If you haven’t raised money before, please don’t be daunted! We’ll help you every step of the way with our fundraising ideas and tips.
Here are top ideas to help you smash your fundraising target!
Ask for donations early and countdown to the big day
They say the early bird catches the worm, and fundraising is no different. Asking friends, family and colleagues for a donation early on is a good idea as they may donate again when it’s marathon time!
Don't forget to let people know when its 100 days or 10 weeks to go, to create a sense or urgency to donate.
Add to your Enthuse page to your Instagram profile
Add your Enthuse fundraising page link to your Instagram profile, so when your Instagram stories vanish people can still easily find your page.
Add your Enthuse fundraising page to your email signature
A simple but effective way to raise money is to share your fundraising story at work. Also add a link to your fundraising page on your Instagram profile!
Run in fancy dress
We know, running a marathon – or any race for that matter – is enough of a challenge. But volunteering to run in fancy dress adds another layer of difficulty and entertainment value which may spur supporters into coughing up more cash!
Birthday and Christmas gifts
Ask for a donation to your fundraising page rather than a birthday or Christmas gift.
Ask Chat GPT
Ask Chat GPT how to fundraise and for some ideas. Tell it your circumstances e.g. if you work in an office, if you are a member of a social group, how much you need to raise and quickest way to achieve it. You'll be surprised how helpful AI can be. The more information your give it, the better the ideas will be.
Wardrobe raid
Declutter and sell your unwanted wares online to give your marathon fundraising a boost. It’ll make plenty of room for all the new running gear you’ll be needing!
Coin jar
Ask your local pub or LGBT+ venue to put a coin jar on their counter. Pennies makes pounds!
Challenge your friends
Find 5 friends and challenge them to raise £100 for you! That could be a quick £500 towards your target.
Organise a raffle
Contact some local businesses for prizes and organise a raffle at work. If you can’t source any freebies, maybe consider buying a cheap bottle of fizz and a box of chocolates and raffling those off?
Organise a bucket collection
Bucket collections can raise a few £ towards your target! If you have a busy local train station or supermarket, please let us know and we can help you get permission to bucket collect.
Hold a marathon fundraising event like a bake sale
Whether it’s a bake sale or a work happy hour, think about holding a charity fundraising event to nudge you closer to your target. It’ll bring people together and may encourage them to sponsor you as well as buy a slice of cake. You could organise several small events during your fundraising period – a little but often can be the best approach!
Host a quiz night
Organise a quiz night at work, your local pub or community venue. Charge an entry fee per team and offer a small prize for the winners. It's a fun social event that can raise a good amount in a single evening.
Sweepstake
Organise a sports, TV or office sweepstake. Whether it's the Premier League, Eurovision, Strictly or another popular event, sweepstakes are simple to run and can attract lots of participants.
Sell homemade treats
In addition to a bake sale, consider selling homemade jams, chutneys, brownies or other popular treats to friends, family and colleagues.
Celebrate fundraising milestones
When you reach £500, £1,000 or £2,000, share the milestone widely on social media and thank supporters. People are often encouraged to donate when they see you're getting closer to your target.
Collection at special occasions
If you're attending a birthday party, retirement celebration, wedding anniversary or other gathering, ask if you'd be able to mention your marathon challenge and share your fundraising page with guests.
Put up posters at work with a QR code to your fundraising page
A simple and effective way to promote your fundraising is to put up posters around your workplace. Include a photo of yourself, details about why you're taking on the marathon, and a QR code that links directly to your Enthuse fundraising page. Display them in communal areas such as kitchens, break rooms, noticeboards and reception areas. Making it quick and easy for colleagues to donate can help attract support from people who might not otherwise see your fundraising posts online.
Matched funding
Also known as matched giving, many employers will double the amount you raise for charity. Find out if your employer offers this, and if it does, be sure to take advantage of the scheme.
We are here to support you every step of the way
£10 could help provide an HIV self-test kit to someone who needs access to a test
£25 could help answer one call to THT Direct, a lifeline helpline that helps over 13,000 vulnerable people each year
£35 could help provide access for two people to My Community, THT’s online, confidential, safe space for people living with HIV.
£50 could help provide a vital grant for people living with HIV struggling to afford basic necessities
£80 could help a participant on our Work and Skills programme meet with a 1-2-1 mentor
£100 could help fund our Living Well services to ensure people living with HIV receive the support they need
We are here to support you every step of the way
Fundraising... a marathon not a sprint! We’re here to support you every step of the way to reaching and smashing your fundraising target! If you would like to join our team or speak with us, email [email protected] and we’ll be in touch.