Fundraising Ideas

Why not have some fun yourself and organise with family, friends or work colleagues your own special event in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland Here are fundraising tips and ideas to get you started: A - Z Tips: Or support one of our yearly events; simply click here for our event calander for further information.

• Do not confine yourself to these ideas, let your imagination run riot and come up with your own zany event.
  
• If you choose an exciting fundraising initiative you should find fundraising a lot easier than you expect. The trick will be to let your local fundraising events work for you.
  
• It is a good idea to try to combine more than one fundraising idea at one event. For example, hold a raffle during a table quiz night, or shave your head during a local pub-crawl. Remember - original ideas create interest!
  
• Why not arrange a race night in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland. Remember - it is best to treat this primarily as a social event, encourage as many as possible to attend and the rest will take care of itself.
  
• Try to persuade local pubs, businesses, restaurants etc. to donate prizes, or ask local stores to allow you to collect or pack shopping bags with friends and family.
  
• It is certainly a good idea to take your sponsorship forms wherever you go - you never know who might be willing to sponsor you!
  
• Approach organisations i.e. local youth clubs, soccer and GAA clubs, women's Institutes, Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs etc. to see if they can help you.
  
• Press releases to local newspapers not only advertise the fundraising events you are holding, but also create more interest from local individuals and businesses who may be willing to donate prizes or help through sponsorship.
  
• Try approaching local banks, libraries, shops and schools. They may be willing to gather sponsorship money for you.
  
• You could do a presentation to them about your fundraising initiative and gain more support.

Where you Work

• Find out if your Company has a newsletter or magazine that could circulate an article about the Challenge and the events that you are holding to fundraise for it.
• Advertise on your staff notice board. Use the Company e-mail or internet facility but find out if you will be able to use it to help spread the word about the event you are taking part in.
  
• Approach your Company and see if they will actually sponsor you for the event. Ask them if they will donate a euro for every euro that you raise, helping you to double your total! Some Companies match your sponsorship meaning you may only have to raise half the amount. 
  
• Ask suppliers to your Company whether they may be willing to sponsor you on the Challenge. Remember - they rely on your Company for business and are often found to be a good contact and very supportive with sponsorship. Make sure that you ask your employer first before contacting people - check this is not against Company policy.

Local Media Coverage

• Talk to local newspapers to see if they would be willing to write a news story about you. Through this you can advertise your fundraising efforts and thank your Company Sponsors. If they take a picture you could wear a t-shirt bearing the Company Logos of those who are sponsoring you.
• Approach your local radio station and try to persuade them to give you some air time. They could interview you to discuss the Challenge: a before and after story would be a really good idea and may create local interest.
• Try to get yourself in as many newsletters as you can, through friends and family, clubs you may belong to - in fact any organisation that will help you to raise local interest about what you are doing and increase your potential for sponsorship.