Events
Charity events are as varied and colourful as fundraising itself. They’re only limited by the imaginations of their organisers and their capacity to make things happen against all odds. But in many markets the costs of running events are rising and competition for donors' interest and participation is fierce, not to mention competition for their funds. In this section you will find details of some of the world’s most original and effective events.
Alzheimer’s Society Memory Walk campaign
by Katie Simmons
With a DRTV ad to make you cry, the Alzheimer’s Society in the UK used emotions to great effect in this celebrated campaign.
Read moreBritish Heart Foundation: MyMarathon
by Emily Roff
Making great use of digital technology, the British Heart Foundation created a trail-blazing virtual event, as showcased at IWITOT (I Wish I’d Thought of That) 2019, SOFII’s showcase event.
Read moreKent Scouts Big Cardboard Sleep Out for Porchlight 2018
by Rachel van Hoven
Making excellent use of digital and online technologies and with a motivated and engaged local community, Porchlight, a homelessness charity in Kent, England, succeeded in holding their biggest event ever.
Read moreFrom IWITOT 2019: Stand Up 2 Cancer 2018’s hilarious donation rewards menu
by Andy McSorley
A treat from I Wish I’d Thought of That (IWITOT) 2019: Andy McSorely of Home Fundraising celebrates an irreverent and hilarious campaign that rewarded donors who gave up their hard-earned money.
Read moreBible Society: The Greatest Journey - Christmas Appeal
by Carol Akiwumi
By providing free resources Bible Society made it easy for supporters to stage their own nativity plays. This in turn ensured supporters could raise more donations with limited cost to themselves.
Read moreShine: virtual balloon races
by John Grain
What do you do if your well-established fundraising strategy is having a negative impact on the environment, even if it’s popular? Shine, a small charity, made the smart and innovative decision to take their balloon races online – with spectacular results.
Read moreSnowdogs: Tails in Wales Trail
by Joe Burnett
This superbly interactive campaign made a lasting impact by helping raise significant funds for Welsh children's hospice Tŷ Hafan but also by engaging the local community of South Wales in a fun and interactive programme.
KiKa's story: how a small charity gained success through donor engagement
by Joe Burnett
A small Dutch charity shows the way in event fundraising and donor relations.
Read moreRoundabout's Sleep out
by Harry Owens
Speaking at IWITOT 2018, Harry Owens of the Sepsis Trust shared his experiences of sleeping rough for a night as part of a challenge fundraising event to combat homelessness, and the insight he got into homeless youth support charity Roundabout's crucial work and the very real challenges faced by their beneficiaries.
Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners
by Emily Collins-Ellis
A grassroots campaign by queer activists to support embattled striking miners in 1980s UK provides a blueprint for how apparently incompatible organisations can come together to effect real change.
Santa Dashes aplenty as the festive season approaches
by Joe Burnett
The Santa Dash is fun and colourful event that has spread across the UK and around the globe and raised money for a huge number of charities.
Marie Curie and Yorkshire Building Society – The Hour of Need
by SOFII
Find out about the amazing work Marie Curie in the UK achieved through their partnership with the Yorkshire Building Society. They smashed their fundraising target, involved themselves at every level of YBS’ structure and reached deep into local communities. An inspiration.
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