Handy Hints for
Fundraising!
Thank you for taking the time to raise money for projects
run by the University of Warwick, both at home and
abroad. We’re looking forward to you being involved!
Every fundraising event is unique – in fact, the more
creative and fun the better!
We hope you find this pack helpful to get you started with
your fundraising activities. If you have any questions that
are not answered please do not hesitate to get in contact by
email (faye.smith@warwick.ac.uk) or visit
www.warwick.ac.uk/giving/donate/sponsorship
Jim, Paul and Matthew’s Sponsorship Story:
In March 2013, three undergraduates decided to
run the inaugural Warwick Castle half marathon in
support of the University of Warwick:
"It was an easy choice to make. After having
spent three happy years at Warwick and
benefiting enormously from the opportunities
provided to us we decided that raising money
would be a fantastic way to show our
appreciation and give back to Warwick! We're
all looking forward to supporting Warwick
again in the near future!”
Our Charitable Status
(HMRC Reference No. XR 67172)
The University of Warwick is an Exempt Charity.
Certain charities are 'exempt' from Charity Commission supervision because they
are considered to be adequately supervised by, or accountable to, another
authority. Although not subject to Charity Commission jurisdiction, an exempt
charity is subject to the legal rules generally applicable to charities.
Before the Event:
After the Event:
 Pick a challenge – does it require a lot of
time/resources per £ raised in sponsorship?
 Time and Place – does your event clash with
any others?
 Drum up awareness and support – social
media, flyers, posters, word of mouth etc.
 Let us know what you are doing – we can
offer advice, answer any queries and
possibly help to publicise your event too!
 “Can I use your logo on my website, product
or publicity material?” - Yes you can, but
please get in contact with us first.
 Say a big THANK YOU to your supporters!
During the Event:
 Be prepared – this allows you to make sure
everything starts on time
 Take time to check health & safety protocols
 Snap some photos (and get consent to use
them!)
 Use social media and word of mouth to
tell your story and let everyone know
what their support will help to achieve.
 Send your sponsorship money to us
(see next page)
Safety:
 Keep everyone safe – do you need to
think about:
- crowd and traffic management?
- food preparation?
- drinks sold responsibly?
- having a first aider?
- working with children?
- licencing requirements?
Top Tips for fundraising ideas
Be Inventive & Have Fun!
What makes your project different? Why should people give to you? This is an opportunity to use your imagination - this
is your project so you should put your mark on it. Do something you know yourself and others will enjoy.
If you are enthusiastic about your fundraising others will want to get involved and help.
Use Your Talents!
Are you a talented performer, runner, baker? Who do you know who is good at art or team sports? Use your strengths
and find people who can help you.
Inspire!
Why are you fundraising? Make sure you’re really clear about why you are fundraising and why you want people to
donate. If people can relate to what you are doing and empathise with the cause they will be more likely to give.
Tell Everyone… Before, During & After!
Tell everyone about this fantastic opportunity to make a difference - friends, family, sports clubs, societies… Spread the
word! Encourage others to fundraise too. Get in touch - send us your fundraising stories and photos to use on our
website and in future materials to inspire others to get involved.
Regular Updates!
Keep everyone up to date with your progress, especially your donors. Use Facebook, Twitter, blogs. We can help too via
our website, news stories and social media.
Set Expectations!
Don’t be afraid to ask for a specific amount - it gives people an idea of what level they should be giving and a goal to
work towards. Once people start giving, even in smaller amounts, it will encourage other people to follow.
What can I do to fundraise?
Do something that is easy for you and others to get involved in!
At Work or University:
 Cake sale
 Coffee morning
 Dress down or dress up day
Out and About:
 The Big Push for the Grace Research Fund
 A half marathon
 Three peaks challenge
 Sporting challenge
 Sponsored walk/hike
 Quiz night
 Abseil or Bungee jump
 Two Castles 10K Race
 You could even ask for donations for your birthday rather than gifts!
How do I raise, collect and send the money?
Easy Peasy - just set up your own fundraising page!
Virgin Money Giving
uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charities/UniversityofWarwick
Just Giving
www.justgiving.com/uow
Then personalise your page with why you are raising the money for that cause, plus all the important bits such
as your target, the date, and a big thank you! All the money you raise will be sent to us automatically!
Sponsorship Form
If you would prefer to use a sponsorship form instead then let us know and we can send you one. Once you
have collected the funds just send a cheque, made payable to The University of Warwick, to the Development
Team (see Contact Us page) along with your sponsorship form. Alternatively, you can hand in the cash directly
to our office – please do not send cash in the post.
You can get a boost to your fundraising using Gift Aid. All you need to do is encourage
your donors who are UK taxpayers to Gift Aid their donations on the online page or
sponsorship form. If using the sponsorship forms, please remember that we must have
the first name or initials, last name, full home address and postcode of each individual
donor/sponsor in order to legally process gift aid.
Remember to start your fundraising early!
Can I raise money for something specific?
There is a diverse range of projects ongoing at Warwick. Here are some examples:
Warwick in Africa (WiA) – Over an eight year period, WiA has developed into a multi-national
programme, supporting children and teachers in South Africa, Tanzania and Ghana in Maths and English
education; it takes just £11 to teach a student through WiA.
“They made a huge change to our lives in just a few weeks.” Township School Student, Warwick in Africa
Cancer Research – Thanks to generous donations, the cancer research team at Warwick can focus on
areas that would not be supported through funds from government and larger cancer charities.
“This boost in funding is fantastic news for the huge numbers of women who will be diagnosed in the next few
years…” Professor at Warwick Medical School, recipient of funding for research into scalp-cooling treatment for
breast cancer patients following chemotherapy
Warwick Volunteers – More than 50 volunteering projects are on offer through Warwick Volunteers,
including the ‘The Buddy Club’ our Warwick student volunteers organise and join in activities such as singing,
bingo and craft with the residents of Willowbrook Care Home.
“I look forward to getting to know the residents and sharing stories as I find it fascinating to hear about all the
different lives people have led and the things they've done.” Project Leader, Warwick Volunteers
Grace Research Fund – This project supports much needed medical research into the causes of
premature births and the best forms of neonatal care, such as alleviating infant pain. This allows us to enhance
the wellbeing of babies and their families.
“My husband and I decided that we could never thank the nurses and doctors enough and that the best thing
we could do was to support the Grace Research Fund to help families in the future” Joseph’s Story
For more examples of projects at Warwick visit: www.warwick.ac.uk/giving/priority
How does the money I raise make a difference?
Baby Leo’s Story
Recurrent miscarriages can cause physiological and psychological
stress to a woman and her family. In 2012, three successive
miscarriages had begun to take their toll on Colette and her
partner Selim, until the news of Professor Siobhan Quenby’s
research at the University of Warwick gave them hope.
Later the same year, following successful treatment by Siobhan and her colleagues at Warwick
Medical School and University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire, Colette and Selim were
delighted to welcome their baby into the world! Leo was a healthy baby boy weighing 6lb 13oz.
This life-changing research and subsequent treatment would not be possible without the
generosity of donors and supporters, such as yourself.
Your support could change lives today…
THANK YOU & GOOD LUCK
WITH YOUR FUNDRAISING!
Not sure if you have time to
organise an event?
‘Give as you Live’
www.giveasyoulive.com
• Have you recently shopped with Amazon, ASOS, Waitrose, lastminute.com
or any of the 3,048 stores involved in Give as you Live?
• If so you could have donated to the University of Warwick and it wouldn’t
have cost you an extra penny!
• It is 100% secure & there is NO EXTRA COST TO YOU!
• Over £4M has been raised to date, and now it is even easier to give on the
go by downloading the Give as you Live app.
Help your favourite cause, just by shopping online!
Any Questions? Contact Us!
Faye Smith, Director of Annual Giving
faye.smith@warwick.ac.uk
+44 (0)24 7657 4375
Website:
www.warwick.ac.uk/giving
Address:
Development Team, External Affairs
The University of Warwick
University House, Kirby Corner Road
Coventry CV4 8UW