Fundraising Organisations

It is often the case that fundraisers realise the need to establish an organisation as a mechanism for proper governance and accountability for their fundraising activity. Fundraising activity undertaken solely by an individual or in a small group of individuals can be vulnerable to accusations and perceptions of wrong-doing or can simply mean that opportunities for maximising fundraising income are missed.

Those who wish to fundraise for a cause in this case can identify an appropriate existing organisation as a recipient for their fundraising or the individual(s) involved may choose to establish an organisation themselves. In the first instance, appropriate organisations can be identified in a number of ways.

• Ask yourself which are the organisations you trust working in the field in which you want to fundraise?
• By recommendation of those already working or volunteering in the voluntary and community sector.
• By referral of an umbrella body, (refer to The Wheel for a list of umbrella bodies working in the area that you are interested in).
• Through online searches such as The Wheel’s SectorConnector on-line directory of the sector (www.wheel.ie/sectorconnector) as well  www.activelink.ie/irish.

The Wheel recommends that individuals wishing to fundraise for a cause should seek to find an appropriate organisation they could work with or for before committing to develop a new organisation. However, should this not prove possible for one reason or another is possible to establish a new organisation.

It should also be borne in mind that an organisation cannot simply establish with the purpose of raising funds but must choose some other objectives, of a charitable and or philanthropic nature.

If the organisation then chooses to register with the Revenue Commissioners as a charity for tax purposes it can significantly improve its capacity to fundraise through tax incentives, enhanced public perception of the cause and access to a range of grant-making organisations.

The Wheel is able to offer guidance to individuals considering establishing a new organisation or for those existing organisations who wish to know more about achieving Charitable Tax Exempt Status.