How much fundraising does your dcs guide group do

[Nicpem1982]

Just trying to understand what is average really. Dd has been in rainbows for a short period of time and we seem to be getting a request for funds every week or so.

I've asked the leader what we are raising funds for (trips/materials etc) and she's pretty vague in the response we mainly get told it's for the unit.....

We pay subs each week and the trips dd has been on had all been paid in full Inc leaders and transportation.

I don't mind fund raising and understand the leaders are voluntary but so far we've personally submitted 60 pounds in donations from selling raffle tickets, collecting coins and donating various items and dd has been there 6 weeks.

I've offered to assist in raising of funds and have suggested a few things such as a quiz night, film night and running a game at a local Christmas fayre where I'd managed to get a stall donated for free.

I've also offered to write bids in an attempt to get community based grants (I do this for work) all of which have been declined despite the constant requests for cash and the plea of no money the only reason I've offered.

What do your rainbows/brownies groups do for fund raising

I run a guide and ranger unit. Our subs cover rent, materials and subscription. Sometimes I can afford to subsidise trips to eg bowling etc.

We don't do other fundraising unless there's an event or charity the girls have chosen.

It's weird they're being so vague. Find out who the district or division commissioner is and ask them to clarify.

How much are subs. I charge £35 a term and has been that for at least 5 years. But we have a purpose built hall so our rent is reasonable. We charge termly as in fairly affluent area.

Thank you! I genuinely don't mind some fundraising but this is relentless.

Our subs don't cover subscription we pay that in April apparently and that's ok.

It's the fact that it seems never ending and we're never told what has been raised or what the funds are for.

How do I find out who the divisional commissioner is

Very odd, subs cover the every day and we ask for donations for trips when we can subsidise them. I know where both my units money goes so being vague isn't good enough. Mine pay about £25 a term (no rent) and that covers everything with some money in bank. Only time have fundraised was for another charity.

We pay 2.50 a week so 95 an academic year

I run a brownie unit and we never fundraise unless it's for a specific charity. DD is in rangers and they are currently fundraising to pay for a European pack holiday. Do your Rainbows claim gift aid from HMRC, as we use that to pay for trips etc and we have an expensive trip at least termly, eg cinema, panto.

I've suggested gift aid and setting up via amazon smile and easy fundraising all of which have been declined

Our subs are £90 per year and annual census is paid out of that. So I would be questioning all the extra fundraising. Unless the hall rent is exceptionally expensive. We used to have no money due to hall rent, so we moved to another hall

Gift aid is worth between £700 and £1000 a year to us. They need to set that up!

I know the coat of the hall rent as dh has rented it for work and it would be amply covered in the subs.

I've questioned it and I've been told the unit is always in need, I've asked of what as I'm prepared to see what I can get donated from local companies to help eliviate the issue and the leader never comes back to me.

I've offered to set it up but the leader declines I don't want to step on her toes

Im a cub leader... Our subs are 8.50 a month, but we have approx £1 a week per child for activities from that. That includes the juice and biscuits, the craft stuff, resources etc. The rest goes on maintenance, equipment, insurance, leader training, the electricity bill... The list is ever ending.

However £60 contribution in fundraising sounds a lot and should have a specific purpose.

We have to send drinks in there are no biscuits.

Were not even finishing one fundraising event before the next one is launched we don't live in an affluent area, me and dh do fine but alot of families in our area are on the breadline and can't a2the constant requests

When I've queried this it's because the unit is 'always in need'

Afford not a2the

I’m a Cub leader. Our subs are £15/month and cover the running expenses of the hut -maintenance, bills, insurance-, Scout Association insurance and a basis cost of about £2/head per session. We fund raise throughout the year for stuff like subsidising camps, camping equipment, subsidising activities. Recent big ticket items have been - installing central heating and an alarm system, redecorating (materials only, labour was provided by leaders and parents) and new tents.

Fundraising activities include - gift aid, grant from Parish Council, renting out the hut in nights we don’t use it, bonfire night, sponsored walk and summer gala.

£2 a week and pay for your own trips here.

I have 2 theories why the leader is vague where the money goes, either they previously got into a financial mess and the extra money is to sort this out, or, if it's a poor area, perhaps a lot of girls are being allowed to go without paying subs?

When we drop dd the girls are all there in a line paying subs so I think people are paying weekly.

I wondered about a financial too but I think if this is the case she needs to be open and honest.

Can you ask them for last years annual report - that will have the treasurers report in that willl show all incomings and outgoings - should give you an idea of whether the subs are covering normal outgoings such as rent etc.

I'm treasurer for scouts and we dont do much fundraising via parents. Subs are at a level that cover day to day running costs and annual membership fees. We then maybe once a year receive a grant towards equipment if we apply and are successful.
We also do a gift aid claim every year which enables us to claim back 25% of subs from HMRC

This sounds way more than average.

Not claiming Gift Aid but doing this much additional fundraising is silly.

I don’t claim Gift Aid for my unit but only because I don’t have time to do the admin for it. Instead I charge the going rate to parents and fortunately they can afford it in my area. It’s still cheaper than most other extra curriculars.

I run 2 units and would be very happy to answer any questions about finances especially if was fundraising so often and would always have my last years set of complete accounts available if required. I usually do my current accounts once a term as my parents aren't great at paying subs on time and prefer to pay into bank all in one go so easier to track.

If they are fundraising they must be able to say what the money is going towards eg the yearly census which for us will be about £40per girl next year.

She's agreed after some pushing to let me help set up gift aid and deal with the admin for the unit. We'll see if it makes a difference

If they haven’t been claiming gift aid you can do a back claim for the past 4 years. I did it when I took over the scouts accounts and although it was a massive amount of work we got £5.5k which was an amazing boost to the coiffers!!!

Brie that's my intention

She's agreed after some pushing to let me help set up gift aid and deal with the admin for the unit. We'll see if it makes a difference

Your DD has attended 6 times (in 6 weeks) and she's handed responsibility for admin over to you?

@Nicpem1982 you should have had a starter form with details of district and/or division commissioners on it.