Fundraising for a youth sports team - Any tips?
Discussion
I'm currently on a committee set up to help coordinate fundraising for an under 12's rugby tour to Dublin. The club is London Irish and as part of the set up the U12's get flown to Dublin for a weekend tour as part of their coming of age (going from minis to youth), we need to raise in the region of 50k.
Whilst we have sourced many raffle type prizes from local shops, restaurants and businesses, we really need to try and source some items that can be auctioned.
Has anyone got any hints or tips on this front? I have e-mailed the marketing manager at McLaren F1 to see whether they could provide merchandise or perhaps a tour of the MTC, but no response. We have had success with the RFU with a tour of Twickenham Stadium.
I was also thinking of trying to contact some former rugby stars, but how? Or any celebrity rugby fans, again how?
Any help will be greatly appreciated!
Whilst we have sourced many raffle type prizes from local shops, restaurants and businesses, we really need to try and source some items that can be auctioned.
Has anyone got any hints or tips on this front? I have e-mailed the marketing manager at McLaren F1 to see whether they could provide merchandise or perhaps a tour of the MTC, but no response. We have had success with the RFU with a tour of Twickenham Stadium.
I was also thinking of trying to contact some former rugby stars, but how? Or any celebrity rugby fans, again how?
Any help will be greatly appreciated!
That's a big chunk of cash to raise and you're competing with many other causes.
I've done a couple of quiz nights for mate's kids running the marathon which each made about £1k but that was largely down to some brilliant raffle prizes. The trouble is that you're only really going to attract the interest of those connected to the club and there's only so many fundraising events you can do.
At that level, you're looking at altruistic corporate support; rugby mad business owners and the like.
Do the Rugby authorities not have grants for this sort of thing?
I've done a couple of quiz nights for mate's kids running the marathon which each made about £1k but that was largely down to some brilliant raffle prizes. The trouble is that you're only really going to attract the interest of those connected to the club and there's only so many fundraising events you can do.
At that level, you're looking at altruistic corporate support; rugby mad business owners and the like.
Do the Rugby authorities not have grants for this sort of thing?
I'd suggest starting with the existing sponsors and partners.
Is there someone at the club that could get you a warm introduction to some/all of them?
Is there someone at the club that could get you a warm introduction to some/all of them?
Going back to many days of fundraising in my stepson's younger years
Bag packing at the supermarket used to be a blinder - get the lads invested in helping raise the funds as well
Not sure how much this will have been impacted by self-serve and the like but we used to raise over £1k on each Saturday we did it
(I suppose a caveat to this is how many people no longer carry any cash)
Bag packing at the supermarket used to be a blinder - get the lads invested in helping raise the funds as well
Not sure how much this will have been impacted by self-serve and the like but we used to raise over £1k on each Saturday we did it
(I suppose a caveat to this is how many people no longer carry any cash)
Pieman68 said:
Going back to many days of fundraising in my stepson's younger years
Bag packing at the supermarket used to be a blinder - get the lads invested in helping raise the funds as well
Not sure how much this will have been impacted by self-serve and the like but we used to raise over £1k on each Saturday we did it
(I suppose a caveat to this is how many people no longer carry any cash)
This. Done by times for my boys' rugby tours. Bag packing at the supermarket used to be a blinder - get the lads invested in helping raise the funds as well
Not sure how much this will have been impacted by self-serve and the like but we used to raise over £1k on each Saturday we did it
(I suppose a caveat to this is how many people no longer carry any cash)
Doubt it's going to make much of a dent in £50k but the club /age group I coach at has a monthly bonus ball. Anyone who wants to play can buy a ball at £5 a month recurring payments can including friends, family etc. 60% of the proceeds stay in the club and 40% prize money paid out, based on the first Saturday of the month lotto draw bonus ball. If whoever has that number hasn't paid on time (or it's not been taken) the age group keeps the lot that month.
We raise £100 a month generally and it keeps us ticking over. Seems a modest idea and amount now I've outlined it!
We raise £100 a month generally and it keeps us ticking over. Seems a modest idea and amount now I've outlined it!
Christ! That is a lot of money to take some kids to Dublin for the weekend.
Maybe ask why it's so expensive.
How much per head?
My son's school is organising a rugby trip to Canada and that will be approx. £3500 for 3 weeks just for comparison.
Also maybe ask Mick Crossan to contribute, he seems to be worth a few million
Sorry this is of no help but from experience with school trips etc. travel companies seem to charge massively inflated prices for what you get.
Maybe ask why it's so expensive.
How much per head?
My son's school is organising a rugby trip to Canada and that will be approx. £3500 for 3 weeks just for comparison.
Also maybe ask Mick Crossan to contribute, he seems to be worth a few million
Sorry this is of no help but from experience with school trips etc. travel companies seem to charge massively inflated prices for what you get.
Thank you so much for the replies so for.
We have spoken to some of the previous years organisers, and we will continue to try and contact others to try and tap into their experience.
This annual tour has been running for 40years, so there should be plenty of people to contact (finding names and numbers might be tricky, for a variety of reasons though).
A few queries have been raised about the cost, which I understand as that was my first query! However, whist its not wholly relevant to the initial questions I raised, the funding will cover:
Flights for one child + Parent (any money raised over the target will subsidise a 2nd parent and any siblings)
Accommodation
Coach transfers between venues
All meals between Friday morning and Sunday evening
All players will receive a clothing pack (playing kit, track suit, coat, holdall, ruck sack, hoody + more - all personalised with initials)
Trousers, shirt and club tie (this is rugby and these will be worn before/after any match following the tour)
All the above x 30 (no of players)
There might be more, but I'll find that out later.
However, back on subject, how can I contact big wigs and celebrities?
We have spoken to some of the previous years organisers, and we will continue to try and contact others to try and tap into their experience.
This annual tour has been running for 40years, so there should be plenty of people to contact (finding names and numbers might be tricky, for a variety of reasons though).
A few queries have been raised about the cost, which I understand as that was my first query! However, whist its not wholly relevant to the initial questions I raised, the funding will cover:
Flights for one child + Parent (any money raised over the target will subsidise a 2nd parent and any siblings)
Accommodation
Coach transfers between venues
All meals between Friday morning and Sunday evening
All players will receive a clothing pack (playing kit, track suit, coat, holdall, ruck sack, hoody + more - all personalised with initials)
Trousers, shirt and club tie (this is rugby and these will be worn before/after any match following the tour)
All the above x 30 (no of players)
There might be more, but I'll find that out later.
However, back on subject, how can I contact big wigs and celebrities?
GR86 said:
The cause doesn't seem that great, compared to many others, why can't their parents pay?
Isn't London Irish quite a big club?
Fair point, the professional team are a big club, unfortunately the amateur teams, including the juniors do not get any financial help from them. In fact, as I understand it, all money made at the bar after junior matches and training does not go to the amateur teams unlike many other clubs (as far as i'm aware).Isn't London Irish quite a big club?
KingNothing said:
Think you need to slim back what you're actually fundraising for and getting parents to sub as much of that as possible.
Every previous year have managed it, so its achievable. One golf day made £14k with an auction, hence looking to source items that would do well.
Thanks for those advising that parents should pay, the club should pay or maybe kids should go to Butlins, but thats not the point of this thread. I'm looking at ways to achieve a fund raising target, so i'm seeking out those who have been there and done it, or have perhaps have previously helped financially to similar appeals.
The rugby community were great outside Twickenham on Saturday (before the game....) and 8 lads collected over £700 shaking buckets.
Dr Murdoch said:
GR86 said:
The cause doesn't seem that great, compared to many others, why can't their parents pay?
Isn't London Irish quite a big club?
Fair point, the professional team are a big club, unfortunately the amateur teams, including the juniors do not get any financial help from them. In fact, as I understand it, all money made at the bar after junior matches and training does not go to the amateur teams unlike many other clubs (as far as i'm aware).Isn't London Irish quite a big club?
Bit hard to persuade anyone else to donate if they're not helping you.
GR86 said:
So the club isn't helping?
Bit hard to persuade anyone else to donate if they're not helping you.
They are two separate entities unfortunately, might as well be two competing clubs. Parents and kids have to pay for tickets to watch the pros, despite it never being a sell out.Bit hard to persuade anyone else to donate if they're not helping you.
My boys footy club give all players a season ticket for fee.
Anyway, any useful tips?
Dr Murdoch said:
KingNothing said:
Think you need to slim back what you're actually fundraising for and getting parents to sub as much of that as possible.
Every previous year have managed it, so its achievable. I've worked in the charity sector. Raising that type of money even for some of the established, larger national charities is a very tough slog. There's no secret golden bullet idea - just a lot of graft and a lot of willing people to donate. If you've found a way to do it, stick with it.
StevieBee said:
Then the best advice is to repeat what you've done previously.
I've worked in the charity sector. Raising that type of money even for some of the established, larger national charities is a very tough slog. There's no secret golden bullet idea - just a lot of graft and a lot of willing people to donate. If you've found a way to do it, stick with it.
Many thanks Stevie.I've worked in the charity sector. Raising that type of money even for some of the established, larger national charities is a very tough slog. There's no secret golden bullet idea - just a lot of graft and a lot of willing people to donate. If you've found a way to do it, stick with it.
Its finding what previous years have done which isn't easy, as people move on and take the information with them. It would be useful if a manual was created, but that would be a thankless undertaking for someone!
Had a meeting last night, and last years group did raise £15k on a golf day, which is pretty good, that will cover the kit (£12k).
Thanks again
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