Try to raise money from as many different sources as possible. It can be a mistake to become over reliant on any one source of funding, because if that comes to end you could face real difficulties.

The money you will be raising for your organisation will be either unrestricted funding which is money given to your organisation without any conditions on what it can be used for or restricted funding, which is money given to your organisation for a specific purpose

Ideally you want as much unrestricted funding as possible so that you have the freedom to use it where and when it is needed most . Unrestricted funding is particularly useful to cover your organisation's running costs (sometimes called core costs) such as heat, light, rent, insurance, etc.

Below are some sources of unrestricted funding:

Have you got something others want?

Think about the resources your organisation has to offer:

- A meeting room, photocopying facilities or equipment to hire out.
- An area of expertise in which you could offer training to other organisations.
- Services that you could offer to other organisations, eg payroll, transport.

Think about the resources your organisation could share with others as a way of reducing costs, such as premises, staff, equipment, expertise.

Fundraising Events

From sponsored events to coffee mornings, fundraising events can be a good way of raising money for your organisation, of publicising your cause and recruiting additional volunteers or long term supporters.

Here are a few points to bear in mind:

- Fundraising events can be very labour intensive so make sure you have enough people to help out. Local groups such as Scouts, Air/Army Cadets, Lions or Rotary Clubs, etc., can sometimes provide manpower. Find details on a searchable database of Essex organisations at - http://www.essexlife.org/

- Start planning well ahead, it always takes longer than you think.

- Check any licensing requirements for the sale of alcohol, public entertainment, etc., by contacting our Licensing Officer: - Rachel.Crouch@braintree.gov.uk

- Choose and book an appropriate venue well ahead of the intended date. For details of Community Halls available for hire from Braintree District Council email - Sharon Wood@braintree.gov.uk or tel 01376 551414 extn 2373.

Charity Stalls at Braintree and Witham markets

For a small fee Charities and voluntary organisations can hire a stall at these markets to sell items to raise funds. Contact Trevor Lawrence or Ann Poulter on tel 01376 551414

Street Collections and House to House Collections

If your collection will take place in Braintree District you must obtain a permit from us. Contact Email - Rachel.Crouch@braintree.gov.uk or tel: 01376 557790

Lotteries, Draws and Raffles

To run these you may need to be registered with the Gaming Board or with Braintree District Council. Before doing anything else contact E mail - Rachel.Crouch@braintree.gov.uk or tel: 01376 557790 to find out exactly what the requirements are.

For information about how to access restricted funding that can only be used for the purpose for which it was given, click on

Can we get money from the lottery?

Can we get money from Trusts?