Different Ways to Raise Money for Charities: What Works Best in England?

Raising money is the lifeblood of any charitable organisation. Whether you're a newly formed CIC or a long-standing charity, finding the most effective fundraising strategies can make all the difference in delivering your services and making a greater impact.

Colorful confetti floats against a bright turquoise background, creating a festive and joyful atmosphere.

In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most popular and effective ways to raise money in England, with real figures and insights to help you find the right method for your organisation.

1. 🎉 Fundraising Events (Still #1!)

Events remain one of the most popular ways for charities to engage supporters and raise funds. This includes charity dinners, quiz nights, coffee mornings, and sponsored walks or runs.

📊 According to the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), 43% of UK donors gave via fundraising events in 2023, making it one of the top three methods of giving.

Popular Ideas:

Sponsored walks/runs

Gala dinners or auctions

Community fairs or markets

Quiz or bingo nights

2. 💻 Online Giving Platforms & Campaigns

Digital fundraising continues to grow rapidly in the UK. Websites like JustGiving, GoFundMe, and Localgiving allow charities to run donation campaigns and reach a wide audience.

📊 In 2022, £411 million was raised via JustGiving alone, supporting over 25,000 UK charities (JustGiving Impact Report, 2022).

Best Practices:

Create emotional, story-driven campaigns

Include strong visuals and clear donation goals

Offer updates and impact reports to donors

3. 🎁 Charity Shop Donations & Sales

Retail income is a major revenue stream for larger charities. Charity shops bring in both unrestricted income and increase public presence on the high street.

📊 The Charity Retail Association reported that UK charity shops generated £845 million in sales in 2022.

Not just for big charities: You can host pop-up charity stalls, car boot sales, or collaborate with local businesses to collect and resell donated items.

4. 🎽 Merchandise & Product Sales

Selling branded merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, calendars) not only raises funds but also spreads awareness of your cause.

Popular examples include:

Tote bags with charity logos

Limited edition collaborations with local artists

DIY fundraising kits

📊 According to CAF, 13% of UK donors gave to charities by purchasing goods in 2023.

5. 💼 Corporate Sponsorships & Partnerships

Many businesses want to support local causes as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy. This is a powerful route to long-term funding and resource sharing.

📊 In 2022, UK corporate giving was valued at £2.5 billion (NCVO UK Civil Society Almanack).

Ways to Partner:

Event sponsorships

Payroll giving schemes

Staff volunteering days

Co-branded campaigns

6. 🎯 Grant Applications

While competitive, grants can provide high-value funding. These come from local councils, national bodies (likethe National Lottery), or private trusts.

📊 The National Lottery Community Fund awarded £615 million to over 13,000 community projects across the UK in 2022.

7. 🙋‍♀️ Community-Led Initiatives & Crowdfunding

Peer-to-peer fundraising and crowdfunding campaigns allow individuals to fundraise on your behalf, often reaching people you wouldn’t otherwise.

Examples:

Birthday fundraisers on Facebook