Results are slow but - slow and steady wins the race.
I am not saying that the advice below is the best way to conduct a fundraising campaign but more a list of tips from what i have learnt.
The following are focused on postgraduate or people not entitles to the standard loan from the student loan company (usually awarded to UK undergraduate students).
1. WHERE TO START: If you will be relying on the good will and support from charities and trusts start your research as soon as possible. Pretty much from the day that you apply for your course. You will not be able to apply for funds before you have been accepted onto your course but if you have a list of charities already sectioned down to match your criteria and their contact details you can start as soon as you have the 'yes' from your chosen uni.
- Professional career development loan. You will need to call up the number and get a pack sent to you. they are very friendly and you can also ask to speak with and advisor about other fund raising option that you have available to you and if the PCDL is the way to go for you. Info can be found at here.
- Turn2us grant search is a very useful database of charities and trusts. You can refine your search to suit your circumstances. Note always read the criteria before applying it may come up in your search but it may not suit you - remember it cost you (the price of a stamp at least!) and the charity to apply for funds
- Your local library - "No interwebz ??what is this the dark ages!" not all trust and charities are on the Web so it is work spending a few hours in you local library. They have books called charity digests which list all the charities in you local area and the UK. it is a little bit of a slog but use the index's and a lot of the digests section off charities by area or criteria.
- Ask you uni for help. Many charity and trust that you find will not donate to individual cases. Once you have accepted your place as the uni about scholarships and bursary's that they provide and how you can apply for them. If they do not have funds for post graduate ask them for advise and if they apply for funds on behalf of students (to the charities that do not give to individuals)
- justgiving is another good tool and is full of handy fund raising tips. this website lets donation give safely and secure on-line via paypal be aware this website does take a cut of everything you raise).
- facebook, twitter, google+, websites and blogging! - the Internet is your friend. Social net working site can reach your friends and their friends! if people you know are unable to give ask them to post your cause on their status it means it will reach more people. Create a website. WIX is a good place to create a free website that looks professional and it very easy to use (not qualifications needed!)
- Ebay and car boots - clear out your wardrobe, dig out stuff from under your bed get people to donate any unwanted goods to you that you may be able to turn into funds.
- Get creative! Do you have a skill or creative hobby? making cards/jewellery/knitting/sewing anything! Once again you can sell your stuff on ebay or Etsy. be careful though remember not to shell out a load on materials as it may not sell make 1 or two first and see how they sell.
- go crazy - do sponsors mad thinks -shave your head, do a run/swim or walk, there are loads of ideas for you out there on the net.
- And finally the little things: Everyday things that can help: stop smoking - its hard but it will save you a load of cash and make you healthier. Stop the nights outs have nights in! - this does not mean you have to be a social hermit instead of going to a club and spending £3.50 on a drink invite people over to your house and buy your booze from the super market. Coffee, coffee, coffee - if you treat yourself to a coffee shop coffee every morning think how much you will save in a week - take a Thermos flask it is hipster chic cool and you will be able to get it just the way you like it. take a packed lunch - it does not have to be boring and can be prepared the night before if you are not a morning person like me!!! Penny jars soon add up to - i have been saving £2 coins in a jar (that I have to break to get into so the temptation to dip in is not there) and that is getting pretty heavy!!!)
2. ORGANISATION: I would strongly recommend that you have a spreadsheet with the following/similar columns:
name of charity/trust - this will help you when you get into the depths of all fundraising websites looking the same you can easily filter/search your spread sheet to see if you have already applied
person to contact - contacting a person by name makes the letter you are sending a little more personal and shows the charity/trust that you have done your research and are not mindlessly spamming.
address: Most applications will have to be made in writing and it is always good to note the address from the beginning as you will need it when you send updates and thank you letters
A useful addition if you need to ask any questions but not vital
email/website: As with the Phone number it is useful as a contact tool.
fund criteria: You may fall into many criteria for different charities - location, schooling, disability, family life etc it is good to have a quick glance at what you need to tailor you request letter to.
offered amount: it is not good asking for £10,000 from a charity that can only offer £500
date applied: charities receive a huge amount of applicants every year and a lot of them will either not respond or state a time limit that you will hear from them by (if you do not hear after 6 weeks you have not been successful) make a note of the date you applied and you can always 'chase it up after a certain time or write it off as unsuccessful. *** warning be patient!!! Don't immediately call because you have not heard from the charity after a week!*****
money received: this is so you can personalise you thank you letter.more on thank you letters later on.
thank you letter sent: this is the date that you sent the letter. I would recommend that you sent the thank you letter as soon as possible after receiving funds
1st update sent etc : it is up to you how many update you choose to share. I have chosen 4, one for each term i am with RADA. If you course is longer than that you may choose to send yearly updates or only send an update at the beginning and end of you course. These columns also serve as a quick glance for if you have sent updates yet or not!
This spreadsheet will serve you through out your fundraising and study and possible post study. I recommend that you also save a copy of the spreadsheet on Google docs or a similar programme then you will be able to gain access to it where ever you have Internet access and it will not matter that you are not on your own Computer.
3.MIND YOUR P'S&Q'S: Always say thank you!!! I have worked in customer service for 3 years and I am always surprised how few manners people have ESPECIALLY when they are asking for help. If you are asking for help - and remember you have to prove to the charity you are applying to that you are the one person that deserves their help over everyone else - and you are not polite courteous humble and gracious you are flat out proving to people that you do not deserve a thing. Manners do not cost a thing (whilst i am on my rant people should take this on board for day to day and not just when they need help!)
It is going to be hard and for every 10 letters you send you will be lucky to get 1 response but every penny helps and keep you goals realistic. You can keep fund raising whilst you study and you may also be lucky enough to have the time to get a part time job. Don't give up and GOOD LUCK!
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