Fundraise in Your Community

Have a birthday or big celebration coming up? An aunt or uncle who always sends you socks for Christmas? Instead of presents, ask your loved ones to support you by donating instead. This works great for birthdays, Christmas, baby showers and weddings. Even if you don’t have anything coming up, your loved ones can donate and know they’re off the hook for the next holiday! (And it means you won’t get another pair of reindeer socks in the post!)

Eager to dive into the great ‘scone’ pronunciation debate? Why not host an afternoon tea? Whether it’s at the office, at home or a nearby café, we’re a nation that loves tea, so your gathering is bound to be a hit.

Ask friends and colleagues to ‘donate an hour to charity’. The concept is simple: they donate an hour’s wages to support you. This makes the concept of donating much more tangible, as you can assign an hour (for example, 3pm on a Wednesday) when everyone who is participating is doing it collectively for charity, making everyone really feels that they are doing something to support the cause.

​​Got a well-stocked record collection you’re ready to part with for a good cause? Or maybe you can source some prized sports memorabilia? Hosting an auction could be the perfect charity fundraising event for you. For a more laid-back approach, consider auctioning off your talents. Could a night of serving your friends help you raise money? You could even ask local businesses to donate items and raise extra funds.​

If you know your way around a kitchen, why not whip up some cakes or biscuits that can be sold at work, school or a gathering at home? Many colleagues wouldn’t think twice about going to a café and spending a few quid on a snack, so why not bring the café to them! You can even give a coloured ribbon to everyone that buys something, so those without a ribbon will be wondering how they can get one.

Convince your boss to let others bid for the chance to be in their shoes for the day. The highest bidder could get to park in their spot, sit in their seat or even take charge of team meetings for the day.

Hosting a coffee (or tea!) morning is a fantastic way to fundraise, as a hot brew forms an essential part of many people’s lives, and collecting donations is much easier when you’re offering something people already love! If you’re planning to host outside of the workplace, consider partnering with your local book club, or team up with a friend who’s running a bake sale – they can handle the cakes while you handle the percolation!

A dinner party is a versatile fundraising event that can be hosted year-round, either as a standalone affair or in conjunction with other events.

To maximise its appeal, consider picking a theme. You might focus on the origins of the food you serve or start with a theme and select dishes that fit, such as a menu inspired by your favourite film.

Timing is also key: If you’re hosting in January, why not throw a healthy food dinner party to attract those aiming to stick to their New Year’s resolutions? 

Fancy ​dress is a fun​ and effective way to raise money all year round. If you’re in charge at work, consider having your team come in costume and ask for a small donation to participate. If you’re skilled with a sewing machine, you could even make and sell your own costumes to raise funds. For an extra twist, let your colleagues vote on the costume you have to wear for the day. They can pay a fee to cast their votes​, raising vital funds to support the local community​​ and building team spirit along the way.

Ask friends and family to sponsor you to encourage you to go booze-free for a whole month (or more). You can even help your own fundraising efforts by donating the money you would have spent at the pub to your own fundraising and ask your friends to do the same! For every round they buy, ask them to donate £5 to your fundraising page instead of buying you a drink. 

Instead of spending loads of money out on the town with friends, invite friends around and ask them to instead donate the money they would have spent going out. You can do this as just informal drinks, or go all out and host a cocktail party, dinner party or​ games night​. 

Gather your friends for an unforgettable day (or evening). The first step is finding a date that works for everyone, so start checking availability now. Once you’ve locked in the date, it’s time to plan the fun! Whether it’s cocktails and canapés or a whimsical Mad Hatter’s tea party, choose an activity that you know your guests will love. The possibilities are endless, so get creative and make it a day to remember! 

Whether you’re fundraising at work or outside of it, be sure to ask your employer about matched giving. Many of our fundraisers have doubled their impact thanks to employer contributions, which companies can tie into their ESG targets, so don’t be shy about making the request – it could make a big difference!

The pub, village hall,​​ sports centre or even ​your local park​​ can all be great spots for hosting a quiz night. Choose the venue that works best for you and start crafting those questions.

Will your quiz mix it up with different themed rounds, or focus on a specific band, film or book? As the host, you’ll run the show while guests pay to play. It’s a simple setup… but don’t expect the questions to be easy!

Doing a challenge event is a great way to bring in donations from friends and family who want to cheer you on. Whether it’s the London Marathon, Three Peaks Challenge or an event you’re organising yourself, showing your commitment to fundraising but setting a challenge is a great way to get others involved.

>Click to view our organised challenge events