Fundraising for Gilgal

How to become a fundraiser

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. Here at Gilgal Birmingham, we put funds to use based on what our residents want, need, or have expressed an interest in. 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!). Our current building has served us well, but we are hoping to procure and move into our own building as soon as we can. At this point, we will be able to increase our capacity and support more women in escaping the cycle of abuse. As you can imagine, this is an expensive process; along with needing to raise money for the purchase of a new building, we will need to prepare for our costs to go up as our capacity increases. 


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. We encourage you to join in, as we believe everyone has something to offer; plus it can be a wonderful way to build relationships within your community and make new connections. Any amount you are able to raise is welcome and greatly appreciated; all donations support the running costs of our refuge. 

£200

Subsidise a resident’s education

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 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?

Some ideas to get you started: 

• Bake sale
• Craft sale
• BBQ
• Auction of promises
• A sponsored run, skydive, bungee jump or mountain climb
• Preloved clothes sale
• Street party with food stalls
• Boot sale
• Entertainment events like quiz night, disco, choir performance

Grant funders

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 Officer 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.

If you would like to get involved or would like any more information on becoming a fund raiser, please contact fundraising@gilgalbham.org.uk

Ready to donate?

Have you already held your fundraising event? It’s time to transfer your takings to Gilgal!