Our urgent appeal - how local groups can get involved13 July 2010
This page offers groups information and ideas for how to support Friends of the Earth's current urgent fundraising appeal.
We'll update it regularly with more information on what groups are doing to support the appeal.
Latest update (24 October 2010)
We've raised £360,000 so far. Thanks to all of you who've donated already.
The appeal
Over the past year or so our fundraising income has dropped dramatically.
We've identified 3 urgent and important actions that we believe are vital and need to be implemented by the new coalition Government during the next 12 months:
- Reduce UK carbon emissions by at least 42% by 2020
- Introduce a high quality Renewable Heat Incentive
- Set minimum energy efficiency standards for private rented houses
But this very significant income shortfall will seriously affect our ability to deliver these campaigns. We urgently need to raise £500,000.
How can your group help?
There are three ways your group could help with the fundraising appeal:
- Forward the appeal email to group members and supporters - asking them to donate and also send it on to their contacts. Anyone can donate easily at http://www.foe.co.uk/appeal
- Use the leaflets we'll send you in August on your stalls and at your events, urging members of the public to support the appeal. You can also use these with family and friends.
- Consider organising a fundraising event this Summer or Autumn. This will help raise your own group's profile and you could split the money raised between your group and the appeal if you wanted to. We'll include a booklet on fundraising in your community with the leaflets, which you can also view at http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/guides/event_fund_guide.pdf.
Some great examples from groups already helping out:
Bromley Friends of the Earth have planned an 'Auction of Pledges' to bring in some money for the appeal. Here they describe how it'll work: "Members offer a service or their time or some goods (like wine) which are bid for. We have about 30 pledges so far, ranging from lawn-mowing to portrait painting and computer lessons. Bids are also accepted from those who can't be there. We're also trying to bring in non-members to swell the coffers."
Camden Friends of the Earth have sent an appeal to their email list. The coordinators Jess and Su suggest that other groups "could do their own little edit and then send it on to their groups. It should help quite a lot I think. Good luck with the appeal, I think it will be successful!!"
Calderdale Friends of the Earth have pledged £500 directly to the appeal and also suggest that groups encourage members to check whether they're already financial supporters of Friends of the Earth, and to suggest they (and their friends and acquaintances) take out a Direct Debit.
So far groups have directly donated a total of over £7000 to the appeal. Thank you!
Some further information about the appeal
Why are you sending out an Emergency Appeal now & not when the recession first hit?
The drop in income means that without this appeal, we'll be forced to choose between vital campaigns to tackle climate change just when strong action is needed most. Back in the financial year 2009-10 we took swift and decisive action to keep us on an even keel financially by finding £2.5 million savings over the year. However, we now face a new drop in income in what are still financially uncertain times.
How serious an emergency is this?
This is an emergency. We want to campaign on 3 urgent things to stop the worst effects of climate change - getting the Government to commit to strong action to reduce the UK's carbon emissions, help people install solar water heating systems at home and make sure rented houses don't leak heat. This significant drop in donations means that we simply don't have the funds to do all we need to do.
What will happen if the appeal is unsuccessful?
Friends of the Earth will be forced to choose between vital campaigns to tackle climate change just at the time when strong action is needed most.
How can people donate?
People can donate at www.foe.co.uk/appeal or by calling 0800 581 051. We can also take donations by post, sent to Friends of the Earth, FREEPOST WD1376, 56 - 58 Alma Street, Luton LU1 2YZ.
How much do you spend on fundraising costs?
Every pound we spend on fundraising generates around £10 of income.
What else can people do apart from give money?
Of course, all Friends of the Earth campaigns also depend on people and communities taking action, individually or with others in their area as a local group and if people are keen to get further involved they find out more about getting active with Friends of the Earth, including joining their local group at http://www.foe.co.uk/get_involved_index.html.
Camden Friends of the Earth's letter to their supporters:
Dear Camden Friends of the Earth members,
As a local group member, you may know that Friends of the Earth has had some financial difficulties recently, and over the past year or so its fundraising and legacy income has dropped dramatically. You'll probably also know that they have taken difficult decisions to cut work and staff numbers already but sadly times are still proving challenging and so they are now making an urgent appeal to all supporters for help.
You may not be aware that as a local group we get huge amounts of support from Head Office, whether that be training, campaigning materials, pep talks, funds, advice, expertise and support for national networking. We pay a stupidly small group membership fee for this service.
This current appeal is an urgent and important one to keep Friends of the Earth on track.
We have to get the message out to as many supporters as possible that this campaign is looking to raise £500,000. For that reason, for the first time we feel it is appropriate to ask you to consider making a personal donation to national Friends of the Earth. We understand that a number of us can't make financial contributions, and choose to donate energy and time instead, however we know that others would very much like to.
We have estimated that a donation of around £50 per active group member would achieve this fundraising goal. So we are asking you to consider donating whatever it is that you can afford at this time, 'every little helps'! You can do this easily (of course) by clicking the link below.
http://www.foe.co.uk/donate_now.html
Please consider sharing this request with any close friends and relatives who would like to help ensure that Friends of the Earth continues as a powerful and vibrant campaigning force.
At our next meeting we will discuss whether we would like to organise a fundraising event as a group.
We hope very much that you'll be able to help, if you have any queries, ideas or thought do get in touch
Best wishes,
