Fundraise for wildlife

Two runners laughing

© HIWWT 

Fundraise for wildlife

Why Fundraise?

Fundraising provides a vital source of income to help us carry out our work. There are many ways you can raise funds for local nature – from the traditional to the unique, and if you choose to get involved, you can be safe in the knowledge that you generosity and efforts are helping to protect the wildlife and wild places across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Set up a fundraiser

Getting started

Not sure where to begin? Dive into our essential tips to kickstart your fundraising journey for wildlife - whether it’s setting an inspiring goal, creating a JustGiving page, or rallying support to spread the word. Start your journey below!

Decide your what, when and where

What kind of fundraising will you do, when will it take place and where will it be. For inspiration, read our fundraising blogs here.

Set yourself a fundraising target

This will help you stay motivated and give you a goal to reach (or maybe exceed). 

If your fundraiser has a minimum target already set, try setting smaller, more manageable targets over time.  

Build your network and pick your fundraising team

Create a mind map of your networks and think about who you can ask for donations. Ask friends and family to help you organise your fundraising. 

Create a Just Giving page

Take your fundraiser online, for quick and easy donations. You can do this by setting up a free JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/hwt  

Top tips from Just Giving:

  • Add a fundraising target, this can lead to a 45% increase in the amount you raise. 

  • Add photos, this will help people to recognise your page and can help increase donations by 13%. 

  • Include a short description about what you’re doing and why you’re fundraising for local wildlife. 

  • Post regular updates about how your fundraiser is going to keep people engaged in your progress. 

  • Thank those who have donated to show how much you appreciate their support. 

Gift Aid 

If any of your sponsors are a UK taxpayer, the government will give us 25p for every £1 they donate at no extra cost! Simply ask them to check the yes to gift aid box when making a donation.  

Match Fundraising  

Check if your employers offer a match fundraising scheme, as they may be able to match any money that you raise for charity and help you double your impact! 

Spread the word

If you are organising an event people can attend, send out invitations with all the details people need. 

Share your fundraising page on social media and to help people donate quickly and easily. 

Remember to tag us in your posts! 

Make sure you post regular updates to your fundraising page so people can track your progress. 

Stay safe and legal

Insurance 

There is no law that says you must buy insurance for a community event such as this – but having public liability insurance may give you peace of mind. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust cannot be held responsible as your fundraising activity is not covered by our insurance.  

Risk Assessments 

If you’re organising an event, we strongly advise you prepare a risk assessment beforehand. The Health and Safety Executive provides additional information at www.hse.gov.uk   

Children 

We love to see people of all ages get involved in fundraising, but make sure any children (under 18 years old) are properly supervised and have permission from a parent or guardian to take part. Adults who are looking after children should have a current Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check at a suitable level. See the Government's website for more information.  

Licences 

Before your event, check whether you need any special licences e.g. public entertainment licence or a licence to sell alcohol.  

If you are planning a public collection, you will need a licence or written approval, which is usually from the local council or private landowner.  

If you are thinking of holding a raffle, as long as you hold a small raffle on the day, you do not need a licence - all ticket sales and the draw must take place at the event itself. For any other type of raffle, you will need a licence. 

If you are unsure about anything, get in touch with us and we will help to answer your questions. 

First Aid  

If there is going to be a lot of people attending your event, you may want to consider having a qualified first aider. If you don’t know anyone who can help, contact your local St John’s Ambulance team.  

Money 

If you are collecting cash at an event or activity, have a witness double-check and verify the total. Any cash should be kept in a secure place and banked as soon as possible. Please don’t send cash in the post, instead once your fundraising is complete, send your money to us. You can do this in three ways: 

  • Just Giving: Simply close your Just Giving page and the funds raised will be transferred to the Trust.  
  • Online: You can pay in your fundraising online at www.hiwwt.org.uk/donate If your fundraising has been collected from various individuals, groups or businesses please do not tick the Gift Aid box when paying in online.  
  • Cheque: Please make any cheques payable to Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. Post to: Fundraising Team, Beechcroft House, Vicarage Lane, Curdridge, Hampshire, SO32 2DP. Remember to include a note with your name and contact details with the cheque so we can confirm that it has arrived safely.  

Staying green

It is important that you continue to look after the environment while you support us. We love our supporters to reflect our message and fundraise as sustainably as possible. Here are a few things to consider:  

  • If your fundraiser requires you, or others to travel, consider a more. environmentally friendly way of reaching the destination such as cycling, public transport or car sharing. 

  • Source any products or materials you need locally. 

  • Reduce the amount of paper you use by promoting your fundraiser using social media. 

  • Encourage the use of reusable or upcycled materials at your fundraiser to eliminate the use of single-use items. 

  • Consider the impact that your fundraiser may have on the environment. Avoid elements that may be harmful to wildlife such as balloon releases and always clean up properly after the event. 

Keep in touch

We would love to hear from you every step of the way throughout your fundraising journey, make sure you share the details of your fundraiser with us.  

If you need any more information, advice or help on how to get started, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. 

Call: 01489 774400 Email: fundraising@hiwwt.org.uk 

Address: Beechcroft House, Vicarage Lane, Curdridge, Hampshire, SO32 2DP 

Tag us on social media: 

Fundraising resources

Resources

Our resources are here to help you plan, promote, and personalise your activities with ease. Below, you’ll find helpful templates to support your fundraising journey.

Posters

Fundraising Empty Belly Poster

Our customisable empty belly poster is designed to make your event promotion simple and impactful. Available as a PDF and Word document. 

How to Use the Poster:

  1. Download the PDF or Word version.
  2. Personalise it with your event name, date, location, and contact information.
  3. Print or share digitally to spread the word.

Logos

We’ve designed a special “Proud to Support” logo, ideal for showcasing on your promotional materials. If you’d like to use our Proud to Support logo, please get in touch with the Fundraising team at: fundraising@hiwwt.org.uk.

To keep our logo clear, consistent, and recognisable, please follow these visual guidelines:

  1. Clear Space: Always maintain a minimum clearance around the logo equal to the height of the capital ‘W’ in “Wildlife.” This ensures the logo remains free from other text or graphics and stays legible.

  2. Background Use: The logo can be placed over background images, as long as it remains clearly visible and legible.

  3. Colour: The logo should always appear in black or white—no other colours or modifications are allowed.

  4. Minimum Size: To maintain legibility, the logo should not be displayed smaller than 35mm (100px) in width.

  5. No Alterations: The logo must not be altered in any way. This includes:

    • Changing or reversing its colour
    • Cropping any part of the logo
    • Distorting, squashing, or rotating it
    • Changing the font
    • Moving or adjusting the position of the badger icon

Social media

Mock up social media posts to illustrate templates. One image is in the style of instagram and contains the logo. The other again looks like the social media platform instagram but contains woman with face paint on in a frame that is illustrated with silhouette of wildlife.

Boosting your fundraiser on social media? We’ve got you covered with ready-made assets to help you share your support for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust!

Square “Proud to Support” Tile

Share our specially designed square tile, featuring the "Proud to Support" logo, on your social media profiles. This tile is perfect for introducing your fundraiser and letting your followers know you’re supporting wildlife conservation.

Editable Canva Frame Template

Personalise your posts with our editable Canva frame! This template allows you to add your own photos and messages within a branded frame, giving each post a consistent, professional look while showcasing your unique event. Simply follow the link to Canva, make a copy, and start customising.

JustGiving Banner

If you’re setting up a JustGiving page, we also have a custom banner ready to go. This banner can be used to add a professional touch to your fundraiser page, ensuring your supporters instantly recognise the cause you’re supporting.

All of these resources are here to make promoting your fundraiser simple, consistent, and visually engaging. If you have any questions or need a specific format, feel free to get in touch!

Follow & Tag Us!

We’d love to see and share your posts! Give us a follow and tag us on social media so we can support your efforts and celebrate your impact together.

Name usage

To keep our brand consistent and recognisable, always use our full name: “Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.” Using our full name helps with brand consistency, improves online tracking, and ensures everyone can easily identify our organisation. While it may feel a bit lengthy, every word plays an essential role in representing who we are and the region we serve.

Collection Pots

Want to raise funds with a collection pot at your event or local business? You can order a branded Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust collection pot directly from us! Just email fundraising@hiwwt.org.uk to request yours.

FAQs

Your question isn’t answered here? Simply drop us an email on fundraising@hiwwt.org.uk and we will get back to you as soon as possible. 

How do I pay in my money once I’ve finished fundraising?

Once your fundraising is complete, send your money to us as quickly as possible. You can do this in three ways: 

Just Giving 

Simply close your Just Giving page and the funds raised will be transferred to the Trust.  

 

Online  

You can pay in your fundraising online at www.hiwwt.org.uk/donate  

If your fundraising has been collected from various individuals, groups or businesses please do not tick the Gift Aid box when paying in online.  

 

Cheque 

Please make any cheques payable to Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust  

Post to: Fundraising Team, Beechcroft House, Vicarage Lane, Curdridge, Hampshire, SO32 2DP.  

Remember to include a note with your name and contact details with the cheque so we can confirm that it has arrived safely.  

How do I describe Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s mission to others?

Here's a a concise and informative way to describe the Trust's mission and impact:

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is working toward a wilder future by 2030, where nature is thriving, wildlife is returning, and ecosystems are restored across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. With over 29,000 members, the Trust aims to inspire 1 in 4 people to take action for nature. Their goal is to transform 30% of land and sea into wilder spaces by 2030. They’re achieving this by expanding nature reserves, promoting wildlife-friendly practices, restoring native species, and advocating for policies that drive essential change. As part of the UK’s network of 46 Wildlife Trusts, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is a key player in protecting wildlife. Discover and protect local wildlife with them at www.hiwwt.org.uk

To explain Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust's mission to children, you could say:

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust helps nature in our area by making sure plants, animals, and special places like forests and rivers are healthy and safe. They’re working to make sure that by the year 2030, there are more wild spaces where animals can live and grow, and people can enjoy nature, too. They have a big team of people who love nature and are helping others learn how to protect it so that everyone can enjoy the wonderful wildlife around us!

Supporter stories

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is registered with the UK Fundraising Regulator. We aim to meet the highest standards in the way we fundraise.