Your Guide to Fundraising
Welcome to #TeamPassage!
Together, we can ensure that everyone has a place to call home.
From us all at The Passage, we thank you for your interest in supporting our work.
In this guide you will find a range of helpful tips and advice on how to maximise your fundraising efforts.
If you are in need of any extra support, our Fundraising Team is here to support you every step of the way!
We believe that everyone has a role to play in ending street homelessness.
Every pound that you, your friends, family, and colleagues raise for The Passage will make a huge difference to the local community.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch:
E fundraising@passage.org.uk P 020 7592 1856
You can also join our online community by following us on social media:
@PassageCharity
Get to know us
Not only will your efforts help to raise vital funds to support our work, but you will also raise awareness of The Passage; and that is invaluable to us!
One of the best ways to encourage people to support your fundraiser is to invest them in the cause. On this page you will find information about The Passage and the work you will be advocating.
The mission of The Passage is three-fold:
1. Preventing street homelessness by intervening quickly before people reach crisis point
2. Ending street homelessness by providing innovative and tailor-made services that act with both compassion and urgency
3. Advocating for those who feel they are not heard by amplifying their voice to bring about real systemic change
What
will your fundraising help us to achieve?
£100 could help us to provide a week of crucial training and supervision to one of our Mental Health Workers.
£50 could pay for one of our Welfare Rights Workers to support two clients in accessing the right benefits.
£250 could pay for support from our Domestic Abuse Worker, for a client fleeing domestic abuse.
Our vision is of a society where street homelessness no longer exists, and everyone has a place to call home.
Who do we support?
Our services are available to those who have experienced or are at risk of homelessness in Westminster.
As the first homelessness organisation to uncover the links between modern slavery and homelessness in London, we also run a dedicated Modern Slavery Support service for those who have survived exploitation and homelessness.
What do we do?
The Passage provides practical support and a wide range of services to help transform the lives of people who are experiencing or at risk of street homelessness.
We run a modern Resource Centre in Victoria, four accommodation projects, outreach and health services, homelessness prevention schemes and a pioneering modern slavery referral programme.
£500 could fund our Modern Slavery Navigator for a week, to support 8 clients at risk of trafficking and exploitation.
£1,000 could pay for our Resettlement Team to find long-term housing solutions for four clients.
£2,000 could pay for two weeks of hot breakfasts for people attending our Resource Centre.
You can find out more about our services at www.passage.org.uk/what-we-do
Rachel’s Story
“I first came to The Passage last year. I had been grieving for a loved one, had no one to turn to and nowhere to go.
I really didn’t know what to do so I decided to go to the local police station. I explained my situation and eventually, I was referred to The Passage.
I thought it would be yet another hostel. But boy was I wrong. That’s when everything changed. The Passage has done so much for me. Way beyond meeting my basic needs. Yes they gave me warmth, food and a roof over my head. But that’s just the start of it.
They helped me to find myself again and overcome the trauma that led me here in the first place.
They gave me someone to talk to and helped me to deal with my grief. They helped me to understand my rights, and what I’m entitled to.
I’ve come so far since I first came here. But the cost of living is bringing back concerns I had when I first arrived. I’m not sure how anyone in my position is meant to survive.
I never want to go back to that place. I never want to go back to feeling so helpless and scared.
I am so grateful to The Passage, they saved me. They prevented me from ever having to sleep on the streets and kept me safe. I’m not sure how I would have coped in such a dangerous and lonely place.”
Thank God for The Passage.They really have kept me going. I had no one. Now I have a family in The Passage.
Thank you for helping us to support more people like Rachel.
*January 2022 vs. January 2023
We have seen a 46% increase in the number of people coming to our doors for help.*
Online fundraising
The best way to start your fundraising is to head online.
It’s free, quick and secure. Donations are sent to us automatically, and you have a worldwide audience at your fingertips! Combine it with some creative thinking, sharing your fundraising journey on social media and you will hit your target amount in no time!
We recommend using
Step 1 Set your target
Keep yourself motivated with a fundraising goal. Make sure you add it onto your page, so your friends and family know too. Making your target visible on your fundraising page could help you to raise 45% more.
Step 2
Personalise you page
Start by telling people why you have chosen to take on this challenge. Let them know what your motivations are, what you will be doing to achieve your goal, and how they can support you. This is a great chance for you to show off your knowledge about The Passage and what we do.
Step 3 Update your photos
The JustGiving site takes you through the process of setting up a page step by step.
Start your page with your favourite photo of you/those you are fundraising with. Once you have started fundraising, refresh your page with new photos of you training or of your fundraising efforts so people can see what you have been up to.
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Step 4
Share your page
Shout loud and proudly. What you are doing is a wonderful thing! Share your page with your friends, family, colleagues, and social media connections, and don’t forget to tag @PassageCharity so we can reshare your post! Alternatively, why not send a message on WhatsApp or email your work colleagues.
Step 5
Ask and ask again
Don’t let people forget – send the link to your page around more than once, particularly as your event gets nearer.
Top tip: Remind people when payday hits! People are more likely to give when they have been paid
100 days
Those who set up a fundraising page more than 100 days before the final deadline, raise (on average) £200 more than those who wait.
Step 6
Don’t stop too early
Once your event is done and you’re justly feeling proud, update your fundraising page and post about your achievements on social media. It’s a handy final prompt to anyone who’s been meaning to donate.
Top tip: Share your page on payday or on your birthday to increase support.
Get inspired
Our most successful fundraisers use their skills, interests, and networks to create fun and engaging events/activities for people to get involved in.
If you are unsure of what to do, see some of our most popular ideas below.
Quiz night
Charge an entry fee and offer an awesome prize to the winning team. Run a raffle too and boost your fundraising even further!
Bake sale or coffee morning
Host a bake sale at work or at home. Ask friends, family and colleagues to donate treats and take some time to talk about The Passage and why you have chosen to take on this challenge.
Games night
Get your friends together for a fun night in to crown your board game champion. Ask players to donate to ‘get out of jail’ or set a fine for the Jenga toppler.
Old-school sports day
Everyone loves a bit of healthy competition, whether it’s a game of football, rounders or a good old egg and spoon race. Charge teams to enter and ask for a donation towards refreshments on the day.
Celebration
Whether it’s your birthday, Christmas, or anniversary, make a real difference on your big day. Simply asked your loved ones for a donation instead of giving you a present.
Supermarket bag packing
Contact your local supermarket and ask to pack bags and collect donations while you do it.
Organise a raffle
Contact local shops and businesses to ask for donations you can use as prizes. Just let us know if you’d like a letter from us confirming what you’re doing.
Car boot sale
Have a clear out and head for a car boot sale. You’ll be amazed at how much your long-forgotten loot will raise.
Hold a sweepstake
Use the World Cup, Strictly, Bake Off or similar event to raise vital funds.
Facebook birthday fundraising
Facebook provide an easy way to ask your Facebook friends to donate to your chosen charity - as an alternative to a gift.
Use the below link and then select your chosen cause:
facebook.com/fundraisers/explore
We are listed as ‘The Passage Charity’
Inspiring stories
Alex Crouch received a place in the Berlin marathon ballot.
Hi I'm Alex and I ran the Berlin Marathon in September for The Passage and raised £1,416.
During the height of the pandemic, I volunteered at The Passage Food Hub. I was so inspired by the work that The Passage does that I wanted to support them further.
I was lucky enough to receive a ballot place in the London marathon too so I’ll be fundraising once again!
I walked 15 miles for The Passage in September 2022! I raised £666, exceeding my target of £350!
I spoke to as many people as I could about how important this fundraising is, and regularly posted on my personal social media channels.
I loved the day! It was challenging, as expected, but I loved hearing different stories about why people were taking part, their connections to the charity and why it was so important to them. Everyone was lovely and supportive. A really positive day!
Ruby took part in our South Downs Challenge
3i Corporate Partnership
In the summer of 2022, our London office raised over £5,000 for The Passage through a series of fundraising activities. Staff baked cakes, donated through an art and furniture sale, and took part in a charity away-day.
Our staff were delighted to support our long-standing charity partner The Passage and the valuable work they do in preventing homelessness and supporting, and advocating on behalf of, people who are experiencing homelessness.
For every £1 raised, we guarantee that 90p goes towards our frontline services.
The remaining 10p ensures that everything continues to run smoothly behind the scenes.
Top tips to succeed
1 2
Plan ahead and start early. The more time you give yourself, the more likely you are to achieve and succeed your target.
Make it personal. Explain why you are doing this, and why people should support you.
3 4
Know your audience. You know who your main supporters will be, so try to find a range of fundraising opportunities to suit everybody.
Ask for help!
You are not alone. Get your friends and family on board to help, and feel free to contact us at any time.
The power of social media.
Remember the ice-bucket challenge?…One simple idea can snowball when paired with smart social promotion.
5 6 @PassageCharity
Shout about your successes. Keep people updated online about your fundraising, to promote your events, thank those who have supported you, and celebrate your achievements.
Thank you
In 21st century Britain, homelessness should not exist. However, this is the harsh reality for many people.
We therefore thank you for your support, and for taking the time to make a real difference to the local community.
70% of our running costs rely solely on voluntary donations so your support really can make all the difference.
Not only could you prevent someone from ever having to spend a night on the streets, but you could also help to ensure that tonight is someone’s last night on the streets.
Gift Aid
Thanks to Gift Aid, you can maximise your fundraising even further.
For every £1 raised via JustGiving
we are able to claim an extra 25p from the Government at no extra cost.
If you are collecting your sponsorship in cash and would like to Gift Aid, please contact us at supportercare@passage.org.uk
Matched funding
Many companies throughout the UK offer employees the chance to boost their fundraising efforts by ‘matching’ the money you raise.
To find out if your company offers match funding, speak directly with your line manager or HR department.
Paying in donations
If you have donations given outside of an online fundraising page, you can pay them in:
Online: donate.passage.org.uk or by Cheque: made payable to ‘The Passage’ and send to ‘St Vincent’s Centre, Carlisle Place, London, SW1P 1NL’
Let us know you have paid your donations in so we can track how much you’ve raised and how. Send any completed sponsorship forms to us so we can collect Gift Aid and make your donations go even further. Please make sure you send all money to us within two months of your event.
www.passage.org.uk @PassageCharity The Passage | Registered charity number 1079764