Fundraising Top Tips

We are all aware that costs are always rising, but we still want to make sure that Guiding is accessible to all girls, no matter their family financial circumstances.

The tried and tested fundraising events still work – coffee mornings, bake sales, sponsored events – but if you need new ideas for raising money there is a lot of advice available online.

Girlguiding UK has a fundraising policy which can be found on their website and a really useful fundraising toolkit.

Girlguiding Scotland also has fundraising advice on their website. They have specific funds available covering a range of activity including travel, international, members with special needs / disabilities, qualifications, developing guiding, units in need (UK fund), and starting a new unit.

Outwith Guiding, units can apply to national funds such as the Big Lottery Awards for All which will consider capital costs for equipment as well as funding for residential events and experiences

Glasgow City Council have Area partnership Grants available. Their Integrated Grants fund can help with funding to enable girls from areas of deprivation (based on postcode) to attend events, and they have a fund specifically for bus hire. Speak to your local councillor for more information or apply online.

If you are registered as a charity with OSCR, as well as claiming back tax through Gift Aid, you can also sign up to Easyfundraising. There is advice on how to do so on Girlguiding Scotland’s website or go to https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk . Once you register, parents and friends of the unit can choose to support your unit and enable donations (free to them) every time they shop online at selected websites.

I know that some people find applying for funding a bit scary, but if you need help with application forms, please email me at bmf@girlguidingglasgow.org.uk

Good luck!

Carolyn McGrath