Generous funding for the redevelopment of your outdoor area should be available under the Early Years Capital Grant, but if your ambitious plans are outstripping the funding on offer, then you might want to top up your outdoor budget through a spot of fundraising.
Follow our six-step guide to a successful fundraising campaign.
1. Plan well in advance
Allow enough time to plan and prepare the event and give people as much notice as possible. Get a team together and draw up an action plan - the better the planning, the more money you are likely to raise.
Draw up a checklist of everything that you will need, such as refreshments and equipment, and get parents and children involved to generate more interest.
2. Set a fundraising goal
Setting a target will give your fundraiser a clear focus and help you choose a suitable event. Check your expenditure - you don't want it to swallow up a lot of the donations.
If you are charging an entrance fee, calculate how much you will need to charge each person to achieve your financial target.
3. Choose the best time & date
Timing is crucial, so check that your date doesn't clash with any other local events. Timing also shapes the type of your event, so take into account:
- the time of year and, most importantly, the weather if you are planning an outdoor event (make sure there is somewhere to shelter in case it rains), and
- who will be attending and what day and time is most suitable for them. A weekend event is likely to attract more parents and members of the local community, and ultimately more donations.
Cait Faulkner, manager at Cuddly Koalas in Mayport, Cumbria, says: 'Fundraisers should be spaced out over the year, otherwise parents will feel that you are always asking for money - having a negative impact on the pre-school and the event itself.'
The pre-school held a sponsored bounce last summer, raising £600 for charity, with 10 per cent of donations going back into the pre-school's own funds. The children averaged 200 bounces and were sponsored either per bounce or for the whole event.
4. Pick a theme
Basing your event on a theme makes it more interesting, attractive and sometimes easier to organise. Your local press are also more likely to promote your event if it is unusual. But be imaginative without being too outrageous; often the simplest events are the most successful.
Bex Crees, deputy manager of Early Years Childcare Nursery in Lewes, says: 'Nobody wants to get involved in anything boring. Think outside the box and try to get everybody motivated and excited.'
The nursery had its most successful fundraising event in September, when the children and staff got involved with activities throughout the week, such as making cakes, decorating cards and designing coasters, which were displayed in the front hall for parents to make a donation. The nursery also organised a raffle and held a fancy-dress sponsored walk. Over the week, the nursery made more than £1,600 for the Chestnut Tree House Hospice.
5. Publicise your event
Publicity makes a huge difference in any fundraising initiative so the more people you can tell the better. The best way to publicise your event is through word of mouth, so tell everyone you know about it and why you are holding it. Publicise the event, where possible, in your parent newsletter, on your website or on a social networking site.
To reach a wider audience, make posters and flyers and ask local businesses, shops and cafes to display them in their window. This might also draw in potential volunteers. Publicity in the local media can also be an invaluable way to spread the word about your campaign.
Approach your local newspapers, magazines, websites and radio stations with details of the big day, a few photographs or even a press release - and include information on how people can help. A few lines in the local press will generate free publicity and real interest in your event.
6. Have fun
Most importantly, enjoy yourself. Fundraising has a purpose but is also a great chance to enjoy time with colleagues, friends, family and associates and a great way to get to know parents and the community better. And the more relaxed people feel, the more likely they are to donate.
WEBSITES
- There are more than 50 articles on fundraising at www.raisingfunding.co.uk
- Charity websites often offer tips for fundraising. For an A to Z of ideas see www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk
BOOKS
- Tried and Tested Ideas: For Local Fundraising Events by Sarah Passingham (Directory of Social Change)
- 50 Proven Strategies for Successful School Fundraisers by Frank Sennett (Corwin Press)
- The Complete Guide to Fundraising by PF and PW Sterrett (Management Books)
MERCHANDISE
For fundraising merchandise from fridge magnets to mouse mats, visit:
- www.fundraisingmerchandise.co.uk/
- www.ideasbynet.com/fundraising-merchandise.htm
