So you want to fundraise?

Nepal Campaign t o Ban Landmines

In addition to raising awareness, it is also important to raise funds for mine clearance, survivor assistance and mine awareness projects. Whether you raise $1 USD or $1000 USD, every bit makes a difference in the lives of people around the world. It is best to have a specific project or organization that you want to support.

Many well-intentioned youth donate medical supplies and other goods for use in mine-affected communities rather than raising money. Despite good intentions, sometimes donations cannot be used. For example, it may not be possible to fix donated supplies locally. Also, prostheses are much like shoes: if they don’t fit you can’t wear them. Therefore, it is important that you find out first what the organization needs before you start your fundraising activities.

Fundraising Ideas

Decide what sort of project you would like to raise funds for. Do you want to adopt a minefield, support a prosthetics clinic, purchase a demining dog? Here’s a few ideas of how to raise funds for these projects.

• Go door-to-door to solicit donations from peers, neighbors and businesses. Be sure to mention where the money is being donated and provide additional information about the landmines issue.
• Challenge your peers to raise money for projects and have prizes for the individual or group that collects the most money.
• Organize a dance, benefit concert or play. Charge admission and donate the proceeds to mine action projects.
• Create donation boxes that can be placed in local businesses. Make sure they include information about the project you are raising funds for and your contact information.
• Hold a walk, bike, roll, run-a-thon. Encourage people pledge to donate a certain amount of money for each kilometer that you cover. The more kilometers you cover, the more money you will raise. Australian youth held a hop-scotch-a-thon throughout Australia to raise funds!
• Selling crafts made by landmine survivors helps raise funds for organizations and employs landmine survivors.
• Sell raffle tickets. Solicit prize donations from local business businesses and sell chances to win this prize. Hold a draw and the winning ticket wins the prize. All the ticket proceeds can be donated to a mine action project.
• Have t-shirt, sticker or poster design contest. Print the winning design and sell the items in your community.

Where to donate money

Mine action is very expensive, and projects are in need of financial support. If you are having trouble deciding where to donate money, contact your country campaign for some ideas. Click here for ICBL country campaign contact information. If your country does not have a country campaign, contact the ICBL at icbl@icbl.org for information about organizations working in your country.