Fundraising season is here – let’s make an event of it 

Advice from Baptist Insurance outlining your responsibility for church organised events

It’s that exciting time of year again. Now that the warmer weather has arrived, many Baptist churches will be starting to organise their calendars and brainstorm innovative fundraising ideas.
 
We’ve come a long way since jumble sales and bring and buys. At Baptist Insurance we now hear of activities ranging from fetes to fun runs, cold water plunges to murder mystery dinners. Events certainly remain a fantastic way to reach out to your local community and welcome people into your church.
 
If you are insured with Baptist Insurance, then you will be happy to learn that most one-off events are already covered as part of the public and employer’s liability section of your church policy. If you are thinking of running a more unusual or hazardous event however, then please contact us as soon as you know the event is happening to check your level of cover.
 
Our dedicated team are here to answer your questions, no matter how big or small the enquiry, so please feel free to call us on 0345 070 2223.
 

Planning an event – the essentials

Every year we hear of new and ingenious ways to raise money for a church or chapel. So to help you make sure you really put the fun into fundraising, we’ve focussed on the most two vital ‘Ps’ for any event – the preparation and the publicity.
 

Preparation for events

It is really important to make sure you leave plenty of time to plan everything thoroughly. A detailed plan of action is essential, including contingencies for what to do if things go wrong. Why not consider appointing a team with a project manager. Ideally everyone should have a clear role, based on his or her own skills.
 
It is also important to plan the venue. Does it have enough facilities, including disabled access? And, a terrible thought, but is there a backup plan in case it rains?
 

Publicity for events

To maximise footfall and really boost those donations, make sure to spread the word around the church and the local community. Don’t be afraid to approach local businesses as you may be surprised how happy they are to get involved, and perhaps even provide resources. You could even ask local venues like pubs and shops to have leaflets or publicity on site.
 
One of the most important things is to keep your publicity focused and simple. Create a caption for your event, and make it short, memorable and inclusive. More people will get involved if it’s an event for the whole community.
 

Want to know more?

We have plenty more information and advice on events on our website, so for more guidance on how to make the most of your fundraising activities this year please visit the Baptist Insurance website.