We know that you had such a positive and fun experience fundraising before your placement, that you would like to do more! Fundraising is really important for us and most other charities as it provides much needed income for our 
programmes. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to send youth volunteers, like you, on placements nor would we be able to support impoverished people to climb out of poverty and transform their lives.
On your placement, you will have experienced the need in the developing world and seen firsthand how volunteers really do make a difference. Now that you are back in the UK, it’s the perfect time to go back into your communities, wherever you are, and spread the word. Fundraising is a great way to do this. Every time you ask someone to support you, it’s an opportunity to talk about your placement, volunteering and the way it changed your life and the lives of others around the developing world.
Fundraising isn’t just about what VSO, or any other charity, can gain its is also about what you can gain from fundraising. By organising events and engaging with your friends, family, networks and local community, you will acquire valuable organisation, management and communication skills – a brilliant boost to your CV. It’s also a fantastic chance to be creative and do something which you have never done before.
Top 5 fundraising tips
1. Enjoy yourself! Whatever you decide to do, make sure you choose something you enjoy and something which you can commit to. Fundraising is fun! So don’t be daunted and go for it! You are more likely to raise more if you choose to do something which you passionate about!
2. Set up an online fundraising page at Justgiving - www.justgiving.com/vso - Justgiving is by far the easiest, quickest and most effective way to fundraise online. It only takes 5 minutes to set up a page but could really increase the amount you raise.
3. Promotion!- Promoting your Justgiving page and your fundraising is key to successful fundraising –so make sure you make the most out of your social media networks, local newspapers and any other forum to get the word out.
4. Local media – get your local newspaper and radio station involved in your fundraising.
5. Ask for help! Our fundraising team is here to help you with your fundraising, so no matter what you decide to do, we can provide you with resources, advice and tips to help you raise the most you can!
Contact details:
VSO Community Appeals Coordinator: Emma Henly
Tel. 0208 780 7215
Here are ways you can fundraise wherever you are today:
At University:
RAGs – raising and giving society
RAG societies have been around for a long time and are an institution at some universities. RAGs fundraise 
throughout the year for different charities and projects and try to raise more and more funds each year. So if you are at university, get in touch with your RAG society and ask the RAG chair to help you fundraise for your chosen cause. RAGs are obliged to fundraise for charities which the students want, so make sure you tell them about VSO and Global Xchange to get them on your side to fundraise. You can:
· Nominate a ‘charity beneficiary of the year’
· Ask the RAG to host an event
· Get the RAG involved in Student Adventures
· Ask the RAG to organise a street collection (VSO can provide the permits if your fundraising for us)
On campus
Ever wanted to do a sponsored event but don’t know how? Make use of your campus to host fundraising events! You could approach your Student’s union as a venue for a pub quiz or use a room to host a film night. Whatever you do, don’t forget, that as a student, you should have full access to the University and Student’ Union services such as room and equipment hire, so make sure you ask!
VSO has some great fundraising ideas such as DARE which are designed perfectly to work in a university environment.
Have an Adventure
Looking for your next adventure? VSO have teamed up with Student Adventures to bring to you two amazing adventures for 2012 - we’re going to Everest Base Camp and participating in the Bratislava Car Rally! .
As long as you’re over 18, then you can participate in the challenge (you don’t have to be a student). So don’t hold back, get your friends together and sign up today by heading to www.vso.studentadventures.co.uk from August 1st 2011. In the workplace:
Don’t let your colleagues get away! Fundraising in your office or workplace is a great way to bond in your team, find out more about each other and have fun at work whilst raising money for charity.
What can you do:
- Take part in a team challenge – how about Everest Base Camp? Find out more here: www.vso.studentadventures.co.uk (you don’t have to be a student to take part, there is no upper age limit)
- Have a ‘swear pot’ or similar – something that will work in your office – to collect the pennies!
- Cake sale – every office loves a cake break!
- Match giving – if you do a fundraiser in your community, such as a pub quiz, ask your company to match give. So whatever you fundraiser, you can double!
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – what is your company’s CSR policy? Everyone has one, so ask your HR team. You might be able to benefit!
In your community:
Your community is often the best place to start with your fundraising. Without even realising it, you’ll be connected to a big network of friends, friends of friends, friends of friends of friends and the list goes on. For lots of us, once we’ve asked all our close friends and family, we run out of steam. But think outside the box! Local communities love to help out and support local people. So don’t be afraid to get down your local high street or town centre and get your word out there.
Here are some ideas:
· Do a talk or presentation at a local community group such as Rotary, Lions, Women’s Institute or![Langdon_110307_ 34[1].JPG](/SiteAssets/Pages/GX-Return-Volunteers-Fundraising/Langdon_110307_ 34[1].JPG)
Soroptimists. You can find their meeting information in your local paper or their contact information on the internet. You could also do a presentation at a youth group or church group. If you are a member of a community group, could they help you host a fundraiser?
· Ask the local pub to donate a ‘pub quiz’ night to your fundraising
· Ask a local restaurant to donate a week of tips to you
· Ask local businesses to hold a collection box for you
· Host a raffle, quiz, or auction evening in a local town hall, pub or restaurant.
· Get a stall at a local village fete, school fair or car boot sale.
Don’t forget, fundraising isn’t always about money. Asking for donations as items to sell for charity at a car boot sale or for raffle prizes, or donating time or skills at an auction is just as important as emptying the piggybank. So if you feel uncomfortable asking for money, then try asking for ‘things’ instead.
Run for Charity:
Running is a brilliant way to challenge yourself, have fun and do something pretty fantastic for charity. Lots of charities have places on big races around the UK or if you have an indepedent place on a run and want to do it for charity you can just contact them and let them know. 
VSO have places on a number of runs including:
Virgin London Marathon 2012 – April 2012
BUPA London 10km – May 2012
Great Manchester Run 10km - May 2012
Great Edinburgh Run 10km - Oct 2012
Royal Parks Half Marathon - Oct 2012
To sign up to any of these events, just go to:
The ballot has now closed for London Marathon and Royal Parks, but if you have and want to run for VSO, then get in touch as we’ll be able to give you everything you need for a successful marathon plan!
Join team VSO and run for charity this year. Contact: Philippa in the Events team for more info – Philippa.tree@vso.org.uk
