Fundraising Help! Sheet

Accessibility Features

Accessibility | Skip to Search | Skip to Navigation Menu | Skip to Members Sign In

Volunteer Development Agency Small Logo Fundraising Help! Sheet

Fundraising covers a wide range of activities that help to generate income for your group/organisation. This Help! sheet highlights issues that Management Committees need to be aware of in relation to fundraising and signposts to sources of further information and advice.

Fundraising is a way to generate income for your group/organisation. There are a range of different types of fundraising activities, some of which are highlighted below.

Public Collections

Street and house-to-house collections can only be carried out with police permission. Collections are governed by legislation such as the Police, Factories etc (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1916 and the House to House Charitable Collections Act (NI) 1952.

Lotteries

Lotteries that include, draws or ballots are strictly regulated and can only be carried on in accordance with the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (NI) Order 1985.

Trading

There are a range of trading activities that an organisation may undertake as part of its fundraising options. Trading is likely to have tax implications, therefore, guidance should always be sought. There are also certain restrictions on the type of trading a charity may become engaged in.

Professional Fundraisers

Where the Management Committee decides to employ a professional fundraiser or enter into a commercial sponsorship agreement there should be a written agreement that sets out the terms of the relationship. If you are a charity, it is important that the relationship will not in any way damage the name or reputation of the charity.

Key contacts:

Institute of Fundraising – provides useful guidance on fundraising standards, legal requirements and best practice.

Website: www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk

Inland Revenue – provides information on tax requirements associated with trading and charitable trading.

Website: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/charities/tmatrading-by-charities.shtml

NICVA – Funding Advice Service – provides guidance on a range of fundraising methods and tools.

Website: www.nicva.org

NICVA - Charity Advice Service provides guidance on trading by charities and fundraising legislation.

Websites:

http://www.nicva.org

http://www.grant-tracker.org