Community Fundraising for Charities, Schools and Local Organisations
Bring organisations together to create shared fundraising activities, events and experiences that benefit everyone involved, with the option to share the income raised.
Community Fundraising enables charities, schools, PTAs and PFAs, clubs, associations, CICs, community groups, faith organisations and other good causes to work together on meaningful fundraising partnerships.
Instead of simply asking another organisation to raise money for your cause, you can develop activities where each partner contributes something valuable and both benefit from the outcome.
Fundraising through genuine community partnerships
Community Fundraising brings two organisations together around an activity that offers value beyond fundraising alone. One partner might contribute specialist knowledge, services, equipment, speakers or activities, while the other provides a venue, an audience, volunteers or community connections.
For example, an animal welfare charity could partner with a local school to host an educational afternoon for pupils and parents. The charity could provide animal-care expertise and interactive activities, while the school provides the venue and engages families. Tickets, a raffle, a tombola or a small shop could raise funds for both organisations.
Both partners have a reason to participate, and supporters benefit from an experience that combines education, involvement and a worthwhile cause. Where appropriate, the organisations can agree how to share the net funds raised.
Community Fundraising features
- Work with community partners — collaborate with schools, clubs, associations, local groups and other organisations on shared fundraising activities.
- Choose suitable fundraising tools — create events, raffles, tombolas, auctions, shops, donation pages and other available activities that fit the partnership.
- Create a shared experience — combine the knowledge, resources, venues and audiences of the participating organisations.
- Agree an optional revenue split — define how the net funds raised by an activity will be allocated between the two organisations.
- Choose a payout arrangement — use an organisation-managed distribution or a direct split through the platform, according to the agreed arrangement.
- Promote through both networks — reach more supporters using the communications and community relationships of each partner.
- Track the income generated — use the Income Report to review the fundraising income and associated transactions.
Who can take part in Community Fundraising?
Community partnerships can suit organisations of different sizes and purposes. Potential partners include:
- Primary and secondary schools, PTAs and PFAs
- Sports clubs, youth groups and social clubs
- Community associations and residents' groups
- Charities, charitable trusts and local good causes
- CICs, social enterprises and community projects
- Faith organisations and local support groups
- Educational, cultural and arts organisations
- Other local organisations with complementary audiences or expertise
The partnership does not have to involve organisations doing the same kind of work. Some of the most useful opportunities arise when each partner brings different skills, resources or relationships.
Community Fundraising ideas and examples
Fundraising partnerships can be designed around shared interests, educational opportunities, local needs or experiences that people would enjoy taking part in.
- School education days — a charity provides specialist talks and hands-on activities while a school hosts a ticketed learning experience for families.
- Community sports events — a sports club and a good cause organise a tournament, fun run or sponsored challenge with entries, refreshments and other fundraising opportunities.
- Arts and entertainment evenings — local groups collaborate on concerts, performances, exhibitions or workshops that raise funds for their shared aims.
- Family fundraising fairs — partners combine stalls, tombolas, raffles, shops and activities to create an event that appeals to a wider local audience.
- Animal welfare experiences — a rescue organisation and a community group run educational sessions, demonstrations or other suitable activities.
- Community wellbeing events — a health or support organisation partners with a club or association to offer talks, classes or social experiences.
- Seasonal community celebrations — schools, clubs and local causes collaborate on Christmas, summer or anniversary events and share the proceeds where agreed.
- Local skills and learning workshops — organisations combine specialist skills with community venues and audiences to deliver useful paid experiences.
Use fundraising tools to support your partnership
Community Fundraising is a way of working together, rather than a separate type of fundraising transaction. A participating community organisation can create fundraising activities using the available tools, selecting those that fit the activity agreed with your organisation.
- Events and tickets — sell places for workshops, talks, performances, dinners and community experiences.
- Raffles and tombolas — add prize-based activities where appropriate and legally permitted.
- Auctions — invite bids for donated items, services or experiences contributed by the partners or local supporters.
- Shops — offer products, merchandise and other items connected to the shared activity.
- Donations — give people a direct way to contribute to a community initiative or related cause.
- Fundraising pages and challenges — encourage families, club members and supporters to raise funds through individual or team activities.
- Other available tools — explore additional fundraising options that are suitable for the activity and the participating organisations.
Different tools serve different purposes. Choose the activities that will provide a worthwhile experience for participants and can be managed effectively by the two organisations.
Share the fundraising income between organisations
When creating or updating a Community Fundraising activity, the participating organisations can optionally agree a revenue split that defines how the net funds raised will be shared.
The split can reflect the contribution of each partner, such as staff or volunteer time, specialist expertise, a venue, equipment, materials, promotion or access to a community audience.
For example, if the partners agree a 60/40 split, 60% of the net funds allocated under that arrangement would go to one organisation and 40% to the other. The net amount is the relevant funds remaining after applicable charges, rather than the gross amount paid by supporters.
A revenue split is optional. If no split is specified, all funds raised through the activity are allocated to your organisation under the applicable payment arrangements.
Before launching, both partners should agree on the allocation, responsibility for any expenses, how proceeds will be distributed, and how the arrangement will be communicated to supporters.
Two Community Fundraising payout models
Community Fundraising supports two ways of distributing funds, depending on the agreement between your organisation and the participating community organisation.
Organisation Distribution Model
Under this model, your organisation receives all the funds and is responsible for distributing the community partner's share in accordance with the agreed revenue split.
This approach keeps the distribution process with your organisation. Both partners should agree how and when the community organisation will receive its share.
Direct Revenue Split Model
Under this model, the platform automatically distributes the net funds according to the agreed revenue split, so each organisation receives its respective share directly through the system.
This can reduce the need for your organisation to make a separate transfer to the community partner. The appropriate model should be selected when the partnership and payment arrangements are established.
Promote Community Fundraising through both networks
A major advantage of Community Fundraising is that both organisations can promote the activity to people who already know and trust them. This can give a shared event or experience a wider audience than either organisation might reach independently.
- Schools and clubs — share activities through parent groups, member newsletters, noticeboards and community communications.
- Websites and email — explain the activity, the partnership and how supporters can take part.
- Social media — promote the experience through both organisations' accounts and encourage sharing.
- QR codes and printed material — make it easy for people to find the activity from posters, programmes and physical venues.
- Community events and venues — invite participation where people already meet, learn and socialise.
- Supporters and volunteers — ask people connected with both organisations to help introduce the activity to their own networks.
Make the purpose of the partnership clear in promotional messages. Explain what participants will experience, why the activity matters, and how the organisations will benefit.
Track Community Fundraising income
The Income Report displays income generated through Community Fundraising activities, including the transactions associated with each activity.
This helps your organisation monitor performance, review income and provide information about results to its community partner. Reporting is especially useful when the organisations have agreed to share the net proceeds.
Why use Community Fundraising?
- Shared value — create activities that benefit both organisations and the people taking part.
- Wider reach — combine different supporter networks, audiences and community connections.
- More than fundraising — deliver education, experiences, engagement and community participation alongside income.
- Flexible activities — use suitable fundraising tools to support different kinds of partnerships.
- Optional income sharing — agree a revenue split where both organisations should benefit financially.
- Flexible distribution — choose between organisation-managed payouts and direct distribution of net funds.
- Transparent reporting — review fundraising income and transactions through the Income Report.
- Longer-term relationships — create the foundations for future collaboration between local organisations.
How to plan a Community Fundraising activity
- Identify a community partner — look for an organisation with complementary interests, resources or audiences.
- Agree a shared purpose — decide what the activity should achieve and what each organisation will contribute.
- Choose a suitable fundraising activity — consider events, tickets, raffles, tombolas, auctions, shops, donations or other available tools.
- Agree any revenue split — decide whether net funds will be shared and define the allocation where applicable.
- Select the payout model — determine whether your organisation will distribute the partner's share or whether the platform will distribute net funds directly.
- Create and prepare the activity — add the relevant details and configure the available fundraising and revenue-sharing options.
- Promote the partnership together — use both organisations' communications, websites, networks and venues.
- Review results and maintain the relationship — monitor income, agree any required follow-up and consider opportunities for further shared activities.
Community Fundraising FAQs
What is Community Fundraising?
Community Fundraising enables your organisation to work with a school, club, community group or another local organisation on shared fundraising activities, events and experiences that benefit both partners.
How is this different from simply asking a group to fundraise for us?
The partners work together to create an activity in which each contributes something meaningful. The benefits can include education, participation, shared experiences, community relationships and fundraising income.
Which fundraising activities can we use?
Suitable options may include events, tickets, raffles, tombolas, auctions, shops, donations and other fundraising tools available to your organisation. Choose activities that fit the partnership and any relevant legal requirements.
Do we have to share the money raised?
No. A revenue split is optional. If no split is specified, the funds raised are allocated to your organisation under the applicable arrangements.
How is a revenue split calculated?
The partners can agree how the net funds raised are allocated between the two organisations. Net funds are distinct from gross receipts, because applicable charges are taken into account.
What is the Organisation Distribution Model?
Your organisation receives the funds and is responsible for distributing the community partner's agreed share.
What is the Direct Revenue Split Model?
The platform distributes the net funds according to the agreed revenue split, with each organisation receiving its share directly through the system.
How can both organisations promote the activity?
Share it through websites, newsletters, social media, parent and member groups, local networks, printed materials, QR codes and community events.
Where can we see the income generated?
The Income Report shows income and associated transactions for Community Fundraising activities. Your organisation can use this information to review results and discuss them with its partner.
Can Community Fundraising support a wider campaign?
Yes. A shared community activity can help achieve a wider fundraising objective. Where the platform supports it, a relevant fundraising page can also be linked to a campaign.
Ready to build a community fundraising partnership?
Bring your organisation together with a school, club, association or community group to create a worthwhile activity, reach new supporters and explore how both organisations can benefit from the funds raised.