Tips and tricks

Learn how to create a successful fundraising page.

Tip 1: Choosing your giving site

We recommend using JustGiving for your online fundraising, but we’re also registered with:

Smart Giving

Total Giving

These sites give you guidance on how to set up a fundraising page. 

Tip 2: Making it personal

Take a few minutes to write a short message for your profile. In our experience, the more personal and compelling the fundraising page, the more people donate. Thinking about these questions might help:

What triggered your decision to take on this project? Was it something you read in the news? Or saw on Facebook? A conversation you had with a friend?

Why did you choose to support the International Rescue Committee?

Whatever inspired you will probably inspire your family and friends too.

How other IRC supporters do it

14-year-old Kuba Williams walked 309 km from the Irish Coast to the North Sea Coast

Photographer Sam Brown tries to capture the Human Face of Solidarity

David Edwards cycled 1000 km in 10 days

Tip 3: Setting your target

£250 could provide lifesaving medicine and care to help 200 children survive a cholera epidemic in Chad.

£500 could buy goats for 7 Sudanese families struggling to live in a conflict zone. A goat can give a family nourishment as well as a sustainable source of income and a chance to regain economic independence.

£1,000 could help 25 Afghan girls go to school for a year, paying for their tuition, books and learning materials.

£2,500 could make sure 50 Syrian refugee families get blankets, sheeting and floor mats to sleep on when they arrive at Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan.

Tip 4: Adding a compelling picture

Upload a picture to bring the cause to life and highlight its importance. We’ve collected some images in the slideshow below for you to choose from and download. You’re welcome to use them on your fundraising page, but please remember to credit the IRC. 

Tip 5: Spreading the word

You’ve finished your fundraising page and it’s gone live, so it’s time to let the world know!

Start small

First off, send a few close friends or family a personal email introducing your project and inviting them to donate. People tend to decide their donation amount based on how much others have given, so it’s a good idea to start with whoever you think will give the most.

Tell everyone

Once you’ve got a few starter donations, it’s time to tell everyone. Email your family, friends and colleagues and post the link to your fundraising page on your social media accounts. You can even include it in your personal email signature.

Tell them again

Don’t be scared to send regular reminders to your supporters, via email or on social media. It’s for a vital cause, so they won’t mind. It often takes a few prompts for people to get around to visiting your page and making a donation.

Good luck and thank you! Your support will make a huge difference for refugees and families in need.

Tip 6: Paying in your funds

You’ve had a great time and raised lots of money. So now what?

If you have set up an online fundraising page, we receive the funds you raise directly from JustGiving, etc. So you don’t have to do any more! Thank you!

 

Otherwise, here are the various options available for you to pay in your funds:

Credit and debit cards

You can pay on help.rescue-uk.org

Cheques, postal orders, CAF vouchers

Send them to: The IRC, 100 Wood Street, London, EC2V 7AN. Please make cheques payable the ‘International Rescue Committee’.

Bank transfers

Money can be paid into our bank account:

Account name: International Rescue Committee UK

Bank name: NatWest

Bank address: 38 Strand, London WC2H 5JB

Account number: 41453387

Sort code: 60-40-05

Please let us know when you make a transfer into our bank account.

Add a compelling photo

Upload a picture to bring the cause to life and highlight its importance. We’ve collected some images for you to choose from and download. You’re welcome to use them on your fundraising page, but please remember to credit the IRC.

Year 8 student pours water as student waits at Rephi Primary School, Lanfuro Woreda, Ethiopia. The IRC provides water to the town. Photo: Mulugeta Ayene/IRC/2016

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Gborlu Kowu, 20, holds her two month old baby, Mamie, after receiving a series of vaccinations against polio and other diseases at IRC-run Konia Health Centre, Liberia. Photo: Tommy Trenchard/Panos/IRC

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Girl arrives in Lesvos, Greece. The IRC has been working since 2015 to assist refugees fleeing wars, disasters and persecution. Photo: The IRC 

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The IRC provides educational services in Afghanistan. Photo: Peter Biro/IRC 

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We’re with you every step of the way

Whether you’re taking on a charity challenge or organising an event, our team are on hand to help you. We’ll send you a welcome pack, training plans to build up to your challenge and tailored fundraising materials to support your event. We’re also here to give you tips and advice whenever you need them. Just email us or call the team on 0203 983 3333.

Other ways get involved

Sign up to one of our charity challenges or find out more about organising a charity event. You can also support us by making a donation or by selling your unwanted items on Ebay. All proceeds will go straight towards our work.