Resources and support

From being able to receive contactless giving to beautiful posters advertising your event, find all the resources you may need to organise a successful fundraiser.

    Organising your event

    Taking online donations

    You can set up an online giving page in minutes. The great thing about online giving is you don’t have to worry about handling cash. Your sponsors donate online and everyone can see how much you’ve raised so far. We recommend using JustGiving. Remember to share your fundraising page on your social networks. And keep your friends and followers up to date with everything you do in the lead-up to your event.

    What is justgiving?

    JustGiving is the world’s most trusted platform for online giving. Setting up a page is easy just click the link below. Make sure to let your supporters know all about your event and why you chose to support The Marine Conservation Society! Including photos and regular updates is a great idea and remember to make sure you follow up after the event by letting your friends know how well you did - around 20% of donations come in after an event has finished!
     

    Create your Justgiving fundraising page

    Sign up

    What is givestar?

    In today's increasingly cashless society, givestar turns your phone into a contactless donation device. This makes it easier for you to fundraise as a reader is not required to take card payments. Additionally, it can lead to larger donations with donors, on average, giving 50% more when making contactless 'tap to pay' donations, compared to donating online.

    All you need to do is download the free app and you can begin to fundraise for us and the sea right from the get go.

    Give Givestar a go

    Sign up

    Promoting your event

    Event Posters

    Download our free event posters to help advertise your fundraising efforts. All you have to do is edit the sections and personalise it to your specific event.

    Event poster - Seals
    Event poster - Turtle
    Event poster - Octopus

    Big Blue Day Posters

    Raise awareness of our awe-inspiring seas and marine wildlife by throwing your very own day of celebration at school, work or with friends. Download our posters below to help get the word out about your efforts.

    Poster - Dolphin
    Poster - Whales
    Poster - Whale Tail

    Press Release Template

    Looking to get your fundraising event picked up by local press? Our template below can help you put together everything needed to pique the interest of local news outlets.

    Pres Release Template

    How your money helps

    Your fundraising support helps us campaign for proper protection for marine habitats and wildlife, make seas and beaches cleaner, and protect the UK’s fish.

    Litter on UK beaches has doubled over the last decade, and more than half of all beach litter is made of plastic, which may never biodegrade. We run regular beach cleans with thousands of volunteers, collecting and surveying litter ever year.

    Our fundraising promise

    Our members and supporters are vital to our success, providing us with the funds we need to protect our seas, shores and wildlife. Without their generous support through volunteering, campaigning and donating, we wouldn’t be able to carry out our important marine conservation work.

    We’re proud that more than 80% of our income is spent on conservation work – from campaigning for marine protected areas, to clearing litter from beaches, and working with industry to encourage more sustainable fishing practices.

    In return for this incredible support, we ensure all our fundraising practices are honest, legal, transparent and respectful of our donor’s wishes and privacy. Our staff and any agencies that work for us adhere to the strictest fundraising guidelines. We comply fully with all relevant laws, including the Data Protection Act 1998, the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR), the Telephone Preference Service (TPS), and the Institute of Fundraising’s Code of Fundraising Practice.

    We are registered with the Fundraising Regulator (FR) and are members of the Data & Marketing Association (DMA – formerly the Direct Marketing Association) and the Institute of Fundraising (IOF).

    Our promise to you:

    • We are committed to the highest standards.
    • We will be open and transparent about how we raise and spend money.
    • We will never sell your data to other companies or share your details with other charities, unless you tell us we can.
    • We will make it clear and easy for you to choose how you hear from us. If you ask us not to contact you, we won’t, unless it’s a legal requirement.
    • If we call you on the phone regarding your membership or other means of support, we will always check first that you are happy to speak with us.
    • We will never use pushy or aggressive fundraising techniques.
    • We fully support the strengthening of the fundraising regulations and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

    If you have any concerns about the way we fundraise or would like more information, please email or call us. Alternatively, you can write to us at the following address:

    Marine Conservation Society
    Overross House
    Ross Park
    Ross-on-Wye
    HR9 7US

    Fundraising questions answered