Fundraising Guidelines

BEFORE YOU START – LEGAL

• If you are planning a public raffle, please speak to us first as these are governed by laws and regulations.

• If you are planning a collection in a public place, you must have correct permits obtained from your local authority. We do not support door-to-door collections for money.
• If your event may involve dancing or performing and you would like to sell tickets to the public, you will need to get a Public Entertainments Licence.
• If your event may take part on private land, please seek permission from the proprietor in writing.
• The Dorset Blind Association cannot take responsibility for personal safety, loss or damage to goods at individuals’ fundraising events.
• If you’re not sure about any areas of your fundraising plans please contact the Community Fundraising Manager.

FUNDRAISING TIPS

• Stuck for ideas? We can send you our A-Z ideas sheet.
• Fix a date with enough time to work back from and be organised.
• Explain/publicise your reason for fundraising – we can help with posters and other publicity materials.
• Involve your friends/local community to help you with promoting the event, catering, raffle prizes, volunteering to help out on the day.
• Consider matched giving – if your employer is in a matched giving scheme, they may be willing to equal the amount you have raised. Always worth asking.
• Safety – assess the risks. Consider the venue, time of the day, travel arrangements etc. Take a mobile phone if you have one. Do NOT carry cash.

SPONSOR FORMS - PAYING IN YOUR FUNDS

• We can provide you with sponsor forms. Please don’t forget to ask your sponsors to GIFT AID their donation. This means we can claim from the tax man an additional 28p for every £1 donated.
• Always ask family/friends to write down their amount on a sponsor form first. They are usually the most generous and it will set a level for others to follow.
• Donate directly online at www.justgiving.com/dorsetblind. Or you can set up your own fundraising account and encourage people to donate online for your event then send us the proceeds.
• If you prefer you can use the our Paying in form and send us a cheque or postal order payable to “Dorset Blind Association”. Please avoid sending in cash if possible and don’t forget to keep a record for yourself.

PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT

If you want help with sponsor forms, posters, leaflets etc please contact the community fundraiser well in advance of your event (at least 3 weeks before the date you need them).


REMEMBER – IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS OR CONCERNS PLEASE LET US KNOW, WE CAN ONLY HELP IF WE KNOW YOU HAVE A PROBLEM!