and help raise funds for people with disabilities. Represent #TeamShaftesbury from a choice of over 700 amazing events including:
• Bournemouth Half Marathon
• London Landmarks Half Marathon
• London Supernova Run 5K
• Manchester Marathon
View the list of running events: runforcharity.com/charity/shaftesbury
Not interested in running?
Why not try a cycling event? cycleforcharity.com/charity/shaftesbury
Why not try a sporting event? sportforcharity.com/charity/shaftesbury
Event Spotlight
London Marathon
Participate in one of the greatest marathons in the world. Find out more: www.shaftesburygroup.org/marathon
Need some inspiration?
If you want to do something a bit different, why not choose from the list of ideas here? From bingo nights to bake sales, sweepstakes and special challenges, there are loads of options to make fundraising fun!
Your complete guide to fundraising G M S Y C I O U D J P V E K Q W F L R X H N T Z A B
Car wash
Coffee lunch
Cake sale
Disco
Dress-up Dinner
Egg race
Easter hunt
Ebay sale
Fancy dress
Film night
Five-a-side
Auction Aerobics
Arts
Ice cream tasting
Jazz night
Jeans-to-work
Karaoke
Lottery
Lawn-mow
Lego-making
Games night
Guess the...
Golf day
Bake sale
Bake off Bingo
Murder mystery
Music event
Money jar
Hike
Head shave
Hat day
Name the...
Netball contest
Tug-of-War
Odd job day
Office-Olympics
Poker
Personal challenge
Quiz night
Raffle
Rounders contest
Skydiving
Sweepstake
Tea party
Tombola
Vegan night
Wine tasting
X-Factor party
Yoga class
Zumba
Uniform-free day
Vintage sale
Wax it
Xmas party
Yes day
Zip wire
Getting started Five ways to wellbeing
Not sure how to begin your fundraising? No problem – here are our top tips to get you started!
Get planning
Start early! Make sure that you give yourself plenty of time to get organised. Get your friends and family involved to make it even easier.
Tell #TeamShaftesbury
We’d love to hear what you’re planning. Our Fundraising Team will be able to provide you with materials and advice to make your event a success.
Keep it simple
The best fundraising is the simplest. Be realistic and keep a checklist to make sure you keep on top of everything you need to do.
Thank everyone
A little thank you goes a long way, and that goes for your donors as well. Who knows… they could give even more next time!
Have fun
The most important thing to remember is to enjoy yourself. Do something you enjoy with your friends and family and everyone will have fun with you.
Look after your own mental health while you’re fundraising with these handy tips.
Take notice
Make a conscious effort to appreciate the world around you and take time out so your fundraising doesn’t seem overwhelming.
Give to others
You’re already doing this one, so take time to reflect on the lasting difference you’re making.
Connect
Contact us whenever you need us, and connect with everyone who might be willing to get involved and help out.
Be active
Clear your head with a walk, run, cycle or swim – solo or with friends.
Keep learning
Fundraising is a great way to try new things and to discover talents you didn’t know you had.
Your complete guide to fundraising
Useful fundraising resources
JustGiving
An online giving page is essential to help your fundraising. With JustGiving it’s easy to make your fundraising page, with a ready-made introduction for you to use.
www.justgiving.com/shaftesburygroup
GivePenny
An online resource that allows you to link your fundraising efforts to Twitch, Spotify, Strava and more for fun activities to keep your donors informed and inspired.
givepenny.com/charity/shaftesburygroup
Everyone is on Facebook, so why not use it to fundraise? Create an online fundraising page directly on Facebook, making sharing with others as easy as clicking a button.
Eventbrite
Use this amazing resource when organising an event. Set up a page, and your event will run easier than ever. Keep your attendees up-to-date and get online ticket purchase.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/l/charities
* When you get in touch about your challenge event the team will share a pack of info including images, and text to help you share your event with your contacts.
10 tips for social media
In our modern day and age, social media is an invaluable fundraising resource.
But how do you make best use of this tool?
Share regularly
Sharing on social isn’t a one-off thing. You need to do it regularly. Hit a training milestone? Share. Reached 50% of your fundraising target? Share. Also, remember to always include a link to your online fundraising page.
Upload photos
Try to always include a photo when you post. This will help your post to pop and encourage engagement. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy, a simple training picture/video is ideal.
Add a link in your bio
Make it as easy as possible for people to find and support your fundraising. One way to make it simple is by adding the link to your online fundraising page to your socials, like your Facebook and Instagram bios.
Use hashtags
Everyone loves a good hashtag! This will allow your fundraising to reach people you may not know directly but can donate to your fundraising efforts. For some ideas go to best-hashtags.com/hashtag/fundraiser/
Ask your friends/family
Similarly, ask those who are close to you to share. Not only will it act as a reminder to mutual friends, it will reach people you may know, but not be connected to online.
Add a video
Videos have been shown to have much better engagement than pictures. Why not show a video of you training, or something light-hearted? This will give people a better feel of your personality and encourage engagement.
Your complete guide to fundraising
Update your profile and cover photo
While people look at posts, the picture they see the most is your profile and cover picture. It can serve as a consistent reminder to people about the amazing challenge you are doing (and for them to donate!)
Remember LinkedIn
LinkedIn is often overlooked when it comes to fundraising. There might be people in your professional network who you can share your fundraising efforts with, who aren’t connected to your other channels,
Update your stories
Make sure you’re using the Stories feature on channels like Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. This temporary feature is very popular, and lots of people spend just as much time scrolling through stories as looking at their news feed.
Thank your supporters
Gratitude towards those who are supporting you is vital, and social media is a great way to do it. Update your status, give a shout-out to your most recent supporters, and don’t forget to tag them to help increase your reach.
Inspirational #teamShaftesbury stories
The father-son duo
Running events –
£4,000+ raised
Five-year-old Jenson, a student at Shaftesbury Victoria Education Centre, ran 1km and raised an amazing £2,000. This in turn inspired his dad to run the London Marathon – raising an additional £2,000+. Dad Matt Sutton, inspired by his brave son, took this epic run on, his toughest running challenge yet.
Supported by his wife and family he was able to raise over £2,000 for Shaftesbury. This amazing story demonstrates how one act of kindness can ripple further.
Ian
Virtual 1,000-mile cycle –
£2,511 raised
Bury St Edmunds resident Ian Payne suffered a brain injury in 2015. This resulted in him having to utilise a specially adapted therapy bike – but Ian refused to let it slow him down. He set off on a virtual 1000-mile cycle, covering 20 miles each week. Ian hit both his 1000-mile target and his £2,500 fundraising target.
5 tips for workplace fundraising
Ask about matching donations
Lots of companies offer fund-matched donations when their employees fundraise. Why not see if your is one of them?
2 3 4 5
Fundraise in your lunch break
Fundraising during your break is a great way to ensure your colleagues can make it and there are plenty of ways to make it fun!
Use corporate letter
If a Shaftesbury headed letter would be useful for your fundraising endeavours, contact us to get a template to make it easier.
Check your company policy book
Make sure to check your organisation’s policies or staff handbook to ensure that you are following your company’s guidelines when fundraising.
Get your boss involved
Getting your boss to join in can be a fantastic morale boost for your fundraising and encourage participation from others.
A corporate partnership
A corporate supporter organised a 5-a-side charity football tournament, with an evening ‘network and auction’ event in support of Shaftesbury. The money raised was used to equip a new sensory immersion room for young people with disabilities at Shaftesbury Nash College in Bromley.
Gift Aid is an easy way of making your donations go further for Shaftesbury by claiming back the tax. For every pound donated, HMRC will give an extra 25p.
This means that if you donate £100, we can claim an additional £25, making your donation worth £125 (as long as donations are eligible for Gift Aid).
JustGiving and other fundraising platforms will prompt your supporters to allow their donations to be used for Gift Aid. For donations given outside your fundraising page, supporters who meet the criteria for Gift Aid simply need to put in their full name and address on a sponsorship form and tick the Gift Aid box.
Gift aid can be claimed by anyone who is a UK taxpayer and pays enough tax at least equal to the amount of Gift Aid claimed back on all donations made within the tax year. You can find all you need to know about Gift Aid by visiting www.gov.uk/donating-to-charity/gift-aid
For donations to be eligible for Gift Aid supporters need to:
• Write their full name: to claim Gift Aid, the form cannot be in a joint name (eg Mr and Mrs) and must clearly show the sponsor’s full name.
• Fill in their home address: sponsors should not write down their work address as HMRC requires a residential address to claim Gift Aid.
• Ensure they are giving a singular voluntary donation: Gift Aid can only be claimed on donations and not for buying things like a raffle ticket. Gift Aid cannot be applied on group donations or funds raised collectively.
• Declare their consent to Gift Aid: if supporters have read the declaration and are happy to include Gift Aid, they must either tick a box present on the form or sign the declaration.
Gift Aid declaration form
If you are a UK taxpayer, you can boost your donations to Shaftesbury by 25p for every £1 gifted by completing this form, at no extra cost to you!
Yes, I am a UK taxpayer and I would like any donation I make in the future and have made in the past 4 years to be treated as Gift Aid donations to support Shaftesbury, until I notify you otherwise.
I understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that tax year it is my responsibility to pay any difference.
Please let us know if your name, address or tax circumstances change so we can amend our records via email at supporterservices@shaftesburygroup.org or call us on 020 7452 2121.
No, I am not a UK taxpayer and regret I am unable to help in this way.
Full name:
Address:
Date: Signature:
Postcode:
In future we’d love to keep you informed of the work Shaftesbury does supporting disabled and vulnerable people across the UK. Please allow us to keep in touch:
Yes, I’m happy to receive emails
Email address:
Yes, I’m happy to receive text messages
Yes, I’m happy to receive telephone calls
Mobile number:
Sorry, I don’t want to receive mail in the post
Thank you so much for your support!
Please return this form via email to: supporterservices@shaftesburygroup.org or; using the Freepost envelope enclosed.
You don’t need a stamp but if you’d like to add one that will save Shaftesbury the postage cost.
Please let us know if your circumstances change by contacting our Supporter Services Team at supporterservices@shaftesburygroup.org or; call us on 020 7452 2121.
We’ll never sell or swap your data with any third party – see our privacy policy: shaftesburygroup.org/privacy
Keeping your activity safe, legal and fun
We
can help you with the more routine parts of organising your event, so you can focus on having fun with your fundraising.
Permission
Make sure that you get permission from your venue before starting to plan your event. If you are planning on using a public space, check with your local authority as you may need a licence.
First Aid
Depending on the size of your event, you may only need a qualified First Aider but for bigger events, you may want to get in touch with St John’s Ambulance or the Red Cross. Do get in touch with us if you need more advice on this.
Insurance
If your event involves the public, then you need to consider insurance (Shaftesbury’s insurance does not cover your event). Always check that your venue has public liability insurance. If they don’t, then get in touch with our Fundraising Team for advice on other options.
Food fundraising
Using food as your fundraiser? Then check the Food Standards Agency website for advice on preparing, handling, storing and cooking food at www.food.gov.uk
Data protection
Any information you collect about people, for your event, must be kept securely. As a rule of thumb, you shouldn’t ask for more information than you need or keep it for longer than you need to. For more advice, please get in touch with our Fundraising team.
Paying in your money
So you’ve done all the preparation and planning, held your activity – and raised lots of money. Well done!
Phone:
Call us on 020 7452 2121 if you would like to pay by credit or debit card.
Cheque:
Please send any cheques made out to Shaftesbury to: Shaftesbury North East, Coburg House, 1 Coburg Street, Gateshead, NE8 1NS.
Bank Transfer:
Metro Bank Account: Shaftesbury Fundraising
Sort code: 23-05-80 Account number: 33630034
Reference: your name/name of the event
If you have been given a fundraising ID, please include this with your payment. If you are unable to pay by these methods, please get in touch with our Fundraising Team.
Need a few words about Shaftesbury?
If you need a few sentences to describe who Shaftesbury are and what we do to those interested in your fundraising, the following should help you draft thank yous, social media posts and more.
Donor thank you
Thank you so much for donating to my fundraiser! The gift you provided supports people with disabilities and allows them to thrive. Shaftesbury is the disability charity that’s committed to enabling children, young people and adults to live a life that adds up for them.
£30 £50
could buy multi-sensory textured balls
£150 £400
could pay for an extra staff member to support a 4-hour trip can buy an iPad to support students learning at Shaftesbury Millie College could buy a goat for students to nurture for as part of their animal care
Social media post
1
Excited to be joining #TeamShaftesbury at X {event name}. The road will be long and tiring but I plan to make it to the finish line! Support me: {justgiving link}
Social media post
2
Ready, get set, go! Help me reach my fundraising target of X{£}. Together we can make a difference to the lives of people with disabilities. Donate: X {justgiving link}
Useful resources
Contact our team for further resources including:
• Press release template
• A poster template
• Our logo
Thank you
Thank you for your amazing decision to join #TeamShaftesbury. Your support will have an immeasurable impact on people with disabilities.
If you have any questions, please contact us:
Email: events@shaftesburygroup.org
Tel: 020 7452 2110
Share your story
Please remember to share your story and photos from your fundraising – we may feature it on our blog or social media, to inspire others.
Send your story and photos to: shareyourstory@shaftesburygroup.org
Other ways to support the great work of Shaftesbury
To support with a regular gift or donate please call us on 020 7452 2121 or visit shaftesburygroup.org/donate
Leave a gift in your Will. Call us on 020 7452 2121 or visit www.shaftesburygroup.org/giftsinwills
To give in memory of a friend or loved one, or to set up a tribute fund please call us on 020 742 2121 or visit www.shaftesburygroup.org/inmemory
Email: info@shaftesburygroup.org
www.shaftesburygroup.org
Shaftesbury is the operating name of Livability which is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee in England and Wales. Charity No: 1116530 and Company No: 5967087.
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