Ways to Raise Funds
Case studies
CAAT supporters have come up with many different ways to help raise money for the campaign. Here are just a couple of ideas from recent years to inspire you!
Get gigging!
'4 People not Profit' is a independent co-operative based in Saltburn that stages gigs in local pubs to help promote human rights and social justice issues. One of their members, Justin York, explains how they went about raising £150 for CAAT:
We aim for the nights we put on to raise awareness of serious issues but in a party atmosphere supporting local bands and DJ's and other interesting and different music. The events so far have been based in one of two pubs in Saltburn which let us have a room for free. Once we've booked the room, we book in the soundman, who only charges us half price, as well as the acts, who all perform for free.We usually have three live acts followed by a DJ set, which gets people dancing every time!
Once everyone is confirmed we send info about the gig to a friend who works for a printers he designs and prints the flyers for free. We get them out everywhere we can in the local area and then in the run up to the gig we email a press release to local papers, magazines and listings guides, following them up with a phonecall to make sure the information will appear. We also contact which ever organisation we're supporting to get promotional materials such as badges, stickers, leaflets, action cards and posters. CAAT were great for this as we got lots of action cards to give to people to send off as well as badges to give out as people came in, and lots of info about CAAT's work. We used CAAT posters to brighten up the venue and raise awareness of arms trade issues.
The last gig we ran for CAAT was a huge success, especially as it was a hip hop themed night, which may have been the first ever in Saltburn! We packed out the room with at least 100 people. As with all of our events, we asked for donations on the door. We also had a unwanted Christmas present tombola. Overall, the event raised £266.95. We sent £150 to CAAT and kept the rest to cover expenses and the cost of putting on future events.
Lotty Manicom and her friends staged a similar event in Nottingham, proving just how much fun raising money for CAAT can be!
Run for CAAT
CAAT supporter David Ivall put on his running shoes and ran the Sheffield Half Marathon in aid of CAAT. He got sponsor forms from the CAAT office and set up an online fundraising page through bmycharity, encouraging his friends and colleagues to sponsor him. CAAT also encouraged supporters to sponsor him by including it in the email bulletin and in CAAT News. With a team of friends to cheer him on throughout the race he finished in record time and raised over £200 for CAAT.
Sponsored events
For sporting and challenge events organised through CAAT, have a look at our Sponsored Events page.
Organise your own event
There are certain events that CAAT is able to help you organise and some that we ask you to organise on your own or in a team. Have a look at the information below to see what takes your fancy. In case none of these ideas grab you, visit this helpful fundraising website. There are many ways to raise money for CAAT, but whatever event you choose, make sure it's something you enjoy!
Social events
Pub quizzes, race nights, auctions, film nights, BBQs and karaoke nights are great ways to raise money and have fun at the same time.
At school or work
- Persuade your boss/teachers to let you have a dress down Friday or no-uniform day for a fee
- Give an hour ask your colleagues to donate an hour of their salary to CAAT
- Have a cake sale rope in your friends to help you make a selection of yummy treats that you can sell to your colleagues or school friends
- Ask your employer to match fund if you're holding an event at work, why not ask your boss if the company will match all money raised (remind them of the positive publicity it will generate for them!)
Talks
Another way of raising awareness is to hold a talk or lecture on one of CAATs latest campaigns or an issue connected to the arms trade. You could charge people a small entrance fee and/or make a collection at the end of the event. CAAT can help you find a speaker through its Speakers Network, just contact our Core Campaigns Coordinator on 020 7281 0297 or email campaign(at)caat·org·uk to find out if there's someone in your area. You may wish to order a speakers' pack at the same time.
Make a song and dance!
Got any budding actors in the family? Know anyone who can play a musical instrument or has a wonderful singing voice? Why not put on a concert/sketch show/comedy night in aid of CAAT. Many pubs will allow you a room for free or for a very small fee if you can guarantee getting customers through their doors.
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