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Fundraising Advice

Fundraising Advice

When faced with the opportunity of a lifetime there tends to be only one major factor that holds people back… expense! Fundraising is an integral part of any expedition and, in many ways, it may appear to be the most difficult challenge you will face. Remember though, it has been achieved by countless other volunteers and with a little bit of hard work, determination and a helping hand from us, you can do it too!

After a group has confirmed their expedition we like to pay them a visit (in person or via Skype), give a presentation, discuss fundraising ideas and help set-up an effective fundraising group.  We cover everything from setting a realistic target and creating a fundraising plan, to how you can write a grant application letter and successfully organise events with maximum profit.

You will also have access to all of the fundraising information that we have gathered over the years, and continue to build as more and more participants share their success with us.  Our full fundraising resources contain multiple useful documents, equipment discounts, volunteer case studies, lists of potential grants and a recording of the Opwall fundraising presentation – just in case you missed us at your school or college.

If you have any queries about fundraising, please contact your local fundraising team:

UK and Europe – fundraising@opwall.com
USA – usafundraising@opwall.com
Canada – canada@opwall.com

THREE MAIN FUNDRAISING AREAS:

  • Grants and Sponsorship
  • Fundraising Activities
  • Working for It

Fundraising Overview

In our experience, you want to utilise as many different approaches as possible when it comes to fundraising. Most fundraising will fit into the three areas discussed below:

  • Grants and Sponsorship

    This is probably the most lucrative area for individuals. Applying to local companies, charitable trusts, organisations and council will all hopefully have some funding available to volunteers. The nature of our expeditions means that we fulfil a lot of different funding criteria; you can fit your expedition in to applications for travel, education and career development grants to name just a few. We are always happy to offer advice on your applications, so run them past your local Opwall fundraising team before sending them off!

  • Fundraising Activities

    Likely the first thing you thought of when you read the word ‘fundraising’. This area can encompass an array of different ideas including sponsored events, bag packing, car washes, cake sales, car boot sales, gig nights, themed parties… the options are endless! We will give you an A-Z of activities to give you some inspiration and case studies of the most successful events we have seen from our students. We can also offer advice on how to plan these events, advertise them and maximise profits by seeking out free or discounted venues, entertainment and refreshments.

  • Working for it

    The most obvious way to raise money for your trip as you are guaranteed funds for the hours that you put in. We understand it can be difficult to balance a job alongside your studies, but if you do have some extra time on your hands this is a productive way to use it! Think about up a weekend job during term time, or a temporary position over the holidays. As well as actively earning money, you may also be able to utilise your work-place and colleagues to help you fundraise! If nothing else, this will definitely take the pressure off looming payments.

After your fundraising meeting…

  • The Opwall team are here to support you throughout your fundraising journey; we are happy to come to your school or college, or hold an online meeting via Skype, to discuss fundraising ideas. We will also send you access to our full fundraising resources page, designed to provide you with the tools you need to raise your target amount. The resources you will be provided with in these pages include:

    • A recording of the Opwall presentation
    • Tips on how to develop a fundraising plan
    • Case studies outlining how our students have successfully fundraised in the past
    • A list of grants in your region that you may be eligible for
    • A calendar of dates to optimise your fundraising efforts at key times of year
    • A huge list of fundraising ideas from A-Z
    • A checklist of tasks to complete in order to reach your target
  • Murray Foundation Awards (UK Only)

    Operation Wallacea have teamed up with The Murray Foundation, a charity whose primary aim is to support young people participating in projects that advance education and develop an understanding of environmental processes.

    In line with this objective, together we have launched the Murray Foundation Award; each year offering five grants of £1000 to UK school groups taking part in any Opwall expedition. We are delighted to be able to offer such a fantastic funding opportunity to our students!

    The backbone of the application process is all about fundraising. In order to apply, we ask that students show us how they have worked together as a group to promote and raise money for their expedition.

    Grants
  • Easyfundraising (UK & Ireland only)

    Here’s a quick, FREE and easy way of raising funds. Collect FREE donations towards your trip when you, family and friends shop online! You can get started straight away by registering your expedition as a cause with easyfundraising.

    There are over 4,200 retailers giving donations on everything from groceries and DIY, to takeaways and fashion, to holidays and insurance. Hundreds of our volunteers have used easyfundraising to date and raised a MASSIVE £103,000, to help them fund their expeditions!

    Easyfundraising
  • To help you get started, we’ve created a simple guide giving you details of how to use easyfundraising and explain to family and friends how they can support you. You can view it here.

     

     

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Wallace House, Old Bolingbroke, Spilsby, Lincolnshire PE23 4EX, UK
| +44 (0) 1790 763194 | info@opwall.com