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.
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.
Read moreSt 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.
Read moreThe 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…
Read moreStreetDoctors: 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.
Read moreCancer 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.
Read moreDEBRA’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.
Read moreThe 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.
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.
Read moreAdvantage 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.
Read moreSaint Demetrios: Greek festival
by SOFII
Each year St Demetrios Greek Orthodox church in Seattle, USA traditional festival is run entirely by volunteers - including some excellent fundraising.
Read moreHP-HF: the ‘yellow coins’ project, collected by children for children
by SOFII
‘The yellow coins’ moneybox was a success from the beginning and has become an annual event. In 2011, the project raised €2.8 million (over £2.2 million and over $3.6 million).
Read moreHandicap International: the Christmas tree bag
by SOFII
A Christmas product that aims to get into six million homes to help disabled children.
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