Fundraising & Planning

A Strong Financial Foundation for Impactful Events

Effective Fundraising: Maximise Your Impact

Your fundraising activities are the lifeblood of your ISoc. With these tips, strategies, and best practices, you can make them efficient, engaging, and memorable.

Strategic Volunteer Planning

Appoint 2-4 dedicated volunteers each week (brothers and sisters). It's crucial to train them on these key areas to maximize collections:

Warm Greetings: Greet attendees with a warm smile and a positive attitude.
Clear Explanations: Offer short, concise explanations of what the funds will be used for (e.g., "for our weekly free coffee and dates" or "for our end-of-term dinner").
Clear Labeling: Hold donation buckets that are clearly labelled.
Contactless Payments: Utilize contactless card readers (e.g., SumUp, Zettle, Square) as a convenient option for students who do not carry cash.

Volunteer Best Practices

For a professional and effective approach, volunteers should:

Greet warmly and explain where the funds go.
Use short, meaningful pitches: “Your donation helps run weekly socials and prayer space.”
Use Mobile Card Reader Apps for smoother transactions - most readers have companion apps that allow for quick entry of amounts on phones if the physical reader isn't available.

Jum'uah Fundraising: A Weekly Lifeline

Jum'uah fundraising is one of the most consistent and effective sources of income. Leverage the weekly congregation to support the society’s activities.

Event-Based Fundraising: Subtle, Smart, Strategic

Events are opportunities not just for engagement but also financial sustainability. Here’s how to make your events contribute to your funds:

Low Ticket Prices

Encourage attendance with low ticket prices (e.g., £2 for socials, £3 for quiz nights). This makes your events accessible and attractive, building a loyal base of attendees.

Membership Discounts

Offer cheaper tickets for ISoc members to drive membership sign-ups and strengthen your core base. For example, charging £3 for members and £5 for non-members incentivizes sign-ups and builds your core community.

On-the-Day Sales

Don't miss a key opportunity for on-the-spot fundraising. Sell snacks, drinks, or merch at events. Always have card readers available for smoother, cashless transactions.

Grants & Union Funding: Don’t Miss This Opportunity

Many ISocs underuse available funding from their Student Union or university. This is often 'free money' that can significantly boost your events and projects. Here’s how to successfully apply for grants:

Apply Early: Grants are often first-come, first-served. Apply for SU or university grants, especially activity or interfaith-related funds, as early as possible.
Present Clear Budgets: In your proposals, be clear on your purpose, show inclusivity and interfaith value, and be sure to emphasize the benefit to the wider student community.
Ask for Help: Don’t be afraid to ask your SU rep for help - some will even walk you through the application. Building a relationship with them is key.

Merch & Discount Cards: Fundraising & Branding

Merchandise and perks help build your identity and generate income simultaneously. This is a powerful way to engage members and build long-term partnerships.

Hoodies & T-shirts

Design early and get them printed locally or through platforms like Everpress. Use a pre-order system to avoid overspending and ensure you meet demand.

ISoc Discount Cards

Summer is ideal for reaching out to local Muslim-owned businesses. Offer to put their logo on cards or posters in exchange for a 10-20% discount for card holders or a stall opportunity. This builds long-term partnerships and provides value to students.

Discount Card Script:

"Assalamuailkum hope you are well my name is [insert your name] and I am from [insert your University) Islamic Society I was hoping you would give me a minute of your time to discuss a business opportunity.

This year we are doing a Discount Card Scheme which is essentially where we, as the ISoc, will provide your business marketing free of charge throughout the year at our major events such as social dinners, Iftaars etc. and on our social media page with over [insert number] followers.

Our society has a huge reach of more than [insert number] students set to become members in the next academic year. In return we are requesting a negotiable [insert percentage] % discount for our members who have this exclusive card.

Our students are really excited about your branch and we would love to have you working alongside us and the other brands signing on this year like [list other brands] and much more!

Let us know your thoughts and if you have a contactable email address or WhatsApp number I can send this to you in writing also. Jazakamu Allahu Khairun!"

Sponsorships: Be Professional, Be Clear

Sponsorships work when you offer clear value to businesses. Approach potential sponsors with professionalism and clarity to secure their support:

Reach Out in Summer: Secure term-time sponsors as this is when businesses have budget to plan ahead.
Offer Tiered Packages: Create a variety of packages (e.g., Bronze: £50 for a logo on a poster; Silver: £100 for an Instagram post + logo; Gold: £250+ for shoutouts, stalls, and more).
Always Use Sponsorship Agreements: Always use an agreement (even a simple one) to protect both sides and clarify deliverables and payment terms.

Ramadan Fundraising & Collaborations

Ramadan is not just spiritually rich; it’s also a peak time for ISoc fundraising and partnerships. Leverage the communal spirit for successful initiatives:

Collaborate with Local Businesses: Many Muslim-owned restaurants are willing to donate or offer discounts on food in exchange for a stall, Instagram shoutouts, or logo placement.

Frame it as Mutual Benefit: “You’ll reach over 100 students in one night—all looking for local places to eat after Ramadan.” This is a powerful, clear pitch.

Final Tips

To ensure your fundraising and planning are a success, keep these final tips in mind:

Track Everything: Use a shared Google Sheet or Notion page to track income, expenses, and sponsorships.
Be Consistent: Fundraise regularly in small ways rather than relying on one big campaign.
Schedule Campaigns in Advance: Freshers, Ramadan, and exam season de-stress events are key moments for fundraising.

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