What is Online Fundraising?

In partnership with Just Giving, the MS Society can offer a simple, easy and secure way for you to raise money online. You can create your own homepage linked to one of our events e.g. the Flora London Marathon or create a homepage linked to your own special event such as a birthday or anniversary. Once the page has been created, you can email it to friends, family and colleagues and ask them to support your fundraising by giving a donation on-line. The donation site is a secure zone, so there are no problems about credit card security. Not only is it easier for them to support you, all donations received will automatically benefit from Gift Aid.

Want to know more? Why not visit Mark Rogers' homepage one of our top online fundraisers. It is so easy. Or if you want to know how an online fundraising page works, just click on a link below:

How an online fundraising page works

• For fundraisers
• For sponsors
  

About Gift Aid
The MS Society is entitled to 28% tax reclaim from the Inland Revenue on every £ 1 donated by UK taxpayers. By working with Just Giving the process of making the claim is automated, helping us to save on administration costs. The Just Giving scheme has been audited and approved by the Inland Revenue.

How Does Gift Aid Work?
When someone wants to support you, they will be asked to confirm whether or not they are a UK taxpayer, as tax can only be reclaimed on donations made by individuals who pay UK income or capital gains tax at least equal to the amount reclaimed on their donations in the current tax year. So for example, if someone gives £100, Just Giving will be able to reclaim an extra £28.21 for the MS Society

Top Online Tips
1. Use your own email as well as the facility on the page— Because you are already familiar with your own system, you can set up groups and you'll be able to send more emails at once than you can via your sponsorship page. Also, some of your potential supporters may feel more comfortable opening an email that comes from you personally.

2. Change your email auto-signature at work and/or at home— After your name and title etc, add a line at the bottom including the address of your webpage. This will raise awareness of your event and ensure that every email you send out could prompt a possible donation.

3. Check you've emailed all the groups of potential supporters— Apart from friends and family these might be colleagues, former colleagues, college friends, fellow members of church/clubs/PTA— and encourage them to pass on the message to anyone else who might support your chosen fundraising activity.

4. Don't forget your friends and family abroad— Just Giving may not be able to reclaim the tax on their donations but they can still support you. The Internet is global— make the most of it!

5. Send a little email update on your progress— Let supporters know how much you’ve raised so far. It's nice for those who've already supported you and a nudge for those who haven't. You know what it's like— people mean to donate, but sometimes they don't quite get round to it on the first request!

6. Make the most of your memorable web address for press releases and other publicity. This is great if you managed to get some publicity for your efforts in a local paper or radio station. The fact file ’publicising your fundraising’ provides tips on writing press releases and details on how to contact your local press.

7. Put a notice up in your gym, church, college, children's school, etc.— Tell people to go to the short web address you've created e.g. www.justgiving.com (your homepage) and people can donate from there.

8. Ask to be on your company's website - See if your company would be prepared to add your site to its public website or private company intranet. Many companies like to promote the charitable and public spirited efforts of their staff and you could get a lot of extra donations from this. Your company may even offer a "match giving" scheme where they match any amounts you have raise, so this action could help you reach your target even faster.

9. Add the Just Giving Freephone number (0800 286183) to any email or press release you are sending— Just in case people are having difficulties in donating to
you.