Online fundraising

You guide to fundraising online

Online fundraising platforms offer a great way to gather donations and maximise your fundraising.

They're a one-stop location where you can: 

  • Share their fundraising story
  • Collect sponsorship and donations from supporters
  • Gain additional funds through claiming Gift Aid

They can be used alongside - or instead of - paper sponsorship forms.

Most online fundraising platforms will charge a fee to use their services. This is to cover administration costs, card payment charges, and the cost of processing Gift Aid claims where applicable. It means you might receive slightly less money than has been donated.

Most online fundraising platforms require you to provide a charity number.

If you’re fundraising locally (for your unit, district, or for an international trip), you mustn't use Girlguiding’s national charity number (306016). This number has to be used when raising money for projects to benefit girls in guiding all over the UK.

To find a local charity number you can use, get in touch with your country/region office for advice. Or contact the fundraising platform you want to use to get the most up-to-date advice on how to use their service to fundraise for local guiding. 

If you need further information on the use of charity numbers, please read our guidance on charitable status.

Local fundraising on online fundraising platforms

All well known fundraising platforms will require a charity number or Gift Aid number to register, which your unit might not currently have.

Find out how to register your unit, district or division for a Gift Aid number

Once you have a Gift Aid or charity number, you should contact the fundraising platform you'd like to register with to get the most up-to-date advice on how to use their service.

JustGiving allows Girlguiding units with a Gift Aid number join their platform. You will need to contact them via their web form to begin registering on the platform. Make sure you allow enough time to go through the registration process before you want to start fundraising.

UK-wide fundraising

If you are fundraising for Girlguiding across the UK, you can use any one of the following platforms like JustGiving.

Setting up a page is straightforward. Simply follow the instructions on your chosen platform's website and provide Girlguiding's registered charity number (306016) when prompted.

We encourage you to read their chosen platform’s Terms of Service before getting started. Most online fundraising platforms can only be used by people over the age of 13, but some say that anyone under the age of 18 must have consent from their parents or carers before using them.

Localgiving

We have partnered with Localgiving to provide our members with half-price annual membership.

Through Localgiving, your supporters can easily and securely make one-off payments or set up monthly Direct Debits, allowing you to process donations efficiently. Localgiving can help you fundraise with their fundraising toolkit resource, match fund campaigns and one-to-one support through their dedicated helpline.

Because of the unique donation process Localgiving offers, they're able to process all Gift Aid claims that are made through the platform without the need to complete lengthy forms. Read more about the donation process.

To read more about how Localgiving could benefit your unit - or to sign up - visit our LocalGiving page or call the Localgiving helpdesk on 0300 111 2340.