Most charities depend heavily on fundraising but it’s not just a worthy thing to do – fundraising can also be fun. The most effective fundraising events are those that bring people together in a celebratory atmosphere.
“At Focus Ireland, we find that fundraising and engagement often thrive when it’s part of a fun, community-driven event,” says Lorraine Toner, head of community fundraising with the charity.
“Bringing people together for the cause allows them to connect with our mission on a deeper level – not only financially but through shared experiences and a sense of collective purpose. This atmosphere of shared enjoyment and celebration can transform the act of giving from a mere transaction into an experience that resonates, driving people to give more generously and consistently.”
Focus Ireland hosts high-profile events throughout the year, ranging from challenge events and treks such as the Camino de Santiago to community-driven events including Shine A Light and The Big Busk.
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“Events that challenge individuals to push their limits, try new experiences, or showcase their talents and passions have proven to be highly effective in raising awareness and funds for Focus Ireland,” says Toner. “These events, such as The Big Busk, the Shine A Light sleep out, and the Camino, inspire action and empower supporters to show their support for thousands of individuals, children and families experiencing homelessness.”
Focus Ireland also organises fundraisers that come in the form of a night out, with comedy gigs and concerts on their calendar. Silent auctions, talent shows and dancing competitions are also becoming more popular.
Mark Doyle, Barnardos’ national campaigns and events executive, agrees. “Fun events foster community and enthusiasm, making it more appealing for participants to get involved and support Barnardos,” he says. “Engaging activities not only enhance the experience but also motivate individuals to donate and share the event, amplifying fundraising efforts.”
Local fairs, festivals, schools, crèches and community groups fundraise for Barnardos through bake sales, coffee mornings and quizzes. The most successful fundraising events for Barnardos effectively combine enjoyment with purpose, says Doyle.
“Activities like charity runs, walking challenges, community festivals and themed gatherings create a vibrant atmosphere that fosters camaraderie and shared commitment,” he says. “Additionally, initiatives that encourage teamwork, such as workplace challenges, drive higher engagement.”
Barnardos has successfully tapped into that feeling with its activity-based events and challenges, such as the pledge for people to walk or run 300,000 steps in November.
The 5k fun run still has its place, but now marathons, hikes, adventure races, and even mountain treks are proving to be big fundraising opportunities as people seeking a challenge sign up in their droves, raising thousands for their chosen cause in the process.
But it doesn’t have to involve any strenuous activity – a big fundraiser for Barnardos is its hugely popular Christmas jumper day, where adults and children are encouraged to wear their most festive Christmas jumper to school or work in order to raise funds for vulnerable children.
“Ultimately, the more dynamic and interactive the event, the greater its impact on fundraising efforts for Barnardos and changing the stories for the vulnerable children and families we support,” says Doyle.
Fundraising is also an opportunity to be innovative. Many charities have their bigger pillar events that occur on a regular or annual basis, but the smaller scale ad hoc events can be equally impactful in terms of raising funds and building connections.
“We are also inspired by the support of communities hosting their own initiatives, ranging from local pub quizzes and choir evenings, through to fashion or talent shows,” says Toner. Schools, in particular, are very creative, she adds.
Raffles are also simple but effective. Prizes can be small or big – the car or house raffle is becoming increasingly popular, where tickets are more expensive but the idea of winning a brand-new car or home is hard to resist. Barnardos also hosts a Teddy Bear raffle every year, where companies are asked to take a bear and raffle it to raise funds for children and families living in crisis situations.
Focus Ireland is also leaning into festive cheer with its Santa Train, which will be running every weekend in December from Cork to “the North Pole” (aka Charleville) and back.
“What makes the Santa Train particularly special is its ability to create joyful memories for families during the Christmas season while supporting those experiencing in need,” says Toner. “This unconventional approach to fundraising highlights how creativity can transform an event into a delightful experience, making it memorable for both participants and our Focus Ireland staff.”
Volunteering with a charity
Cash might be king but giving up your precious time is an invaluable boon and welcome resource for most charities. Volunteering, whether it’s a one-off event or a regular commitment, can greatly enhance the range and extent of services that charities can offer.
And Ireland is particularly fond of volunteering – according to Census 2022, there were 711,379 people who volunteered, representing 14 per cent of the population.
“Barnardos volunteers play a key part in the delivery of our services, working in our shops, providing administration support, as members of our board of directors and raising vital funds,” says Mark Doyle, Barnardos’ national campaigns and events executive.
“We are deeply grateful for their commitment to helping Barnardos achieve better outcomes for children. Without their dedication and generosity we could not do the work we do.”
Doyle points out that volunteering has benefits for the volunteer too, from making new friends and putting skills and talents to good use, to learning new skills and gaining experience in other areas. Barnardos offers volunteers training and support appropriate to their role, and assistance with out-of-pocket expenses.
“All adults are eligible to volunteer but there are some opportunities, like our literacy programme Wizard of Words, which is open to those aged 55 and older,” says Doyle.
Trócaire’s volunteer and events manager Jennifer Flynn says the charity is “incredibly blessed with a brilliant group of volunteers from right across Ireland”.
“Anyone over the age of 18 and who is passionate about global justice is eligible [to volunteer],” she adds. “Our volunteering opportunities are very relaxed – the time commitment given is completely up to the individual and based on where their interest in global justice lies.”
With Trócaire there are four main areas for volunteers to engage in: parish volunteering (speaking at Mass, engaging with your parish on Trócaire’s work); fundraising (selling of Christmas gifts, engaging with schools during Lent); campaigning (taking part in demonstrations, calling on the Government to act on issues of global justice); and events, which include the National Ploughing Championships, the All Together Now music festival, and Culture Night.
Volunteering with Trócaire involves a simple process, Flynn says: “An individual can register their interest on the Trócaire website by filling in the online form expressing their interest in volunteering and, based on where they are located in Ireland or Northern Ireland, one of our regional officers will be in touch. There will be a few quick questions around your interest in volunteering and then we need two references for safeguarding purposes.”
Then, following an online induction, volunteers are ready to go.
As with many other charities, formal training is also available for volunteers, Flynn notes: “Whether it’s communication training, campaigning training or webinars on climate justice, to name a few, there is plenty of opportunity for Trócaire volunteers to expand their understanding of different topics.”