Fundraising guide Everything you need to know about raising funds for R U OK?
This toolkit provides guidance and inspiration to help you and your team, workplace, school, club or community group raise funds to support the work of R U OK? You can use this toolkit any time of the year (not just in the lead up to R U OK?Day in September). In fact, the more you use it across the year, the more you ll help us create a more connected world. You can also check out more tools and resources here: ruok.org.au How many people will you inspire? Contents The story of R U OK? pg 5 Why get behind us pg 6 Why your support matters pg 8 Getting started pg 9 Helpful hints pg 11 Fundraising at events pg 12 Fundraising through physical challenges pg 14 Fundraising through business pg 16 Promoting your efforts pg 20 Important notes to consider pg 21 Managing the funds pg 23 Finalising your efforts pg 25 2 3
Our story In 1995, much-loved Barry Larkin was far from ok. His suicide left family and friends in deep grief and with endless questions. In 2009, his son Gavin Larkin OAM chose to champion just one question to honour his father and to try and protect other families from the pain his endured. Are you OK? While collaborating with Janina Nearn on a documentary to raise awareness, the team quickly realised the documentary alone wouldn t be enough. To genuinely change behaviour Australia-wide, a national campaign was needed. And from this realisation, and with Gavin and Janina s expertise and passion, R U OK? was born. Gavin remained a passionate champion of the fact a conversation could change a life, even as cancer ended his in 2011. His legacy is a national Conversation Movement that is equipping Australians with the skills and confidence to support those struggling with life. 4 5
R U OK? is working to ensure everyone feels connected and is protected from suicide We all experience life s ups and downs such as: Relationship breakdown Grief About 8 people take their lives every day in Australia 1 Sadly, for every death it s estimated 30 people will attempt suicide 2 89% of people report knowing someone who has made an attempt 3 References: 1. Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2017). Causes of Death, Australia, 2016. Catalogue No. 3303.0. Belconnen, ACT: Commonwealth of Australia. 2. Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2008). National survey of mental health and wellbeing: summary of results, 2007, cat. no. 4326.0, Canberra, ACT. 3. Sanford, R. (2016) 'The Ripple Effect: Understanding the Exposure and. Impact of Suicide in Australia'. Sydney: Suicide Prevention Australia. ISBN: 978-1-921597-70-1. Financial difficulty Losing a job These moments can really challenge us and sadly, many people feel they don t have anyone to confide in. But there is something that can help. You! R U OK? is helping you make a difference to the people in your world who are struggling with life. How do we do this? We encourage everyone to invest more time in the people around them, because when our relationships are strong we re more likely to see those signs that someone s struggling. And when you see those signs, notice changes, or just feel that something s not quite right with a friend, colleague, loved one, team mate or neighbour we want you to trust that gut instinct, reach out to them and ask R U OK? We re working to equip people with the skills and confidence to navigate a conversation when someone says, No, I m not OK. You can learn the 4 Steps to navigating a conversation here by visiting ruok.org.au/how-to-ask Learn more about our work in this video: youtu.be/r3qe6vkbgj4 1. Ask R U OK? 2. Listen 3. Encourage action 4. Check in 6 7
Why your support matters Support from fundraising ensures R U OK? has greater capacity to help friends, family, colleagues and neighbours feel more connected and protected from suicide. We do this by: encouraging regular, meaningful conversations every day of the year; providing people with guidance on how to navigate a conversation with someone who s struggling with life needs; providing people with the skills and confidence to respond appropriately if someone says, No, I m not OK ; and Getting started I ve decided I want to support R U OK? Great! You can show your support in a number of ways: a) Raise funds at your own event (work, school or community) b) Take on a physical challenge and ask your friends, family and colleagues to support you by donating to R U OK? c) Raise funds through a business promotion Head to ruok.org.au/get-involved for inspiration. ultimately help change the lives of those in crisis or those struggling with life s ups and downs. Funds raised go to: creating new campaigns and free resources to inspire conversations; expanding the campaign s reach so we re there to empower more schools, workplaces and communities; and conducting more rigorous research and evaluation to understand our impact and continually improve our campaign resources. 8 9
Helpful hints There are plenty of fun and engaging ways to raise funds for R U OK? Consider ways to fundraise that best suit you, and will inspire and engage your networks and community. Consider: What you can realistically achieve; Who will support your efforts; and Getting the OK to fundraise Before you start fundraising on our behalf, please let us know what you re planning. By notifying us and receiving the OK, it will help us find ways to support your activity, demonstrate that your efforts have been approved, and allow us the opportunity to thank you. If you re hosting an event, please register your event at ruok.org.au/events If you re embarking on a physical challenge, you can set up a personal fundraising page at ruok.org.au/join-a-fundraiser If you re considering a business promotion, please inform us prior to any activity by expressing interest at ruok.org.au/partner-with-us Ready to begin When fundraising on behalf of R U OK? it s important to understand what your responsibilities are, such as appropriate use of R U OK? s logo, managing money and record-keeping. This document helps explain these responsibilities however if you have questions, please drop us a line at hello@ruok.org.au Why R U OK? is a cause that s important to you. Your supporters are more likely to engage with your efforts if they feel a genuine connection to the cause. Examples of fundraisers are: Events morning/afternoon teas at work, gold coin donations at school or university (such as bake sales and sausage sizzles), gala nights with raffles and/or silent auctions, or dedicating a competition round to R U OK? at your local sports club. Challenges running or walking in a local fun run, committing to a marathon, adventure race, cycling trip or trek.. Businesses donating proceeds from the sale of goods, sponsorship of an R U OK? campaign or seeking donations from your staff or customers. 10 11
Fundraising at events The following guidelines are provided to help you fundraise successfully at your event. Registering your event Whether it s a morning tea at work, gold coin donation at school or a gala dinner, encouraging people to be part of your event is a great way to spread the important message of R U OK? and reach those who may be worried about someone struggling with life. Ideally your event should be registered via the R U OK? website. This makes it easier for the R U OK? team to support you. We love hearing what is happening around Australia and registering your event is a great way to let us know. Please register your event at ruok.org.au/events. R U OK? reviews all registrations for approval and can provide resources such as posters and invitation templates to help you deliver a successful event. We may contact you if we feel your event does not support our values or mission, or is considered too high risk. R U OK? reserves the right to withdraw our permission to host an event and/or fundraising authority. Authority to Fundraise Once you have registered your event, you can request an Authority to Fundraise certificate as some venues, governing bodies or council representatives may request a copy of the certificate. You can make this request by emailing hello@ruok.org.au. Event costs We appreciate you will want to make every effort to promote, decorate and add value to your event. In the interests of responsible fundraising, please try and keep event costs to under 40% of the total funds raised. For example, if your event raises $1,000, please ensure at least 60% is donated to R U OK? 12 13
Fundraising through physical challenges The following guidelines are provided to help you fundraise successfully through your physical challenge activity. Creating your own fundraising page Whether it s trekking the Kokoda Track, running the marathon you have always wanted to, or creating a new personal challenge that will inspire your friends, family and colleagues - asking people to support you and the work of R U OK? is a great way to show those in your world that we all go through life s challenges, and that we are stronger together. Promoting and seeking donations will be much easier with your own fundraising page which can be set up through our third party platform Everyday Hero. This makes it easy for your supporters to make donations that come straight to R U OK? without you needing to handle money. It also lets your supporters keep up with your training progress, stay connected and see how much has been raised in real time helping you reach your fundraising goal sooner. Creating your own fundraising page also makes it easier for the R U OK? team to support you. Please create your personal fundraising page at https://www.ruok.org.au/join-a-fundraiser R U OK? will review your page and can provide helpful fundraising tips and resources throughout your challenge. We may contact you if we feel your challenge does not support our values or mission, or is considered too high risk. R U OK? reserves the right to withdraw our permission to embark on the challenge and/or fundraising authority. Authority to Fundraise Once you have set up your own fundraising page, you will automatically receive an authority to fundraise. Costs R U OK? is unable to cover any registration or travel costs associated with your physical challenge. 14 15
Fundraising through business R U OK? appreciates the amazing support we receive from all business, large and small. R U OK? s official Major Partners and Funding Partners are organisations and foundations that contribute financially and collaboratively to R U OK? s long-term strategic campaigns. If you are an organisation or foundation, and would like to partner nationally with R U OK?, please complete the expression of interest form at ruok.org.au/partner-with-us, and we will make contact with you to discuss your interest. Alternatively, if you are a small/medium business, and you would like to support R U OK? by donating proceeds/funds to R U OK?, please note the following: Registering your interest Register your interest with us at ruok.org.au/partner-with-us Use of the R U OK? logo Once we have approved your initiative, we will send you a special logo that acknowledges your business or organisation is Proudly Supporting R U OK? The Proudly Supporting R U OK? logo has been designed specifically for organisations and groups that are fundraising, donating proceeds, or providing other identified support to R U OK? This logo may be used on your website and in social media to demonstrate your support. It s important that the logo is not altered in any way. If your organisation wishes to use the logo in printed material, such as signs or flyers, we ask that you send the artwork to us for quick approval prior to circulating. R U OK? reserves the right to decline a request to use the logo and to ask any business to cease using the logo. The R U OK? logo cannot be applied to any product (i.e. cause related marketing) without R U OK? s written agreement. If you have a cause related marketing request, please submit your request separately to hello@ruok.org.au. 16 17
Supporters Organisations that donate proceeds/funds can refer to themselves as Supporters of R U OK? Please note that the term Partner is reserved for our Major Partners and Funding Partners only. Communications Organisations that wish to donate proceeds/funds to R U OK? should be as clear as possible to their customers/staff about the way in which they are raising the funds. This can either be as a dollar amount or a percentage e.g. all funds will be donated to R U OK? or 10% of proceeds will be donated to R U OK?. Trademarks R U OK? reserves the right to determine if an organisation is engaging in unfair use of the R U OK? trademark for commercial gain, and to request removal or amendment at our discretion. For example, an organisation who exhibits trademark usage that overstates the level of support provided to R U OK? Alignment with R U OK?s trademark R U OK? has identified industry sectors and activities that do not align with our trademark. These include: Tobacco manufacture and sale Armaments manufacture or export Gambling establishments such as casinos and bookmakers where the primary business is wagering. Licensed Clubs and venues may be considered. Artwork, products and activities involving the perceived objectification and manipulation of children, women or men (including magazines, books, calendars, films and websites) Practices that abuse and/or endanger Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Other requests R U OK? receives many requests to be included in, or provide endorsements, for books, plays, stationery, calendars and other publications. There are many things to consider with such requests, including content and resources. As such, our team cannot review all submissions, nor guarantee that we can work within your timeframes. Whilst we appreciate all efforts to fundraise on R U OK? s behalf, we have the right to decline offers based on the above. 18 19
Promoting your efforts It s important to remember that your efforts and success relies on your fundraiser being primarily organised, promoted and administered independently. In other words, it is an event, challenge or business activity run in support of R U OK? The R U OK? name and logo is permitted when the approved activity is referenced as Proudly Supporting R U OK? for commercial activities, and We make time to ask for community activities. A copy of these logos can be obtained by emailing hello@ruok.org.au. Please note the following conditions must be adhered to: Strictly no changes to colour, design or reproducing the logo The relationship between the activity and R U OK? as the recipient of funds must be clearly stated. For example Raising funds for R U OK? or All money raised will be donated to R U OK? As a health promotion organisation, R U OK? has a structured content strategy for our social media platforms and website. The support we get from business and community is important and appreciated. Please note that we may be unable to promote support activity through these channels or the R U OK? database. However, we are always keen to receive photographs and stories. Unfortunately, we can t guarantee that it will be published however any awareness raising that supporters wish to conduct via their own networks is welcomed. A copy of the R U OK? Brand Identity guidelines can be obtained by emailing hello@ruok.org.au R U OK? primary logo Commercial activities logo We make time to ask Community activities logo Important notes to consider Responsibility of the fundraiser The planning and implementation of an approved activity is the responsibility of the fundraiser. The event must be conducted in the name of the fundraiser with R U OK? identified as the charity beneficiary. Please note the fundraiser is not an employee or agent of R U OK?, nor does a fundraiser act in any other representative capacity unless they are an official R U OK? Ambassador. R U OK? can provide tips and guidance for your fundraising efforts however we are unable to take a coordination role. The coordination of sourcing venues, insurances, prizes, goods or services along with organising publicity is the responsibility of the fundraiser. 20 21
Managing the funds Here are some quick tips on how to manage funds raised for R U OK? When organising an activity, it s helpful to keep financial records. Responsibility for this rests with the fundraiser, and needs to comply with the applicable fundraising legislation in their State or Territory. These can be found at https://www.acnc.gov.au Insurance If you are hosting an event or taking part in a physical challenge, you will not be covered by R U OK? s public liability insurance. Depending on the nature of your event or challenge, R U OK? may suggest you consider sourcing your own insurance, or hold your event at a location already covered by public liability insurance. In all circumstances, ensuring adequate insurance is the responsibility of the fundraiser. If R U OK? has cause to believe that a proposed fundraising activity is dangerous, we may request proof that public liability insurance cover is in place. Activity guidelines Whilst R U OK? is grateful for community and corporate aid, we are unable to accept funds or approve activities that include: initiatives which may be distressing or dangerous to vulnerable people; involve artwork, products and/or activities with perceived suicidal methods; and practices that use marketing techniques to sensationalise or trivialise suicide and mental illness. Fundraising legislation is in place to protect the interests of the fundraiser and donors. Therefore, it s important that the fundraiser: 1. Keeps a financial record Fundraisers should keep copies of receipts and invoices. Ideally, fundraisers will provide R U OK? with a basic income and expenditure report. This is also useful if supporters/donors ask the fundraiser to explain how the final amount raised was calculated. 2. Banking If an event requires the establishment of a bank account as a trustee for funds raised, the account name must include R U OK? All funds should be banked into this account and then closed immediately after the activity is complete. R U OK? should be notified if such an account is being opened. It is likely that the bank will want to review an Authority to Fundraise which R U OK? can provide. 22 23
3. Monitor expenses All expenses are the fundraiser s responsibility but can be deducted from the proceeds of the event. As noted on page 13 please keep expenses to under 40% of the total funds raised. 4. Receipts As a registered charity, R U OK? can provide a tax receipt for donations over $2. If your donors would like a receipt, and you have not set up an online fundraising page, please send their contact details to hello@ruok.org.au and we shall organise a receipt to be emailed to them. Please note if you hosted an event, your Event Kit has a receipt template included for your donors to complete. You can send the completed list to hello@ruok.org.au. R U OK? will endeavour to receipt within 7 days. Finalising your efforts Funds should be donated to R U OK? within 14 days of your activity. This ensures compliance with fundraising legislation, and helps R U OK? record and receipt your donation. Be sure to use your name as the payment reference. You can find out how to securely transfer funds via your bank or donate via credit card at ruok.org.au/donate If the donation has been made via credit card (ruok.org.au/donate) or through your personal online fundraising page, tax deductible receipts will be automatically provided. If the donations has been made via bank transfer (ruok.org.au/donate) and a tax deductible receipt is required, please e-mail hello@ruok.org.au. R U OK? will endeavour to receipt within 7 days. Please note that if a donation has an item of value provided in return, the donation is not tax deductible. For example, tickets that include food/ drinks, raffle tickets, or prizes donated in-kind are not tax deductible. 24 25
Thanking everyone Let your donors, sponsors and/or helpers know how much you value their support and share the difference it will make to helping people meaningfully connect with those who may be struggling with life. Often, people are grateful to hear a genuine thank you and that their efforts have been appreciated. Share your efforts with us We would love to keep in touch! Please tell us how your activity went and send any photos or stories to hello@ruok.org.au. Other resources You can find more tools and resources at ruok.org.au One easy way to raise funds for R U OK? is to add a splash of yellow to your efforts! All merchandise sales go directly to supporting our work. Order your favourites at store.ruok.org.au 26 27
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