Activities and Events just for Fundraising

When using joinxr.uk/donate-lgs link for a larger sum of money, you could use the contact email address of your local group instead of your personal one.

You could print this out around the venue to allow people to donate directly.

Whilst a spontaneous garage sale/yard sale could work, it is perhaps even better when linked to an advertised local neighbourhood event. One rebel decided to join the ‘Lady Bay Safari Sale’ - by emptying out the contents of their loft and enlisting the help of a few other rebels on the day. The event raises money for a local school, just from the registration fees of the people taking part, then any other money made was kept by the person taking part, and in this case they donated it all to XR.

The latest event raised £682 for XR Calderdale and £341 for Healthy Minds Calderdale (in recognition of the impact of the climate and ecological crisis in mental health).

XR Calderdale have held a series of very successful music nights, using a sympathetic and well known venue. These have been organised as solidarity events, splitting funds between climate action and other causes. This has helped to build community relationships, brought in very different audiences, and given us a platform for outreach. It’s also energised our group, brought in people who don’t do meetings, and given us a fun night out.

There have been two models

• a mixed night of music or spoken word performances and (short) speeches.
• A club night with DJs, and art blocking.

Elements to make this work well

• Someone with energy, commitment and a sense of what would make a good event to make the whole thing happen.
• Links with local musicians and performers (consider if you can pay a fee to them). They don’t have to be professional or famous, but if they have a local following (or a big group of friends!) that will really help ticket sales.
• Good publicity. Well designed paper fliers are needed to reach beyond the normal audience - and energy to distribute or flypost them.
• Volunteers. This is a good way to bring in people who don’t do meetings. A direct ask may be needed!
• A system for ticket sales / donations and managing the door. An online booking system can encourage advance donations and give a very vague idea of numbers.
• A date. Do your best to make sure that the date does not clash with other events that will take away your target audience or your volunteers!
• A big, clearly labelled donations bucket and someone to shake it persuasively!

The Venue

A sympathetic music venue is ideal - they will have the equipment you need and also might include your event in their publicity. They might let you use the venue for free if they support the cause - they will still get bar takings so if you pull in a big crowd they will want to host you again!

Otherwise look for a good, accessible and well known community space, preferable one with the equipment that you need on site, and a hire price that will not risk you running the event at a loss. If you use a venue where you will be organising your own sound, make sure you have someone on board who knows what is needed and how to use it!

Refreshments

Depending on the venue and the type of event you might need to organise your own refreshments. This can be a lot more work, but can also bring in a lot more money and create a more welcoming atmosphere.

There are lots of decisions and possibilities that you can consider and all have pros and cons. Eg. alcohol or no alcohol? Home made cakes? Hot food? You will have to think about volunteers to buy/bring/make the refreshments, serve them, and the equipment needed. Remember that although for some alcohol is a key part of a good night out - and may increase your donations - others (in particular many Muslims) may not come to an event/venue which serves alcohol. So the decision probably depends on your local situation and event. You’ll also need to figure out how to organise your space to serve and prepare refreshments.

Some more tips

Make the room shout ‘XR’ by using your beautiful banners and other visuals. You might need some ingenuity in hanging them up, so leave plenty of time to figure this out, and bring plenty of string and gaffer tape. (But don’t upset your venue by damaging their fixtures!) The venue may have a screen that you can use for displaying relevant visuals electronically.

Decide if you want to have donations or a fixed ticket price. (An audience that is more sympathetic and tuned in to our cause is likely to respond better to donations,, and an audience that is just there to have a good time with a fixed price).

A lot of people come out with no cash. Make sure you have a card machine or at least a QR code so that people can donate with online.

Get some good photos or videos and follow up with social media posts. Tag your solidarity partner, the venue and the artists who performed. Make sure you include your online fundraising link for late donations.

Everyone loves art blocking!

We found the club night needs a rota of firm and confident door people to make sure people aren’t sneaking in without paying.