Thank you for joining us in the fight against unsafe housing and homelessness by committing to fundraise ‘in aid of’ Shelter.
An 'in aid of' fundraiser as defined in the Institution of Fundraising code of practice:
'A volunteer acting in aid of an organisation should have no authority to act in its name, and it should be clear that the volunteer is simply raising funds for the organisation but acting in his or her own capacity. An organisation will not then generally be responsible for the volunteer's acts.'
We have pulled together some tips and guidance on how to make sure your event is safe and legal – so you can concentrate on the fun part!
How we can support you
We will provide you with a dedicated Shelter contact who'll be on hand to answer your questions and support you.
We will send a range of fundraising materials, including posters and collection boxes to help make your event stand out.
Using Shelter's logo/brand
We can provide you with our bespoke ‘in aid of’ logo to help support your fundraising.
All of your fundraising should make it clear that you are fundraising in aid of Shelter but that you do not represent the charity (i.e. you are not an employee nor have you entered into a legally binding contract).
Organising your event
If you are under 18, please show this page to your parent or guardian, and ask them to register on your behalf.
Please don’t carry out any activity that puts Shelter’s reputation or name at risk. If you do, we may need to withdraw our support.
Remember to keep any fundraising non-political, and get in touch with Shelter before approaching any celebrities, press, or companies to support the event.
Before the event, please plan a budget, as Shelter cannot be held responsible for any costs, taxes, or expenses incurred or arising in connection with your fundraising activity.
Want to make the donations go even further with Gift Aid? Print a sponsorship form from our website for donors to fill out.
Keeping it safe and legal
Carrying out a collection is a great way to boost your fundraising. But please obtain the correct permissions and/or licences before carrying out any public collections (usually from the local council or land-owner). You can review the Chartered Institute of Fundraising’s guidelines for more information. Please also ensure you comply with our collector conduct policy.
Please take all reasonable precautions to ensure the wellbeing of your guests, including complying with regulations for health and safety, and food or drink.
Please ensure you have the correct insurance before the event takes place, as Shelter’s insurance will not cover you.
Everyone loves a raffle, but please bear in mind they are subject to gambling legislation. If you are planning to sell tickets over several days, you may need a licence. Check in with the Gambling Commission to make sure you are keeping within the rules.
What to do with the money
If you are handling offline sponsorship money or collections, please ensure you comply with our Cash Handling Policy by:
ensuring two trusted persons are present when accessing funds and counting
advising us of any planned expense deductions prior to doing so
advising the team once funds are sent by emailing community@shelter.org.uk
ensuring that all funds collected are sent to Shelter within two weeks of receiving them, using the reference ‘CE’, plus your name
Payments can be made via BACS:
Shelter National Campaign for Homeless People Ltd.
Sorting Code: 30-00-02
Account Number: 01167206
Reference: F200 <<Insert name/Shelter reference>>
Or by cheque:
Payable to: Shelter
Address:
Shelter - FAO Community Fundraising
88 Old St,
London
EC1V 9HU
Have you got spare fundraising materials? Great! Please send them back so they can be used for the next amazing event in aid of us.