Magazine - Fundraising

By Dan Hughes in Training on 18th Aug 2006 16:00

You would be hard pushed to find a sports club that would not benefit from an extra cash injection for machinery, equipment, and projects. So, when the grants have been spent and the kitty is left bare what options are there for clubs to gain further funding?

Every club has assets, it is a good start to sit down and have a brainstorm and informal discussion about the club's options, facilities, and possible support before deciding to fundraise. Assets can be land, members & families, celebrity connections, equipment, supportive local businesses etc. Discuss these ideas with other people, and form a "fundraising committee". This can be made up of members, patrons, parents, groundsmen and officials. Ideally it should include at least one of the Officers of the organisation - i.e. the Chair/ President, Treasurer or Secretary.

The following questions should then be addressed:-

· What are we fundraising for?
· Is it a one off project or ongoing?
· How much do we need to raise?
· Is it going to cost us any money?
· Where, when and how are we going to do it?
· Who can we work in partnership with?
· Are we competing with anyone else?

These questions must be fully answered and understood for the fundraising effort to be a success. The answers will provide the basis of a Fundraising Plan. Plans can comprise of a simple page outline or a detailed report dependent on the level and complexity of the funding required. The plan must include an appropriate budget of the total costs of the fundraising effort and an accurate indication of the level of funds being sought.

Fundraising, in whatever form, can be a resource intensive activity. As most clubs and societies are small and have limited numbers of people it is important to spread the workload amongst the membership and volunteers where possible. Often a good way to involve new members in the activities of the club or society is through participation in the fundraising efforts. For larger clubs and societies with sufficient numbers of members, it is sensible to form a Fundraising Sub-Committee of the main Management Committee. This committee is then delegated to lead on the fundraising efforts of the organisation. The size of this sub-committee is largely dependent on the nature of the fundraising activities. It is also important to remember that the work of the sub-committee is directed and controlled by the Management Committee, as they are the body that is ultimately responsible for the appropriate governance of the organisation.

Fundraising Hints

• Brainstorm a list of ideas and options
• Use the skills and talents of the people on the committee and in the club
• Spread the workload
• Budget for expenses as well as revenue
• Set goals and adhere to timelines
• Carefully estimate the amount of planning, labour time and people that will be involved
• List the resources needed, and check them against the resources available -
people, equipment, transport, facilities, and money
• Design fund raising methods that relate to your organisation and what you want to achieve
• Check all health, safety and legal responsibilities for any events e.g. safe cordon area for bonfire and firework display
• Get cracking, and make sure it is fun

There are three main types of fundraising aside from government and sports body grants, these are internal fees, sponsorship, and organised events.

Read more articles in Training, by Dan Hughes or from August 2006.