How to become a fundraiser
At Gilgal Birmingham, we listen to our residents and use funds where they’re needed most – guided by what our residents want, need, or have expressed interest in.
Fundraising is when individuals, businesses, charitable foundations, and government agencies support charities, like ourselves, by hosting events and organising activity days to help us raise funds. We are led by the women, and what they ask us for; we do not dictate what we think they need. This helps us to promote the importance of their own independent wishes, and to gain the skills and possessions they will need when they leave us.
It may surprise you to learn that government funding covers less than 20% of our costs. Due to funding cuts, we rely on trust and foundation giving as well as donations to help us pay our qualified support staff, carry out essential building maintenance, take the women and children on trips, pay for activities, and carry out our garden project (which our residents are enjoying being a part of!).
Community fundraising
Community fundraising is a fantastic way to get involved in raising money to support our cause. It can be undertaken by an individual, a group of people such as parents, a church group, book club or choir, or a company, who might wish to hold a fundraising activity.
Fundraising ideas
Thank you for wanting to fundraise for Gilgal; every donation helps us to support women and children in need. If you are unsure of how you would like to fundraise, think about your own skills and what people might pay for, or sponsor you for. Do you have any baking or craft skills? Perhaps you want to challenge yourself to run a 5k, or do a sponsored kayak?
Alternatively, is there something your community could benefit from, such as a discounted clothing sale or an entertainment event?
There are many ways to raise and transfer funds – an easy one is LocalGiving!
Some ideas to get you started:
We also welcome donations from grant funders
A grant funder is when a large organisation that has a charitable pot of money chooses to donate a sum to us. Gilgal has been incredibly fortunate to receive multiple grants in the past; with this money, we have been able to decorate, furnish, and provide toys for the children’s room. We have trained staff to aid their support of those at our refuge. We began our garden project, making the refuge a more serene space. We have covered core costs within the organisation, including hiring a Communications Manager to improve our marketing and create this new website.
These projects have had a profoundly positive impact for us, and would not have been possible without grant funding.
