Schools & Colleges, Universities and Youth Groups
Teachers, students and young people have a huge role to play in promoting and protecting human rights in Ireland and throughout the world. One way to do that is to financially support the work of Amnesty International Ireland. If you’d like to help, please consider taking part in, or organising, one of the events listed below.
When you have decided on your fundraising event / activity, please let us know if you need any supplies such as sponsorship cards, posters, collection buckets, permission letters etc by calling us on 1850 882 400 or e-mail fundraising@amnesty.ie
List of Fundraising Ideas
Tips and Advice
Starting a Student and Youth group
List of Fundraising Ideas
Friendship Day is an annual nationwide fundraising event that is particularly popular in schools. Friendship Bracelets made by street children and fair-trade cooperative workers in Central America are sold for €2 each. Amnesty International supply these on a sale or return basis. Normally held in February, but you can pick your own date. Little preparation work but can raise a lot of money in a short time!
See details here
Marathons & Mini Marathons Take part and raise sponsorship for Amnesty International. Full list of nationwide events and entry details etc are posted here
Flag Day Help out at a local flag-day or church gate collection. If there isn’t one already planned for your town/city we would be delighted to hear from you with offers of help for such an event. We would apply for the necessary Garda permit and supply items such as collection buckets etc.
Parachute jumps Raise €650 in sponsorship and you jump for free!
For over 16s only and parental permission is required. Entry details etc are posted here
Bag Packing in Supermarkets. Needs to be booked well in advance. Can raise €1.000 or more per day if enough students help out.
Battle of the Bands or X Factor competition in your school, college club etc.
BBQ Ask permission to hold a lunchtime or evening barbecue in the grounds of your school/college and sell tickets in advance to staff, students and parents.
Local suppliers may donate food.
Bike rides/races Organise a safe, scenic route. Choose a theme such as Tour Against Torture. Charge an entry fee and/or ask cyclists to raise sponsorship.
Car wash Ask your school/college if you could organise a car wash in the school/college car park and wash cars for a fee or donation.
Carol singing Gather together a reasonably tuneful choir and collect in shopping centres and other public places at Christmas. Please remember this requires permission from local Gardai. Amnesty International can apply for a permit if you let us know in good time.
Celebrity Walks Persuade a celebrity (a local one is fine) to walk a set distance with a group of students and get people to sponsor them.
Coffee Morning Requires a budget. Invite friends to a cakes and coffee morning in your school/college canteen or dining hall. This can be combined with a book sale or other event.
Concert/Gigs For students aged 18 years and over. Ask local bands and/or DJs to play a gig and donate the ticket money to Amnesty International. Raffle can be included.
Cookery demonstration Ask a well known chef to put on a demonstration. People will gladly pay for this – great fundraiser.
Disco This will require a budget. First, find a suitable venue and someone to run the disco. Sell tickets in advance. Could be run as a joint fundraiser for your school/college and Amnesty International
Donate rag week proceeds to Amnesty International or organise a special event.
Fashion show Organise a fashion show with clothes donated or loaned by local shops and stores. Can be modeled by students and staff! Record the event and sell copies as soon as possible after the event.
Fast Go without food for a day while others sponsor you to do so
Food tasting – ask a restaurant or supermarket to host a food tasting day/night. Charge entry fee to taste any dish or dishes – you promote it and sell tickets. The owner wins by bringing in new customers who may never have tried their particular type of food. Foreign food would be ideal because people may be very keen to try out new dishes without the risk of buying a full meal they may not like.
Fun Runs – organize a fun run locally – talk to the Gardai first if it’s to be run on the public road.
Fundraising gig. Ask your students union to organize a special fundraising gig or other event. Could be run as a joint fundraiser for the school/college and Amnesty.
Head-shaves, leg or chest wax for men (ouch!) great fundraiser
Jumble sale. This requires a venue. Have separate stalls for different types of items. Be prepared to let customers haggle. Advertise in advance and charge an entrance fee. You may wish to sell refreshments as well.
No uniform day or Theme Day (dress as your favourite character!). Everyone makes a donation to Amnesty to take part.
Quiz/Trivia Evening Charge an entry fee for individuals or teams to take part; questions could be on a set theme, like films, pop music, or general knowledge.
Goods & Services Auction
Ask local businesses or individuals to donate a service (e.g. a free haircut, piano lessons, etc) or some goods (e.g. gift vouchers, meals, trips, concert or sports tickets, etc). These goods and services can be raffled or auctioned off to the highest bidder at a special event. The key to a successful live auction is to have a good auctioneer, preferably one willing to donate their services.
Sponsored Silence Almost anything can be sponsored, but this is particularly challenging. Go a set time (e.g. a morning) without talking.
Sponsored Walk Can be as simple as a stroll in the park!
Ideal event for International Women’s Day (March 8th).
Teachers v students in a five-a-side competition. Get as many teams as possible and charge entry fee per team.
Tug of War Organise a tug-of-war knockout tournament or one-day league table contest between teams from local schools/colleges or clubs, charging an entry fee and giving a prize to the winners.
Variety show Takes time to organise but can be great fun. Can be held in school/college or a local venue. You could also video the event and sell copies.
Your own idea Come up with your own fun event!
- Some of the above may require a budget, venue and permission.
- Flag-days and Church Gate Collections require a Garda Permit but if the priest/clergy in a given church gives you permission to collect on the church ground then you do not need a Garda Permit.
- Minimize the risk – plan an event that has little or no financial outlay if you are not sure you will get good support. Whatever event you run, your chance of success will increase if you publicise your event well – the more publicity you get, the more your chance of success.
- Make it a fun event – this will encourage more people to attend and don’t be afraid to ask for support – most people are happy to give financial or other support if asked.
- Take photographs and send them to us. We will be happy to include them on our Gallery of Human Rights Heroes page.
- Set up your own personalised fundraising page on www.mycharity.ie if you’re taking part in a sponsored event. Email everyone in your address book AND text everyone in your mobile ‘phone asking them to visit your page and sponsor you.
And finally…
Remember, it is important to raise awareness of Amnesty International’s work as you raise funds. At every event you organise, please try to include an element of human rights awareness. Make yourself familiar with Amnesty International’s current campaigns and have an Amnesty International banner at all your events for visual impact. Just contact us at fundraising@amnesty.ie and we will supply whatever you need.
So, organise an event you will enjoy working on, or raise sponsorship by participating in one of the many events organised by Amnesty International throughout the year. Either way, we are here to help, and we would love to hear from you.
If you have any questions or fundraising ideas or if you need anything for your fundraising event please
Callsave 1850 882 400 or e-mail fundraising@amnesty.ie
