Fundraising for an Individual

There are several ways to fundraise for an individual and it does not have to be through a registered charity.

There are a number of structures that you might wish to consider establishing for your fundraising group. If you are fundraising for an individual you will not be able to register as a charity but you could form an unincorporated association for example. The type of structure you adopt may vary depending on how much money you hope to raise and how long you wish to fundraise for.

Find out more about the different structures for voluntary organisations.

While you do not have have to register as such in order to fundraise for an individual, you will still need to abide by various regulations. Remember not to claim to be raising money for a charity if it's not actually a charity that you are fundraising for.

Openness and honesty are key to successful fundraising. You should be aware that if money is raised for a specific purpose, it has to be used for that purpose. Think about what you will do if you raise more money than expected, for example. You may find it helpful to inform donors from the start that any money that cannot be used for your initial purpose is donated to charity x.

To keep the process transparent, it is advisable to open a bank account in the name of your fund, with 2 signatories. Your bank should be able to advise you further but they may need to see a constitution that the signatories accept. This is basically a document which sets out what you are raising money for etc. A sample constitution which may help you write your own (although it may be more complicated than you need) is available from the Charity Commission.

Read the Charity Commission model constitution.

For smaller organisations that do not expect to raise more than £5,000, the Charity Commission have guidance that inlcudes a simplified constitution that can be adapted.

Read the Charity Commission information and model constitution for small organisations.

Your local Voluntary Service Council may also be able to provide you with some guidance for your fundraising. The National Association of Voluntary and Community Organisatoins (NAVCA) has a searchable database of members which you can use to find your local voluntary service council.

Search NAVCA's website for your local voluntary service council.

Starting Your Fundraising

There are many ways to fundraise for your chosen cause. How2Fundraise is an Institute website aimed at volunteer fundraisers which is full of ideas and how-to guides to get you started.

Visit the How2Fundraise wesite.

Also be sure to check the other pages in this section of the website, particularly the page about Getting Started in Fundraising.

Find out more about getting started in fundraising.

Codes of Fundraising Practice

The Codes of Fundraising Practice highlight the law and best practice for a range of fundraising techniques. All of the Codes are available online and it is advisable to check the Codes before you start your fundraising. The Accountability and Transparency and the Handling of Cash and other Financial Donations may be particularly relevant when fundraising for an individual.

Read the Accountability and Transparency Code of Fundraising Practice.

Read the Handling of Cash and Other Financial Donations Code of Fundraising Practice.

Find out more about the Codes of Fundraising Practice.

Other Institute Resources

The Institute has produced a briefing about fundraising for an individual.

Read the Fundraising for an Individual briefing.