Fundraising through Lockdown – Girlguiding Case Study

As it looks like local lockdowns and restrictions will be with us for some time, many units are wondering how they can keep funds coming in through the winter and into 2021.

As the number of people shopping online this year has soared, some units have used this an opportunity to keep raising money and made the most of fundraising shopping website easyfundraising.

We asked two Guiding units to tell their lockdown stories and offer their advice and top tips on making easyfundraising work for your unit too.

Herons Lodge Guide Centre - Julie Larner

How did the coronavirus crisis affect your fundraising?

Herons Lodge Guide Centre has been closed throughout lockdown, and we have lost a lot of income. It is looking highly unlikely that we will be able to open the centre for residential stays before 2021.

In order to get the centre ‘Covid-secure’ we have done a lot of clearing out - including furniture that is not easy to clean and replacing the carpet tiles throughout the centre. Additional cleaning supplies and hand sanitiser, automatic soap dispensers and battery-operated doorstops have also had to be purchased.

How much have you raised with easyfundraising this year?

£231

How do you talk to your supporters about easyfundraising?

We communicate via our Facebook page - we regularly post about easyfundraising and inform followers of the offers and promotions.

I also shop online quite a lot, so I always check if there is a donation – I’ve installed the Donation Reminder toolbar too! I’ve also encouraged my two daughters to do the same – as they also shop online a lot!

When speaking to other Guide leaders, I encourage them to promote easyfundraising to their units, or ask that they consider supporting Herons Lodge (either way it is a win-win for Girlguiding!)

Do you think easyfundraising is a good way for Girlguiding units to keep raising while events are on hold?

easyfundraising is just that! Easy to set up – easy to administer – and the money raised is paid straight into our bank account.

During these challenging times, when people are all struggling financially as well as units, easyfundraising helps everyone – shoppers get great deals and are able to support their unit without having to give any more money, and the units benefit from extra money in their account!

All the donations really do add up!

Top Tip?

The donation reminder is great! It helps to retrain your brain to think ‘I’m shopping online – is the retailer part of easyfundraising?’

Also, don’t expect to just say it once – keep reminding them – and let them see the benefits!

4^th Shirley Guide Unit – Ruth Clery

How did the coronavirus crisis affect your fundraising?

During the pandemic, we didn't charge subs for a term as we were meeting virtually. We had several fundraising events planned which have been postponed to 2021.

Despite being unable to meet, the parents have been using easyfundraising to raise money (over £90 in the past 30 days!) as they have been buying more online. This will certainly help to meet census payments.

How much have you raised with easyfundraising this year?

£308

How do you talk to your supporters about easyfundraising?

I give information about easyfundraising when a girl joins, and I put reminders on termly programmes (when we could plan!) I put up ‘thank yous’ on our unit Facebook page (especially when we get a big payment) and share details of competitions on there too.

We are only a small unit, but it helps us subsidise many trips for our girls - including to Switzerland last year.

Top tip?

Once a family has signed up, they rarely cancel - you get the benefit for years after their daughter has left! Also, I find that if you give a specific target (e.g. T-shirts for camp), there seems to be more buy in.

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