Fundraising can take many shapes and forms, from accepting donations to hosting an event, or selling raffle tickets. While it may be tempting to jump straight into setting up a Fundraising page, it's important that you choose the right option to maximize your fundraising efforts and make the best use of the Vanco Events platform.
To assist, we have created the guide below to help you choose between using a Fundraising page or an Event page for a given fundraiser.
Summary
| Fundraising Activity | Setup Option |
Accepting donations towards your organization |
Fundraising page See more |
Accepting donations towards a 3rd party |
Fundraising page *There are strict guidelines for doing so. Please see below for full details to ensure that you comply See more |
Pay as you feel live-streamed events |
Fundraising page OR Event page See more |
Selling merchandise |
Event page See more |
Raffle tickets |
Event page See more |
What can I use a Fundraising page for?
Fundraising pages are used to accept donations for a particular fundraising campaign or to receive general donations for your organization. Donations are classified as a voluntary gift or contribution that isn't in exchange for goods or services.
There are strict laws around accepting donations, so it is important that users review and adhere to legislation.
Do I need to be registered as a charity?
You do not need to be registered as a charity to accept donations and use this feature.
Accepting donations towards a 3rd party
All donations taken through the Fundraising page must go to the organization on the Vanco Events account. It is up to that organization as to how those donations are then distributed, allowing you to disburse them to either an individual or charity of your choice.
To accept donations on behalf of a 3rd party, you must have authority from that organization. To ensure that you comply, it is recommended that you avoid using the phrases such as "on behalf of 3rd Party Name" or avoid including the name of the 3rd Party in the name the Fundraising page. Instead, you will need to be general as to the cause you are raising funds for, and in the page description simply express that the funds will be directed to the 3rd Party.
Use of the 3rd party's Intellectual property on your Fundraising page without permission is also not allowed. This includes uploading images with their logo and linking to their social pages.
Pay as you feel live-streamed events
COVID19 has changed the live music, festival and theatre industry. Promoters, venues and organizers are now including live-streamed performances as a way to support the industry and performers.
Should you be accepting donations in exchange for access to the live-streamed performance, then a Fundraising page may work for you. However, you may find the additional features of an Event page better for managing payment and bookings as a whole.
Event Features:
- Donations: Using the event Donation feature, you will still allow your patrons to submit a donation in exchange for access to the performance. Or you may choose to have a fixed rate using Ticket Types and enable the Donations feature to allow patrons to submit an additional donation in addition to the ticket price.
- Online Events: Setting up an Online Event allows you to provide patrons with the link for accessing the live-streamed performance upon completion of booking.
- Session Times: Have the date and time of the performance clearly stated in the customer's confirmation email.
- Email Buyers: Allows you to communicate with your patrons any changes to the performance and help drum up excitement with reminders.
- Follow Up Email: Send a customized email to your patrons on completion of booking. Whether it be a personalized thank you for their support, instructions for accessing the live stream performance or artist bios.
Can I use a Fundraising page for the sale of merchandise?
The Fundraising page cannot be used for the sale of good or services. This is true even if the funds raised from sales are going towards a particular fundraising effort.
The Fundraising page should only be used to accept donations that aren't in exchange for goods or services.
You will be able to use our Event pages for selling merchandise. To get started, see: Setting up to sell merchandise
Can a Fundraising page be used for the sale of raffle tickets/prize draw entry?
No. While raffles can be a great way for an organization to raise funds for a particular project or cause, the customer isn't technically making a donation through this sale. Rather they are gambling on the chance that they have the winning ticket. The customer is simply being incentivized to make the purchase by the cause that these funds are being given to.
Vanco Events can still assist you with your raffle tickets/prize draw entry sales through the use of our Event pages.