Gaming to the rescue Fundraising tips and FAQs

Fundraising tips

Create your fundraising page

If you haven’t already, make sure you create a fundraising page – it’s the easiest way for your friends and followers to donate to you. You can choose to use either Tiltify or JustGiving.

Create a Tiltify pageCreate a JustGiving page

Set the date

Giving yourself enough time allows you to big up your fundraiser and gives them notice to put some money aside to support you and Battersea. Better still if you are planning on streaming, it gives you time to get yourself set up and your community ready and excited. Make sure they know what time your stream will begin!

Plan your fundraiser

Think about what will make your challenge successful. Get together with your friends to plan some ideas or reach out to people who have held a gaming or streaming fundraiser to give you some tips. Things to think about:

• What type of event is it? Are you streaming the event or staying offline?
• If you are streaming, are you streaming your gaming or are you streaming different types of content?
• If you are gaming, what game/s are you going play? Are you doing a gaming marathon, a speed run or a bespoke challenge?
• Are you going to do any fun challenges for donations at your event? (e.g. for £20 you will do your next Fortnite match with only common equip)

What type of stream could I host if I’m not a gamer?

You don’t need to be a gamer to take part, if you stream content regularly or even if you’re new to streaming but have always wanted to give it a go, we’ve put together a few ideas of the challenges you could take:

• Fitness challenges: Set a fitness or workout challenge – this could incorporate games like RingFit or VR streaming
• ‘How To’ sessions: Stream a live ‘how to’ of any skills you have, be that drawing, make-up tutorials or even knitting – you could even take suggestions live!
• Virtual Pub Quiz: Step up as the quizmaster and host a night of trivia
• Yoga or workout class stream: Don your lycra and downward dog for Battersea dogs!
• Comedy Night: Have you always fancied your skills at stand-up? Why not host a stand up night and perform your best work to a virtual room of potential fans

Setting a fundraising target

This is both a great way of motivating yourself and encouraging your supporters. Letting them know that they are getting you ever closer to your goal may just encourage them to give that little bit more. Plus, there’s no denying how satisfying it is when you see it tip that 100% mark!

Tiltify extra incentives

If you choose to fundraise on Tiltify, there are several additional features you can use to help encourage your supporters to donate those extra pennies:

Upload lots of photos

This is one of the easiest and most effective ways of personalising your page. When your supporters first visit your page, greet them with a beaming picture of yourself. And as you can upload multiple photos, why not add a few more to really tell your fundraising story. As they say, a picture tells a thousand words, so update your page with new photos to keep your page looking fresh.

Add a video

If a picture tells a thousand words, just imagine what a video could, and it’s a super-easy way to connect with your sponsors on a whole new level. You can add a YouTube video to your fundraising page the same way you add photos.

Tell your story

An engaging story can make all the difference so let your supporters know why you’re fundraising and what it means to you. You’ve taken on an incredible challenge; let people know how much effort you’re putting in.

Share with your followers

Post updates to your social media channels. If you’re streaming, advertise the same way you do for your normal stream. Twitter is a great platform for updates throughout your challenge. Tag #Battersea #GamingtotheRescue and #TeamRescue. Ask other streamers you watch/sub to if you can tag them/advertise in their Discord. People also tend to match the amounts already listed on the page, and your family and close friends are more likely to get you started with some generous donations!

Matchfunding

Speak to your employer and see if they support Matchfunding. If they do, you can double your fundraising because for every pound you raise, they will match it.

Thank people

Saying thank you is important and there are plenty of ways you can say thank you to your supporters. You can update the story on your page, send emails out to your donors, tweet a thank you, update your Facebook status or even give them a shout-out as you stream. Let people know how your fundraising went, just what their support has meant to you and what a difference it will make to the rescues at Battersea.

And remember, your health matters

Regardless of how you choose to fundraise, but especially if you’re considering a marathon challenge, please make sure you take the time to think about your health. Give yourself breaks from the screen, walk around and stay hydrated. If you’re not feeling well, stop your challenge straight away.

Keep in touch

The team here at Battersea would love to hear how you’re getting on, and we are ready to help with any and all questions you may have!

You can join our Discord server or pop us an email at gamingtotherescue@battersea.org.uk.

Or you can call our supporter services team on 0207 627 7883.

FAQs