Fundraise
CHESS is only able to continue their work with the Homeless because people like you understand that Homelessness is a community issue that requires a community response! Whether you are an individual, business owner, or member of a church or other organisation, there are so many ways you can help us open doors for the homeless.
There are many exciting ways to fundraise for CHESS Homeless. We need to raise £225,000 per year in voluntary donations which is why we need your help. You may want to hold your own event, choose us as charity of the year, take on a challenge or join in with our events. We have put together all the information and help you need here. Don’t forget to let us know if you are fundraising for CHESS or would like to in the future, we would love to hear from you and share what you are doing on our social media pages.
Raise Money While Shopping Online
- Amazon
- John Lewis
- M&S
- eBay
- Argos
- Next
Fundraise
Are you looking for a way to help your local homeless charity but not really sure where to get started? Have a look below for some inspiration and if you still can’t find what you are looking for, please drop us a message fundraising@chesshomeless.org or give us a call on 01245 281104.
The most successful fundraising activities and events are the ones that the supporter has chosen to do because they have a skill in that area or because they enjoy it. So please make sure you feel it is manageable, fun and achieves your goals too! Here’s some ideas to get you started:
- Dress down day at work or school
- Quiz/games evening
- Cake Bake
- Car wash day
- Fashion show
- Sporting event
- Raffle
- CHESS night
Book Speaker
If you are a club, organisation, school or group that would be interested in learning more about us we would love to meet you. We can arrange to send a speaker along to one of your events to give you a free presentation, at a time that suits you.
- Women’s Institute, Inner Wheel, Soroptimists, Probus, Rotary Club
- Youth and community groups including Guides and Scouts
- Churches
- Businesses and organisations
- Many types of other events and groups
- Schools – we have organised Assemblies that we can come and run for you which cover 5 subjects over 5 assemblies. You can find out more about this here: https://chesshomeless.org/resources-for-schools/
Get in touch with us today to make a booking, either by email fundraising@chesshomeless.org or phone us (Monday to Friday) on 01245 281104.
Fundraise Through Challenge Events
Are you looking to take on a fundraising challenge that will benefit the homeless? One of the main reasons people take up charity challenges is to support a cause that is close to their heart or that may have impacted you personally. There are hundreds of events held each year to inspire people to go out and make a difference
What Is A Charity Challenge?
Any race, event or adventure you take part in while fundraising for a worthy cause can be turned into a charity challenge, from a 5k charity fun run to a full blown charity trek up Mt Kilimanjaro, so you can take one on no matter what your skill level is. It’ll be an experience you never forget and raising funds at the same time.
What Is Expected Of You?
Your main task will be raising some much-needed funds for CHESS. Sometimes you will be the one organising your fundraiser and registering your place which will incur certain costs, so it’s worth bearing this in mind. Other times the places will be offered by the charity which can mean we ask you to raise a minimum amount, but this depends on the event itself. This will be advised at the beginning.
What Can You Expect From Your Charity?
The CHESS Fundraising Team will be there to support you with as much help and advice as you need. We can provide information about the work of the charity which will inspire you and your donors and as much moral support as you would like! We also have branded t-shirts for you to wear on your challenge day if you choose. We will also help you to promote your event through our social media pages.
Taking Steps to Fundraise
- Decide on your Challenge Event and register your interest/sign up for the event.
- Set up an online fundraising page through sites such as Justgiving (https://www.justgiving.com/chess-homeless). There are other platforms which you may prefer to use.
- There are tips on our website and you can also show a short video about CHESS which is on our Youtube page @Chesshomeless
- Let us know about your event and connect with us on social media (like our pages on Instagram @chess.homeless, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn @chesshomeless). This way you can stay up to date on our work and help to inspire your supporters with regular news.
- Let your friends, family and work colleagues know what you are doing. Some employers run a Matched Giving/Payroll scheme which will double your fundraising amount. Share your online fundraising page on your social media pages.
- If your event is a sporting challenge ensure that you train regularly and fit to take part.
- We would love to attend and watch you take part. If you don’t mind we would also like to take photos at the event so we can share what you have been doing with our supporters and hopefully inspire others to do the same.
Other ways to collect donations
We understand that not everyone wants to or can sponsor you through an online platform so there are other ways you can collect donations:
Use a Sponsorship Form: Download CHESS-Sponsorship-Form
Via cash or cheque. Please don’t send cash through the post. Bank any cash or cheques made payable to you and then write a cheque payable to ‘CHESS Homeless’ for the amount collected. You can then send your cheques to: Fundraising Team, CHESS Homeless, 200 New London Rd, Chelmsford, CM2 9AB. Please include any sponsorship forms you have used so we are able to claim Gift Aid. It’s no extra cost to you, but means your gift could be worth almost 25 percent more to us. Please also enclose a note with your name, address, postcode and details of the event so we can acknowledge the payment.
Direct to our Bank. If you don’t want to send us a cheque you can also pay funds directly into our bank account but please let us know by emailing us at fundraising@chesshomeless.org or give us a call on 01245 281104 so we can allocate the funds to the appropriate event.
Our bank details are: Cooperative Bank plc
Account name: CHESS Homeless R/C 1093901
Sort Code: 08-92-50
Account No: 65107375
We do of course want you to go ahead with the event in a way that suits you, so if there are ideas that you have yourself do please let us know. Or if you need anything at all from us please get in touch at fundraising@chesshomeless.org.
Good Luck and Thankyou!
Arrange An Event
Would you like to host an event to raise funds for your local homeless charity but not really sure how to get started? Have a look below for some inspiration and if you still can’t find what you are looking for, please drop us a message fundraising@chesshomeless.org or give us a call on 01245 281104.
The most successful fundraising activities and events are the ones that the supporter has chosen to do because they have a skill in that area or because they enjoy it. So please make sure you feel it is manageable, fun and achieves your goals too! Here’s some ideas to get you started:
- Dress down day at work or school
- Quiz/games evening
- Cake Bake
- Car wash day
- Fashion show
- Sporting event
- Cards evening
- CHESS Night
- Dinner Party
- Raffle
Keep it safe and legal : Organising your own fundraising event in aid of CHESS means you are responsible for making sure it does not pose any risks to others. That is why we would recommend you do a risk assessment.
Please check if you need to take out public liability insurance for events such as sponsored walks or runs. This will protect you against claims made by third parties. In most cases it is unlikely that CHESS’s own insurance policy will cover an event that you have organised.
For more information of if you are planning a fundraising event involving children visit the Institute of Fundraising.
Raffles : If you organise a raffle and tickets are sold and drawn on the same day there are no legal requirements. However, if you sell prior to the date you will need a local license. For more information take a look at gamblingcommission.gov.uk.
After your event or challenge : We would love to hear how your event or challenge went and we would especially love to see any pictures! Make sure you let us know on Facebook and send photos through to us at fundraising@chesshomeless.org. Don’t forget to let everyone know how it went, how much you raised, and thank those who helped and supported you.