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.

Two days in Dublin: fundraising inspiration in Ireland’s capital – part two

by Joe Burnett

In this report we look at two sessions from Australia-based data and dm expert Sean Triner on mid-level donors and legacies and governance guru Simone Joyaux’s rallying cry for creating extraordinary experiences.

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SOFII stars: a selection of fantastic events from around the world

by Joe Burnett

Here are links to 12 fundraising events that raised money in innovative and exciting ways, from huge viral campaigns to small but successful projects that exceeded expectations and transformed people’s lives.

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CEO Sleepout: business leaders sleep rough for Girls and Boys Town

by SOFII

One night of discomfort is a very small price to pay for helping to raise awareness and vital funds to support homelessness. The CEO Sleepout encourages influential members of the business community to move outside of their comfort zone and spend a night in the shoes of a rough sleeper.

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NSPCC: Legacy-themed Garden of Magical Childhood

by Claire Routley

This garden was designed to demonstrate how gifts in supporters’ wills supported the NSPCC’s work. It is a beautiful and unique way to  take visitors on a special journey through history.

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St Michael’s Foundation: the Final Piece campaign

by SOFII

Here is another excellent campaign from St Michael's Foundation in Toronto, Canada. Take a look at how this team of savvy fundraisers took a simple poster and re-purposed it into a successful staff event that raised much-needed funds for their latest capital appeal.

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The Foundling Hospital appeal, 1728-1745

by Tobin Aldrich

Another opportunity to be inspired by fundraisers of the past. Raffles, art gallery events and benefit concerts are common ways to raise money today. But when Thomas Coram was fundraising for the Foundling Hospital in Georgian London he employed all these methods. In fact, some might say he invented them…

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StreetDoctors: helping victims of crime

by SOFII

When two young medical students were talking to a group of 11 to 16 year olds they were shocked to learn that either the youngsters, or someone they knew, had been shot or stabbed. That shock led to Streetdoctors, a charity that has fundraising embedded across the entire organisation.

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Cancer Research UK’s ‘no-make-up selfie’ campaign

by SOFII

An 18 year old from Stoke in the UK is credited with dreaming up the no-make-up selfie craze that raised an amazing £1 million in the first 24 hours, mainly through text messages and social media. The craze went on to raise £8 million in a week. Cancer Research UK can now report back to their hundreds of thousands of new donors that 10 clinical trials are now in place that otherwise wouldn't exist.

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DEBRA’s epidermolysis bullosa (EB) Ireland awareness day 2014

by Craig Linton

Click here to see how DEBRA Ireland made their logo work hard for them. By telling a powerful story as well and investing a small budget they raised a lot of money, gained new supporters and raised awareness of their cause.

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The ALS (USA) ‘ice bucket’ challenge

by SOFII

You may be sick of hearing about the ice bucket challenge. You may even think it has no relevance to your own organisation. But find out the special characteristics that made it the biggest fundraising idea of 2014.

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The collection: it’s never too late to do something wonderful.

by Ken Burnett

A new fundraising experience for less-than-new fundraiser Ken Burnett: rattling a bucket on behalf of Syrian refugees. Read how he met some interesting people, raised some money and learned that truly it’s never too late to do something wonderful.

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Advantage Africa: Christmas gift wrapping offer

by SOFII

Your volunteers can be powerful donors for your cause. Advantage Africa uses the simple service of offering a Christmas gift-wrapping service in a local shopping centre that raises a substantial amount of money for their work in Kenya and Uganda. This is an idea that could be adapted to raise money all over the world.

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