Community Fundraising. To o lkit. Your guide to doing something about it!

Transcription

1 Community Fundraising To o lkit Your guide to doing something about it!

2 Welcome! Thank you for raising funds to make a difference with Vinnies. Your support will help people experiencing disadvantage and homelessness rebuild their lives. This toolkit is packed full of advice, ideas and tips to help you plan a successful fundraising event that is fun for everyone. For additional information, inspiration or guidance with your fundraising, contact our Community Fundraising Coordinator at (02) or events@vinnies.org.au Connect with us Facebook.com/VinniesNSW Instagram.com/VinniesNSW Twitter.com/VinniesNSW Youtube.com/VinniesAU

3 We need your help One in every 200 people in Australia doesn t have a place to call home. Here in NSW your help is needed more than ever; our state has the highest number of people experiencing homelessness nationwide. We are determined to change this reality. The St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies) is a community-based charity committed to actively addressing the causes of homelessness, poverty and inequality on behalf of the people we serve. Last year, with the help of our supporters, Vinnies assisted nearly 300,000 people in times of crisis. We offer a hand up by helping people rebuild their lives on their own terms. At a local level we visit families in their homes providing face-to-face practical assistance to get them back on their feet. We also offer support services that focus on early intervention and prevention, providing crisis accommodation, case management, life skills, education and training to assist people transition out of crisis and break the cycle of homelessness and disadvantage. Each year, thousands of community members generously donate their time and passion for events, volunteering and home visits. Thank you for supporting us. By raising funds with Vinnies you are making a real difference to our mission to help rebuild lives from the ground up. 3

4 You can make a real difference Last year I didn t even want to be here. Now I m dreaming about my future. Sally, 21 4

5 You have the power to shape awareness and inspire action in your own community. $75 provides a course in life skills: cooking, preparing for a job interview or basic computer skills $30 provides a bed for someone in need of crisis accommodation for the night $100 provides one week s accommodation for women escaping domestic violence $200 enables a group of children to take part in school holiday programs $1,000 prevents a family from being evicted from their home 5

6 Get inspired JOIN ONE OF OUR VINNIES EVENTS OR BRING YOUR OWN IDEA TO LIFE. VINNIES COMMUNITY OR SCHOOL SLEEPOUTS At Vinnies Sleepouts communities and students get a glimpse of the realities of homelessness on a personal level by sleeping rough for one night. Raise awareness and funds and help us secure affordable housing for everyone. FITNESS CHALLENGES Whether fitness is your thing or you cross the finish line in fancy dress, make a difference with your next run, walk, bike, swim or relay by fundraising to break the cycle of homelessness. Join Vinnies for events like the City2Surf fun run in Sydney and dedicate your gold medal moment to making a difference. IN CELEBRATION OR IN MEMORY There is no greater way of celebrating a special occasion or honouring a loved one than by making a difference for others. You can request donations to Vinnies instead of gifts for a birthday, wedding or anniversary or in lieu of flowers in memory of a loved one. PERSONAL CHALLENGES Challenge yourself to do something tough (quitting sugar, walking every day) or something wacky (dye your hair, fancy dress) to make a difference for people doing it tough while having some fun and accomplishing a goal for yourself. HAVE YOUR OWN IDEA? From BBQs to bake sales and everything in between, get creative and fundraise your own way. Why not consider a dinner party, fashion parade, auction, raffle or sporting event? Fundraising is a great way to get your community together to have fun and make a difference for people trying to get back on their feet. 6

7 You don t realise how much you appreciate having a home until you haven t got one. Phillip, 58 Do something about it 7

8 1O steps to a perfect fundraiser CHOOSE YOUR FUNDRAISING EVENT What type of activity interests you most? Why are you fundraising for Vinnies? When is the best time and date? Where is a good location with the right facilities? Who do you need to involve to help with planning, participating and sponsorship? How will it all come together? 1 4 COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION FORM & WAIT FOR APPROVAL Read through this Fundraising Toolkit to understand your responsibilities as a fundraiser for Vinnies. Download and complete our Fundraiser Application Form and send it to Vinnies so we can review your activity. Please do not start fundraising or publicising your event until you receive Vinnies approval and an Authority to Fundraise letter. 2 CREATE YOUR ONLINE FUNDRAISING PAGE Create your own online fundraising page at vinniesnsw.gofundraise. com.au. This is an easy way to get the word out, raise awareness and collect donations all online. The website does half the work for you! Download our Online Fundraising Instructions and Tips to get started. 3 PLAN YOUR FUNDRAISER Create a simple event plan covering the tasks that need to be completed, when and by whom. Download our Organisers Checklist for a Successful Fundraiser to help you out. 5 SPREAD THE WORD Tell everyone you know what you re doing and ask them to spread the word to their networks. Post on your social networks and local event listings and contact local businesses, schools, parishes, work connections and local news outlets for support. Anyone can donate and worthy news travels fast. 6 SEEK SPONSORSHIP JUST ASK Most people give to charity simply because they are asked. The more you ask the more you receive donated cash, prizes and venues ensure a successful event and keep your costs low. Acknowledge significant sponsors through logo and/or verbal profiling at your event and keep track of donations and expenses using our downloadable forms. 8

9 7 MAXIMISE YOUR FUNDRAISING Make it fun and easy to donate by having a variety of opportunities both financial and material to give. Online fundraising create your online fundraising page to collect donations quickly and easily. Tax deductions tell your supporters that donations over $2 are tax deductable. Collection boxes collect entrance donations or ask local businesses to host your collection boxes pre-event to kick off your fundraising. Matched giving ask your employer to dollar-match what you raise. Cost sponsorship ask businesses to cover specific event costs or donate event items. Activities make your event fun by organising activities, a raffle, stalls or food, all in exchange for specific note donations. Material donations - you can also provide an event area to donate, swap or buy unwanted material items or contribute new items for hampers. Download our Top 10 Fundraising Tips for more success. 8 HOST YOUR EVENT It s time for your fundraising event! Focus on why you re hosting this event and how participants will be making a difference through their attendance and donations. Most importantly, have fun! If everyone s having a good time, it s easier to raise more funds and make an even bigger difference. 9 SAY THANK YOU Fundraising is a community effort, so thank everyone who supported you in any way and share outcomes, photos and memorable moments. Complete our feedback survey at bit.ly/ vinniesfeedbacksurvey and send photos to Vinnies so we can share your incredible contributions. DEPOSIT YOUR DONATIONS Please send your donations and financial forms to Vinnies within 14 days of your event. Details of how to do this are outlined on page 12. 1O Congratulations! You have hosted a fantastic fundraising event and supported Vinnies in NSW to deliver vital services to the most vulnerable people in our community. 9

10 Safe and legally sound WITH SO MUCH FUN IN THE WORKS, MAKE SURE YOUR EVENT IS SAFE AND IN LINE WITH ANY LEGAL REQUIREMENTS. AUTHORITY TO FUNDRAISE Once you ve registered your fundraiser, we ll send you an Authority to Fundraise letter. It s a legal requirement to have this letter to fundraise for a registered charity. FUNDRAISING GUIDELINES Make sure your fundraiser complies with Vinnies requirements and state and local government regulations by honouring the Terms and Conditions stated on your Vinnies Fundraising Application Form. INSURANCE Your fundraiser will be covered by Vinnies insurance if you meet all of Vinnies requirements as outlined in the Vinnies fundraising application form. Note: this does not include high risk activities such as sky diving or car racing. TAX RECEIPTS All donations over $2 are tax deductible. Download our Guidelines for Issuing Tax Deductible Receipts to understand how this works. LICENSES, PERMITS & PERMISSIONS Some activities like raffles or alcohol sales require a licence or permit in NSW. Check if you need one with the State Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing at If you re fundraising in a public place, make sure you have permission from the property owner or local council. HEALTH AND SAFETY Check your event for any hazards and have measures in place to minimise the risk of injury. Download our Risk Registry Template to make it easy. Keep a first aid kit onsite and register your event with your local emergency services including the police station and local first aid organisation, such as St John s Ambulance. If you sell food in a public place, make sure you abide by food hygiene laws. 10

11 Spread the word YOU ARE DOING AN AMAZING THING AND YOUR FUNDRAISING EVENT DESERVES ALL THE ATTENTION IT CAN GET. CHECK OUT THESE TIPS FOR GETTING THE WORD OUT FAR AND WIDE FOR NO EXTRA COST. Send an about your fundraiser to your network of friends and family asking for a donation. You can also add your online fundraising page link in your usual signature. Download our message and signature to get started. SOCIAL MEDIA If you re on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn or any other platform, add your fundraising page link on your profile. Post regular pictures and updates about your progress and ask for donations. LOCAL PRESS Local papers and radio stations are always looking for feel good stories so why not ask your local media to cover your fundraiser? Download our Media Guide and remember to give plenty of notice. If a journalist asks you for any specific information about Vinnies NSW, please refer them directly to us. PHOTOS AND VIDEOS Your fundraising activities can be an inspiration to others. Take lots of photos and video to share on your social networks and send us a copy to share too. your files to events@vinnies.org.au with a completed Photographic Image Approval Form downloaded from our website. POSTERS AND FLYERS Print posters and flyers and take them around to local businesses, your school, club and workplace and ask for them to be displayed. Download our free promotional materials to get started. 11

12 The final touches Thank you for your incredible fundraising efforts to change lives for people experiencing homelessness. Please send your donations and financial forms to Vinnies within 14 days of your event by using the methods below: SENDING YOUR DONATIONS TO VINNIES ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER: Bank your donations at any Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) branch using our deposit details: Account: St Vincent de Paul Society Appeals Account Account number: BSB number: Description: In the transaction description please include your surname followed by CF e.g. SmithCF remittance advice + description to events@vinnies.org.au. ONLINE DONATIONS: Any donations made on your online fundraising page go directly to Vinnies. You can deposit any cash donations by using your credit card on your fundraising page. CHEQUES AND MONEY ORDERS: Mail a cheque or money order, payable to St Vincent de Paul Society NSW, to PO Box 5, Petersham NSW 2049, Attn: Community Fundraising Coordinator. 12

13 IN PERSON: If you live in Sydney, you can stop by our office to drop off donations, forms and fundraising materials. We d love to meet you! Our street address is 2C West St, Lewisham SEND US YOUR FINANCIAL FORMS: Please complete and scan your Expenses Tracking Form, Donations Receipt Form and Fundraising Outcomes Summary to events@vinnies. org.au or post them to PO Box 5, Petersham NSW 2049, Attn: Community Fundraising Coordinator. You can download each of these forms from our website. RETURN MATERIALS TO VINNIES: Return any receipt books, unused pamphlets, banners or collection boxes to Vinnies by mail or in person. SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK We can t wait to hear about your exciting fundraiser. Share your best moments and learnings by completing our online survey at bit.ly/vinniesfeedbacksurvey. Send us your photos and videos along with completed Photographic Image Approval Forms so we can celebrate your contribution. SAY THANKS Be sure to thank all your supporters and remind them what a big impact their generosity has had for people doing it tough. STAY IN TOUCH Don t let the inspiration stop here, keep in touch with Vinnies on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. 13

14 Youth homelessness: Paige s story When most kids were getting ready for the HSC, Paige was fending for herself on the streets. At just 15, Paige found herself totally alone. Her mother had passed away, her stepmother was abusive and she had very little support at school or elsewhere. Paige spent years couch-surfing, sleeping rough and relying on the kindness of friends. Now, thanks to Vinnies, Paige is studying, has found employment and is feeling like herself again. Thank you for helping me build my life again. I just needed that support which I ve never had. Vinnies has saved my life. Paige Family homelessness: Sarah s story After being trapped in a violent relationship for years, Sarah drove away from everything in the middle of the night seeking a better life for her kids. But Sarah and her children were homeless and forced to seek refuge in her car. Finally, Sarah connected with Vinnies. Vinnies helped find Sarah a home, food, clothes and school supplies for her children. Emotionally, Vinnies supported her every step of the way and helped Sarah break out of the abuse cycle. Sarah has been transformed into an ambitious mother, who is currently studying at university and volunteering at her son s school. Even her children can sense her newfound happiness. There was so much violence. It got to the point where I felt like I would die if I stayed. Sarah 14

15 Sleeping rough: Victor s story Victor came to Australia as a young man, leaving his family, friends, and even his qualifications. He worked hard for many years, but after suffering a stroke his health deteriorated, he lost his job and was unable to access employment benefits. Despite Victor s determination and resilience, he found himself on the street. When Victor came to Vinnies Matthew Talbot Hostel, he found a safe haven. Through Vinnies and the help of his caseworker, Victor secured a place to call home and was able to access employment benefits, life skills courses and extra medical support. I think I d still be on the streets if it weren t for Vinnies. I am very lucky. Victor Facts about homelessness The leading causes of homelessness in Australia include domestic and family violence, financial difficulties and housing crisis. 105,237 people in Australia are experiencing homelessness. Over 402 children under 10 years old are sleeping rough across Australia. 27% of Australia s homeless population are under 18 and many are estranged from their families. Aboriginal Australians are 15 times more likely than non-indigenous Australians to be sleeping rough. Poverty is growing in Australia; 13.9% of people live below the poverty line. 1 in 6 people are turned away from Australian homelessness services due to lack of resources. The experience of homelessness can trigger and exacerbate mental illness. In NSW people can wait 10 years to be approved for social housing. Women, children and older persons are more likely to experience poverty than other age and gender groups in Australia. 15

16 On behalf of the thousands of men, women and children who turn to the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW for assistance every day, we extend our most sincere thanks to you and your supporters for fundraising for Vinnies. You have made a real difference for people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage in your local community. Contact us Community Fundraising Coordinator Telephone events@vinnies.org.au Connect with us Facebook.com/VinniesNSW Instagram.com/VinniesNSW Twitter.com/VinniesNSW Youtube.com/VinniesAU