Dear Participant
This pack is full of information to help you start fundraising and help you raise the course fees. We do hope you will take the time to read it and act on it, there is money out there and your fundraising efforts can really pay off.
The most important advice that Scottish Youth Theatre can give you about raising funds is to START NOW! The more places you apply to, the more likely you are to get help. Unfortunately it is very unusual for any one to obtain funds to cover the whole cost of the course, particularly if there are residence fees to consider as well as the course fees, but, as the old saying goes, every little helps!
We have provided advice on fundraising from the following sources, and would recommend that you try as many as possible, and any others that you can think of and we have included an example letter that you could base yours on:
| General Fundraising | Local Press | Private Firms | Grant Making Trusts | Local Councils |
It is important that you do not approach the Scottish Arts Council as they already fund Scottish Youth Theatre directly and will not be able to help you.
Please feel free to telephone the Scottish Youth Theatre office where the staff will try to help in any way possible. Don’t give up and good luck!
Fundraising
Here is some information on themes to use to fundraise and also some tips for successful fundraising. The SYT office is here to help, so all you have to do is write or pick up the phone. We have information available on the work of Scottish Youth Theatre in the form of Annual Reports and the SYTizen newsletter. It may be useful to give potential supporters a copy of such publications.
10 steps to successful fundraising
KEEP IT SIMPLE: A clear and straightforward idea and a bold message - make it something you will enjoy and others will too.
ORGANISE: Make sure you have enough help. Enlist friends and family to help.
PLAN: If organising an event, choose a date that is free of other charity events in your area, work back from the date of the event to plan preparations. Allow enough time for possible setbacks.
BUDGET: List expenses and potential income before starting; don’t spend lots of time and money organising an event with only modest returns.
CHECK: Legal constraints; liaise with SYT office.
PUBLICISE: Make sure the public know what you are raising money for; let everyone know what you are doing. Contact the local press. Talk to as many people as possible as this may generate new ideas and offers of help.
PERSONALISE: People like to know how you will benefit from the money they give.
THANK: Supporters and helpers; don’t forget to publicise the results of your efforts.
BUILD ON SUCCESS: Use records of helpers and supporters when planning any future events; don’t be put off by one unsuccessful event; learn from your mistakes and try again.
Fundraising Ideas – an a - Z
A – An all day event. Ask at your local sports centre or youth club if you can arrange a 24 hour sponsored event. Perhaps a sporting event.
B – Bag packing. Ask your local supermarket if you can raise money by packing bags.
C – What about a car boot sale or a coffee morning. Both of this have proved popular with previous Summer Festival applicants.
D – Organise a disco and charge an admission fee. Ask your school or youth club if they’d be willing to provide the venue.
E – Put a twist on a karaoke party and host a eurovision themed party charging an admission fee.
F – Try arranging a fun filled fashion show. All your friends and family can help by modelling for you.
G – Host a games night.
H – Hula hoop contest. Get sponsorship for how long you can hula hoop. Alternatively how many hula hoops can you eat in one minute?
I – Offer to do all the ironing for a month for a fee.
J – Jumble sale. Ask people to donate unwanted clothes for you to sell to help raise funds.
K – Karaoke evening. Host a karaoke evening and charge an entrance fee or a fee to perform.
L – What about a limbo contest or a laugh-a-thon. Do something creative and a bit different.
M – Musical cabaret. Instead of karaoke, ask everyone to perform songs from the musicals.
N – Ask your school if you can hold a non-uniform day. Ask students to pay a small fee to wear casual clothes for a day.
O – Odd jobs. Offer to do odd jobs such as cleaning and dish washing for friends and family in exchange for a small fee.
P – Pyjama day. Wear your pyjama’s for a day and get sponsored. Two previous Summer Festival participants raised money by doing a sponsored walk in their pyjama’s.
Q – Arrange a quiz night.
R – Raffle. Ask local businesses to donate prizes and then sell raffle tickets for the prizes. Don’t forget to ask local restaurants if they can donate a meal for two.
S – Sponsored events. Why not arrange a sponsored silence. Ask friends and family to sponsor you to stay quiet for an afternoon (or even longer)! Alternatively organise a sponsored swim or bike ride or leg wax. Previous male participants of Summer Festival raised funds by waxing their legs!
T – Organise a theme night and charge a fee to attend. A 70’s disco is popular.
U – Used and no longer needed. Have a clear out and sell any unwanted stuff that you have.
V – Organise a variety show during a school lunch hour and charge a small fee to come along. Don’t forget to get permission from your school first.
W – Wash cars for cash.
X – X-Factor themed party.
Y – Yukky food. Ask your friends to sponsor you to eat something you really don’t like.
Z – Zzzzzz why not host a pyjama party and charge an entrance fee.
Use your imagination and drama skills …………. you might want to come up with an original idea for fundraising that reflects your passion for acting.
Remember when organising any fundraiser, it is important to check legal constraints beforehand and always ensure that everyone knows exactly what they are donating money for and how you will benefit.
Using The Local Press
Local newspapers, whether they are free or sold, are a very good way to help your fundraising get off the ground. Papers can be used in several ways:
Ø You can either write to the letters page to appeal for funds now that you have successfully passed your audition.
Ø You could phone direct and ask for the news desk. Explain about your acceptance to the course and ask if you could appeal to their readers for funds, sponsorship or moneymaking ideas.
Ø Local press can also be used to publicise other people's support for you.
Ø If you tell local businesses and groups that you are trying to get coverage in the press it may encourage them to help you as they will get free publicity when you mention them.
The main trick with local papers is to simply ask. If they are not interested then you have lost nothing, but in the main papers will be willing to help, and can be a very effective way to start fundraising.
Private Firms
Some participants manage to get sponsorship - usually from small local businesses. The only way to obtain money from small firms is to write a lot of letters. For addresses, try your local Chamber of Commerce or use the yellow pages or www.yell.com
Why would a business want to sponsor you?
Local businesses can gain from sponsoring your course through positive publicity. If a business does sponsor you, you could ask the local press to run a story featuring both you and the business. When approaching local firms, the key is to try as many as possible and it helps if you have a friend of family connection e.g) a relative who is an employee. Remember to send a letter of thanks to any business that offers help.
Grant Making Trusts
Grant Making Trusts are charities that exist to give money to other charities or individuals. The majority of trusts prefer to give to charities, however, there are trusts out there that are in a position to give to individuals to take part in projects such as the Summer Festival. Some are particularly interested in children and young people; others in general welfare or education; others in certain geographical areas.
Most grant making trusts are swamped with applications and could easily give their money four or five times over on the basis of the applications they already receive. This does not mean that you should not apply, but rather that you will have to put time and effort into making a good application to an appropriate trust. Applying to trusts can be a complicated business as each has their own policies, application deadlines and preferred method of application. The trick is to find ones that match your personal circumstances. Here are some examples:
Foundation For Sports And The Arts
Foundation for Sports and the Arts is a trust fund that has shown support to a number of our participants over the years. They can support individuals who take part in arts activities and are more likely to fund participants who only ask for a portion of the fees and try to gather the rest through fundraising activities. FSA also prefer applicants who are passionate about their opportunity and therefore willing to access further information for them. A poorly processed application and one that does not follow their guidelines will not impress. However, do not let this put you off, as many of our SF participants are successful.
Telephone 0151259 5505 for an application pack or write to:
The Foundation for Sports & The Arts, PO Box 20, LIVERPOOL, L13 1HB
The Prince’s Trust
The Prince's Trust is an important funder of work with disadvantaged young people. It also fundraises itself to promote its own programmes of work. The Prince’s Trust can offer a Development Award grant if you are:
Ø Aged 14-25
Ø Looking to improve your skills or get into work
Ø Unemployed, underemployed, under-skilled, leaving care, disabled, parenting alone or facing discrimination
Contact: 0141 204 4409 or email webinfosc@princes-trust.org.uk for further information or write to:
The Prince’s Trust, First Floor, The Guildhall, 57 Queen Street, Glasgow, G1 3EN www.princes-trust.org.uk
Young Scot
The Post Office Young Scot Action Fund distributes small grants, up to £200 for individuals and up to £750 for groups, six times a year.
Application forms for this fund can be found on the Young Scot Website: www.youngscot.org The Young Scot website contains some helpful information and has a hints and tips page on how to fill in their application. It is worth checking out their hints and tips as these can be applied to other applications.
The Internet
The Internet is an excellent way to find many different kinds of Trust Funds. Why not try:
Your Local Library
Most Libraries have books and publications on Sponsorship. Larger Reference libraries such as the Mitchell Library and the National Library have loads of really up to date information. So why not give that a try?
Some good titles are
- ‘The Directory of Grant Making Trusts’
- ‘Grants Resister’
- ‘Charities Register’
Applications
It is very important that any applications you make or letters you write are clear and give the relevant information. Make sure you include the following:
a) Your name, address and age b) Your occupation or the school, college etc. you attend
c) Why you are applying for a grant i.e. give details of the Scottish Youth Theatre course you wish to attend, and of your family circumstances and family background. Remember to include details on your personal interests and passions as well as why you want to do the course.
d) The cost of your fees and expenses for the course. It is a good idea to list all fees separately; e.g) course fees, residence or accommodation fees, travel expenses (including the cost of getting to and from residences at the start and end of the course if this is relevant) and additional expenses, e.g) money for meals.
Always include a stamped addressed envelope as this increases your chances of getting a reply. Keep copies of all letters you send and any replies, even refusals, as this will help you keep a record of all the places you have tried.
Local Authority Contact Details
| CONTACT NAME | ADDRESS | |
| Anne Watson | Aberdeen City Council, Summerhill Centre, Stronsay Drive, Aberdeen AB15 6JA | |
| Walter Taylor | Aberdeenshire Council, Woodhill House, Westburn Road, Aberdeen AB16 5GB | |
| Andrew Ross | Education Development Officer, Education Development Service, Angus Council, Bruce House, Wellgate, Arbroath DD11 3TE | |
|
| Community Regeneration, Argyll & Bute Council HQ, Kilmary, Lochgilphead PA31 3RT | |
|
| Council Information Centre, Corporate Services, City of Edinburgh Council, High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JY | |
| Rosa McPherson | Clackmannanshire Council, Greenfield, Alloa, FK10 2DD | |
| Mr Houston | Arts Office, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Council Offices, Sandwick Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis HS1 2BW | |
| Anne Campbell | Education Officer, Dumfries & Galloway Council, NCS Centre, Lochside Road, Dumfries, DG2 0EL | |
| Mark Kummerer | External Funding Officer, Dundee City Council, Communities Dept, Tayside House, Dundee DD1 3RZ | |
| David Mitchell | East Ayrshire Council, East Ayrshire Council, Council Offices, London Road, Kilmarnock KA3 7BU | |
| Jim Bicket | East Dunbartonshire Council, Provision & Planning Dept, Boclair House, 100 Milngavie Road, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 2TQ | |
| Margaret O’Connor | East Lothian Council, John Muir House, Haddington, East Lothian EH41 3HA | |
| Winnie Gallacher/ Gary Morton | East Renfrewshire Council, Council Offices, Eastwood Park, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock G46 6UG | |
| Gillian Thompson | Falkirk Council, Municipal Buildings, Falkirk FK1 5RS | |
| Jim Douglas | Fife Council, Fife House, North Street, Glenrothes KY7 5LT | |
|
| Glasgow City Council, City Chambers, George Square, Glasgow G2 1DU | |
| Lynn Johnson | Highland Council, Badenochuth & Strathspey Area, Ruthven Road, Kingussie PH20 1EJ | |
| Tom Bryan - Arts Development Officer | Highland Council, Community Education Centre, Ackergill Street, Wick KW1 4DT | |
| Adrian Clark | Highland Council, Inverness Area, Town House, Inverness, IV1 1JJ | |
| Helen Semple/ Ali McDonald | Highland Council, Lochaber Area, Mamore House, The Parade, Fort William, PH33 6BA | |
| Shona Arthur | Highland Council, Nairn Area, High Street, Dingwall IV12 4AV | |
| Wendy Sanders | Highland Council, Ross & Cromarty Area, High Street, Dingwall IV15 9QN | |
| John MacDonald | Highland Council, Skye & Lochalsh Area, Tigh na Sgire, Portree IV51 9GP | |
| Roxana Meechan | Highland Council, Sutherland Area, Main Street, Golspie KW10 6RB |
| CONTACT NAME | ADDRESS | |
| Bob Barr Youth Worker | Inverclyde Council, Municipal Buildings, Greenock PA15 1LY | |
| Director of Community Services | Midlothian Council, Midlothian House, Buccleuch Street, Dalkeith EH22 1DJ | |
| Caroline Coomber | Moray Council, High Street, Elgin IV30 1BX | |
| Chief Executive Dept | North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE | |
| Lizanne McMurrich | North Lanarkshire Council, PO Box 14, Civic Centre, Motherwell ML1 1TW | |
| Jeremy Baster | Orkney Islands Council, School Place, Kirkwall KW15 1NY | |
| Finance Department | Perth & Kinross Council, 2 High Street, Perth PH1 5PH | |
| Rana Keane | Renfrewshire Council, North Building, Room 1.2, Cotton Street, Paisley PA1 1BU | |
| Nicki Toneri | Scottish Borders Council, Newton St Boswells, Melrose TD6 0SA | |
| Suzanne Shearer | Shetlands Islands Council, Town Hall, Lerwick, Shetland ZE1 0HB | |
| Margaret McCubbin | Grants Office, South Ayrshire Council, Development, Safety & Regulation, Newton House, 30 Green Street Lane, Ayr KA18 8BH | |
| Stephen Kelly | South Lanarkshire Council, Almada Street, Hamilton ML3 0AA | |
| Mary Prior | Stirling Council, Viewforth, Stirling FK8 2ET | |
| Jill Graham | West Dunbartonshire Council, Levenford House, Helenslee Road, Dunbarton G82 4AH | |
| John Reid | West Lothian Council, West Lothian House, Almondvale, Livingston EH54 6QG |
Draft Letter
If you want to write to local business, funding bodies, the press or your local council to gain funding for Summer Festival, but are having difficulty getting started, here is an example letter, which you could copy.
(If you are under 16, please inform a Parent/Guardian of your intention to send out letters)
If organisations reply to you, needing more information or proof of your participation, contact the SYT office on 0141 552 3988 or email info@scottishyouththeatre.org
Date
Your Address
Dear Sir or Madam, (TRY TO FIND OUT A CONTACT NAME IF POSSIBLE)
My name is YOUR NAME and I attend NAME OF SCHOOL/COLLEGE. I have successfully auditioned for a place in the Scottish Youth Theatre NAME OF COURSE, as part of Summer Festival 2009.
The course will take place on DATE & VENUE OF COURSE.
(BRIEF SUMMARY OF WHY YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN SUMMER FESTIVAL AND HOW YOU WILL BENEFIT FROM IT)
I am currently seeking sponsorship and would really appreciate any support YOU/YOUR ORGANISATION could offer me.
Summer Festival is a fantastic experience and hopefully, with your help, I can be a part of this event.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours Sincerely
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