Fundraisingfor Friends of the Earth

2 Need advice? Call 0800 581 051 or email fundraise@foe.co.uk

About Friends of the Earth 2Fundraising ideas 4Sponsorship 6Online fundraising 7 How to organise an event 8

Keeping it legal 9Making your event green 10Sending in your cash donations 11Sample press release 11

About Friends of the Earth

What’s included

We’ve already won new laws to protect our water, wildlife, landscapes, and climate and health. But to face the challenges ahead there needs to be a new positive relationship between people and the environment.

By seeing things differently, taking a fresh perspective and acting together we can create a better world, where the wellbeing of people and our planet drive our decisions and behaviour.

Our previous campaigns have resulted in significant change including:

• Theworld-leadingClimateChangeAct.

• SettingEUtargetsforrenewableenergy.

• Securingandprotectingthefeed-intarifffor solar and other renewable power.

• Legislationtoeradicatefuelpoverty.

Our Clean British Energy campaign – backed by Deborah Meaden – aims to create a clean electricity system by 2030.

Togetherwithenergysaving,developingrenewable energy will cut the costs of energyinthelong-run.It’sthebesthopeforaffordable bills in the future.

We’re looking to bring energy security by a massive increase in renewable energy in theUK.

New onshore wind power is already cheaper than nuclear power. And the British solar

industry is a success story, employing 29,000 people.

Developing offshore wind couldcreate66,000UKjobs by 2020. We’re already a world leader in wave and tidal power – technology and expertise we could export.

Clean British Energy is our best hope for a secure and affordable fuel energy future.

We’re currently running two major campaigns – Clean British Energy and The Bee Cause.

We’ve spent 40 years protecting the planet. We need your help to continue

CLEAN BRITISH ENERGYcleanbritishenergy.co.uk

Need advice? Call 0800 581 051 or email fundraise@foe.co.uk 3

British bee numbers have fallen dramatically in recent years. And the way we farm our food and plan our towns and cities is making the problem worse.

We need bees. With other pollinating insects, they’re vital to:

• Ourfoodsupply–theypollinatemostofour fruit and veg.

• Oureconomy-withoutbees,costsforfarmers would rise and mean higher food prices.

• Ourqualityoflife-ourgardens,parksandcountryside.

We’re asking David Cameron to help save bees by introducing a National Bee Action Plan.

Policies affecting bees need to change, for example, CAP reform, planning policy, support and funding for Government wildlife agencies and laws around pesticides.

Our campaigns

4 Need advice? Call 0800 581 051 or email fundraise@foe.co.uk Need advice? Call 0800 581 051 or email fundraise@foe.co.uk 5

Organise a sponsored activityGet friends, colleagues and your local community involved in your own challenge.

Mini Olympics, tug of war, cricket match, darts tournament, cycle ride, golf day, rowing race or football tournament – there’s loads to choose from.

Teach Are you a cooking, yoga or crafts expert, fluent in another language or a good sports person? Ask for a donation to teach.

Put on an eventAgig,pubquiz,dinnerparty,bandnightorcomedy evening – invite everyone you know.

Use existing eventsSpeed dating on Valentine’s Day, carol singing at Christmas, a pancake party onShroveTuesdayoraHalloweenfancydress competition.

Fundraising ideas

Do something in the officeOrganise a sweepstake, paper plane or arm wrestling competition, swear box or dress down day.

Sell your homemade crafts or produce Are you a knitter, painter, gardener, baker or card maker? Sell your homemade items to raise money.

Recycle for cashClothes swaps, jumble and car boot sales are a great way to fundraise.

Fundraise around a celebration or birthday Ask for donations instead of presents. Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries or even Christmas – you can use any occasion to fundraise.

Stop doing somethingRaise money by giving something up. Chocolate,smoking,take-a-ways,computergames,magazines,alcohol

– the harder you make the challenge the more you’ll raise.

Join an organised eventWalk, run, cycle, swim. From marathonstoone-daytreks,cycle adventures to 10km events – Friends of the Earth has a challenge for everyone. Visit www.foe.co.uk/fundraising

There’s loads of ways you can fundraise, from putting on your own activity to taking part in an organised event

Visit www.foe.co.uk/fundraising for more ideas.

6 Need advice? Call 0800 581 051 or email fundraise@foe.co.uk Need advice? Call 0800 581 051 or email fundraise@foe.co.uk 7

Ask for sponsorship• Inperson–askeveryoneyoumeet.

• Viaemail–tellallyourcontactsandinclude a link to your online fundraising page.

• OnFacebook–usestatusupdatesandwall posts, or set up a group or event.

• OnTwitter-tweetaboutyourchallenge.IfyouknowanybigTwitterusers,askthemtore-tweetyourmessage.

• Inyouremailsignature–includeyourevent information and a link to your fundraising page.

• Inyourworkplacesintranetornewsletter– post an article about your challenge.

• Overthephone–callpeopleyoudon’tseeon a regular basis.

Persistence is key Don’texpectaresponseimmediately.Itoften takes several reminders before people donate. Remember that you’re doing something incredible. Don’t be afraid to ask.

Sponsorship Online fundraising

Company sponsorship Some companies will match your fundraising £1 for £1. Please speak to Friends of the Earth before approaching your company. Due to the nature of our campaigning work we cannot accept donations from all businesses.

Share your experienceUsesocialmediatoengageyourfriendsandfamily.Talkaboutyourpreparations,the highs and the lows, and the challenge itself.Bepersonal.Themoreyoushareyourexperience the bigger sponsorship you’ll receive.

Thank people that donateUsesocialmediatosaythankyou.Tagfriends in a Facebook status update or send a thank you tweet. Your donors will be grateful for the acknowledgement and it’ll prompt other people into donating.

JustGiving donationsDonations on your JustGiving page will come into Friends of the Earth automatically and be credited to your fundraising record.

• It’seasytosetup.

• Youcanaddaphotoandpersonalisedmessage.

• Yourdonorscanleaveyouamessageofsupport.

• Yourpagewillshowarunningtotaloftheamount you’ve raised.

• Yourdonorswilluseacreditordebitcard– you don’t have to collect cash.

• It’ssecure.

• Youcansetupatextdonationcode.

• AllsponsorshipgoesstraighttoFriendsofthe Earth.

• Youcanaddavideotoyourpage.

• Youcanshareyourpagelink(URL)onemail,FacebookorTwitter.

• Friendscansponsoryouontheirsmartphone.

• It’seasytoclaimGiftAid.

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Ensure your first donation is a high one – it’ll set the precedent for those to come.

Get sponsored – it’s one of the best ways to fundraise The best way to collect donations is by setting up an online fundraising page. A JustGiving page will help you maximise your fundraising

How to set up your JustGiving page

1)Visitwww.justgiving.com/foe

2)Clickthe‘Makeyourpage’button

3)Followtheonscreeninstructions

4)Selecttherelevantcategoryor event.

5)Customiseyourpageandsend the link to all your friends

8 Need advice? Call 0800 581 051 or email fundraise@foe.co.uk Need advice? Call 0800 581 051 or email fundraise@foe.co.uk 9

How to organise an event Keeping it legal

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Step 1: Decide on your eventChoose an activity that will appeal to your friends, family or colleagues – think about their interests and hobbies.

Step 2: Be realisticOrganising a ball is a big undertaking, but a cake sale can be arranged in a matter of minutes.Ifyou’renewtofundraisingtrysomething small to start with.

Step 3: Work out a budgetSmall events should cost very little to put on. Ifyou’reorganisingsomethinglargermakeabudget to weigh up your costs and expenses.

Step 4: Find a locationThinkaboutthenumberofpeoplecomingandfacilitiesyou’llneed.Lookforavenueyou can use for free.

Step 5: Choose a date and timeThinkaboutwho’scomingandwhatbestsuits their needs.

Step 6: Promote itUseFacebookandTwitter,emailandposters.Advertiseitonyourintranetorwebsite.Useour sample press release to contact local papers.

Step 7: CelebritiesWecan’tsourcecelebritiesforyou.Ifyouknow a celebrity, ask them to support your event.

Planning your activity Themoreyouplantheeasieritwillbe.

Get others involvedHelp is the key to successful fundraising – don’t try to do everything yourself.

Set a target Have something to aim for.

Talk about Friends of the Earth Tellpeoplewhatyou’reraisingmoneyfor.

Ask for help Tellpeopleit’sforcharity.Theymightdonate some products, their skills, a venue or volunteer their time.

Hold additional activitiesA raffle, auction, guess the number of sweets in the jar, face painting or sporting challenges.Includeasmanywaystofundraise as possible.

Sell food and drink People are always in need of refreshments so it’s a great way to raise additional money.

Promote it Themorepeopleattendthemoreyou’llraise.

Social mediaUsesocialmediainthebuild-up,duringandafter your event. Show people how great it was, it’ll encourage them to donate or get involved next time.

Big eventsIfyouwanttoorganisealargeevent,pleasecontact us to let us know your plans.

InsuranceYou are responsible for any events you organise. Friends of the Earth cannot accept liability or responsibility for anything that might happen to people or property as a result of your event.

Ifyou’replanningonholdingapubliceventyou may need public liability insurance.Many venues like schools, community centres and workplaces already have public liability insurance. Check to make sure your event is covered by the venue’s insurance.

Health and safety Minimiseriskbyidentifyingpotentialhazardsbeforeyourevent.Overcomehazardswherepossible.

First aidSomeeventsmayrequirefirstaidprovision.Speak to your local council or St Johns Ambulance to find out more.

FoodIfyou’reprovidingfood,followtheFoodStandards Agency guidelines for preparing, handling and cooking food. See www.food.gov.uk for more information. Make sure caterers have a Food Hygiene Certificate and PublicLiabilityInsurance.

AlcoholIfyourvenueisn’tlicensed,contactyourlocal council to find out more about getting a temporary licence.

LicencesInformthelocalcouncilandpoliceifyou’reholding an event in a public area. Check with your local authority if you need to obtain any special licences eg Public Entertainment, Collection or Alcohol licences.

CollectionsIt’sillegaltocarryouthouse-to-houseorpublic street collections without a licence. Toholdacollectiononpublicpropertyyou’llneedalicencefromthelocalcouncil.Tocollect on private property like a shopping centre, you’ll need permission from the owner or manager of the property.

Raffles and lotteriesTherearedifferenttypesoflotteriesandraffles–andsomerequirealicence.Ifyouorganise a private or small lottery you won’t need a licence.• PrivatelotteriesWorkplaceorclubrafflesdon’trequirealicence as long as they are held on the premises and it’s clear who is running it.• SmalllotteriesRaffles held as part of an event that don’t havecashprizeswillnotneedalicence–aslong as you sell tickets and announce winners during the event. You can’t spend over £250 onprizes,butthere’snolimitonthevalueofdonated items.• PubliclotteriesTheserequirealicence.Weadviseagainstrunning this type of lottery.

Organising your own event is easy – there‘s lots of options. You can make it as big or as small as you like

There are some things you need to keep in mind when organising your event

10 Need advice? Call 0800 581 051 or email fundraise@foe.co.uk Need advice? Call 0800 581 051 or email fundraise@foe.co.uk 11

Make your event green

TransportChoose a location accessible by public transport,bikeorinwalkingdistance.Trytoavoid car use.

FoodUselocal,organicfoodwherepossible.Askfor donations from local shops or suppliers – like odd shaped vegetables, or items coming to the end of their shelf life.

PaperCommunicate via email, social media, text messages, phone calls and word of mouth. It’sbettertouselesspaper.

RecyclingUsedifferentbinsfordifferentwaste.Askthevenue to provide them or bring your own.

WasteKeepwastetoaminimum.Supplyre-useablecutlery, plates and cups. Avoid additional packaging on products like individually wrapped ketchup.

Land Do not damage the area you are using – ensure you clear all the event rubbish before you leave.

A few easy steps will help to make your event as green as possible Get coverage in your local press to help drum up support for your challenge

Sample press release

Sending in your cash donations

Thebestwaytodothisistosendoutapressrelease. We’ve drafted one for you to use.

Here’s what you need to do1. Copy the text or contact Friends of the Earth for a Word version.

2. Paste the press release into the body of an email and send to the News Desk at your localnewspaper(s).

3. Fill in the blanks and delete or add information where appropriate. Make sure you don’t leave anything in green and that allthetextisthesamefontandsize.

4. Includearecentphotograph.Savetheimage as a JPEG and attach it to your email. Ensure the file does not exceed 3MB. Or state at the top of the email that you have a photographavailableonrequest.

• Personalisethepressreleaseasmuchas possible.

• Addinterestingdetailsinaquote.

• Sendyourreleasetoyourlocalnewspaper,TVandradiostation.Find contact details for them on their websites.

• Sendyourpressreleaseoutduringworking hours on a week day – newspaper staff will be more likely to pay attention to it.

Tips

BankanycashdonationsandwriteachequepayabletoFriendsoftheEarthormakethepayment over the phone on 0800 581 051. Do not send cash in the post.

• Ensurechequesaresigned,datedandmadepayabletoFriendsoftheEarth.

• IncludeyoursponsorshipformssowecanclaimyourGiftAid.

• Completeapayinginform.

Sendchequesandformsto: FriendsoftheEarth,56–58AlmaStreet,Luton,LU12PH

Paying in forms and sponsorship forms will be provided seperately.

12 Need advice? Call 0800 581 051 or email fundraise@foe.co.uk Need advice? Call 0800 581 051 or email fundraise@foe.co.uk 13

MAN/WOMAN/RESIDENTS IS/ARE ORGANISING/TAKING ON <INSET EVENT OR ACTIVITY>

A <insert profession> from <insert town> is organising/taking on <inset event or activity> to raise money for environmental charity Friends of the Earth.

<insert full name>, <insert age> is raising money for by <inset more event details>.

The<insert event> will take place in <insert location> on <insert date>, at <insert time>.

Support <insert name> by attending/watching/taking part in <insert event> or sponsor <insert name> efforts by visiting <insert JustGiving page web address>.

<add in any interesting details about yourself here>

<insert name> is supporting Friends of the Earth’s green campaigning work. Friends of the Earth has led the environmental movement for more than 40 years, helping people to see that the future of humanity and the future of the planet are one and the same.

<insert name> said:

<insertaquote>eg.“This<insert event> is going to be an exciting event/challenge.”

“All the money raised will go towards Friends of the Earth’s vital campaigns work. Togetherwiththesupportofthousandsofpeopleacrossthecountrytheyhavealready won new laws to protect our water, wildlife, landscapes, climate and health –butlotsofchallengesremainahead.ThisiswhyIdecidedtotakeon/takepartinthisworthwhilechallenge/event.Ican’twaittogetstarted,andamreallyhopingfor lots of support from <insert area> residents.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. <insert key event information here, including time, date, location>2. For more than 40 years we’ve seen that the wellbeing of people and planet gohandinhand–andit’sbeentheinspirationforourcampaigns.Togetherwiththousands of people like you we’ve secured safer food and water, defended wildlife and natural habitats, championed the move to clean energy and acted to keep our climate stable. Be a Friend of the Earth – see things differently. For further information visit www.foe.co.uk.

Sample press release

September 2012FriendsoftheEarth,26-28UnderwoodStreet,LondonN17JQTel:02074901555Fax:02074900881Website:www.foe.co.ukFriendsoftheEarthisthecollectivenameforFriendsoftheEarthTrust,registered charity 281681, company number 1533942, and Friends of the EarthLimited,companynumber1012357

Imagecredits:Thinkstock,ImageSource,rb-creative,FriendsoftheEarth

Good luck!And don’t forget that we’re here to help. Ifyouneedhelporadvicecall 020 7566 1638 or email fundraise@foe.co.uk

ThankyouforsupportingFriendsoftheEarth.