Get Sponsored to Do Something Different for BBC Children in Need!
Getting people to sponsor you is a fantastic way to Do Something Different and raise those important pounds, as well as getting your friends and family involved and setting a target. There are lots of things you can do to maximise your sponsorship which Pudsey is happy to share below. Then you can download your sponsorship form and off you go!
1. Set a precedent
If the first donation to appear on your paper and online sponsorship forms is around £2, then most people will follow suit, giving a few pounds more or a few pence less. But if your first donation is around £10 the people who follow will be inclined to give a bigger sum. Identify a few people from your list who are likely to be good lead sponsors and ask them first.
This principle doesn't work infinitely, if your first sponsor gives £50, people will see this as exceptional and set their own rate without reference to the earlier donation. But if you get the first few donations right you can increase your overall fundraising income by up to 5 percent without any extra effort.
2. Match funding
Ask your company if they will match fund your efforts. Some companies have established match funding schemes, but even if yours hasn't done it before there is no harm in asking. Your employer is probably motivated to support charitable activity for the same reasons as you, but it may help them to justify their generosity if you provide them with some information about the company benefits associated with your fundraising, you can find some information here. Your company will also be interested to hear about any local publicity you hope to generate. If they are match funding you, remember to give them the credit for doing so in any interviews or press releases you produce, it will encourage them to do it again for others. Try to provide them with copies of articles that mention their support.
3. Gift Aid
Make sure that your sponsorship forms include a Gift Aid declaration; it will dramatically increase the funds you raise. If your sponsors Gift Aid their donation, BBC Children in Need will receive an additional 28p for every £1 they give from HMRC. To qualify for Gift Aid, the amount your sponsors pay in income tax or capital gains tax must at least equal the amount that we will reclaim on the donation.
For tips and advice on how to make the best of your fundraising, visit how2fundraise.org.
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