Fundraising activities, such as sponsored runs and costume competitions, should be well-planned beforehand.
Fundraising initiatives and events --- from sponsored walks to live music concerts held in your local neighborhood --- are usually appropriate ways to get together some extra funds for your favorite charity or cause. However, it's possible to run into unexpected trouble and even fall foul of regulations and laws, if you don't consider some of the issues involved in fundraising ahead of time. The issues to consider may vary based on the type of fundraising you're doing.
Obtain Licenses
You'll want to ensure that every component of your fundraising activity is supported by the correct licenses. This is particularly relevant in the case of live music concerts or other types of entertainment for which you'll need to obtain a license to play music in public. These kind of events also typically have a bar, so you'll need a license to be able to sell alcohol at the event legally. Even smaller fundraising events, such as collecting money at street corners, may require planning; in some countries, to ask for cash from passersby requires individuals to carry an appropriate permit.
Inform Authorities
Any fundraising event that takes place in public, such as on a town street or in a park, could run into trouble with local authorities unless you've got their permission first. Local authorities include not only any relevant councils or similar organizations who are in charge of public areas, but also the police, who'll need to know exactly what's taking place beforehand. The police may need to send officers to deal with crowds or traffic, for example. It's worth talking to local medical organizations before any large-scale event too, as you might need individuals trained in procedures such as first aid on site.
Food Safety
Part of your fundraising activity might involve selling or otherwise distributing food, especially at an event featuring a food and beverage stall. You'll need to be careful that any food prepared for the event is safe to avoid attendees becoming ill as a result of uncooked meat, for example. Check with your insurance company that you're covered in case of such accidents. Also, you should label any products you're selling, or else warn attendees, if a food item contains nuts or is unsuitable for individuals with other allergies.
Insurance
Though you'll likely do everything you can to keep an event safe, accidents can happen, especially at large-scale fundraising events, so you'll need to make sure that you're insured for the activities you're running. Check if the venue at which the fundraising is taking place has its own insurance in place; if not, you'll need to acquire insurance yourself. Typically, this will take the form of public liability insurance or the equivalent, which will protect you in the event of a third party being injured during your fundraising activity.
Tags: fundraising activity, your fundraising, your fundraising activity, event safe, fundraising events