Did you know that July celebrates a Plastic Free initiative from the Plastic Free Foundation? Plastic Free July is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities. 

This beautiful initiative encouraging people to use less plastic throughout July and beyond got us thinking about other ways we could encourage and celebrate sustainability whilst fundraising for our chosen charities and good causes. 

Here are some of our favourite Sustainability-Friendly Fundraisers.

Sustainability-Friendly Fundraising Ideas

1. Sponsored ‘Go Fuel Free’ Month

If it’s possible for your commute to work or school, try swapping your fuel-based transport for something kinder to the environment and healthier for you! Improve your fitness at the same time as fundraising by ditching the car and opting for a bicycle or walking instead. Ask friends, family and colleagues to sponsor your efforts! 

2. Sponsored Litter Pick

We love a sponsored litter pick – It really brings a community together as well as supporting all of your green spaces. Not only does it get people thinking about how they dispose of their rubbish, it is also a great opportunity to discuss the bigger picture of litter in general, raising awareness of ways to reduce the packaging we use and increase recycling. 

3. Seeds and Seedlings Sale

Selling seeds and seedlings is a great way to encourage people to grow their own flowers, vegetables, herbs and other plants. Think of innovative ways you could avoid plastic pots for your seedlings by instead choosing things like old chipped mugs festering at the back of the cupboard, or re-use glass jars and tins. Not only are they much more charming than a plastic pot, but they can be used again and again.  

4. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Now is a great time for a clear out! Free up some of your space whilst raising some pennies and pounds! Encourage your supporters to pass on things they don’t use anymore so they can be reused and recycled by someone else. Some or all of their proceeds from selling their items can be donated to your worthy cause! Remember one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. 

• Old/ unworn clothes can be passed on to someone else via apps like Ebay, Vinted and Depop.
• Upcycled furniture can be sold online via places like FB Marketplace, Gumtree or Etsy
• Book a spot at your local car boot sale so you have a set date to work towards

5. Sponsored Meat-Free Month 

Why not challenge your supporters to go vegetarian or vegan for the month whilst being sponsored by friends, family and colleagues to do so! Giving up meat for all the meat-lovers out there can feel quite daunting, so adding in the motivation of earning sponsorship money for charity could be just the extra encouragement they need. 

6. Glass and Seasonal Collection in the Community

Not all areas have glass or garden cuttings collections – Or they have to pay a fee for a special bin. If your local community is affected by this, then offering your services to collect these items (for a smaller fee) is a great way of helping those in your area as well as raising some money for your cause. 

You could also offer to collect real Christmas trees after the Christmas period and take them to the rubbish tip if this isn’t something offered by your local refuse collectors. 

7. Celebrate Local Fare

Many people are so used to their weekly routine of grocery shopping in their local supermarket that they may not even realise what delights can be bought from local independent shops. 

Reach out to local independent shops and farms that offer locally sourced and created items and create hampers of treats for supporters to buy at a special sale. Not only will you be raising money for your cause, you will also be raising awareness of all the local makers and providers in your area, encouraging people to shop local.  

8. Contribute to Your Local Community

There are lots of ways you can donate your time to initiatives in your local community. Places like local community centres, parks, animal shelters, churches and local charitable projects could all benefit from volunteers willing to give a bit of time to help. 

9. Nurture Local Ecosystems

There are simple, easy ways to help the creatures in our local ecosystems. Not only could you do this for yourself in your own gardens, but create, make and sell the same items to raise funds too! 

• Build Bug Houses / Insect Hotels out of natural products like sticks, bamboo, wood, rocks etc 
• Make Feeders out of wood and natural products 
• Create Homemade Seed Bombs – There are lots of recipes online to help you  

Fundraise Digitally with Donater

What are your favourite sustainable fundraisers? We’d love to see your ideas too! You can tag us on Instagram or Facebook. 

Here at Donater we have a suite of fundraising tools specifically designed to make giving easier. Easier for the donor to make a donation, and easier for charitable organisations to receive that all-important fundraising.

Our suite of online fundraising tools include:

A dedicated online fundraising page, personalised to your charity or good cause. Supporters will immediately recognise your branding and thus, trust that they are in the right place to make a donation. Online fundraising pages are easy to share online via a handy link, and can be easily linked to your website with a ‘Donate Now’ button.

QR codes. We’ve all become more accustomed to QR codes over the last couple of years, so you’ll know how quick and easy it is to scan one with your smartphone. QR codes can be just as handy for taking donations. All your supporter has to do is scan the QR code with their smartphone, and it will take them to an online donation page. Once there, they can choose to donate with a tap via Google Pay or Apple Pay, or pay with their bank details. QR codes are a great addition to any physical marketing about your event, such as posters or newsletters as well as transforming a traditional donation box into a mobile way of taking digital donations.

NFC Tags. Our NFC tags take the above QR code concept a step further, and enable any supporter of yours with an NFC enabled smartphone to merely tap the tag or sticker. They will then be taken to an online donation page where they can make their donation quickly and simply. These work better with in-person events, but could easily be placed at the entrance to your charity or on collection boxes so visitors can donate to your cause if they wish.

Get in touch

If you would like to discuss how Donater could help your charitable cause to raise money digitally, https://donater.co.uk/c