7. Finance and fundraising
Neighbourhood Watch and Home Watch groups often need funding. It might be for publishing a newsletter, using meeting rooms, travelling, running stalls or building a website. This module will help you access potential funding sources. A list of organisations to approach appears at the end.
In-kind support
‘In-kind’ support – goods and services – can be easier to acquire than money. You might get free facilities and products, legal or marketing advice, publicity and more. Companies and trusts may also second you personnel to help with fundraising.
Putting your case together
Identify project or event
What help do you need? Why, when and where?
Identify possible sponsors
Local authorities, local companies, national companies, charitable organisations or trusts.
Ask
Do they supply anything you need? Do they support local causes? Is your target audience relevant to them (e.g. for advertising)?
Applications
Be clear and concise. (See Communication skills and Producing publicity materials). Describe your scheme and aims and show accurate accounts if possible. State what you’ll put in (e.g. match funding). Describe any benefit to the sponsor and mention other sponsors. Some may want publicity in exchange for funding, so show you can provide it (e.g. newsletters).
Corporate support and sponsorship
There is no formal process for corporate sponsorship, but our guidelines above apply. Choose relevant companies (e.g. if your project involves young people, a sports shop) and concentrate on local businesses. Try to meet decision makers face-to-face.
Once funding has been offered, set your agreement out in a formal letter to the donor and be sure to thank them. If at first you don’t succeed, try again.
Handling cash
If you are running a stall, sale or event you may find yourself in the position of handling cash. The Bank of England website has some good resources to help you identify counterfeit banknotes. Their page with advice for retailers and businesses has some very useful links including an information video and educational materials. You can also order a wide range of hard copy materials which are invaluable if you are handling cash.
The Banknote Watch website also provides information about stained notes, helping you to recognise notes which have been stolen.
Find out more
To read in more detail about finance and fundraising, download the full version of this toolkit.
Read the next toolkit, Producing publicity materials.
