Fundraising ideas for your gap year

There are so many ways that you can raise the money you need – so don’t let money get in your way. Just have a good think about what you can do, and you’ll be coming up with great suggestions in no time. Why not have a brainstorming session with your friends? They’re bound to think up some embarrassing scenarios to put you through, and then they’ll have to sponsor you through them!

The skills you learn from fundraising will be something to talk about and impress employers with on your CV. Nobody is saying it will be easy, but you will definitely learn a lot from it. Some people will find it easier than others to raise money – a lot depends on where you live and the amount of funds in that area. This fundraising section is loaded with advice and help to get you on your way.

A fundraising plan of action

• Set your fundraising target
• Come up with a plan to achieve it
• Set yourself a schedule
• Carry out one fundraising idea at a time
• Put lots of effort into promoting your events & ideas – media, posters, emails
• Treat your fundraising as a business
• Be convinced that you can make it – and you will!

Top tips for fundraising success

• Focus on the things you are good at and make the most of your skills – running, dancing, silliness, swimming, eating etc.
• Keep it fun – only do things that you enjoy
• Leave plenty of time – don’t get caught short of your target
• Be thorough and professional – even wacky ideas need to be well organised
• Be enthusiastic & positive
• Get everybody involved – the more people who know about it, the more money you’ll raise
• Think about the contacts you have & how you can make use of them (does your Dad’s company have any products they would donate to you for auctions/raffle prizes)
• You may have to hand over some money to set up certain schemes, but don’t do anything that seems expensive. Always think how you can get around paying out money – if you are hosting an event in a pub talk them out of charging you a fee – think of the money they will make on the bar.
• Keep it personal – your passion & drive will convince people
• Be prepared to use several different approaches
• Ask Mum & Dad if they would consider matching your fundraising. You’ll be surprised – if they see you putting lots of effort in, they may well be up for backing you up and rewarding your efforts.
• Ask your employer if they would match your funds raised, in exchange for some publicity

Fundraising ideas

Whatever your idea, one of the keys to success is to make sure you publicise it. If people don’t know about it, it is less likely to be successful. Get in touch with your local newspaper or radio station. If you are raising money for a good cause, they are likely to be interested in your story.

• Think about what you love doing, or are good at, and think about how you could make money with it.
• Think of any entrepreneurial activity you could do – wash cars, make cakes & biscuits for a stall or sell them at work, do gardening, walk dogs, go busking, cater & wash up at dinner parties.
• Organise a 'bring and buy' sale at school and take either all, or a percentage of the profits towards your good cause. Nominate another charity to receive funds as well if it will persuade your school to back the idea.
• Run a sponsored marathon, or half marathon, or do a sponsored cycle or skydive.
• Grow plants from seeds or cuttings, and sell them on a stall or to family & friends
• Host a dinner party for your friends or family and sell them tickets.
• Give something up for a month! Does everyone who knows you know how much you love chocolate? Then prove your commitment and give it up and get sponsored for it. You'll not only raise money, you'll also save money on all the chocolate you're not buying!
• Do a bag pack at your local supermarket – take a bucket for people to throw money into.
• Organise a sponsored anything, the wackier the better. Sit in a bath of beans (make sure you get your local shop to donate the beans!), shave your hair off (for a good cause!!), cross dress or dress in costume for the day.
• Organise an event and set an entrance fee. Make people aware that the entrance fee is going towards your travel funds. Be aware that events cost money to organise - you can avoid letting costs rise too high with lots of planning in advance. Try a quiz night in the pub, a dance for your friends, a school reunion. Make sure you get the necessary licences to host events like this.
• Local businesses may donate goods that could be auctioned off or awarded as raffle prizes
• Organise an event where you can make food cheaply and sell it for a great profit. Bake cakes and make drinks at an afternoon tea party in your garden, make a batch of burgers cheaply then host a bbq and sell them for £3 a burger.
• Ask friends and family to sponsor 1 day of your expedition
• Ask for travel items or sponsorship for Christmas and Birthday presents
• Design a Christmas card and sell them at school or work

Whatever your plans, you should check whether you need official permission or a licence. You may well need a licence if you are collecting on the street, and Health & Safety Legislation will apply if you are organising a public event.