Raising Money From Other Sources

Whilst SUSU will try to offer some financial support to its clubs and societies, the amount it can offer is limited and so cannot be guaranteed. As such, clubs/societies should aim to be financially independent. Below you will find advice on some of the many ways you can guarantee additional money for your club/society. 

Membership fees 

One of the most successful ways that clubs/societies can guarantee a regular income is through charging a membership fee. This can be any price, but it should reflect the service you are giving your members. For example, a student playing a high-risk sport involving expensive equipment might expect to pay a lot more than a member of a departmental society. 

If you charge a membership fee, it is vital that your club/society has a central bank account with a treasurer overseeing payments. You must charge membership fees via your Groups Hub page. This can be set up via the Membership Fees link on your Groups Hub admin page.  

Sponsorship 

Local businesses are often keen to sponsor student groups in return for advertisement or guaranteed custom. This can be a very successful way of guaranteeing a lump sum of money, but it can also have risks attached if you aren’t fully aware of what you’re both signing up for. Always make sure you know what you are committing to and that you do anything you say you will, otherwise sponsors might want their money back, or it could damage the reputation of your club/society or SUSU as a whole. 

See "Seeking external sponsorship" for more information. 

Fundraising on campus 

If you’re looking to get funding for a particular competition, trip or piece of equipment, you might want to consider holding a fundraiser. The most important thing though is to plan your event. Below are some ideas: 

• Themed nights and parties – The Bridge and the halls bars are good for these, or The Cube if you are expecting a larger crowd. Some clubs and bars in Portswood or the city centre can also be hired. These can range from fancy dress themes to race nights and beyond!
• Sponsored events – If you belong to a club or society, or have a particular hobby, why not think about using your skills to run a sponsored event? In the past we have seen 24-hour SCUBA diving, sponsored climbing and skydiving.
• Bake sales – Everyone loves cakes and bake sales can be a great way of guaranteeing income with relatively little effort. If you are going to hold a bake sale you must make sure that one of the cooks has a Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate. More information on food hygiene can be found here.

For more information on booking a space for a fundraiser, check out our section on booking facilities and transport. 

If you are planning on fundraising for a charity, you must go through our RAG department. This is a legal requirement. More information on this process can be found here. 

External funding 

Many trusts and organisations offer funding to projects that fulfil certain objectives, for example if the work will benefit certain groups of people such as athletes, religious groups, innovators, or people from different nationalities. You can apply to large organisations, like the National Lottery Community Fund, or go out and ask local organisations if they can help you out – you never know what they might say. For more advice on approaching local businesses, check out these handy tips. 

Whatever you decide to apply for, be sure to plan your application well and have a read through the following tips on how to win a funding bid. 

E-commerce websites 

Many e-commerce websites offer the ability to register your club or society and give you a link. Every time someone purchases from that website through your link, they’ll then give your club a small donation. Some examples are: www.easyfundraising.org.uk and www.thegivingmachine.co.uk.