Get Started
Whether you're looking to throw a glittering gala dinner, quiz or bake sale, every dollar you raise will help bring solar light and power to people living without electricity.
Once you’ve decided how you want to raise money for Unite to Light, we want to make sure you have the resources and advice you need to make your event the fundraising success it deserves to be.
Step 1 - Set up your fundraising page
Step 2 - Publicize your event
Step 3 - Keep your event safe and legal
Step 4 - Send us the money!
Step 1 - Set up your fundraising page
Step 2 - Publicize your event
Step 3 - Keep your event safe and legal
Step 4 - Send us the money!
Set Up Your Fundraising Page
We believe fundraising should be simple and fun! Here are a couple options to get going.
Set up a Flipcause fundraising page.
This takes less than 5 minutes, and is the perfect place to gather donations and share what you’re doing. You can choose to either fundraise for one of Unite to Light’s existing campaigns (such as Solar Light and Power for Midwives), or create your own campaign and raise money for all of Unite to Light’s work. Set up a Facebook fundraising page. Facebook makes it easy to fundraise with simple step by step instructions, enables you to share with your network, gives tips on successful fundraising, and collects donations in the app. Facebook also charges no fees! |
Publicize Your Event
Boost your fundraising by using local and social media to advertise your campaign!
Local Press
Local media are always looking for feel-good stories about local people – why not send a press release to a local paper and try raise awareness of your campaign? Just include the what, when, where and why you’re fundraising – you can use the template statement in our Tips & Resources section. It’s also highly recommended to include a photo of yourself or the event, and remember to include a link to your Flipcause page to encourage potential donors!
Social Media
Using social media can be one of the quickest and simplest ways of gaining donations for your campaign. It’s important not to simply share your Flipcause page and hope for the best, however. Here are some simple tips:
Local media are always looking for feel-good stories about local people – why not send a press release to a local paper and try raise awareness of your campaign? Just include the what, when, where and why you’re fundraising – you can use the template statement in our Tips & Resources section. It’s also highly recommended to include a photo of yourself or the event, and remember to include a link to your Flipcause page to encourage potential donors!
Social Media
Using social media can be one of the quickest and simplest ways of gaining donations for your campaign. It’s important not to simply share your Flipcause page and hope for the best, however. Here are some simple tips:
- Be creative
Think about what you can post about. If it’s a sponsored challenge, could it be photos of you training? If it’s a raffle, tell people what they could win by donating to your page! - Use photos/videos
Social media works best when using images and short videos, and this also makes your fundraising more personal. People are more likely to donate if the campaign to the person they know. - Use your networks
Ask friends and family if they’d be willing to share your campaign on their social media – the more networks you can reach, the more likely someone will donate. - Don’t be afraid to be repetitive
In today’s busy world, it’ll often take people several posts to finally donate to your cause. Don’t be afraid to post an update on your efforts every week or so, and remind people that they can still donate! Thank people for their donations It might seem overkill, but posting a simple ‘thank you’ to whoever donates really helps keep your campaign’s momentum going, and makes other people aware that they could donate too. It’s also just a nice thing to do!
Keep Your Event Safe & Legal
Fundraising can be fun, but remember to follow all local regulations and keep safety first.
Insurance and Licenses
Please remember that although we’re here to help you organize and plan, you are responsible for your activity or event and Unite to Light is unable accept liability. We also recommend that you ask your local authority whether or not you need to obtain any special license for your event. Raffles Holding a raffle is a great way to raise funds, but it’s important to be aware of the legalities and whether you’ll need a license for your event. Every state is different. In California please go her: https://oag.ca.gov/charities/raffles and talk to your community fundraiser. Food hygiene Whether you’re selling cupcakes or putting on a spread, food safety laws will apply. Check with the food safety agency in your state, just to be safe. (California's is here) What we accept We appreciate all types of gifts and donations but some types of gifts add logistical or legal hurdles. Please review our Board's Gift Acceptance Policy. |
Send Us the Money!
The money you raise will help us send light and power to people living without electricity.
Online Platforms
If you use Facebook or Flipcause, the funds will be sent directly to our account! No need to do anything further. Thank you!
Send It!
We can accept checks by mail. Please include the check, directions on where you would like the funds to go (a specific project or general support), a note on how to best contact you (email and phone number) as well as anything you'd like us to know about your fundraiser.
Our Address:
Unite to Light
1117 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Website
We can take credit card donations on our donation page
Call Us
If you raised funds offline give us a ring and we can help you figure out the best options! +1 (805) 617-0590
If you use Facebook or Flipcause, the funds will be sent directly to our account! No need to do anything further. Thank you!
Send It!
We can accept checks by mail. Please include the check, directions on where you would like the funds to go (a specific project or general support), a note on how to best contact you (email and phone number) as well as anything you'd like us to know about your fundraiser.
Our Address:
Unite to Light
1117 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Website
We can take credit card donations on our donation page
Call Us
If you raised funds offline give us a ring and we can help you figure out the best options! +1 (805) 617-0590
Fundraise for Unite to Light
Are you ready to start fundraising? Go to Flipcause, check out our campaigns, pick your favorite and start raising funds.