Events

• Make sure that you are very clear about what you want to do, your objective, and how you want to go about it. Write it down.
• Consult your friends and members of your target group to find out what they think about the idea.
• Think carefully how much you can realistically expect to raise and how much it will cost you to organise the event. Not all events are successful
• Set up an organising committee of volunteers to help you with the event
• Book a suitable venue. Try to get a free venue, as the hall hire is the biggest cost item in organising events
• Choose an appropriate, day, date and time. Many events fail because of inappropriate choice of time and location
• Write down the program for the event
• Invite popular speakers, entertainers, and select crowd pulling activities
• Make sure that you have booked or have all the equipment required for the event
• Produce publicity material and distribute it well ahead of the date of the event
• Organise catering, refreshments etc. Required for the day
• Set up the venue at least an hour before the start time
• Use visual aids when and wherever you can
• Sell your cause. Tell your audience about the need and how their contribution will make a difference
• Thank the participants for coming and the donors for their generosity
• Always use a checklist of things to do to make sure that you have not missed anything

Appeals

• Explain the situation or say what happened and what needs to be done.
• Use pictures and quotations to maximum effect
• Give options for contribution (kind -books …, cash, time, cheque, online transfer, direct debit etc.)
• Give account details
• Provide contact name, address, telephone and e-mail
• Thank donors in advance
• If your appeal is directed at the public and not at an individual or an organisation you know, make it through a known and trusted organisation

Applications

• Identify prospective donors.
• Use Fundraising directories; talk to people for leads
• Find out about the causes they support. Check their websites
• Select only those who are likely to support your cause
• Contact them to enquire about any points you need clarification
• Follow their application guidelines
• In the application, make sure that you have:
  • Introduced your self or organisation
  • Stated the objectives of the project/cause you are fundraising for
  • Described how it is going to be executed and managed
  • Explained how it is going to be monitored, and evaluated
  • Detailed how you are going to provide progress reports and feedback
  • Specified how much or what you are asking for
  • Declared how much you are contributing, or others have contributed in cash, kind, and time.
  • Checked the application for any errors and discrepancies
  • Submitted on time, before their deadline dates
  • Submitted other required documents
  • Follow up. Make sure your application has been received, and is in process
• Remember that charities or trusts give only to organisations, so apply in the name a charitable organisation or group

Collections - (Qaadhaan)

This is traditional way and the most effective way of fundraising from the Somali Community.

• Set up a committee of people with good standing in the community
• Determine how much you want to raise
• Organise a publicity event, a launching event, for example, or advertise to raise public awareness
• Compile a list of all the people and organisations, which are likely to contribute
• Divide the list into groups according to their ability to pay
• Determine how much each group will have to pay per person
• Divide the list among the members of the committee and assisting volunteers
• Set a target date for completion of collection
• Collect within the time set
• Celebrate - organise a sort of a party to declare how much was collected and to thank the donors and the volunteers

Remember that the biggest objection people have to making contributions in this way, is their concern about the possible misuse of funds collected. To overcome this, there must transparency and accountability throughout the process. Everything collected must be recorded, declared and accounted for, with solid proof that it has reached its destination or used for the intended purpose in the form of receipt or report.